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Question
The area of the triangle with vertices A(1,1,1)A(1,1,1), B(2,3,1)B(2,3,1), and C(3,1,2)C(3,1,2) is:
(A)212\dfrac{\sqrt{21}}{2}
(B)422\dfrac{\sqrt{42}}{2}
(C)21\sqrt{21}
(D)142\dfrac{\sqrt{14}}{2}
Solution Path
Side vectors, cross product, area = half magnitude = 2*sqrt(6).
01Question Setup
1/4
Find the area of triangle with vertices A(1,1,1)A(1,1,1), B(2,3,1)B(2,3,1), C(1,5,5)C(1,5,5).
Area =;?= ;?
02Cross Product Setup
2/4
AB=i^+2j^\vec{AB} = \hat{i} + 2\hat{j}, AC=4j^+4k^\vec{AC} = 4\hat{j} + 4\hat{k}. Compute AB×AC\vec{AB} \times \vec{AC}.
AB×AC\vec{AB} \times \vec{AC}
03Cross ProductKEY INSIGHT
3/4
AB×AC=8i^4j^+4k^\vec{AB} \times \vec{AC} = 8\hat{i} - 4\hat{j} + 4\hat{k}. AB×AC=64+16+16=96|\vec{AB} \times \vec{AC}| = \sqrt{64+16+16} = \sqrt{96}.
=46= 4\sqrt{6}
04Final Answer
4/4
Area =12AB×AC=26= \frac{1}{2}|\vec{AB} \times \vec{AC}| = 2\sqrt{6}.
26\boxed{2\sqrt{6}}
Concepts from this question1 concepts unlocked

Cross Product and Area of Parallelogram

STANDARD

The magnitude of the cross product |a x b| equals the area of the parallelogram formed by the two vectors. The direction of a x b is perpendicular to both a and b (right-hand rule).

Area=a×b\text{Area} = |\vec{a} \times \vec{b}|

JEE frequently asks for areas of triangles (half the parallelogram area) and parallelograms using cross products. Also essential for finding normals to planes.

Area of triangleArea of parallelogramNormal to a planeTorque in physics
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