Created by T.

Madas

VECTOR
EXAM
QUESTIONS
Part A

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 1 (**)
The straight line l1 passes through the points with coordinates ( 5,1,6 ) and ( 2, 2,1) .

a) Find a vector equation of l1 .

A different straight line l2 passes though the point C ( 6, 6, −4 ) and is parallel to the
vector 4i − 2 j + 3k .

b) Show clearly that l1 and l2 are skew.

FP1-K , r = 5i + j + 6k + λ ( 3i − j + 5k )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 2 (**)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the respective position vectors of three points A , B and
C are

 3  −5   4
     
 2,  11 and  0  .
9  6  −8 
     





a) Determine, in component form, the vectors AB and AC .

b) Hence find, to the nearest degree, the angle BAC .

c) Calculate the area of the triangle BAC .





AB = −8i + 9 j − 3k , AC = i − 2 j − 17k , θ ≈ 83° , area ≈ 106

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 3 (**)
The straight line l1 passes through the points A ( 2,5,9 ) and B ( 6, 0,10 ) .

a) Find a vector equation for l1 .

The straight line l2 has vector equation

8  2
   
r = 8 + µ  1 ,
0  −3 
   

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that the point A is the intersection of l1 and l2 .

c) Show further that l1 and l2 are perpendicular to each other.

r = 2i + 5 j + 9k + λ ( 4i − 5 j + k )

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 4 (**)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have respective position vectors

i + 7 j + 5k and 5i + j − 5k .

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l1 which passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has vector equation

r2 = 5i − 4 j + 4k + µ ( i − 4 j + 2k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

The point C is the point of intersection between l1 and l2 .

b) Find the position vector of C .

c) Show that C is the midpoint of AB .


r = i + 7 j + 5k + λ ( 2i − 3 j − 5k ) , OC = 3i + 4 j

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 5 (**)
The figure below shows the triangle OAB .

O B
N

The point M is the midpoint of OA and the point N is the midpoint of OB .





Let OM = a and ON = b .





By finding simplified expressions for MN and AB , in terms of a and b , show that
MN is parallel to AB , and half its length.

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 6 (**+)
The points A ( 2, 4, 4 ) , B ( 6,8, 4 ) , C ( 6, 4, 0 ) , D ( 2, 0, 0 ) and M ( 4, 4, 2 ) are given.

The straight line l1 has equation

r1 = 6i + 4 j + λ ( i + j) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

The straight line l2 passes through the points C and M .

a) Find a vector equation of l2 .


b) Show that AB is parallel to l1 .

c) Verify that D lies on l1 .


d) Find the acute angle between AC and l1 .

r2 = 4i + 4 j + 2k + µ ( i − k ) , 60°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 7 (**+)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 4i + 3 j + k + λ ( i + 4 j + 3k )

r2 = 8i + 8 j + 13k + µ ( 2i − 3j + 6k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P and find its coordinates.

b) Calculate the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

P ( 6,11,7 ) , 77.0°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 8 (**+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points P and Q have respective position vectors

( −7 j + 4k ) and ( 3i − 8 j + 2k ) .

The straight line l1 passes through the points P and Q .

a) Determine a vector equation for l1 .

The straight line l2 has vector equation

r = ( 7i + aj + bk ) + µ ( i + 4 j − k ) ,

where a and b are scalar constants, and µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Given that l1 and l2 intersect at Q , find the value of a and the value of b .

c) Calculate the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

C4B , r = −7 j + 4k + λ ( 3i − j − 2k ) , a = 8 , b = −2 , 86.4°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 9 (**+)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 2i + 2 j + λ ( i + j)

r2 = 2i + 5 j + 7k + µ ( 2i + j − k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 do not intersect.

The point P lies on l1 where λ = 4 and the point Q lies on l2 where µ = −1 .

b) Find the acute angle between PQ and l1 .

C4I , 56.3°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 10 (**+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A , B and C have respective position vectors

a = 8i + j, b = 5 j + 8k and c = 14i + j + 15k .

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line which passes through A and B .

The point M is the midpoint of AB .

b) Show that CM is perpendicular to AB .

c) Determine the area of the triangle ABC .

r = 5 j + 8k + λ ( −2i + j + 2k ) , area = 90

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 11 (**+)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the respective position vectors of the points A , B
and C are

 2 12   10 
     
 9 ,  4  and −3  .
 −1  7  7
     

a) Find the position vector of the midpoint of AC .

The point D is such so that ABCD is a parallelogram.

b) Determine the position vector of D .

c) Calculate, correct to one decimal place, the angle ABC .

d) Hence, calculate the area of the triangle ABC .

6i + 3 j + 3k , 2 j − k , θ ≈ 98.6° , area ≈ 49.5

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 12 (**+)
OABC is a square.

The point M is the midpoint of AB and the point N is the midpoint of MC .





The point D is such so that AD = 3 AB .
2





Let OA = a and OC = c .


a) Find simplified expressions, in terms of a and c , for each of the vectors BD ,















MC , MN , ON and ND .

b) Deduce, showing your reasoning, that O , N and D are collinear.

















BD = 1 c , MC = 1 c − a , MN = 1 c − 1 a , ON = 1 a + 3 c , ND = 1 a + 3 c
2 2 4 2 2 4 2 4

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 13 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points P and Q have respective position vectors

5i + 2k and 3i + 3 j .

a) Determine a vector equation of the straight line l which passes through the
points P and Q .

The straight line m has a vector equation

r = 4i + 8 j − k + µ ( 5i − j + 3k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l and m intersect at some point A and find its position vector.

c) Find the size of the acute angle θ , formed by l and m .


r = 5i + 2k + λ ( 2i − 3 j + 2k ) , OA = −i + 9 j − 4k , θ ≈ 38.8°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 14 (***)
The points A ( 2,10,7 ) and B ( 0,15,12 ) are given.

a) Determine a vector equation of the straight line l1 that passes through the
points A and B .

The vector equation of the straight line l2 is

r2 = 4i + j − 6k + µ ( 2i − j + 3k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P and find its coordinates.

c) Calculate the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

C4A , r1 = 2i + 10 j + 7k + λ ( −2i + 5 j + 5k ) , P ( 6, 0, −3) , 77.4°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 15 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O the following position vectors are given.

1  4 6  2



  


  


  


  
OA =  6  , OB =  3  , OC =  1  and OD =  8  .
11 5 1 9
       

a) Show clearly that …





i. … AD is perpendicular to BD .

ii. … the points A , B and C are collinear and state the ratio AB : BC .

b) Determine the exact area of the triangle ABD .

AB : BC = 3 : 2 , area = 9 5
2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 16 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have respective position vectors

4i + 3 j − 3k and 2i + 3k .

a) Determine a vector equation of the straight line l1 which passes through the
points A and B .

The straight line l2 passes through the point C with position vector 4i − 6 j and is
parallel to the vector 3 j − k .

b) Write down a vector equation of l2 .

c) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at the point A .

d) Find the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

r1 = 2i + 3k + λ ( 2i + 3 j − 6k ) , r2 = 4i − 6k + µ ( 3 j − k ) , 47.3°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 17 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight lines L and M have vector equations

 4   −2   −4   5 
       
r1 =  5  + t  4  and r2 =  −1  + s  1  ,
0  1   3   −2 
       

where t and s are scalar parameters.

a) Show that L and M intersect at some point A and find its coordinates.

b) Find the size of the acute angle θ , formed by L and M .

The points B and C lie on the L where t = 3 and t = 6 , respectively.

c) Find the ratio AB : BC .

C4D , A ( 6,1, −1) , θ ≈ 71.4 , AB : BC = 4 : 3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 18 (***)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 2i + j + λ ( −i + 2 j + 3k )

r2 = i + 5 j + 4k + µ ( i − 2k )

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Verify that both l1 and l2 pass through the point P , whose position vector is
5 j + 6k .

b) Find the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

The point Q has position vector −i + j + k .

c) Find a vector equation of the straight line l3 that passes through the point Q ,
so that all three straight lines intersect.

33.2° , r3 = −i + j + k + t ( i + 4 j + 5k )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 19 (***)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the point A has position vector 8i − 6 j + 5k and the
point B has position vector ti + tj + 2tk .

a) Show clearly that

2
AB = 6t 2 − 24t + 125 .

Let f ( t ) = 6t 2 − 24t + 125 .

b) Find the value of t for which f ( t ) takes a minimum value.

c) Hence determine the closest distance between A and B .

t=2 , 101

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 20 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have respective coordinates

( 2, −3,3) and ( 5,1,b ) ,

where b is a constant.

The point C is such so that OABC is a rectangle, where O is the origin.

a) Show clearly that b = 5 .

b) Determine the position vector of C .

c) Find the vector equation of the straight line l that passes through A and C .

C ( 3, 4, 2 ) , r = 2i − 3 j + 3k + λ ( i + 7 j − k )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 21 (***)
The following vectors are given

a = 6i − 3 j + 2k and b = ( 4 p + 1) i + ( p − 2 ) j + k ,

where p is a scalar constant.

Find the value of p if …

a) … a and b are perpendicular.

b) … a and b are parallel.

p=−2 , p= 1
3 2

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 22 (***)
OABC is a parallelogram and the point M is the midpoint of AB .

The point N lies on the diagonal AC so that AN : NC = 1: 2 .





Let OA = a and OC = c .


a) Find simplified expressions, in terms of a and c , for each of the vectors AC ,











AN , ON and NM .

b) Deduce, showing your reasoning, that O , N and M are collinear.













SYN-G , AC = c − a , AN = 1 c − 1 a , ON = 2 a + 1 c , NM = 1 a + 1 c
3 3 3 3 3 6

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 23 (***)
The points with coordinates A (1, 4,3) , B ( 2, 2,1) and C ( 5, 4, 0 ) are given.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l , that passes through A and C .

The point D ( x, y, z ) is such so that BD is perpendicular to l .

b) Show clearly that

4 x − 3z = 5 .

r = i + 4 j + 3k + λ ( 4i − 3k )

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 24 (***)
The straight line L1 passes through the points A ( 3, 0,3) and B ( 5,5, 2 ) .

The straight line L2 has a vector equation given by

 5  1
   
r =  5 + µ  0 ,
 2  −3 
   

where µ is a scalar parameter.

a) Write down the coordinates of the point of intersection of L1 and L2 .

b) Find the size of the acute angle θ , between L1 and L2 .

c) Calculate the distance AB .

The point C lies on L1 so that the distance AB is equal to the distance AC .

d) Determine the coordinates of C .

P ( 5,5, 2 ) , θ ≈ 73.2° , AB = 30 , C (1, −5, 4 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 25 (***)
A tunnel is to be dug through a mountain in order to link two cities.

Digging at one end of the tunnel begins at the point with coordinates ( −3, −3,9 ) and
continues in the direction 2i + 2 j − k .

