Question

If `bara, barb, barc` are the position vectors of the points A, B, C respectively and `5 bar a - 3 bar b - 2 bar c = bar 0`, then find the ratio in which the point C divides the line segment BA.

Answer 1

Given:

`5 bar a - 3 bar b - 2 bar c = 0`

∴ `2 bar c = 5 bar a - 3 bar b`

`barc = (5 bar a - 3 bar b )/2`

`bar c = (5 bar a - 3 bar b)/ (5 - 3)`

This shows that c divides BA externally in the ratio 5 : 3.