Skip to main contentSkip to solution

let a⃗\vec{a} be a non-zero vector of magnitude 'aa' and λ\lambda is a non-zero scalar, then λa⃗\lambda\vec{a} is a unit vector if

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 2

Given a⃗\vec{a} is a non-zero vector with magnitude aa (meaning ∣a⃗∣=a|\vec{a}| = a) and λ\lambda is a non-zero scalar.

A unit vector has magnitude equal to 1.


For λa⃗\lambda\vec{a} to be a unit vector:

∣λa⃗∣=1|\lambda\vec{a}| = 1


When multiplying a vector by a scalar, the magnitude becomes:

∣λa⃗∣=∣λ∣×∣a⃗∣|\lambda\vec{a}| = |\lambda| \times |\vec{a}|

∣λa⃗∣=∣λ∣×a|\lambda\vec{a}| = |\lambda| \times a

Note: ∣λ∣|\lambda| is used because magnitude is always positive, even if λ\lambda is negative.


Setting the magnitude equal to 1:

∣λ∣×a=1|\lambda| \times a = 1

a=1∣λ∣a = \frac{1}{|\lambda|}


This condition works for any value of λ\lambda (positive or negative). As long as the magnitude aa equals 1∣λ∣\frac{1}{|\lambda|}, the vector λa⃗\lambda\vec{a} will be a unit vector.

Other options are insufficient:

  • λ=−1\lambda = -1 or λ=1\lambda = 1 only work when a=1a = 1 specifically, not as general conditions
  • a=∣λ∣a = |\lambda| gives ∣λa⃗∣=∣λ∣2|\lambda\vec{a}| = |\lambda|^2, which equals 1 only if ∣λ∣=1|\lambda| = 1

Therefore, the condition is: a=1∣λ∣a = \dfrac{1}{|\lambda|}

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Left arrow: Previous question
  • Right arrow: Next question
  • S key: Jump to solution
  • Q key: Jump to question