The digging at the other end of the tunnel starts at the point with coordinates
( −19, −7, −3) and continues in the direction 6i + 3j + 2k .

Both sections are assumed to be straight lines.

The coordinates are measured relative to a fixed origin O , where one unit is 50
metres.

a) Show that the two sections of the tunnel will eventually meet at a point P , and
find the coordinates of this point.

b) Find the total length of the tunnel.

P ( 5,5,5 ) , length = 2000 metres

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 26 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight lines l1 and l2 have respective vector
equations given by

 7  8 1  9
       
r1 =  2  + λ  −1 and r2 =  p  + µ  −2  ,
 −3   2 1  
       5

where λ and µ are scalar parameters and p is a scalar constant.

The point T is the point of intersection between l1 and l2 .

Find in any order …

a) … the size of acute angle between l1 and l2 .

b) … the value of p .

c) … the coordinates of T .

θ ≈ 15.4° , p = 1 , T ( −17,5, −9 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 27 (***)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the points A ( 2,6,5 ) and B ( 5, 0, −4 ) are given.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line L1 , which passes through A and B .

The straight line L2 has a vector equation

 −4  1
   
r2 =  4  + µ  0  ,
 −5  1
   

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show clearly that L1 and L2 intersect, and find the coordinates of their point
of intersection.

1
 
The straight line L3 is in the direction  k  .
1
 

c) Given the acute angle between L2 and L3 is 60° , show clearly that k = ± 6

r1 = 2i + 6 j + 5k + λ ( −i + 2 j + 3k ) , ( 3, 4, 2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 28 (***)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 2i + 3j + λ ( 2i + j + 4k )

r2 = 5i + 3j + 9k + µ ( i + 2 j − k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point A , and find its coordinates.

b) Show further that l1 and l2 intersect at right angles.

The point B lies on l1 where λ = −1 and the point C lies on l2 where µ = 3 .

c) Find the exact area of the triangle BAC .

A ( 6,5,8 ) , area = 9 14

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 29 (***)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 4i + 7 j + 4k + λ ( i − j)

r2 = 8i + 5 j + 2k + µ ( i − k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point A and find its coordinates.

b) Calculate the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

The point B ( 8,3, 4 ) lies on l1 and the point C lies on l2 where µ = 4 .

c) Find the distance AB .

d) Show that the area of the triangle ABC is 6 3 square units.

A ( 6,5, 4 ) , 60° , AB = 2 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 30 (***)
The figure below shows a trapezium OBCA where OB is parallel to AC .

B
D

O A

The point D lies on BA so that BD : DA = 1: 2 .









Let OA = 4a , OB = 3b and AC = 6b .

a) Find simplified expressions, in terms of a and b , for each of the vectors











OC , AB , AD and OD .

b) Deduce, showing your reasoning, that O , D and C are collinear and state the
ratio of OD : DC .












OC = 4a + 6b , AB = −4a + 3b , AD = − 8 a + 2b , OD = 4 a + 2b ,
3 3
OD : DC = 1: 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 31 (***)
The points A ( 5,1,3) , B ( 3,1,5) , C ( 5,3,5 ) and D ( 4, 0,3) are given.

a) Show that the triangle ABC is equilateral and find its area.

b) Show further that









AD = λ AB + µ AC ,

stating the exact values of the scalar constants λ and µ .

c) Find the size of the angle BAD .

area = 2 3 , λ = 1 , µ = − 1 , BAD = 60°

2 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 32 (***)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the straight lines l1 and l2 have respective vector
equations given by

9  3  0  1
       
r1 =  0  + t  1  and r2 =  4  + s  −2  ,
 4  p   3   −1 
       

where t and s are scalar parameters.

a) If l1 and l2 are skew find the value that p cannot take.

b) If l1 and l2 are not skew find the coordinates of their point of intersection.

p ≠ 2 , ( 3, −2,0 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 33 (***)
The figure below shows a triangle OAB .

P
Q

O R
B

• The point P lies on OA so that OP : PA = 4 :1 .

• The point Q lies on AB so that AQ : QB = 2 : 3
• The side OB is extended to the point R so that OB : BR = 5 : 3 .





Let PA = a and OB = 5b .


a) Find simplified expressions, in terms of a and b , for each of the vectors AB ,







AQ and PQ .

b) Deduce, showing your reasoning, that P , Q and R are collinear and state the
ratio of PQ : QR .









AB = 5b − 5a , AQ = 2b − 2a , PQ = 2b − a , PQ : QR = 1: 3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 34 (***)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have respective vector equations

6  3 5 7

       
r1 =  1  + λ  4  and r2 =  8  + µ  1  ,
0   b  
  a   0

where λ and µ are scalar parameters while a and b are positive constants.

Given that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P , forming an angle of 60° , determine
in any order …

a) … the value of a .

b) … the value of b .

c) … the coordinates of P .

a = 5 , b = 10 , P (12,9,10 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 35 (***)
The points with coordinates A ( 8, 0,12 ) and B ( 9, −2,14 ) are given.

a) Find the vector equation of the straight line l1 that passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has equation

r = i + 9 j + 2k + µ ( 2i + j) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 are perpendicular.

c) Show further that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P and state the coordinates
of P .

The point C ( 9,13, 2 ) lies on l2 and the point D is the reflection of C about l1 .

d) Determine the coordinates of D .

C4E , r1 = 8i + 12k + λ ( i − 2 j + 2k ) , P ( 3,10, 2 ) , D ( −3, 7, 2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 36 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the point A has position vector 7i + 4 j and the point B
has position vector −3 j + 7k . The straight line L1 passes through the points A and B .

a) Find a vector equation for L1 .

The straight line L2 has a vector equation

r = 3i − 2 j − 4k + µ ( i + 2 j + 3k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that L1 and L2 intersect at some point C , and find its position vector.

c) Show further that L1 and L2 are perpendicular.

The point D has position vector 4i − k .

d) Verify that D lies on L2 .

The point E is the image of D after reflection about L1 .

e) Find the position vector of E .





C4G , r = 7i + 4 j + λ ( i + j − k ) , OC = 5i + 2 j + 2k , OE = 6i + 4 j + 5k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 37 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and C have respective coordinates

( 7, 2,3) and ( 3, −2,1) .


a) Find the vector AC .

b) State the coordinates of the midpoint of AC .

The straight line l has vector equation

 5  1
   
r =  0 + λ  1 ,
 2  −4 
   

where λ is a scalar parameter.


c) Show that AC is perpendicular to l .

The point B lies on l , where λ = 1 .

d) Show further that the triangle ABC is isosceles but not equilateral.

The point D is such, so that ABCD is a rhombus.

e) Show that the area of this rhombus is 18 2 square units.


C4K , AC = −4i − 4 j − 2k , ( 5, 0, 2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 38 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have respective position vectors

3i − j + 2k and −i + j + 9k .





a) Show that OA and AB are perpendicular.

b) Find a vector equation of the straight line l , that passes through A and B .

The point C lies on l , so that the areas of the triangles OAB and OBC are equal.

c) Determine the position vector of C .


C4F , r = 3i − j + 2k + λ ( −4i + 2 j + 7k ) , OC = −5i + 3 j + 16k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 39 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A , B and C have respective position vectors

i + 10k , 4i + 3 j + 7k and 8i + 7 j + 3k .

a) Show that A , B and C are collinear, and find the ratio AB : BC .

b) Find a vector equation for the straight line l that passes through A , B and C .

c) Show that OB is perpendicular to l .

d) Calculate the area of the triangle OAC .

AB : BC = 3 : 4 , r = i + 10k + λ ( i + j − k ) , area = 72 222 ≈ 52.15

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 40 (***+)
The points A and B have coordinates (11,15, 4 ) and (13, 23,7 ) , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation for the straight line l that passes through A and B .

The point P lies on l , so that OP is perpendicular to l , where O is the origin.

b) Show, without verification, that the coordinates of P are ( 7, −1, −2 ) .

c) Calculate the area of the triangle OAB .

C4C , r = 11i + 15 j + 4k + λ ( 2i + 8 j + 3k ) , area = 3 462 ≈ 32.24

2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 41 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the position vectors of the points A , B , C and D are

3i , 2i + 2 j + 2k , 4i + k and 4i + j + 4k , respectively.





a) Show that AB and BD are perpendicular.

b) Find the exact value of the cosine of the angle ABC .

c) Determine the exact value of the area of triangle ABC .

cos ( ABC ) = 8 , area = 1 17

9 2

Question 42 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A , B and C have respective coordinates
( 5,3,1) , ( 2, 2, 0 ) and ( 3, 4, −1) .

a) Find the exact value of the cosine of the angle BAC .

5
b) Show that the exact area of the triangle ABC is 2.
2

cos ( BAC ) = 7 11
33

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 43 (***+)
The straight line l passes through the points P ( −5,9, −9 ) and Q ( a, b,11) , where a
and b are scalar constants.

The vector equation of l is given by

1  d
   
r =  7  + λ  −1 ,
c  
   2

where c and d are scalar constants and λ is a scalar parameter.

a) Determine in any order the value of each the constants a , b , c and d .

The point T with x coordinate 4 lies on l .

b) Show clearly that …

i. … OT is perpendicular to l , where O is the origin.

ii. … PT : TQ = 3 : 7 .

a = 25 , b = −1 , c = −5 , d = 3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 44 (***+)

4a + kb
A D

a − 10b
5a + b

B C

The figure above shows a trapezium ABCD where AD is parallel to BC .

The following information is given for this trapezium.









BD = 5a + b , DC = a − 10b and AD = 4a + kb ,

where k is an integer.

a) Find the value of k .


b) Find a simplified expression for AB in terms of a and b .


k = −6 , AB = −a − 7b

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 45 (***+)
The straight lines L1 and L2 have respective vector equations

 4  5   9   −5 
       
r1 =  −3  + t  −1 and r2 =  8  + s  −5  ,
 3  1  −2   2 
       

where t and s are scalar parameters.

a) Show that L1 and L2 intersect at some point P , and find its coordinates.

b) Find the exact value of the cosine of the acute angle θ , between L1 and L2 .

The point A ( 9, −4, 4 ) lies on L1 and the point B ( 4,3, 0 ) lies on L2 .

c) Find the distance of AP and the distance of BP .

d) Show the area of the triangle APB is 9 14 .

P ( −1, −2, 2 ) , cos θ = 2 , AP = 6 3 , BP = 3 6

3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 46 (***+)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the straight line l has vector equation

a 0
   
r =  b  + λ 1 ,
10   2
   

where a and b are scalar constants and λ is a scalar parameter.

a) If l passes though the point P ( 7,3, 6 ) , find the value of a and the value of b .

The point Q lies on l so that OQ is perpendicular to l .

b) Find the coordinates of Q .

The point T lies on l where λ = −7 .

c) Find the ratio PQ : QT .

