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MHT CET · Maths · Vector Algebra

If \(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}},|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}|=3,|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}|=5,|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}|=7\), then the angle between \(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}\) and \(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}\) is

  1. A \(\pi / 6\)
  2. B \(2 \pi / 3\)
  3. C \(5 \pi / 3\)
  4. D \(\pi / 3\)
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(D) \(\pi / 3\)

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

Given, \(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}}\)
\(\therefore \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}=-(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}) \)
\( \Rightarrow |\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}|^{2}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}=(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}) \cdot(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}})\)
\(\Rightarrow |\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}|^{2}=|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}|^{2}+|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}|^{2}+2 \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \)
\( \Rightarrow |\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}|^{2}=|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}|^{2}+|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}|^{2}+2|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}||\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}| \cos \theta \)
\( \Rightarrow 49=9+25+2 \times 3 \times 5 \cos \theta \)
\( \Rightarrow 15=30 \cos \theta \Rightarrow \cos \theta=\frac{1}{2} \)
\( \Rightarrow \theta=\frac{\pi}{3}\)