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Let $$\vec{a},\vec{b}$$ be two vectors, and let $$P,Q$$ and $$R$$ be the points with position vectors $$\vec{a}$$, $$\vec{b}$$ and $$\vec{a}+\vec{b}$$, respectively, with respect to the origin $$O$$. If $$|\vec{a}+\vec{b}|=\sqrt{21}$$, $$|\vec{a}-\vec{b}|=3$$, and $$\vec{a}$$ and $$(\vec{a}-\vec{b})$$ are perpendicular to each other, then the area of the triangle $$OPR$$ is
Given,
$$|\vec a+\vec b|=\sqrt{21}$$
Therefore,
$$|\vec a+\vec b|^2=21$$
$$|\vec a|^2+|\vec b|^2+2\vec a\cdot\vec b=21 \qquad (1)$$
Also,
$$|\vec a-\vec b|=3$$
Therefore,
$$|\vec a-\vec b|^2=9$$
$$|\vec a|^2+|\vec b|^2-2\vec a\cdot\vec b=9 \qquad (2)$$
Adding (1) and (2),
$$|\vec a|^2+|\vec b|^2=15 \qquad (3)$$
Subtracting (2) from (1),
$$4\vec a\cdot\vec b=12$$
$$\vec a\cdot\vec b=3 \qquad (4)$$
Since
$$\vec a\perp(\vec a-\vec b)$$
we have
$$\vec a\cdot(\vec a-\vec b)=0$$
$$|\vec a|^2-\vec a\cdot\vec b=0$$
Using (4),
$$|\vec a|^2=3$$
Hence from (3),
$$|\vec b|^2=12$$
Now,
$$\text{Area of } \triangle OPR=\frac12|\vec a\times(\vec a+\vec b)|$$
$$=\frac12|\vec a\times\vec b|$$
Also,
$$|\vec a\times\vec b|^2=|\vec a|^2|\vec b|^2-(\vec a\cdot\vec b)^2$$
$$=(3)(12)-3^2$$
$$=36-9$$
$$=27$$
Therefore,
$$|\vec a\times\vec b|=3\sqrt3$$
Hence,
$$\text{Area of } \triangle OPR=\frac12(3\sqrt3)$$
$$=\boxed{\frac{3\sqrt3}{2}}$$
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