C4A , a = 7 , b = 5 , Q ( 7,0, 0 ) , PQ : QT = 3 : 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 47 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight lines l and m have respective vector
equations

6 1  4  2
       
r1 =  1  + t 0 and r2 =  −3  + s  2  ,
1    7  −5 
  a    

where t and s are scalar parameters, and a is a constant.

l and m intersect at the point P ( 8,1, −3) .

a) Find the value of a .

 4
 
b) Show that the vector  1  is perpendicular to both l and m .
 2
 

c) Determine a vector equation of the straight line n , such that all three straight
lines intersect, with the n being perpendicular to both l and m .

a = −2 , r = 8i + j − 3k + ν ( 4i + j + 2k )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 48 (***+)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the straight line l has vector equation

 24  1
   
r =  6  + λ 1 ,
0  2
   

where λ is a scalar parameter.

a) If the point D ( 4, a, b ) lies on l , find the value of a and the value of b .

The point P lies on l where λ = p , and the point C has coordinates (18, 6,36 ) .

 p+6 



  
b) Show that CP =  p  .
 2 p − 36 
 


c) Given further that CP is perpendicular to l , find the coordinates of P .

a = −14 , b = −40 , P ( 35,17, 22 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 49 (***+)
The straight line l has the following vector equation

r = −2i − 12 j − 9k + λ ( i + 3j + 2k ) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

The point P ( a, b,3) lies on l .

a) Find the value of each of the scalar constants a and b .

The point O represents a fixed origin.

The point Q lies on l , so that OQ is perpendicular to l .

b) Show that the coordinates of Q are ( 2,0, −1) .

You may not verify this fact by using the coordinates of Q .

c) Find the exact area of the triangle OPQ .

SYNF-A , a = 4 , b = 6 , area = 70

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 50 (***+)
The straight line L has the vector equation

 3  1
   
r =  −4  + λ  4  ,
 6  −2 
   

where λ is a scalar parameter.

The straight line M passes through the points with coordinates A (10, 6, 6 ) and
B (α , β ,3) , where α and β are scalar constants.

L and M intersect at the point C ( 6,8, 0 ) .

a) Find the coordinates of B .

b) Calculate the acute angle between L and M .

P ( 8, 7,3) , 62.2°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 51 (***+)
The straight line l1 passes through the points A ( 2,8,1) and B ( 2, 4,3) .

a) Find a vector equation for l1 , in terms of a scalar parameter λ .

The straight line l2 has a vector equation

5  1
   
r =  2  + µ  b ,
a  −1
   

where a and b are scalar constants, and µ is a scalar parameter.

The point C ( 2, −4, c ) , where c is a scalar constant, is the point of intersection

between l1 and l2 .

b) Find the value of each of the scalar constants a , b and c .

c) Determine the ratio AB : BC .

r1 = 2i + 8 j + k + λ ( 2 j − k ) , a = 4 , b = 2 , c = 7 , AB : BC = 1: 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 52 (***+)
The straight lines L1 and L2 have vector equations

12   3 0  1
       
r1 =  7  + λ  −3  and r2 =  1  + µ  2 ,
1  −1   21  
       −3 

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that L1 and L2 intersect at the point P , and find its coordinates .

b) Show further that L1 and L2 are perpendicular to each other.





The point A ( 0,1, 21) lies on L2 and the point B lies on L1 so that AP = PB .

c) Find the distance AB .

d) Hence state the shortest distance of P from the line through A and B .

P ( 6,13,3) , AB = 12 7 , 6 7

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 53 (***+)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following Cartesian equations

y+4 z
l1 : x−a = =
−4 −2

x − a y + 1 z −1
l2 : = =
2 −5 −3

where a is a scalar constant.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at for all values of a .

The intersection point of l1 and l2 has coordinates ( b, b, b ) , where b is a scalar

constant.

b) Find the value of a and the value of b .

c) Calculate the acute angle formed by l1 and l2 .

SYNF-C , a = 6 , b = 4 , θ ≈ 7.6°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 54 (***+)
OAB is a triangle with the point P being the midpoint of OB and the point Q being
the midpoint of AB .





The point R is such so that AR = 2 AP .
3





Let OA = a and OB = b .


a) Find simplified expressions, in terms of a and b , for each of the vectors AB ,










AP , AQ and AR .

b) By finding simplified expressions, in terms a and b , for two more suitable

vectors, show that the points O , R and Q are collinear.












AB = b − a , AP = 1 b − a , AQ = 1 b − 1 a , AR = 1 b − 2 a
2 2 2 3 3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 55 (***+)
The points A (1,1, 2 ) , B ( 2,1,5) , C ( 4, 0,1) and D form the parallelogram ABCD ,
where the above coordinates are measured relative to a fixed origin.

a) Find the coordinates of D .

The points E , B and D are collinear, so that B is the midpoint of ED .

b) Determine the coordinates of E .

The point F is such so that ABEF is also a parallelogram.

c) Find the coordinates of F .

d) Show that B is the midpoint of FC .

e) Prove that ADBF is another parallelogram.

MP2-B , D ( 3, 0, −2 ) , E (1, 2,12 ) , F ( 0, 2,9 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 56 (***+)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 2i + j + 8k + λ ( j − 2k )

r2 = i + µ ( ai + bj + 2k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters, and a and b are scalar constants.

l1 and l2 intersect at right angles at the point P .

a) Find the value of a and the value of b .

b) Determine the coordinates of P .

The straight line l3 passes through the point Q (1, −1, −1) .

c) Find a vector equation for l3 , given that all three lines intersect at the same
point.

a = 1, b = 4 , P ( 2, 4, 2 ) , r = i − j − k +ν ( i + 5 j + 3k )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 57 (***+)
The figure below shows the points O , C , A , D , B and E , which are related as
follows.

• O , B and E are collinear and OB : BE = 1: 2

• O , C and A are collinear and OC : CA = 1: 2
E
• B , D and A are collinear and BD : DA = 1: 3

O C A





Let OA = a and OB = b .


a) Find simplified expressions, in terms of a and b , for each of the vectors AB ,










DB , CD and DE .

b) Show that the points C , D and E are collinear, and find the ratio CD : DE .

c) Show further that BC is parallel to EA , and find the ratio BC : EA .












AB = b − a , DB = 1 b − 1 a , CD = − 1 a + 3 b , DE = − 1 a + 9 b ,
4 4 12 4 4 4
CD : DE = 1: 3 , BC : EA = 1: 3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 58 (***+)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the following points are given

A ( 2, 2,5) , B (12, 7,0 ) , C ( 0, 0,1) and D ( 9, k , 4 ) ,

where k is a scalar constant.

a) Find the vector equation of the straight line l1 that passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 passes through C and D , and intersects l1 at the point P .

b) Determine in any order …

i. … the coordinates of P .

ii. … the value of k .

iii. … the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

C4P , r = 2i + 2 j + 5k + λ ( 2i + j − k ) , P ( 6, 4,3) , k = 6 , 40.2°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 59 (****)
Two submarines S1 and S 2 , are travelling through the ocean.

They both appeared on the radar screen of a tracking station at the same time. The
distances are measured in hundreds of metres and the time t , in seconds, is measured
from the instant they were both observed on the radar screen of the tracking station.

The coordinates of S1 and S 2 , relative to a fixed origin O , are given by

S1 : r1 = ( 2t − 4 ) i + ( t − 15 ) j + ( t + 5 ) k

S2 : r2 = 10i + ( −2t + 6 ) j + ( 2t − 2 ) k

a) Show that S1 and S 2 are travelling in perpendicular directions to each other.

Suppose that S1 and S 2 continue to travel according to the above vector equations.

b) Show further that S1 and S 2 , will eventually collide at some point P , and
further determine the coordinates of P .

c) Calculate, to the nearest metre, the distance between S1 and S 2 , when they
were first observed by the tracking station.

P (10, −8,12 ) , distance = 700 14 ≈ 2619 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 60 (***+)
The straight line l passes through the points with coordinates

A ( −1, −4,8) and B (1, −2,5 ) .

a) Find a vector equation of l .

The origin is denoted by O .

The point P lies on l , so that OP is perpendicular to l .

b) Determine the coordinates of P .

The point Q is the reflection of O , about l .

c) State the coordinates of Q .

r = −i − 4 j + 8k + λ ( 2i + 2 j − 3k ) , P ( 3,0, 2 ) , Q ( 6,0, 4 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 61 (***+)
The points A and B have coordinates ( 4, −7,5 ) and ( −2,8,17 ) , respectively.

a) Find the equation of the straight line l , which passes through A and B .

The point C has coordinates ( 6, 6,1) .

b) Find the shortest distance from C to l .

r = 4i − 7 j + 5k + λ ( −2i + 5 j + 4k ) , shortest distance = 12

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 62 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A , B and C have respective coordinates
( −2,5,13) , (1,1,1) and ( 3,5,5) .

a) Determine the size of the angle ABC .

The point D has coordinates ( 9, −8, 6 ) .

b) Show that BD is perpendicular to both AB and BC .

c) Find the distance BD .

d) Calculate the volume of the right triangular prism with base the triangle ABC
and height BD .

42.0° , BD = 170 , 340 cubic units

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 63 (***+)
The points with coordinates A ( 3, 0,3) and B ( 4, −1,5) are given.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l1 that passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has equation

r = 5i + 10 j + 4k + µ ( i + 3 j + k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 are perpendicular.

c) Show further that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P and find its coordinates.

The point E is on the l1 .

A circle with centre at E is drawn so that it cuts l2 at the points C and D .

d) Given that the coordinates of C are ( 0, −5, −1) , find the coordinates of D .

C4O , r1 = 3i + 3k + λ ( i − j + 2k ) , P ( 2,1,1) , D ( 4,7,3)

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 64 (****)
D
B ( 9,13,11)

E ( 25,0,6 )
C ( 2,14,6 )

A (10, 20,6 )

The figure above shows a solid, modelling a house with a standard slanted roof, where
all the distances are measured in metres. With respect to a fixed origin, the
coordinates of some of the vertices of the solid are marked in the diagram.

a) Find a vector equation of AE .

b) Show that AE is perpendicular to AC .

c) Find the cosine of the angle ABC .

The straight line BD is parallel to AE . The length of BD is 10 metres.

d) Determine the coordinates of D .

C4Q , r = 10i + 20 j + 6k + λ ( 3i − 4 j) , cos ( ABC ) = 1 , D (15,5,11)

3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 65 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O the following position vectors are given.

0 1



  


  
OA =  8  and OB = 13  .
 3 1
   

a) Find a vector equation for the line straight l1 which passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has vector equation

7  2
   
r =  0  + µ  −3  ,
9  1
   

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 do not intersect.

c) Find the position vector of C , given it lies on l2 and ABC = 90° .

C4J , r = 8 j + 3k + λ ( i + 5 j − 2k ) , C ( −3,15, 4 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 66 (****)
The straight line L1 passes through the points A and B , whose respective position
vectors relative to a fixed origin O are

1  2
   
 2 and 1.
5 6
   

a) Find a vector equation for L1 .

