Let a=2i^+j^+k^, and b,c be non-zero vectors such that ∣a+b+c∣=∣a+b−c∣ and b⋅c=0. Consider:
(A) ∣a+λc∣≥∣a∣ for all λ∈R.
(B) a and c are always parallel.
Solutions · 1
Official solution
Expanding ∣a+b+c∣2=∣a+b−c∣2: 4(a+b)⋅c=0⇒a⋅c+b⋅c=0⇒a⋅c=0 (using b⋅c=0).
So a⊥c always --- hence (B) is false (perpendicular, not parallel, unless c=0, excluded).
For (A): ∣a+λc∣2=∣a∣2+λ2∣c∣2+2λ(a⋅c)=∣a∣2+λ2∣c∣2≥∣a∣2 always. So (A) is true.