MCQMediumJEE 2025Basics of Vectors

JEE Mathematics 2025 Question with Solution

Let the three sides of a triangle ABC be given by the vectors 2i^j^+k^,i^3j^5k^,and3i^4j^4k^.2\hat{i} - \hat{j} + \hat{k}, \quad \hat{i} - 3\hat{j} - 5\hat{k}, \quad \text{and} \quad 3\hat{i} - 4\hat{j} - 4\hat{k}. Let G be the centroid of the triangle ABC. Then 6(AG2+BG2+CG2)6 \left( |\vec{AG}|^2 + |\vec{BG}|^2 + |\vec{CG}|^2 \right) is equal to _____

  • A

    164164

  • B

    166166

  • C

    162162

  • D

    160160

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The sides of triangle ABC are given as vectors

AB=2i^j^+k^,AC=i^3j^5k^,BC=3i^4j^4k^\overrightarrow{AB} = 2\hat{i} - \hat{j} + \hat{k}, \quad \overrightarrow{AC} = \hat{i} - 3\hat{j} - 5\hat{k}, \quad \overrightarrow{BC} = 3\hat{i} - 4\hat{j} - 4\hat{k}

Find: The value of 6(AG2+BG2+CG2)6\left(|\vec{AG}|^2 + |\vec{BG}|^2 + |\vec{CG}|^2\right) where G is the centroid.

Using the centroid formula,

G=A+B+C3\vec{G} = \frac{\vec{A} + \vec{B} + \vec{C}}{3}

From the extracted working,

G=(2,1,1)+(2,1,3)+(1,3,5)3=(1,1,3)\vec{G} = \frac{(2,-1,1) + (2,1,3) + (-1,3,5)}{3} = (1,1,3)

Now the squared distances used in the solution are

AG2=419,BG2=599,CG2=1469|AG|^2 = \frac{41}{9}, \quad |BG|^2 = \frac{59}{9}, \quad |CG|^2 = \frac{146}{9}

Therefore,

6(AG2+BG2+CG2)=6(419+599+1469)6\left(|AG|^2 + |BG|^2 + |CG|^2\right) = 6\left(\frac{41}{9} + \frac{59}{9} + \frac{146}{9}\right) =6×2469=164= 6 \times \frac{246}{9} = 164

Therefore, the final value is 164164, so the correct option is A.

From centroid-distance values in the provided working

Given: the solution provides the centroid-based distances

AG2=419,BG2=599,CG2=1469|AG|^2 = \frac{41}{9}, \quad |BG|^2 = \frac{59}{9}, \quad |CG|^2 = \frac{146}{9}

Find: 6(AG2+BG2+CG2)6\left(|AG|^2 + |BG|^2 + |CG|^2\right)

Add the three squared distances:

AG2+BG2+CG2=41+59+1469=2469|AG|^2 + |BG|^2 + |CG|^2 = \frac{41 + 59 + 146}{9} = \frac{246}{9}

Multiply by 66:

6(2469)=1646\left(\frac{246}{9}\right) = 164

So the required value is 164164.

Note: The intermediate coordinate reconstruction shown on the solution's is inconsistent, but both solution approaches on the page conclude the same final value 164164, which matches option A.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the given three vectors are position vectors of A, B, and C. This is wrong because the question states they are the sides of the triangle. Use them as side vectors and then apply the centroid relation correctly.

  • Forgetting that distances from the centroid are squared before summing. Replacing AG2|\vec{AG}|^2 by AG|\vec{AG}| changes the expression completely. Compute squared magnitudes component-wise.

  • Ignoring the factor 66 outside the bracket. Even if the inner sum is correct, missing this multiplier gives the wrong final option. Evaluate the bracket first and then multiply by 66.

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