 3
 
The angle ABC is denoted by θ , where C is the point with position vector  0  .
1
 

b) Show clearly that cos θ = 1 .

3

The straight line L2 passes through C and is parallel to L1 .

The points P and Q both lie on L2 so that AB = CP = CQ .

c) Determine the position vector of P and the position vector of Q , given that
P is furthest away from O .

d) Show further that the area of the quadrilateral ABPQ is 9 2 .





r1 = i + 2 j + 5k + λ ( i − j + k ) , OP = 4i − j + 2k , OQ = 2i + j

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 67 (****)
The points A and B have position vectors 9i + 3 j + 5k and 9i + 4 j + k , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l1 that passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has the vector equation

r2 = 6i + 3j − 4k + µ ( i + j − k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 intersect and find the position vector of their point of
intersection.

c) Find the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

The point C lies on l2 in such a position so that is closest to A .

d) Show that the position vector of C is given by

c = 4i + j − 2k .

r1 = 9i + 3 j + 5k + λ ( j − 4k ) , 9i + 6 j − 7k , 45.6°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 68 (****)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the points with coordinates A ( 2,3,5 ) , B ( 6, −1,5) ,
C ( 9, 2, 2 ) and D ( 5,6, 2 ) are given.

Prove that ABCD is a rectangle and show that its area is 12 6 square units.

The diagonals of the rectangle intersect at the point E .

a) Find the coordinates of E .

b) Find the size of the angle BEA .

c) State the exact area of the triangle BEA .

( )
E 11 , 5 , 7 , BEA = 94.9° , area (  BEA ) = 3 6
2 2 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 69 (****)













Let OA = a , OB = b , OC = 2a and OD = 2a + b .

 1



If OE = OD prove that the point E lies on the straight line AB .
3

proof

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 70 (****)
The point A has position vector −5 j + 7k .

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l that passes through A and is
parallel to the vector i + 3 j − k .

The point P lies on l so that OP is perpendicular to l , where O is the origin.

b) Determine the coordinates of P .

c) Show that the point B ( 5,10, 2 ) lies on l .

The point C is on l so that OB = OC .

d) Find the coordinates of C .

r = −5 j + 7k + λ ( i + 3 j − k ) , P ( 2,1,5 ) , C ( −1, −8,8 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 71 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight lines l1 and l2 have vector equations

 2  3 b  7
       
r1 =  a  + λ  −2  and r2 =  2  + µ  −4  ,
 2    14   6
   −2     

where λ and µ are scalar parameters, and a and b are constants.

l1 and l2 intersect at the point P , whose z coordinate is 8 .

a) Find the coordinates of the point P .

b) Show that the value of both a and b , is zero.

The point A , whose z coordinate is zero, lies on l1 .

The point C lies on l2 , so that AC is perpendicular to l1 .

c) Determine the coordinates of C .

P ( −7,6,8 ) , C ( 21, −10,32 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 72 (****)
The straight line l passes through the points A and C whose respective coordinates
are ( −2,7,9 ) and ( 8, −3, −1) .

a) Find a vector equation for l .

The point E ( 2, p, q ) lies on l and the point B has coordinates ( −4,1,1) .

b) Determine the value of p and the value of q .

c) Show that BE is perpendicular to l .

The point D is such, so that ABCD is a kite with ABC = ADC .

Determine …

d) … the coordinates of D .

e) … the area of the kite ABCD .

C4L , r = −2i + 7 j + 9k + λ ( i − j − k ) , p = 3 and q = 5 , D ( 8,5,9 ) , 20 42

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 73 (****)
The straight line l passes through the points with coordinates ( 4, −1,1) and ( −1, 4,6 ) .

a) Determine a vector equation of l .

The points C and D have coordinates ( 4, −2, −3) and ( p, q, −1) , respectively.

The midpoint of CD is the point M , where M lies on l .

Find in any order …

b) … the coordinates of M .

c) … the value of p and the value of q .

d) … the size of the acute angle θ , between CD and l .

C4M , r = 4i − j + k + λ ( −i + j + k ) , M ( 7, −4, −2 ) , p = 10, q = −6 , θ ≈ 51.9°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 74 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight lines L and M have vector equations

4  −1   0  2
       
r1 = 10  + λ  1  and r2 =  14  + µ  −2  ,
1  −2   −7   
       4

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that L and M represent the same straight line and find a linear
relationship between λ and µ , giving the answer in the form λ = f ( µ ) .

The points A , B and C lie on L , where λ = 3 , λ = 5 and λ = 8 respectively.

b) State the ratio AB : BC .

C4U , λ = 4 − 2 µ , AB : BC = 2 : 3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 75 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have respective position vectors

a = 2i + 4 j + 6k and b = 4i + 4 j − 4k .

a) Find the position vector of the point C , given that c = a + b .

b) Show that OACB is a rectangle, and calculate its area.

The diagonals of the rectangle OACB , OC and AB , meet at the point D .

c) State the position vector of D .

d) Calculate the size of the angle BDC .

c = 6i + 8 j + 2k , area = 8 42 , d = 3i + 4 j + k , 94.4°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 76 (****)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have coordinates ( 5, −1, −1) and
(1, −5,7 ) , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l which passes through A and B .

The point C has coordinates ( 4, −2,1) .

b) Show that C lies on l .


c) Show further that OC is perpendicular to l .





The point D lie on l so that CD = 2 CA .

d) Find the two possible sets for the coordinates of D .

C4N , r = 5i − j − k + λ ( i + j − 2k ) , D ( 2, −4,5 ) or D ( 6,0, −3)

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 77 (****)
OABC is a rectangle, with A ( 2, 2,0 ) , B ( 3, a, b ) , where a and b are positive
constants and O is a fixed origin.

a) Given that the area of OABC is 12 square units determine the value of a and
the value of b .

b) Find a vector equation of the straight line l that passes through A and C .

a = 1 , b = 4 , r = 2i + 2 j + λ ( −i − 3 j + 4k )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 78 (****)
With respect to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have coordinates (1,5, 4 ) and
( 3, 4,5) , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l that passes through A and B .





The point C lie on l so that AC = 1 CB .
2

b) Determine the coordinates of C .

c) Calculate the size of the angle OAC .

( )
r = i + 5 j + 4k + λ ( 2i − j + k ) , C 11 , 22 , 19 , 93.6°
5 5 5

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 79 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have position vectors 8i + 5 j + 7k
and 8i + 6 j + 3k , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l1 which passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has the vector equation

r2 = 5i + 5 j − 2k + µ ( i + j − k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 intersect and find the position vector of their point of
intersection.

c) Calculate the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

The point C lies on l2 so that C is as close as possible to A .

d) Find the position vector of C .


r1 = 8i + 5 j + 7k + λ ( j − 4k ) , 8i + 8 j − 5k , 45.6° , OC = 3i + 3 j

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 80 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the position vectors of three points A , B and C are









OA = i − 2k , AB = 2i + 10 j + 2k and BC = 6i − 12 j .





a) Show that AC is perpendicular to AB .

b) Show further that the area of the triangle ABC is 18 6 .

c) Hence, or otherwise, determine the shortest distance of A from the straight

line through B and C .

SYN-M , distance = 6 30
5

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 81 (****)
The straight line l1 passes through the points A ( 6, 2,0 ) and B ( 5,0,5 ) .

a) Find a vector equation of l1 .

The straight line l2 has vector equation

 −7   −5 
   
r2 =  6  + µ  0  ,
 −4   
   2

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point C , and find its coordinates.

The point D lies on l2 so that DBC = 90° .

c) Determine the coordinates of D .

C4R , r = 6i + 2 j + λ ( −5i + 2k ) , C ( 8,6, −10 ) , D ( −22, 6, 2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 82 (****)
The straight lines L1 and L2 have vector equations

2 1 a  4

       
r1 = 10  + λ  1  and r2 =  8  + µ  b  ,
14     4  
   2   1

where λ and µ are scalar parameters, and a and b are scalar constants.

L1 and L2 intersect at the point P whose z coordinate is 6 , and the acute angle
between L1 and L2 , is θ .

a) Determine the coordinates of P .

b) Find the value of a and the value of b .

c) Show that cos θ = 5 3 .

18

The point Q lies on L1 where λ = 1 .


The point T lies on L2 so that QT is perpendicular to L2 .

d) Determine the exact distance PT .

C4V , P ( −2,6, 6 ) , a = −10, b = −1 , PT = 25 2

6

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 83 (****)
The points A and B have coordinates ( 3, −1, 2 ) and ( 2, 0, 2 ) , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l1 that passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has equation

r = 2i + j + k + µ ( i − k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P and find its coordinates.

c) Verify that the point C ( 9,1, −6 ) lies on l2 .

The point D lies on l1 so that CD is perpendicular to l1 .

d) Determine the coordinates of D .

e) Calculate the area of the triangle PDC .

f) Deduce the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

r1 = 2i + 2k + λ ( −i + j) , P (1,1, 2 ) , D ( 5, −3, 2 ) , area = 16 3 , 60°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 84 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have respective position vectors

2i + 10 j + 2k and 2i + j + 2k .

The angle AOB is θ .

6
a) Show that sin θ = .
3

b) Calculate the exact area of the triangle AOB .

c) Show further that the shortest distance of …

i. … A from the straight line OB is 6 2 ,

ii. … the straight line AB from O is 2 2 .

C4W , area = 9 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 85 (****)
The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 2i + j + 5k + λ ( i − k )

r2 = 2i + j + 5k + µ ( i + 4 j − k )

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

The point A is the intersection of l1 and l2 .

The point B ( b,1, −1) , where b is a scalar constant, lies on l1 .

The point D ( 4, d ,3) , where d is a scalar constant, lies on l2 .

a) Find the value of b and the value of d .

b) Calculate the cosine of θ , where θ is the acute angle formed by l1 and l2 .

The point C is such so that ABCD is a parallelogram.

c) Determine the coordinates of C .

d) Show that the area of the parallelogram ABCD is 48 2 square units.

C4X , b = 8, d = 9 , cosθ = 1 , C (10,9, −3)

3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 86 (****)
The straight line L1 passes through the point A ( 5, −2,1) and is parallel to the vector
 2
 
0.
1
 

a) Find a vector equation for L1 , in terms of a scalar parameter λ .

The straight line L2 has a vector equation

 0  −1
   
r =  4  + µ  2 ,
 3  
   1
where µ is scalar parameter.

b) Show that the lines intersect at some point P , and find its coordinates .

The point B lies on L2 where µ = −2 .

The point C lies on a straight line which is parallel to L1 and passes through B .

The points A , B , C and P are vertices of a parallelogram.

c) Show that one of the possible positions for C is the origin O and find the
coordinates of the other possible position for C .

