Two vectors $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ are collinear if and only if there exist scalar m and n, at least one of them is non-zero such that:
(A) $m\vec a - n\vec b = 0$
(B) $m\vec a + n\vec b = 0$
(C) $\dfrac{{m\vec a}}{{n\vec b}} = 0$
(D) None of these
Answer
632.7k+ views
Hint:
When two vectors $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ are collinear then there exists a constant $\lambda $ which satisfies the equation $\vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b$ . According to the given options, assume the values of lambda $'\lambda '$ as $\lambda = \dfrac{n}{m}{\text{ and }}\lambda = - \dfrac{n}{m}$ to obtain the equations and match the answers from options.
Complete Step by Step Solution:
Here in this problem, we are given two collinear vectors $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ . Also, there exist scalars $m$ and $n$ where at least one of them is non-zero. With this information, we need to find which of the given four options is correct.
Before starting with solutions we must understand a few terms related to this problem. A vector is an object that has both a magnitude and a direction. Geometrically, we can picture a vector as a directed line segment, whose length is the magnitude of the vector and with an arrow indicating the direction. The direction of the vector is from its tail to its head.
Vectors that lie along the same line or parallel lines are known to be collinear vectors. They are also known as parallel vectors. Two vectors $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ are collinear if there exists a number $\lambda $ such that:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b$
Now as per the given information, let us assume that $\lambda = \dfrac{n}{m}$
Therefore, on substituting this assumption in the above equation, we will get:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow \vec a = \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right) \cdot \vec b$
On transforming this further by transposing ‘m’ from the denominator to the LHS, we get:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right) \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a = n \cdot \vec b$
On taking RHS to LHS, we get the equation:
$ \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a = n \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a - n \cdot \vec b = 0$
Similarly, let’s now assume that $\lambda = - \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right)$
Now again substituting this value in the equation $\vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b$ we get:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow \vec a = - \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right) \cdot \vec b$
This can be further simplified as:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = - \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right) \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a = - n \cdot \vec b$
On taking RHS to LHS, we get:
$ \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a = - n \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a + n \cdot \vec b = 0$
Therefore, we get that equations $m \cdot \vec a - n \cdot \vec b = 0$ and $m \cdot \vec a + n \cdot \vec b = 0$
Hence, the option (A) and (B) are the correct answer.
Note:
In this question, the equation of condition of collinearity played a crucial role in the solution of this problem. An alternative approach to solve this problem can be taken by analyzing the options given. Using the equation given in the option $m \cdot \vec a - n \cdot \vec b = 0$ can be transformed such that $m \cdot \vec a - n \cdot \vec b = 0 \Rightarrow \vec a = \dfrac{n}{m} \cdot \vec b$ . This can be then compared with the condition of collinearity.
When two vectors $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ are collinear then there exists a constant $\lambda $ which satisfies the equation $\vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b$ . According to the given options, assume the values of lambda $'\lambda '$ as $\lambda = \dfrac{n}{m}{\text{ and }}\lambda = - \dfrac{n}{m}$ to obtain the equations and match the answers from options.
Complete Step by Step Solution:
Here in this problem, we are given two collinear vectors $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ . Also, there exist scalars $m$ and $n$ where at least one of them is non-zero. With this information, we need to find which of the given four options is correct.
Before starting with solutions we must understand a few terms related to this problem. A vector is an object that has both a magnitude and a direction. Geometrically, we can picture a vector as a directed line segment, whose length is the magnitude of the vector and with an arrow indicating the direction. The direction of the vector is from its tail to its head.
Vectors that lie along the same line or parallel lines are known to be collinear vectors. They are also known as parallel vectors. Two vectors $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ are collinear if there exists a number $\lambda $ such that:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b$
Now as per the given information, let us assume that $\lambda = \dfrac{n}{m}$
Therefore, on substituting this assumption in the above equation, we will get:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow \vec a = \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right) \cdot \vec b$
On transforming this further by transposing ‘m’ from the denominator to the LHS, we get:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right) \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a = n \cdot \vec b$
On taking RHS to LHS, we get the equation:
$ \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a = n \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a - n \cdot \vec b = 0$
Similarly, let’s now assume that $\lambda = - \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right)$
Now again substituting this value in the equation $\vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b$ we get:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = \lambda \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow \vec a = - \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right) \cdot \vec b$
This can be further simplified as:
$ \Rightarrow \vec a = - \left( {\dfrac{n}{m}} \right) \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a = - n \cdot \vec b$
On taking RHS to LHS, we get:
$ \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a = - n \cdot \vec b \Rightarrow m \cdot \vec a + n \cdot \vec b = 0$
Therefore, we get that equations $m \cdot \vec a - n \cdot \vec b = 0$ and $m \cdot \vec a + n \cdot \vec b = 0$
Hence, the option (A) and (B) are the correct answer.
Note:
In this question, the equation of condition of collinearity played a crucial role in the solution of this problem. An alternative approach to solve this problem can be taken by analyzing the options given. Using the equation given in the option $m \cdot \vec a - n \cdot \vec b = 0$ can be transformed such that $m \cdot \vec a - n \cdot \vec b = 0 \Rightarrow \vec a = \dfrac{n}{m} \cdot \vec b$ . This can be then compared with the condition of collinearity.
Recently Updated Pages
Which of the following graphs shows the variation of class 12 physics CBSE

Draw a labelled diagram of the human male reproductive class 12 biology CBSE

Describe the experiment to compare the emf of two cells class 12 physics CBSE

What is standard hydrogen electrode

What is conventional current and electric current class 12 physics CBSE

2Bromopentane is treated with an alcoholic KOH solution class 12 chemistry CBSE

Trending doubts
Draw a labelled sketch of the human eye class 12 physics CBSE

Which are the Top 10 Largest Countries of the World?

Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous class 12 chemistry CBSE

Draw ray diagrams each showing i myopic eye and ii class 12 physics CBSE

Which is the correct genotypic ratio of mendel dihybrid class 12 biology CBSE

What is the Full Form of PVC, PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP and PS ?

