Question
Write the value of p for which $\vec{\text{a}}=3\hat{\text{i}}+2\hat{\text{j}}+9\hat{\text{k}}$ and $\vec{\text{b}}=\hat{\text{i}}+\text{p}\hat{\text{j}}+3\hat{\text{k}}$ are parallel vectors.

Answer

We have

$\vec{\text{a}}=3\hat{\text{i}}+2\hat{\text{j}}+9\hat{\text{k}}$ and $\vec{\text{b}}=\hat{\text{i}}+\text{p}\hat{\text{j}}+3\hat{\text{k}}$

Given that $\vec{\text{a}}$ and $\vec{\text{b}}$ are parallel.

$\Rightarrow\vec{\text{a}}=\text{t}\vec{\text{b}}$ for some t.

$\Rightarrow3\hat{\text{i}}+2\hat{\text{j}}+9\hat{\text{k}}=\text{t}\big(\hat{\text{i}}+\text{p}\hat{\text{j}}+3\hat{\text{k}}\big)$

$\Rightarrow3\hat{\text{i}}+2\hat{\text{j}}+9\hat{\text{k}}=\text{t}\hat{\text{i}}+\text{pt}\hat{\text{j}}+3\text{t}\hat{\text{k}}$

Comparing both sides, we get

$3=\text{t,}2=\text{pt}$ and $9=3\text{t}$

$\Rightarrow\text{t}=3$ and $\text{pt}=2$

$\Rightarrow3\text{t}=2$

$\therefore\text{t}=\frac{2}{3}$

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