C4Y , r = 5i − 2 j + k + λ ( 2i + k ) , P ( 3, −2,0 ) , C ( 4,0, 2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 87 (****)
The straight line L has vector equation

r = i − 2 j + 5k + λ ( i + j − k ) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

The point A has position vector i + j − k .

The point P lies on L so that AP is perpendicular to L .

a) Find the position vector of P .

The point B is the reflection of A about L .

b) Determine the position vector of B .





FP1-H , OP = 4i + j + 2k , OB = 7i + j + 5k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 88 (****)
All the position vectors and coordinates in this question are measured from a fixed
origin O .

The point P lies on the straight line l with vector equation

r = i − 3k + λ ( 2i + 3j + 5k ) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

The point Q has position vector 3i + 9 j + 6k .


a) Determine, in terms of λ , an expression for the vector QP .

 2



b) By considering QP , find the value of λ which makes QP minimum.

c) Hence, or otherwise, find the shortest of distance of Q from l .


FP1-X , QP = ( 2λ − 2 ) i + ( 3λ − 9 ) j + ( 5λ − 9 ) k , λ = 2 , 14

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 89 (****)
The points A ( −1, 4 ) , B ( 2,3) and C ( 8,1) lie on the x-y plane, where O is the origin.

a) Show that A , B and C are collinear.





The point D lies on BC so that BD : BC = 2 : 3 .

b) Find the coordinates of D .





The straight line OB is extended to the point P , so that AP is parallel to OC .

c) Determine the coordinates of P .

( )
MP1-U , D 6, 5 , P 3, 9
3 2 ( )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 90 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A , B and C have respective position vectors

−6i − 5 j − 21k , 8i + 9 j and ui − 3 j + vk ,

where u and v are scalar constants.

A , B and C lie on the straight line l .

a) Find a vector equation of l .

b) Determine the value of u and the value of v .

c) Calculate the distance AB .


The point D lies on l so that OD is perpendicular to l .

d) Determine the position vector of D .

e) Calculate, correct to three significant figures, the area of the triangle OAB .

FP1-B , r = 8i + 9 j + λ ( 2i + 2 j + 3k ) , u = −4 , v = −18 , AB = 7 17 ,
d = 4i + 5 j − 6k , area ≈ 127

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 91 (****)
The position vectors and coordinates in this question are relative to a fixed origin O .

The straight lines l1 , l2 and l3 have the following vector equations

r1 = 10i + 6 j + 9k + λ ( 3i + j + 4k )

r2 = −4 j + 13k + µ ( i + 2 j − 3k )

r3 = −3i − 4k +ν ( 4i + 3j + k ) ,

where λ , µ and ν are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point A , and find its coordinates.

b) Verify that B ( 5, 6, −2 ) lies on both l2 and l3 .

The point C is the intersection of l1 and l3 .

c) Find the coordinates of C .

d) Show that CA = CB .

e) Hence calculate the shortest distance of C from l2 .

A ( 4, 4,1) , C (1,3, −3) , distance = 3 10

2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 92 (****)
The position vectors and coordinates in this question are relative to a fixed origin O .

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 3i + 2 j + k + λ ( 4i + 4 j + 3k )

r2 = 9i + µ ( i − 3j + ak )

where λ and µ are scalar parameters, and a is a scalar constant.

The point A is the intersection between l1 and l2 , and the acute angle between them
is denoted by θ .

a) Find in any order …

i. … the value of a .

ii. … the coordinates of A .

iii. … the value of θ .

The point B has coordinates ( 5,13,11) .

The point P lies on l1 so that the angle APB is 90° .

b) Calculate the distance BP .

a = −2 , A ( 7,6, 4 ) , θ = 54.2° , BP = 61

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 93 (****)
The position vectors and coordinates in this question are relative to a fixed origin O .

The points A and B have respective position vectors

2i + 3 j and 6i − 2 j + 3k .

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l1 that passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has vector equation

r = 5i − 3 j + 6k + µ ( i − 2 j + 2k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at the point A .

c) Find the exact value of cos θ , where θ is the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

The point C with position vector 3i + j + 2k lies on l2 .

d) Show that the shortest distance from C to l1 is exactly one unit.

r = 2i + 3 j + λ ( 4i − 5 j + 3k ) , cos θ = 23 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 94 (****)
The position vectors and coordinates in this question are relative to a fixed origin O .

The straight line l has vector equation

10  1
   
r =  7  + λ  2 ,
7  2
   

where λ is a scalar parameter.

The point P (14,15,15 ) lies on l and the point A has coordinates ( 5,1, 2 ) .

a) Calculate the size of the acute angle that AP makes with l .

The point B lies on l so that ABP = 90° .

b) Determine the coordinates of B .

The point C is such so that l is the angle bisector of APC .

c) Find a set of the possible coordinates of C .

θ ≈ 6.1° , B ( 7,1,1) , C ( 9,1, 0 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 95 (****)
The position vectors and coordinates in this question are relative to a fixed origin O .

The points A , B and C have coordinates ( 0, 0,8) , ( 2, 6, 4 ) and ( 8,8, 0 ) , respectively.

The point D is such so that ABCD is a parallelogram.

The angle ABC is θ .

a) Determine the coordinates of D .

b) Use the scalar product to find an exact value for cos θ and hence show

sin θ = 2 6 .
7

c) Explain, with reference to the calculations of part (b), why AC must be

perpendicular to BD .

d) Show that the area of the parallelogram is 16 6 .

MP1-J , D ( 6, 2, 4 ) , cos θ = − 5
7

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 96 (****)
The position vectors and coordinates in this question are relative to a fixed origin O .

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 5i + 3j + 6k + λ ( 2i + j + 2k )

r2 = −i + 5 j + ak + µ ( i − 2 j − 2k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters, and a is a scalar constant.

The point A lies on both l1 and l2 .

a) Find the value of a and the coordinates of A .

The point P (11, p,12 ) , where p is a scalar constant, lies on l1 .

The point Q ( q, −9, −8 ) , where q is a scalar constant, lies on l2 .

b) Find the value of p and the value of q .

c) Determine the coordinates of the midpoint of PQ .

d) Show that AP = AQ .

e) Hence, or otherwise, find a vector equation of the angle bisector of
PAQ .

( )
C4Z , a = 6 , A (1,1, 2 ) , p = 6, q = 6 , M 17 , − 3 , 2 , r = i + j + 2k + t ( 3i − j)
2 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 97 (****)
The points with coordinates A ( 4, 0, −4 ) and B ( 5, −1, −6 ) lie on the line L , where the
point O is a fixed origin.

a) Find a vector equation of the line L .

b) Find the distance between the points A and B .

The point D lies on the line L , so that OD is perpendicular to L .


c) Find the coordinates of the point D , and hence show that OD = 8

The point C is such so that OABC is parallelogram.

d) Find the exact area of the parallelogram OABC .

r = 4i − 4k + λ ( −i + j + 2k ) , AB = 6 , D ( 2, 2,0 ) , area = 4 3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 98 (****)
The lines l1 passes through the point A ( 2, 2, −2 ) and has direction vector i + j + 2k .

a) Find a vector equation for l1 .

The line l2 has the vector equation

r2 = 7i + j − 2k + µ ( 2i − j − k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

The lines intersect at the point B and the acute angle between the two lines is θ .

b) Find the coordinates of B .

1
c) Show that cos θ = .
6

The point P (15, −3, −6 ) lies on l2 and the point Q lies on l1 so that PQB = 90° .





d) Find BP and show that BQ = 6 .


e) Show that PQ = 210 .

f) Verify that the point Q is in fact the same the point as A .


r1 = 2i + 2 j − 2k + λ ( i + j + 2k ) , B ( 3,3, 0 ) BP = 216 = 6 6

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 99 (****)
With respect to a fixed origin, the points A , B and C have coordinates ( −2, −4, 6 ) ,
( −16,1, 4 ) and ( 4,8, −6 ) , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation for the line L1 , through the points A and B .

b) Find a vector equation for the line L2 , that passes through the point C and is
parallel to the vector pi + qj − 4k , where p and q are scalar constants.

The line L2 passes through the z axis, and is perpendicular to L1 .

c) Find the values of p and q .

d) Verify that L1 and L2 lines intersect at the point A .

r1 = −2i − 4 j + 6k + λ (14i − 5 j + 2k ) , r2 = 4i + 8 j − 6k + λ ( pi + qj − 4k ) ,
p = 2, q = 4

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 100 (****)

The straight lines L and M have the following vector equations

L : r1 = ( 3λ + 3) i + ( 4 − 4λ ) j + 2λk

M : r2 = ( 3µ + 12 ) i + ( 20 − 4µ ) j + ( 2µ + 4 ) k ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that L and M are parallel.

b) Show further that A ( 6, 0, 2 ) lies on L .

The point B lies on M so that AB is perpendicular to M .

c) Find the coordinates of B .

d) Hence determine the shortest distance between L and M .

B (18,12,8 ) , distance = 18 units

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 101 (****)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = −2i − j − 2k + λ ( i + j)

r2 = 8i − 5 j + 26k + µ ( i − j + 4k )

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Given l1 and l2 intersect at the point P , find the coordinates of P .

b) Show l1 and l2 are perpendicular.

The points A ( −8, a, −2 ) and C ( c,11, −2 ) lie on l1 .

c) Find the value of each of the constants a and c , and show further that P is
the midpoint of AC .

The quadrilateral ABCD is a square.

d) Determine the coordinates of the points B and D .

P (1, 2, −2 ) , a = −7 , c = 10 , B ( 4, −1,10 ) & D ( −2,5, −14 ) in any order

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 102 (****)

Relative to a fixed origin, the points P and Q have position vectors 9 j − 2k and
7i − 8 j + 11k , respectively.

a) Determine the distance between the points P and Q .

b) Find the position vector of the point M , where M is the midpoint of PQ .

The points P and Q are vertices of a cube, so that PQ is one of the longest
diagonals of the cube.

c) Show that the length of one of the sides of the cube is 13 units.

d) Show that the origin O lies inside the cube.


SYN-N , PQ = 507 , OM = 72 i + 12 j + 92 k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 103 (****)

The points A ( 7, a,5) and B ( b,1,12 ) lie on the straight line L , with vector equation

r = 19i − 2 j − 9k + λ ( 6i − j − 7k ) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

a) Find the value of a and the value of b .

The point C has coordinates ( −3,19,10 ) and M is the midpoint of BC .

b) Determine the coordinates of M .

The point D is such so that ABMD is a parallelogram.

c) Find the coordinates of D .

d) Show that AB = BM .

e) Find the exact area of the parallelogram ABMD .

a = 0, b = 1 , A ( −1,10,11) , D ( 5,9, 4 ) , area = 60 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 104 (****)

The straight line L1 passes through the points A (1, −2,5 ) and B ( 4, −3, 3) .

a) Find a vector equation for L1 .

