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C4 Vectors Problem 01

The lines l1 and l2 intersect at point B with coordinates (2,2,-2). The acute angle between the lines is cosθ=1/3. The lengths of vectors AB and BC are equal at √18. The position vector of point D is 6i-2j+2k.

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5 views

C4 Vectors Problem 01

The lines l1 and l2 intersect at point B with coordinates (2,2,-2). The acute angle between the lines is cosθ=1/3. The lengths of vectors AB and BC are equal at √18. The position vector of point D is 6i-2j+2k.

Uploaded by

brendonsithole6
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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C4 Vectors Problem 01

Question:

The line l1 has vector equation


⎛ 3 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞
r= ⎜ 1 ⎟ +λ ⎜ −1 ⎟
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 4 ⎠

and the line l2 has vector equation


⎛ 0 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞
r= ⎜ 4 ⎟ +µ ⎜ −1 ⎟ ,
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎝ −2 ⎠ ⎝ 0 ⎠

where λ and µ are parameters.

The lines l1 and l2 intersect at the point B and the acute angle between l1 and l2 is θ.

(a) Find the coordinates of B.


(4)
(b) Find the value of cos θ , giving your answer as a simplified fraction.
(4)

The point A, which lies on l1, has position vector a = 3i + j + 2k.


The point C, which lies on l2, has position vector c = 5i – j – 2k.
The point D is such that ABCD is a parallelogram.
 
(c) Show that ⎢ AB ⎢= ⎢ BC ⎢.
(3)
(d) Find the position vector of the point D.
(2)

Answer:

a) At point B the vector equations for the lines are equal. Thus:

⎛ 3+ λ ⎞ ⎛0+ µ ⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎜ 1− λ ⎟ = ⎜ 4 − µ ⎟ (This leads us to the equations)
⎜ 2 + 4λ ⎟ ⎜ −2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

3+ λ = µ [1]
1− λ = 4 − µ [2]
2 + 4λ = −2 [3]
Please turn over…
© BlueStar Maths Workshops (2012)
Generally, one solves equations [1] & [2] simultaneously and substitute into equation [3]
to find the values of λ and µ. Fortunately, this question has an easy route.

Taking equation [3]:

2 + 4λ = −2
λ = −1

Substituting this into the line equation for l1.


⎛ 3 + ( −1) ⎞ ⎛ 2 ⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
B = ⎜ 1 − ( −1) ⎟ = ⎜ 2 ⎟
⎜ 2 + 4 ( −1) ⎟ ⎜ −2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

b) To find the angle, we use the equation:

a ⋅b
cos θ =
a b

It is important to note that the vectors that are dotted together must be the direction
components of the lines only.

⎛1⎞
⎜ ⎟
Let a equal the direction component of l1, ∴ a = ⎜ −1⎟
⎜4⎟
⎝ ⎠
⎛1⎞
⎜ ⎟
Let b equal the direction component of l2, ∴ b = ⎜ −1⎟
⎜0⎟
⎝ ⎠
⎛1⎞ ⎛1⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
a ⋅ b = ⎜ −1 ⎟ ⋅ ⎜ − 1 ⎟
⎜4⎟ ⎜0⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
a ⋅b = 1+1+ 0
∴a ⋅ b = 2

1 1
a b = −1 −1
4 0

(1) + ( −1) + ( 4) (1) + ( −1) + (0)


2 2 2 2 2 2
ab= ×
a b = 18 × 2
a b = 36
∴a b =6
Continued overleaf...

© BlueStar Maths Workshops (2012)


2
Thus cos θ =
6
1
∴ cos θ =
3

uuur
c) AB = b − a (Substituting the vectors for a and b)

⎛ 2 ⎞ ⎛ 3 ⎞ ⎛ −1 ⎞
uuur ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
AB = ⎜ 2 ⎟ − ⎜ 1 ⎟ = ⎜ 1 ⎟
⎜ −2 ⎟ ⎜ 2 ⎟ ⎜ −4 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
uuur
AB = ( −1) + (1) + ( −4) = 18
2 2 2

uuur
BC = c − b (Substituting the vectors for c and b)

⎛5⎞ ⎛ 2⎞ ⎛3⎞
uuur ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
BC = ⎜ −1 ⎟ − ⎜ 2 ⎟ = ⎜ −3 ⎟
⎜ −2 ⎟ ⎜ −2 ⎟ ⎜ 0 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
uuur
BC = (3) + ( −3) + ( 0) = 18
2 2 2

uuur uuur uuur uuur


Since both AB and BC equal 18 , AB = BC .

Please turn over…

© BlueStar Maths Workshops (2012)


d) This question is remarkably easy to answer and the technique used to answer this question
arises often. But as always, it is a good idea to draw a diagram.

.
l2
C
. D

uuur

B
BC

.
uuur
BA . A
l1

uuur
From the diagram above, it is easy to see that the position vector of D or OD if one
prefers is simply:
uuur uuur uuur uuur
OD = OB + BA + BC

Thus,

⎛ 2⎞ ⎛1⎞ ⎛3⎞ ⎛6⎞


uuur ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
OD = ⎜ 2 ⎟ + ⎜ −1⎟ + ⎜ −3 ⎟ = ⎜ −2 ⎟
⎜ −2 ⎟ ⎜ 4 ⎟ ⎜ 0 ⎟ ⎜ 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

∴ D = 6i − 2 j + 2k

© BlueStar Maths Workshops (2012)

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