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If a⃗\vec{a} and b⃗\vec{b} are two perpendicular vectors such that ∣a⃗∣=3|\vec{a}| = 3, ∣b⃗∣=4|\vec{b}| = 4 and θ\theta is the angle between a⃗\vec{a} and (a⃗−b⃗)(\vec{a} - \vec{b}), then cos⁡θ\cos\theta is equal to:

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 4

Since a⃗⊥b⃗\vec{a} \perp \vec{b}, a⃗⋅b⃗=0\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b} = 0.

a⃗⋅(a⃗−b⃗)=∣a⃗∣2−a⃗⋅b⃗=9−0=9\vec{a} \cdot (\vec{a} - \vec{b}) = |\vec{a}|^2 - \vec{a}\cdot\vec{b} = 9 - 0 = 9.

∣a⃗−b⃗∣2=∣a⃗∣2+∣b⃗∣2−2a⃗⋅b⃗=9+16=25|\vec{a} - \vec{b}|^2 = |\vec{a}|^2 + |\vec{b}|^2 - 2\vec{a}\cdot\vec{b} = 9 + 16 = 25, so ∣a⃗−b⃗∣=5|\vec{a}-\vec{b}| = 5.

cos⁡θ=93⋅5=35\cos\theta = \frac{9}{3 \cdot 5} = \frac{3}{5}.

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