The straight line L2 has a vector equation

8  1
   
r =  p  + µ  4 ,
q  
   −1

where µ is a scalar parameter, and p and q are scalar constants.

b) Given that L1 and L2 intersect at B , find the value of p and the value of q .

c) Find the cosine of the acute angle θ , between L1 and L2 .

The point C is on L2 , so that AC is perpendicular to L2 .

502
d) Show that the length of AC is .
6

1
r = i − 2 j + 5k + λ ( 3i − j − 2k ) , p = 13, q = −1 , cos θ = 7
42

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 105 (****)

With respect to a fixed origin O , the variable points A and B have the following
position vectors

 t −1   2t 2 − 12t + 18 



  


  
OA =  t 2 − 6t + 14  and OB =  3−t ,
 2 3  1 
 28 − 27t + 9t − t   

where t is a scalar parameter.

a) Calculate the angle AOB when t = 5

b) Find the values of t for which the angle AOB is a right angle.

θ ≈ 86.0 , t = 4 or t = 13
4

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 106 (****)

The points A and B have coordinates ( 7,13,14 ) and (15,19,15 ) , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l1 which passes through A and B .

The line l2 has vector equation

r = 5i − 8 j − 9k + µ ( −2i + 5 j + 3k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that l1 and l2 do not intersect.

c) Find a vector with integer components in their simplest proportions, which is

perpendicular to both lines.
[you may not use the cross product for this part]

r = 7i + 13 j + 14k + λ ( 8i + 6 j + k ) , i − 2 j + 4k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 107 (****)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have respective vector equations

r1 = 5i + 3 j + k + λ ( i + j + k ) and r2 = −3i + 4 j + 8k + µ ( 2i − j − 3k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P , further finding its coordinates.

b) Calculate the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

The point A ( 7,5,3) lies on l1 and the point B lies on l2 , such that the straight line
AB is perpendicular to l2 .

c) Determine the area of the triangle ABP .

FP1-L , P ( 3,1, −1) , 72.0° , area ( ABC ) = 8 38 ≈ 7.05

7

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 108 (****)

The straight line L passes through the points B (1, 4,0 ) and D ( 2, 2,6 ) .

a) Find a vector equation of L .

The point A (1, 0, p ) , where p is a scalar constant, is such so that BAD = 90° .

b) Find the possible values of p .

The rectangle ABCD has an area of 12 2 square units.

c) Find the coordinates of C .

FP1-P , r = i + 4 j + λ ( i − 2 j + 6k ) , p = 2, 4 , C ( 2,6, 2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 109 (****)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 12i + 7 j + 3k + λ ( 2i + j + k )

r2 = i + 3 j + µ ( 3i − k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point A , further finding its coordinates.

b) Calculate the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

The point B (16, 9,5 ) lies on l1 and the point D lies on l2 .

c) If BD is perpendicular to l2 find the coordinates of D .

d) Find the coordinates of a point C so that the triangle ABC is isosceles.

FP1-R , A ( 4,3, −1) , 49.8° , D (13,3, −4 ) , C ( 22,3, −7 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 110 (****)

The vectors p and q are defined as

p = a + 2b and q = 5a − 4b

where a and b are unit vectors.

Given that p and q are perpendicular, determine the acute angle between a and b .

FP1-V , θ = 60°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 111 (****)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following Cartesian equations

x − 8 y +1 z − 2
l1 : = = .
1 −1 1

x − 3 y − 4 z −1
l2 : = = .
−1 1 1

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P , and find its coordinates.

b) Find the exact value of cos θ , where θ is the acute angle formed by l1 and l2 .

The point A ( 6,1, 0 ) lies on l1 and the point B ( 4,3, 0 ) lies on l2 .

c) By considering AP and BP show further that the angle bisector of APB

is parallel to the vector k .

FP1-U , P ( 5, 2, −1) , cos θ = 1

3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 112 (****+)

The figure below shows a triangle OAQ .

P
R

O Q
B

• The point P lies on OA so that OP : OA = 3 : 5 .

• The point B lies on OQ so that OB : BQ = 1: 2 .





Let OA = a and OB = b .





a) Given that AR = h AB , where h is a scalar parameter with 0 < h < 1 , show
that


OR = (1 − h ) a + hb .





b) Given further that PR = k PQ , where k is a scalar parameter with 0 < k < 1 ,




find a similar expression for OR in terms of k , a , b .

c) Determine …
i. … the value of k and the value of h .







ii. … the ratio of PR : PQ .


SYN-E , OR = 3 (1 − k ) a + kb , k = 1 , h = 1 , PR : PQ = 1: 6
5 6 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 113 (****+)

The points A and B have coordinates ( 4,0, 2 ) and ( 7,0, −1) , respectively.


a) Find the vector AB .

The straight line l has vector equation

r = −3i − 4 j + k + λ ( 7i + 4 j + k ) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that A lies on l .


c) Calculate the acute angle between AB and l .

The point C lies on l so that ABCD is a rectangle.

d) Find the coordinates of D .


AB = 3i − 3k , θ ≈ 58.5° , D ( 8, 4,6 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 114 (****+)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 3 j + k + λ ( 2i − j + 2k )

r2 = 2i + 7k + µ ( i − j + 2k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P and find its position vector.

The points A and C lie on l1 and the points B and D lie on l2 .

The point A has position vector 4i + j + 5k .

The quadrilateral ABCD is a parallelogram with an area of 54 square units.

b) State the position vector of the point C .

c) Show that the distance of the point B from l1 is 3 units.

p = −2i + 4 j − k , c = −8i + 7 j − 7k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 115 (****+)

With respect to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have respective position
vectors

i + 11j + 3k and 11i − 4 j + 8k .

a) Find a vector equation for the straight line l , which passes through A and B .

The point C is the point on l closest to the origin O .

b) Determine the position vector of C .

The point D is the reflection of O about l .

c) State the position vector of D .

d) Show that the area of the kite OADB is 25 42 square units.





r = i + 11j + 3k + λ ( 2i − 3 j + k ) , OC = 5i + 5 j + 5k , OD = 10i + 10 j + 10k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 116 (****+)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A ( 3t − 19, 2t − 14, 28 − t ) , B ( t + 1, t − 2,5t ) and
C ( 2t − 11,10 − t , 2t + 4 ) , represent the coordinates of the paths of three helicopters,
where t represents the time in minutes after a certain instant.

All distances are in kilometres with the coordinates axes Ox , Oy , Oz oriented due
east, due north and vertically upwards, respectively.

a) Show that all three helicopters pass through a point P and find its coordinates.

b) Explain why only two of the helicopters will collide at the point P if they
maintain their courses as described in this problem.

c) Show that the paths of A and B are perpendicular.

P ( 5, 2, 20 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 117 (****+)

The straight lines l1 and l2 , where λ and µ are scalar parameters, have the
following vector equations

r1 = ( λ + 2 ) i + ( 2λ + 6 ) j + ( −λ − 1) k

r2 = ( 2 µ − 4 ) i + ( 4 − µ ) j + ( 3 − µ ) k .

l1 and l2 intersect at the point A and the acute angle between l1 and l2 is θ .

a) Find in any order…

i. … the coordinates of A .

ii. … the exact value of cos θ .

The point B lies on l1 and the point C lies on l2 . The triangle ABC is isosceles with
AB = AC = 6 6 .

b) Find the two possible sets of coordinates for the points B and C .

c) Show that either BC = 6 14 or BC = 6 10

In the triangle ABC the angle BAC is acute.

a) In the triangle ABC , determine the two possible pairings for the coordinates
of the point B and the corresponding coordinates of the point C .

A ( 0, 2,1) , cos θ = 1 , B1 ( −6, −10, 7 ) or B2 ( 6,14, −5 ) ,

6
C1 ( −12,8,7 ) or C2 (12, −4, −5 ) , B1 & C1 or B2 & C2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 118 (****+)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A , B , C and D have coordinates ( 7, 6, 2 ) ,
(12,10,5 ) , (1, −4, −8 ) and (11, 4, −2 ) , respectively.

a) Find the vector equation of the straight line l1 which passes through the point
A and B and the vector equation of the straight line l2 which passes through
the point C and D .

b) Explain why l1 and l2 do not intersect.

The point P lies on l2 .

 2
c) Find an expression for AP , in terms of µ .

d) Calculate the distance between l1 and l2 .

r1 = 7i + 6 j + 2k + λ ( 5i + 4 j + 3k ) , r2 = i − 4 j − 8k + µ ( 5i + 4 j + 3k ) ,



 2
PA = 50 µ 2 − 200 µ + 236 , 6 units

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 119 (****+)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A , B and C have coordinates ( 2,3,5 ) ,
(1,1,1) and ( 4,3,1) , respectively.

The line segment CB is extended to the point P .

It is further given that P lies on the line segment OA so that OP : PA = 1: k .

Determine the value of k .

k =4

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 120 (****+)

The straight line l1 passes through the points with coordinates A ( −2, 3, 4 ) and
B ( 8, −1,14 ) .

a) Find a vector equation for l1 .

The straight line l2 has vector equation

r = i + 5 j − 5k + µ ( i − 2 j + 7k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

The point C lies on l2 so that AC is perpendicular to BC .

b) Show that one possible position for the point C has coordinates ( 2,3, 2 ) and
find the other.

c) Assuming further that C has coordinates ( 2,3, 2 ) , show that the area of the
triangle ABC is 14 5 square units.

r1 = 2i − 3 j + 4k + λ ( 5i − 2 j + 5k ) , ( 4, −1,16 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 121 (****+)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 13i − 5 j + 8k + λ ( 6i − 2 j + 3k )

r2 = −5i − 4 j + 8k + µ ( 2i + j − 2k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point C and find its coordinates.

b) Find the cosine of the acute angle between l1 and l2 .

The point A lies on l1 where λ = −1 and the point B lies on l2 where µ = 4 .

c) Determine a vector equation of the angle bisector of ACB .

SP-Z , C (1, −1, 2 ) , cosθ = 4 , r = i − j + 2k + t ( 32i + j − 5k )

21

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 122 (****+)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 9i + 7 j + 11k + λ ( 4i + 3 j + 5k )

r2 = −2i + 5 j − 4k + µ ( 3i − 4 j + ak ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters and a is a scalar constant.

The point A is the intersection of l1 and l2 .

b) Find in any order …

i. … the value of a .

ii. … the coordinates of A .

The acute angle between l1 and l2 is θ .

c) Show that θ = 60° .

The point B lies on l1 and the point C lies on l2 .

The triangle ABC is equilateral with sides of length 15 2 .

d) Find the two possible pairings for the coordinates of B and C .

SP-Y , a = 5 , A (1,1,1) ,
B (13,10,16 ) & C (10, −11,16 ) or B ( −11, −8, −14 ) & C ( −8,13, −14 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 123 (****+)

The points A ( 3, 2,14 ) , B ( 0,1,13) and C ( 5,6,8 ) are defined with respect to a fixed
origin O .

