Question

If `bar("a"), bar("b")` and `bar("c")` are position vectors of the points A, B, C respectively and `5bar("a") - 3bar("b") - 2bar("c") = bar(0)`, then find the ratio in which the point C divides the line segement BA

Answer 1

`5bar("a") - 3bar("b") - 2bar("c")` = 0

∴ `2bar("c") = 5bar("a") - 3bar("b")`

∴ `bar("c") = (5bar("a") - 3bar("b"))/2`

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

∴ The point C divides the line segment BA externally in ratio 5:3.