<p>If <strong>u</strong>, <strong>v</strong> and <strong>w</strong> are non-coplanar vectors and p, q are real numbers, then the equality [3<strong>u</strong> p<strong>v</strong> p<strong>w</strong>] − [p<strong>v</strong> <strong>w</strong> q<strong>u</strong>] − [2<strong>w</strong> q<strong>v</strong> q<strong>u</strong>] = 0 holds for</p>
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: The scalar triple product is a multilinear function of its three arguments, meaning it is linear in each argument separately. We must expand each scalar triple product using this linearity and simplify using properties like [a, a, b] = 0.
Step 1: Expand the first scalar triple product.
Using the property $[k_1 \mathbf{a}, k_2 \mathbf{b}, k_3 \mathbf{c}] = k_1 k_2 k_3 [\mathbf{a}, \mathbf{b}, \mathbf{c}]$, we have:
$$[3\mathbf{u}, p\mathbf{v}, p\mathbf{w}] = (3)(p)(p) [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}] = 3p^2 [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$$
Step 2: Expand the second scalar triple product.
Using the same property:
$$[p\mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}, q\mathbf{u}] = (p)(1)(q) [\mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}, \mathbf{u}]$$
By the cyclic property of scalar triple products, $[\mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}, \mathbf{u}] = [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$.
Thus:
$$[p\mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}, q\mathbf{u}] = pq [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$$
Step 3: Expand the third scalar triple product.
Using the same property:
$$[2\mathbf{w}, q\mathbf{v}, q\mathbf{u}] = (2)(q)(q) [\mathbf{w}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u}]$$
To relate $[\mathbf{w}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u}]$ to $[\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$, we use the property that swapping two vectors changes the sign of the scalar triple product:
$[\mathbf{w}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u}] = -[\mathbf{w}, \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}]$.
Also, $[\mathbf{w}, \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}]$ is a cyclic permutation of $[\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$, so $[\mathbf{w}, \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}] = [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$.
Therefore, $[\mathbf{w}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u}] = -[\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$.
Substituting this back:
$$[2\mathbf{w}, q\mathbf{v}, q\mathbf{u}] = 2q^2 (-[\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]) = -2q^2 [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$$
Step 4: Substitute all expansions into the given equation.
The given equality is $[3\mathbf{u}, p\mathbf{v}, p\mathbf{w}] - [p\mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}, q\mathbf{u}] - [2\mathbf{w}, q\mathbf{v}, q\mathbf{u}] = 0$.
Substituting the expanded forms:
$$3p^2 [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}] - (pq [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]) - (-2q^2 [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]) = 0$$
$$3p^2 [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}] - pq [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}] + 2q^2 [\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}] = 0$$
Step 5: Factor out $[\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$.
$$[\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}] (3p^2 - pq + 2q^2) = 0$$
Step 6: Apply the non-coplanarity condition.
Since $\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}$ are non-coplanar vectors, their scalar triple product $[\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$ is non-zero.
For the equality to hold, the coefficient of $[\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}]$ must be zero:
$$3p^2 - pq + 2q^2 = 0$$
Step 7: Determine the values of $p$ and $q$.
We analyze the quadratic form $3p^2 - pq + 2q^2 = 0$.
Case 1: If $q=0$.
The equation becomes $3p^2 - p(0) + 2(0)^2 = 0$, which simplifies to $3p^2 = 0$. This implies $p=0$.
So, $(p, q) = (0, 0)$ is a solution.
Case 2: If $q \neq 0$.
We can divide the entire equation by $q^2$:
$$3 \left(\frac{p}{q}\right)^2 - \left(\frac{p}{q}\right) + 2 = 0$$
Let $x = \frac{p}{q}$. The equation becomes a quadratic in $x$:
$$3x^2 - x + 2 = 0$$
To find the real roots for $x$, we calculate the discriminant $\Delta = b^2 - 4ac$:
$$\Delta = (-1)^2 - 4(3)(2) = 1 - 24 = -23$$
Since the discriminant $\Delta < 0$, there are no real solutions for $x$. This means there are no real values for $\frac{p}{q}$ when $q \neq 0$.
Combining both cases, the only real solution for $(p, q)$ that satisfies $3p^2 - pq + 2q^2 = 0$ is $(p, q) = (0, 0)$.
Therefore, the equality holds for exactly one value of $(p, q)$.
Correct Answer: C