3
a) Show that the cosine of the angle ABC is .
33


The straight line L passes through A and it is parallel to the vector BC .

b) Find a vector equation of L .

The point D lies on L so that ABCD is a parallelogram.

c) Find the coordinates of D .

d) If instead ABCD is an isosceles trapezium and the point D still lies on L ,

determine the new coordinates of D .

SP-X , r = 3i + 2 j + 14k + λ ( i + j − k ) , D ( 8,7,9 ) , D ( 6,5,11)

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 124 (****+)

With respect to a fixed origin O , the point A and the point B have position vectors
i − 7 j + 5k and −9 j + 6k , respectively.

a) Find a vector equation of the straight line l which passes through A and B .

A variable vector is defined as

p = ( p + 6 ) i + ( 2 p + 3 ) j − pk ,

where p is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that for all values of p , the point P with position vector p , lies on l .


c) Determine the value of p for which OP is perpendicular to l .

d) Hence, or otherwise, find the shortest distance of l from the origin O .

SP-W , r = i − 7 j + 5k + λ ( i + 2 j − k ) , p = −2 , shortest distance = 21

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 125 (****+)

The points with coordinates A ( 7, 6,10 ) , B ( 6,5, 6 ) and C (1, 0, 4 ) are the vertices of
the parallelogram ABCD .

a) Find …

i. … the coordinates of D .

ii. … a vector equation of the straight line l which passes through the
iiii points A and C .

iii. … the distance AC .

b) Show that the shortest distance of l from B is 6 units.

c) Hence find the exact area of the parallelogram ABCD .

SP-U , D ( 2,1,8 ) , r = 7i + 6 j + 10k + λ ( i + j + k ) , AC = 6 3 , 18 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 126 (****+)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = i − 5 j + λ ( 4 j − k )

r2 = 4i − 3 j + k + µ ( 3i − 2 j + 2k )

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Given that l1 and l2 intersect at some point Q , find the position vector of Q .

b) Given further that the point P lies on l1 and has position vector i + pj − 3k ,
find the value of p .





The point T lies on l2 so that PQ = QT .

c) Determine the two possible position vectors for T .

SP-P , q = i − j − k , p = 7 , t = −5i + 3j − 5k or t = 7i − 5 j + 3k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 127 (****+)

The point P has position vector 2i + 2 j + 21k .

a) Find the vector equation of the straight line l which passes through P and is
parallel to the vector i − j + 5k .

The points A and B have coordinates ( −1, 2, 3) and ( 2,5,3) , respectively.

The point C lies on l so that the triangle ABC is equilateral.

b) Find the two possible position vectors for C .

SP-V , r = 2i + 2 j + 21k + λ ( i − j + 5k ) , c = −i + 5 j + 6k or c = − 17 i + 53 j + 14 k
9 9 9

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 128 (****+)

The quadrilateral ABCD is a rectangle with the vertex A having coordinates ( 2,1, 2 ) .

The diagonals of the rectangle intersect at the point with coordinates ( 7, 0, 4 ) .

a) Find the coordinates of the point C .

The points B and D both lie on the straight line with vector equation

r = 4i + 15 j + 10k + λ ( i − 5 j − 2k ) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

b) Determine the coordinates of B and D .

SP-T , C (12, −1, 6 ) , B ( 6,5, 6 ) , D ( 8, −5, 2 ) in any order

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 129 (****+)

The vectors a and b are such so that

a = 3 , b = 12 and a ib = 18 .

Show clearly that

a − b = 3 13 .

SP-R , proof

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 130 (****+)

It is given that

w =u+v,

where w = 2i + 8 j − k .

Given further that u is in the direction i + j + k , and the vectors u and v are
perpendicular to one another, determine u and v in component form.

FP1-W , u = 3i + 3j + 3k , v = −i + 5 j − 4k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 131 (****+)

The points A ( 3, 3, 2 ) , B ( 6, 4,3) and C ( 5,1, 4 ) are referred with respect to a fixed
origin O . The point M is the midpoint of AC .





a) Show that BM is perpendicular to AC .

The point D is such so that ABCD is a kite with an area of 6 6 .

The straight line BD is a line of symmetry for the kite ABCD .

b) Find the coordinates of D .

SP-O , D ( 0, −2,3 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 132 (****+)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight lines l and m have vector equations

 p  q  9   1
       
r1 =  4  + t  −1 and r2 =  0  + s  −2  ,
 5   2 16   7 
       

where t and s are scalar parameters, and p and q are scalar constants.

The point A is the intersection of l and m , and the cosine of acute angle θ between
l and m is 1 6 .
3

a) Find the value of p and the value of q , given that q is a positive integer.

b) Determine the coordinates of A .

The point B has coordinates B (12,5,9 ) .

c) Find the cosine of the acute angle ϕ between AB and l .

d) Hence show, without the use of any calculating aid, that

ϕ = 2θ .

p = 0 , q = 2 , A ( 8, 2,9 ) , cos ϕ = 1
3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 133 (****+)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the vector equations given below

r1 = 3i + j + 7k + λ ( 2i − j + 3k ) ,

r2 = 3i + 3k + µ ( 2i − 2 j − k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 intersect at some point P and find its coordinates.

The points A and C lie on l1 and the points B and D lie on l2 , such that ABCD
forms a parallelogram.

The point A has coordinates ( 7, −1,13) .

b) Find …

i. … the coordinates of C .

ii. … the coordinates of B and D , given further that BD = 12 .

iii. … the angle BAD .

c) Show that the exact area of the parallelogram ABCD is 36 13 .

P (1, 2, 4 ) , C ( −5,5, −5 ) , B ( 5, −2, 2 ) , D ( −3,6,6 ) in any order , BAD ≈ 55.3°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 134 (****+)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have the following vector equations

r1 = 7i + 2 j + 3k + λ ( i − j + ak )

r2 = 3i + bj + 5k + µ ( i − k ) ,

where λ and µ are scalar parameters, and a and b are scalar constants.

It is further given that the point A is the intersection of l1 and l2 , and the acute angle
between l1 and l2 is 60° .

Find in any order …

… the two possible pairings for the value of a and the value b .

… the possible coordinates of A for each possible pair of a and b .

(
SP-S , a = 0 with b = 4 and A ( 5, 4,3) , a = 4 with b = 12 and A 33 , 12 , 7
5 5 5 5 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 135 (****+)

The point A has position vector −i + 7 j − k .

a) Find the vector equation of the straight line l1 which passes through A and is
parallel to the vector 3i − 2 j + 2k .

The straight line l2 has equation

r2 = 9i − 9 j + 8k + µ ( 3i − 3 j + 4k ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter.

b) Show that …

i. … l1 and l2 do not intersect.

ii. … the vector 2i + 6 j + 3k is perpendicular to both l1 and l2 .

The point P lies on l1 and the point Q lies on l2 so that the distance PQ is least.

c) Find the coordinates of P and Q .

r1 = −i + 7 j − k + λ ( 3i − 2 j + 2k ) , P ( 5,3,3) & Q ( 3, −3, 0 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 136 (****+)

With respect to a fixed origin O , the straight lines L1 and L2 have respective vector
equations

 −1   1   −3   1 
       
r1 =  5  + t  −2  and r2 =  1  + s  0 ,
 −1   1   5   −1
       

where t and s are scalar parameters.

The points A and C lie on L1 and L2 , where t = 0 and s = 0 , respectively.


a) Find AC , in exact surd form.

b) Show that L1 and L2 intersect at some point B and find its coordinates.

c) Find the size of the angle θ , between L1 and L2 .

The point D is such so that ABCD is a kite.

d) Show further that …

i. … the area of the kite is 16 3 square units.
8
ii. … the length of BD is 42 .
7


AC = 2 14 , B (1,1,1) , θ = 90°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 137 (****+)

A person standing at a fixed origin O observes an insect taking off from a point A on
level horizontal ground. The position vector of the insect r metres, t seconds after
taking off, is given by

( )
r = ( t + 1) i + 2t + 1 j + 2tk .
2

All distances are in metres and the coordinates axes Ox , Oy , Oz are oriented due east,
due north and vertically upwards, respectively.

a) Find …

i. … the bearing of the insect’s flight path.

ii. … the angle between the flight path and the horizontal ground.

(
The roof top of a garden shed is located at B 5, 9 ,3 .
2 )
b) Calculate the shortest distance between the insect’s path and the point B .

When the insect reaches a height of 20 metres above the ground, at the point C , the
insect gets eaten by a bird.

c) Determine the coordinates of C .

SP-Q , bearing ≈ 027° , θ ≈ 42° , (

5 , C 11, 41 , 20
2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 138 (****+)

With respect to a fixed origin O , the points with coordinates A ( 4,3, −1) , B ( 5,1, 2 ) ,
C ( 2, 0, 3) and D ( 4, 2, −1) are given.

a) Find the vector equation of the line l1 which passes through A and B , and
the vector equation of the line l2 which passes through C and D .

b) Show that l1 and l2 do not intersect.

The point E is on l2 so that AEB = 90° .

(
c) Show that one possible position for E has coordinates 25 , 13 , − 4 and find
6 6 3 )
the coordinates of the other possible position.

r1 = 4i + 3 j − k + λ ( i − 2 j + 3k ) , r2 = 2i + 3k + µ ( i + j − 2k ) , E ( 3,1,1)

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 139 (****+)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have respectively position vectors
i − 3j − 9k and −4 j − 10k .

a) Find the vector equation of the straight line l1 which passes through A and B .

The straight line l2 has the vector equation

r2 = 6i + k + µ ( −i + pj + qk ) ,

where µ is a scalar parameter, and p and q are scalar constants.

b) Given that l1 and l2 are perpendicular, write an equation in terms of p and q .

c) Given further that l1 and l2 intersect, find the value of p and the value of q .

d) Determine the position vector of the point of intersection of l1 and l2 .

r1 = i − 3 j − 9k + λ ( i + j + k ) , p + q = 1 , p = −3, q = 4 , 7i + 3j − 3k

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 140 (****+)

The straight lines l1 and l2 have respective vector equations

r1 = 3λ i + ( 6 − 2λ ) j + ( 2λ + 1) k

r2 = ( 3µ + 10 ) i + ( −3µ − 10 ) j + ( 4 µ + 10 ) k

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

a) Show that l1 and l2 do not intersect.

The point P lies on l1 and the point Q lies on l2 so that the distance PQ is least.

b) Find the coordinates of P and the coordinates of Q .

P ( 6, 2,5 ) & Q ( 4, −4, 2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 141 (****+)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight lines l1 and l2 have the following respective
vector equations

 8 1  3 1
       
r1 =  q  + λ  1  and r2 =  −4  + µ 1 ,
 −3   p  −5  1
       

where λ and µ are scalar parameters, and p and q are scalar constants.

a) Given that l1 and l2 are perpendicular, determine the value of p .

