Vectors

(Past Papers 2019-2021)

All Variants

7 (a)

a B

O c C

The diagram shows triangle OAC, where OA = a , OB = b and OC = c . The point B lies on the
line AC such that AB : BC = m : n , where m and n are constants.

(i) Write down AB in terms of a and b. [1]

(ii) Write down BC in terms of b and c. [1]

(iii) Hence show that na + mc = (m + n) b . [2]

-4 4
(b) Given that m e o + (n - 1) e o = (m + 1) e o, find the value of each of the constants m and n.
2
1 7 -2
[4]

© UCLES 2021 4037/12/O/N/21

 9

7 The vector p has magnitude 39 and is in the direction - 5i + 12j. The vector q has magnitude 34 and is
in the direction 15i - 8j.

(a) Write both p and q in terms of i and j. [4]

(b) Find the magnitude of p + q and the angle this vector makes with the positive x-axis. [4]

© UCLES 2021 4037/23/O/N/21 [Turn over

 5

3
A

a
B
P
b
O

c
C

The diagram shows the quadrilateral OABC such that OA = a , OB = b and OC = c . The lines OB and
AC intersect at the point P, such that AP : PC = 3 : 2 .

(a) Find OP in terms of a and c. [3]

(b) Given also that OP : PB = 2 : 3, show that 2b = 3c + 2a . [2]

© UCLES 2021 4037/12/M/J/21 [Turn over

 12

9
A

Y
X

O b B C

The diagram shows the triangle OAC. The point B is the midpoint of OC. The point Y lies on AC such
that OY intersects AB at the point X where AX : XB = 3:1. It is given that OA = a and OB = b .

(a) Find OX in terms of a and b, giving your answer in its simplest form. [3]

(b) Find AC in terms of a and b. [1]

© UCLES 2020 4037/13/O/N/20

 13

(c) Given that OY = h OX , find AY in terms of a, b and h. [1]

(d) Given that AY = mAC , find the value of h and of m. [4]

© UCLES 2020 4037/13/O/N/20 [Turn over

 10

P a Q

2b R
X
b

O S
3a

In the diagram OP = 2b , OS = 3a , SR = b and PQ = a . The lines OR and QS intersect at X.

(a) Find OQ in terms of a and b. [1]

(b) Find QS in terms of a and b. [1]

(c) Given that QX = n QS , find OX in terms of a, b and n. [1]

(d) Given that OX = m OR , find OX in terms of a, b and m. [1]

© UCLES 2020 4037/22/O/N/20

 11

(e) Find the value of m and of n. [3]

QX
(f) Find the value of . [1]
XS

OR
(g) Find the value of . [1]
OX

© UCLES 2020 4037/22/O/N/20 [Turn over

 12

8
A

O R
B

The diagram shows a triangle OAB such that OA = a and OB = b . The point P lies on OA such that
3
OP = OA . The point Q is the mid-point of AB. The lines OB and PQ are extended to meet at the
4
point R. Find, in terms of a and b,

(a) AB, [1]

(b) PQ. Give your answer in its simplest form. [3]

© UCLES 2020 4037/12/M/J/20

 13

It is given that nPQ = QR and BR = kb, where n and k are positive constants.

(c) Find QR in terms of n, a and b. [1]

(d) Find QR in terms of k, a and b. [2]

(e) Hence find the value of n and of k. [3]

© UCLES 2020 4037/12/M/J/20

 5

4 (a) In an examination, candidates must select 2 questions from the 5 questions in section A and select
4 questions from the 8 questions in section B. Find the number of ways in which this can be done.
[2]

(b) The digits of the number 6 378 129 are to be arranged so that the resulting 7-digit number is even.
Find the number of ways in which this can be done. [2]

5 The vectors a and b are such that a = ai + j and b = 12i + bj.

(a) Find the value of each of the constants a and b such that 4a - b = (a + 3) i - 2j. [3]

(b) Hence find the unit vector in the direction of b - 4a. [2]

© UCLES 2020 4037/21/M/J/20

9
B

O A C

The diagram shows points O, A, B, C, D and X. The position vectors of A, B, and C relative to O are OA = a,
OB = 2b and OC = 3a . The vector CD = b .

(i) Given that AX = m AD , find OX in terms of m, a and b. [2]

(ii) Given that BX = n BC , find OX in terms of n, a and b. [2]

© UCLES 2019 4037/23/O/N/19

 (iii) Hence find the value of m and of n. [4]

AX
(iv) Find the ratio . [1]
XD

© UCLES 2019 4037/23/O/N/19 [Turn over

 12

10 (a) Find the unit vector in the direction of 5i - 15 j. [2]

3 12
(b) The position vectors of points A and B relative to an origin O are e o and e o respectively. The
-5 7
point C lies on AB such that AC : CB is 2 : 1.

(i) Find the position vector of C relative to O. [3]

© UCLES 2019 4037/22/M/J/19

 13

6
The point D lies on OB such that OD : OB is 1 : m and DC = e o.
1.25
(ii) Find the value of m. [3]

© UCLES 2019 4037/22/M/J/19 [Turn over