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Vector Position Expression for PM

Let OO be the origin, OP=a\vec{OP} = \vec{a} and OQ=b\vec{OQ} = \vec{b}. If RR is the point on OP\vec{OP} such that OP=5OR\vec{OP} = 5\vec{OR}, and MM is the point such that OQ=5RM\vec{OQ} = 5\vec{RM}, then PM\vec{PM} is equal to :

Options

A

15(a4b)\frac{1}{5}(\vec{a} - 4\vec{b})

B

15(b4a)\frac{1}{5}(\vec{b} - 4\vec{a})

Correct
C

15(a+4b)\frac{1}{5}(-\vec{a} + 4\vec{b})

D

15(b+4a)\frac{1}{5}(-\vec{b} + 4\vec{a})

Topics & Concepts

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the vector expression for PM\vec{PM}, we first determine the position vectors of the relevant points relative to the origin OO.

Given:

  1. Position vector of PP: OP=a\vec{OP} = \vec{a}

  2. Position vector of QQ: OQ=b\vec{OQ} = \vec{b}

  3. Point RR lies on OP\vec{OP} such that OP=5OR\vec{OP} = 5\vec{OR}: OR=15OP=15a\vec{OR} = \frac{1}{5}\vec{OP} = \frac{1}{5}\vec{a}

  4. Point MM satisfies OQ=5RM\vec{OQ} = 5\vec{RM}: RM=15OQ=15b\vec{RM} = \frac{1}{5}\vec{OQ} = \frac{1}{5}\vec{b}

Using triangle law of vector addition, the position vector of point MM relative to the origin OO is: OM=OR+RM\vec{OM} = \vec{OR} + \vec{RM}

Substitute OR\vec{OR} and RM\vec{RM} into the equation: OM=15a+15b=15(a+b)\vec{OM} = \frac{1}{5}\vec{a} + \frac{1}{5}\vec{b} = \frac{1}{5}(\vec{a} + \vec{b})

Now, the vector PM\vec{PM} can be expressed in terms of position vectors OM\vec{OM} and OP\vec{OP}: PM=OMOP\vec{PM} = \vec{OM} - \vec{OP}

Substituting the expressions for OM\vec{OM} and OP\vec{OP}: PM=15(a+b)a\vec{PM} = \frac{1}{5}(\vec{a} + \vec{b}) - \vec{a} PM=15a+15ba\vec{PM} = \frac{1}{5}\vec{a} + \frac{1}{5}\vec{b} - \vec{a} PM=15b45a\vec{PM} = \frac{1}{5}\vec{b} - \frac{4}{5}\vec{a} PM=15(b4a)\vec{PM} = \frac{1}{5}(\vec{b} - 4\vec{a})

Thus, the vector PM\vec{PM} is equal to 15(b4a)\frac{1}{5}(\vec{b} - 4\vec{a}).

Correct Option: B

Vector Position Expression for PM | Mathematics PYQ Solution - JEE Challenger