The point D is the intersection of l1 and l2

b) Find the value of q and the coordinates of D .

Another straight line l3 intersects both l1 and l2 , and is also perpendicular to both
l1 and l2 .

c) Find a vector equation for l3 .

You may not use the vector (cross) product in this part

The points A ( 8,1, −3 ) , B ( 8,1, 0 ) and C ( 8, −1, −1) lie on l1 , l2 and l3 , respectively.

d) Show that the volume of the triangle based pyramid with vertices at A , B , C
and D is 1 cubic unit.

FP1-N , p = −2 , q = 1 , D ( 7,0, −1) , r = 7i − k + ν ( i − j)

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 142 (*****)

D
A

B C

The figure above shows the rectangle ABCD , where C ( 3,7,12 ) and D ( 5,1, 4 ) .

The point E ( 2,1,0 ) is such so that BDE and EC are straight lines.

Use vector methods to determine the coordinates of A .

SPX-N , A (19, −5,12 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 143 (*****)

The coordinates in this question are relative to a fixed origin O at ( 0, 0,0 ) .

The straight line l1 has vector equation

i + 3 j + 5k + λ ( −i + 3 j + k ) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

The straight line l2 passes thought the point with coordinates ( 6, 0,6 ) and is in the
direction 2i − 3j + k .

a) Verify that A ( 4,3,5 ) is the intersection of l1 and l2 , and show further that
B (12, −9,9 ) lies on l2 .

The point C ( 6, −3,3) lies on l1 .

The straight line l3 passes through B and C .

The straight line l4 is parallel to l2 and passes through C .

The straight line l5 is perpendicular to l3 and passes through A .

b) Given that l4 and l5 intersect at the point D , find the coordinates of D .

SP-D , D ( 4,0, 2 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 144 (*****)

Relative to a fixed origin O at ( 0, 0,0 ) the points A , B and C have coordinates
( 0, 4,6 ) , ( 3,5, 4 ) and ( 2,0,0 ) , respectively.

• The straight line l1 passes through A and B .

• The straight line l2 passes through C and is parallel to l1 .

• The point D lies on l1 so that ACD = 90° .

• The point E lies on l2 so that CDE = 90° .

• The point F lies on l2 so that EC = 2 EF .

Determine the coordinates of the possible positions of F .

SPX-M , F ( 8, 2, −4 ) ∪ F ( 20,6, −12 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 145 (*****)

With respect to a fixed origin O , the points A , B and C have position vectors

 0 8 11
     
a =  5  , b =  2  and c =  0  .
 2 7 1
     

a) Determine the volume of the cube, with vertices the points A , B and C .

The points P , Q and R are vertices of a different cube, so that

0 k 



  


  
PQ =  1  and PR =  4  ,
7 3
   

where k is a positive constant.

b) Given that QPR = 60° , determine …

i. … the value of k .

ii. … the length of the diagonal of the second cube.

SP-G , volume = 343 , k = 5 , 75 = 5 3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 146 (*****)

Relative to a fixed origin O at ( 0, 0,0 ) the points A , B and C have coordinates
(1, 2,5) , ( −1,0,7 ) and ( 4, −2,8) , respectively.

The point D is such so that ABCD is an isosceles trapezium with BC = AD .

Determine the coordinates of D .

(
FP1-S , D 14 , − 4 , 22
3 3 3 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 147 (*****)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the points A and B have position vectors 4i + 5 j + 8k
and 6i + 6 j + 7k , respectively. The straight line l1 passes through A and , B and
crosses the y − z plane at the point C . The straight line l2 passes through the point
D with position vector pj + ( 2 p + 2 ) k , where p is a scalar constant.

Given that l1 and l2 are perpendicular, and intersect at C , find the value of p .

SP-E , p = 5

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 148 (*****)

The points A and B , have respective position vectors a and b , relative to a fixed
origin O .

The point C lies on AB produced such that AB : AC = 1 : 4

The point D lies on OB produced such that OB : OD = 1 : k , where

OB : OD = 1 : k is a scalar constant.

Given that AB is perpendicular to CD show that

2 2
3 a − 7a i b + 4 b
k = 2
.
b − a ib

SP-K , proof

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 149 (*****)





OAB is a triangle and OA = a and OB = b .

• The point C lies on OB so that OC : CB = 3 :1 .

• The point P lies on AC so that AP : PC = 2 :1 .

• The point Q lies on AB so that O , P and Q are collinear.

Determine the ratio AQ : QB .

SP-F , AQ : QB = 3 : 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 150 (*****)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight lines l1 and l2 have vector equations

7  2 14   −2 
       
r1 =  1  + λ  0  and r2 = 19  + µ  4  ,
 2   3  −3 
   −1     

where λ and µ are scalar parameters.

The point A lies on l1 and the point B lies on l2 , so that the distance AB is least.

Find the coordinates of A and the coordinates of B .

C4S , A (13,1, −1) , B (18,11,9 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 151 (*****)

The point P lies on the straight line L1 , which is parallel to the vector 2i + j + 2k and
passes through the point with coordinates (10,3, 7 ) , relative to an origin at ( 0, 0,0 ) .

The point Q lies on another straight line L2 , which is in the direction of the vector
4i − j + k and passes through the point with coordinates ( 9,1, 0 ) .

The straight line L3 is perpendicular to both L1 and L2 , and meets L1 and L2 at the
points P and Q , respectively.

Find the coordinates of P and Q .

SP-C , P ( 4,0,1) , Q ( 5, 2, −1)

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 152 (*****)

The straight line l1 , where λ is a scalar parameter, has vector equation

r = 10i + 8 j + 5k + λ ( i + j + k ) .

The points A ( 4,1,3 ) and B ( 6,5, −3) lie on the straight line l2 .

a) Given that l1 and l2 lie on the same plane, show that l1 is perpendicular to l2 .

The points C and D lie on l1 so that the resulting quadrilateral ACBD is a kite,
whose line of symmetry is l2 .

b) Given further that the area of the kite is 8 42 square units, determine the
possible coordinates of the points C and D .

SP-M , r = 4i + j + 3k + µ ( i + 2 j − 3k ) , CD = 8 3 ,
C ( 9,7, 4 ) & D (1, −1, −4 ) in any order

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 153 (*****)

The straight line L1 passes through the points A and B , whose respective position
vectors relative to a fixed origin O are

1  2
   
 2 and 1.
5 6
   

 3
 
The point C has position vector  0  .
1
 

The straight line L2 passes through C and is parallel to L1 .

The points P and Q both lie on L2 so that CP = CQ = 2 AB .

Find the area of the quadrilateral with vertices at A , B , P and Q .

SP-B , 15 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 154 (*****)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the straight line l passes through the points A ( a, −3, 6 ) ,
B ( 2, b, 2 ) and C ( 3,3,0 ) , where a and b are constants.

a) Find the value of a and the value of b , and hence find a vector equation of l .

The points P and Q lie on the l so that OP = OQ and POQ = 90° .

b) Find the coordinates of P and the coordinates of Q .

C4T , a = 0, b = 1 , r = −3 j + 6k + λ ( i + 2 j − 2k ) , (1, −1, 4 ) & ( 3,3, 0 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 155 (*****)

The straight line l has vector equation

r = 3i + 3k + λ ( i + 2 j − 2k ) ,

where λ is a scalar parameter.

The point A has coordinates ( 3,3, −3) , relative to a fixed origin O .

The points P and Q lie on the l so that AP = AQ .

Given further that PAQ = 90° , find the coordinates of P and the coordinates of Q .

SP-A , ( 4, 2,1) & ( 6,6, −3)

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 156 (*****)

In the acute triangle ABC the following information is given.

• The point P lies on AB so that AP : PB = 1: 2 .

• The point Q lies on AC so that AQ : QC = 1: 3 .
• The point D is the intersection of CP and BQ .

The straight line through A and D is extended so that it meets BC at the point R .

Determine the ratio BR : RC .

SP-N , BR : RC = 2 : 5

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 157 (*****)

Relative to a fixed origin O , the position vectors of two points A and B are denoted
by a and b . The point P is the foot of the perpendicular from O to the straight line
through A and B .

Show that if p denotes the position vector of P , then

a i( a − b )( a − b )
p=a − 2
.
a−b

SP-I , proof

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 158 (*****)

Relative to a fixed origin O located at the point with coordinates ( 0,0,0 ) , the points
A ( 8,1, 4 ) and B ( 4, −1,8 ) are given.

A circle, with centre at the point P and radius r , is drawn so that the three sides of
the triangle OAB are tangents to this circle.

Determine the coordinates of P and the exact value of r .

( )
SP-J , P 9 ,0, 9 , r = 3 2
2 2 2

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 159 (*****)

The points A ( −3,1,5 ) , B (1,1,1) and C ( −1,5, −1) are three of the vertices of the kite
ABCD , which is circumscribed by a circle.

a) Given that AB = AD and BC = DC , find the exact coordinates of D .

A smaller circle is circumscribed by the kite, and a smaller kite similar to ABCD is
circumscribed by the smaller circle.

b) Determine in exact form the area of the smaller kite.

(
768 7 3 − 12 )
( )
SP-L , D − 33 , 39 , 15 , area =
7 7 7 7

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 160 (*****)

The points A (14,1,15 ) , B ( 8,1,0 ) and C ( −16,7, −18 ) are three of the vertices of the
kite ABCD . A circle of radius r is circumscribed by the kite.

Find the area of the kite and hence or otherwise determine, in exact simplified surd
form, the value of r .

(
SP-H , area = 270 , r = 6 2 26 − 29
5 )

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 161 (*****)

Use a vector method involving the scalar product to prove the validity of the Cosine
Rule.

FP1-T , proof

Question 162 (*****)





Three points in space A , B and K are such so that KB = 2 AK .

Prove that if M is a fourth distinct arbitrary point in space, then

 2


 2



 2

2 MA + MB − 3 MK = constant .

SPX-K , proof

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 163 (*****)

Use a vector method involving the scalar product to prove the validity of Pythagoras’
Theorem.

FP1-X , proof

Question 164 (*****)

Find the modulus of 6a − b , given that the equation xa + b = 2 3 has repeated
roots in x , where a and b are constant vectors.

SPX-J , 4 13

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 165 (*****)

Use a vector method involving the scalar product to prove that an inscribed angle in a
circle which corresponds to a diameter is always a right angle.

FP1-S , proof

Question 166 (*****)

The vertices of the triangle OAB have coordinates A ( 6, −18, −6 ) , B ( 7, −1,3) , where
O is a fixed origin.

The point N lies on OA so that ON : NA = 1 : 2 .

The point M is the midpoint of OB .

The point P is the intersection of AM and BN .

By using vector methods, or otherwise, determine the coordinates of P .

SPX-M , P ( 4, −4,0 )

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Created by T. Madas