CIE A level -Pure Mathematics 3 : Topic : 3.7 Vectors-standard notations for vectors, : Exam Style Questions Paper 3

Qurstion

The straight line l has equation r = 4i − j + 2k + , \(\lambda (2i− 3j + 6k)\). The plane p passes through the point( 4, −1, 2 )and is perpendicular to l.

(i) Find the equation of p, giving your answer in the form ax + by + cÏ = d.

(ii) Find the perpendicular distance from the origin to p.

(iii) A second plane q is parallel to p and the perpendicular distance between p and q is 14 units.
Find the possible equations of q.

Answer/Explanation

(i)

(i) Obtain 2x – 3y + 6z for LHS of equation

Obtain 2x – 3y + 6z = 23

(ii) Either Use correct formula to find perpendicular distance

Obtain unsimplified value \(frac{\pm 23}{\sqrt{2^{2}+(-3)^{2}+6^{2}}}\), following answer to (i)

Obtain \(\frac{23}{7}\)or equivalent

OR 1 Use scalar product of (4, –1, 2) and a vector normal to the plane 
Use unit normal to plane to obtain\( \pm\frac{(8+3+12){\sqrt{49}}\)

Obtain distance\( \frac{23}{7}\) or equivalent

OR 2 Find parameter intersection of p and \(r=\mu (2i-3j+6k)\)

Obtain \(\mu =\frac{23}{49 }[and\left ( \frac{46}{49},-\frac{69}{49},\frac{138}{49} \right )\)as foot of perpendicular]

Obtain distance \(\frac{23}{7}\) or equivalent

(iii) Either Recognise that plane is 2x – 3y + 6z = k and attempt use of formula for
perpendicular distance to plane at least once

Obtain\( \frac{|23-k|}{7}=14 \) or equivalent

Obtain 2x – 3y + 6z = 121 and 2x – 3y + 6z = –75 
OR Recognise that plane is 2x – 3y + 6z = k and attempt to find at least one
point on q using l with λ = ±2 
Obtain 2x – 3y + 6z = 121 
Obtain 2x – 3y + 6z = –75 

Question

 

The diagram shows three points A, B and C whose position vectors with respect to the origin O are given by \(\underset{OA}{\rightarrow}=\begin{pmatrix}2\\-1\\2\\\end{pmatrix}, \underset{OB}{\rightarrow}=\begin{pmatrix}0\\3\\1\\\end{pmatrix}\) and \(\underset{OC}{\rightarrow}=\begin{pmatrix}3\\0\\4\\\end{pmatrix}\). The point D lies on BC, between B and C, and is such that CD = 2DB.

   (i) Find the equation of the plane ABC, giving your answer in the form ax + by + cz = d. [6]

   (ii) Find the position vector of D. [1]

   (iii) Show that the length of the perpendicular from A to OD is \(\frac{1}{3}\sqrt{\left ( 65 \right )}\).[4]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

 

             

Question

 The points P and Q have position vectors, relative to the origin O, given by

\(\underset{OP}{\rightarrow}=7i+7j-5k\) and \(\underset{OQ}{\rightarrow}=5i+j+k.

The mid-point of PQ is the point A. The plane \(\mathbb{I}\) is perpendicular to the line PQ and passes through A.

(i) Find the equation of \(\mathbb{I}\), giving your answer in the form ax + by + cz = d. [4]

(ii) The straight line through P parallel to the x-axis meets \(\mathbb{I}\) at the point B. Find the distance AB, correct to 3 significant figures. [5]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

 (i) State or imply A is (1, 4, –2) 
          State or imply \(\underset{QP}{\rightarrow}=12i+6j-6k\) or equivalent 
          Use QP as normal and A as mid-point to find equation of plane 
          Obtain 12x + 6y – 6z = 48 or equivalent

   (ii) Either    State equation of PB is r = 7i + 7j – 5k + λi 
                           Set up and solve a relevant equation for λ . 
                           Obtain λ = −9 and hence B is (–2, 7, –5) 
                           Use correct method to find distance between A and B. 
                           Obtain 5.20 
           Or           Obtain 12 for result of scalar product of QP and i or equivalent 
                           Use correct method involving moduli, scalar product and cosine to find angle APB 
                           Obtain 35.26° or equivalent 
                           Use relevant trigonometry to find AB 
                           Obtain 5.20 

Question

The points A and B have position vectors 2i + j + k and i − 2j + 2k respectively. The line l has vector equation r = i + 2j − 3k + μ(i – 3j – 2k).

(a)Find a vector equation for the line through A and B.

(b) Find the acute angle between the directions of AB and l, giving your answer in degrees.

(c) Show that the line through A and B does not intersect the line l.

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

(a)Obtain direction vector −i− 3j+k

Use a correct method to form a vector equation

Obtain answer r = 2i + j + k + λ (-i-3j+k)

                   or r = i 2j + 2k + λ (-i-3j+k)

(b) Carry out the correct process for evaluating the scalar product of the direction vectors.

Using the correct process for the moduli, divide the scalar product by the product of the moduli and find the inverse cosine of the result for any 2 vectors

Obtain answer 61.1 °

(c)

Express general point of AB or l in component form, e.g. (2 –λ, 1 – 3λ, 1 + λ) or (1 + µ, 2 – 3 µ, – 3 – 2µ)

Equate at least two pairs of components and solve for λ or for µ

Obtain a correct answer for λ or µ, e.g. λ = \(= 6, \frac{1}{6}, or -\frac{14}{9}; \mu = -5, \frac{2}{3} or – \frac{11}{9}\)

Verify that all three equations are not satisfied, and the lines do not intersect

Express general point of AB or l in component form,
e.g. (1 –λ*,− 2 – 3λ*, 2 +λ*) or (1 + µ*, 2 – 3µ*, – 3 – 2µ*)

Question

With respect to the origin O, the points A, B, C, D have position vectors given by

\(\vec{OA}=i+3j+2k, \vec{OB}=2i+4j+k,\vec{OD}=-3i+j+2k\)

(i) Find the equation of the plane containing A, B and C, giving your answer in the form ax + by + cz = d.

(ii) The line through D parallel to OA meets the plane with equation x + 2y − z = 7 at the point P.
Find the position vector of P and show that the length of DP is\( 2\sqrt{14}\)

Answer/Explanation

(ii) Correctly form an equation for the line through D parallel to OA

Obtain a correct equation e.g \(r=-3i+j+2k+\lambda (i+3j+2k)\)

Substitute components in the equation of the plane and solve for λ

Obtain λ = 2 and position vector -i+7j+6k for p

Obtain the given answer correctly

Scroll to Top