The number of distinct real values of $\lambda$ for which the vectors ${\lambda}^2\hat{i}+\hat{j}+\hat{k},\, \hat{i}+{\lambda}^2\hat{j}+j$ and $\hat{i}+\hat{j}+{\lambda}^2\hat{k}$ are coplanar is

Given: Vectors:

• $\vec{a} = \lambda^2 \hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}$
• $\vec{b} = \hat{i} + \lambda^2 \hat{j} + \hat{k}$
• $\vec{c} = \hat{i} + \hat{j} + \lambda^2 \hat{k}$

Condition: Vectors are coplanar ⟹ Scalar triple product = 0

$\vec{a} \cdot (\vec{b} \times \vec{c}) = 0$

Step 1: Use determinant:

$ \vec{a} \cdot (\vec{b} \times \vec{c}) = \begin{vmatrix} \lambda^2 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & \lambda^2 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & \lambda^2 \end{vmatrix} $

Step 2: Expand the determinant:

$ = \lambda^2(\lambda^2 \cdot \lambda^2 - 1 \cdot 1) - 1(1 \cdot \lambda^2 - 1 \cdot 1) + 1(1 \cdot 1 - \lambda^2 \cdot 1) \\ = \lambda^2(\lambda^4 - 1) - (\lambda^2 - 1) + (1 - \lambda^2) $

Simplify:

$= \lambda^6 - \lambda^2 - \lambda^2 + 1 + 1 - \lambda^2 = \lambda^6 - 3\lambda^2 + 2$

Step 3: Set scalar triple product to 0:

$\lambda^6 - 3\lambda^2 + 2 = 0$

Step 4: Let $x = \lambda^2$, then:

$x^3 - 3x + 2 = 0$

Factor:

$x^3 - 3x + 2 = (x - 1)^2(x + 2)$

So, $\lambda^2 = 1$ (double root), or $\lambda^2 = -2$ (discard as it's not real)

Thus, real values of $\lambda$ are: $\lambda = \pm1$

✅ Final Answer: $\boxed{2}$ distinct real values