Show that $|\vec{a}| \vec{b}+|\vec{b}| \vec{a}$ is perpendicular to $|\vec{a}| \vec{b}-|\vec{b}| \vec{a},$ for any two nonzero vectors $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}.$

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
To show that two vectors are perpendicular,their dot product must be equal to $0$.
Let $\vec{u} = |\vec{a}| \vec{b}+|\vec{b}| \vec{a}$ and $\vec{v} = |\vec{a}| \vec{b}-|\vec{b}| \vec{a}$.
Calculate the dot product $\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v}$:
$\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v} = (|\vec{a}| \vec{b}+|\vec{b}| \vec{a}) \cdot (|\vec{a}| \vec{b}-|\vec{b}| \vec{a})$
Using the distributive property of the dot product:
$= |\vec{a}|^2 (\vec{b} \cdot \vec{b}) - |\vec{a}||\vec{b}| (\vec{b} \cdot \vec{a}) + |\vec{b}||\vec{a}| (\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}) - |\vec{b}|^2 (\vec{a} \cdot \vec{a})$
Since $\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b} = \vec{b} \cdot \vec{a}$ and $\vec{x} \cdot \vec{x} = |\vec{x}|^2$:
$= |\vec{a}|^2 |\vec{b}|^2 - |\vec{a}||\vec{b}| (\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}) + |\vec{a}||\vec{b}| (\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}) - |\vec{b}|^2 |\vec{a}|^2$
$= |\vec{a}|^2 |\vec{b}|^2 - |\vec{a}|^2 |\vec{b}|^2$
$= 0$
Since the dot product is $0$,the vectors $|\vec{a}| \vec{b}+|\vec{b}| \vec{a}$ and $|\vec{a}| \vec{b}-|\vec{b}| \vec{a}$ are perpendicular to each other.

Explore More

Similar Questions

If $a = 4i + 6j$ and $b = 3j + 4k$,then the component of $a$ along $b$ is

The projection of vector $\vec{a} = \hat{i} + 2\hat{j} + \hat{k}$ on vector $\vec{b} = 2\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$ is . . . . . . .

For three unit vectors $\vec{a}, \vec{b}, \vec{c}$ satisfying $|\vec{a}-\vec{b}|^{2}+|\vec{b}-\vec{c}|^{2}+|\vec{c}-\vec{a}|^{2}=9$ and $|2\vec{a}+k\vec{b}+k\vec{c}|=3$, the positive value of $k$ is:

If $\overrightarrow{a}+\overrightarrow{b}+\overrightarrow{c}=\overrightarrow{0}$ and $|\overrightarrow{a}|=3, |\overrightarrow{b}|=4$ and $|\overrightarrow{c}|=\sqrt{37}$, then the angle between $\overrightarrow{a}$ and $\overrightarrow{b}$ is:

Two adjacent sides of a parallelogram $PQRS$ are given by $\vec{PQ} = \hat{i} + \hat{k}$ and $\vec{PS} = \hat{i} - \hat{j}$. If the side $PS$ is rotated about the point $P$ by an acute angle $\alpha$ in the plane of the parallelogram so that it becomes perpendicular to the side $PQ$, then $\sin^2(\frac{5\alpha}{2}) - \sin^2(\frac{\alpha}{2})$ is equal to:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo