Let a=-5 i+ j-3 k, b= i+2 j-4 k and c=((( a b) i) i) i. Then c (- i+ j+ k) is equal to :
- -12
- -10
- -13
- -15
Answer
(1) -12
Solution
Use the vector triple product ( u v) w = ( u w) v - ( v w) u.
Since a i = -5 and b i = 1, we get p = ( a b) i = -5 b - a
= (-5 i - 10 j + 20 k) - (-5 i + j - 3 k) = -11 j + 23 k
Now p i = 0, so the same identity gives ( p i) i = ( p i) i - ( i i) p = - p
Hence c = ( p i) i = 11 j - 23 k
c (- i + j + k) = 0 + 11 - 23 = -12
Answer: (1)