Chapter 4 – Vectors

Solutions to Exercise 4A
1 b Let |a| = 1 and |b| = 2
−−→
" # i |OC| = |2b| = 2|b| = 4
−−→ −2
OP = −−→
1 ii |OE| = |4a| = 4|a| = 4
−−→ √
|OP| = (−2)2 + 1 = 5
p
−−→ 3
iii |OD| = 2a + b
2
√
= 22 + 32
" # " #
−−→ −−→ a 3
2 AB = OC = = √
b 2
= 4+9
∴ a = 3, b = 2 √
= 13

3 C
5 a |2a| = 2 × |a|
B

D
=2×3
A E =6
O
3 3
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
(OA + AB) + BC + CD + DE b a = × |a|
2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 3
= (OB + BC) + CD + DE = ×3
−−→ −−→ −−→ 2
= (OC + CD) + DE 9
=
−−→ −−→ 2
= OD + DE
−−→ 1 1
= OE c − a = × |a|
2 2
1
= ×3
−−→ −−→ 2
4 a i OC = 2OB = 2b
3
−−→ −−→ =
ii OE = 4OA = 4a 2

−−→ −−→ 3 −−→ 3

iii OD = 2OA + OB = 2a + b 6 a
2 2 5
3(a − b − 2c) + (3a + b − 6c)
−−→ −−→ 1 −−→ 1 2
iv DC = −2OA + OB = b − 2a 15
!
5
!
2 2 = 3+ a + −3 + b + (−6 − 15)c
2 2
−−→ 3 −−→ −−→ 3
v DE = − OB + 2OA = 2a − b 21 1
2 2 = a − b − 21c
2 2

208
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b 9 a XY = XA + AB + BY
1 1 1
(a + b − c) + (b + c − a) + (c + a − b) 1 −−→ 1 −−→
2 2 2 = DA + a + BC
1 1 1 2 2
= a+ b+ c 1 −−→ −−→
2 2 2 = a − (AD + CB) 1
2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 Also XY = XD + DC + CY
7 a i OA0 = OA = a
4 4 1 −−→ 1 −−→
= AD + b + CB
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 2 2
ii OB0 = OB = b 1 −−→ −−→
4 4 = b + (AD + CB) 2
2
−−−→ −−→ −−→ 1 Adding 1 and 2 yields
iii A0 B0 = OB0 − OA0 = (b − a) −−→ 1 −−→ −−→
4 2XY = a − (AD + CB)
2
−−→ −−→ −−→
iv AB = OB − OA = b − a 1 −−→ −−→
+ b + (AD + CB)
2
−−→ −−→ 1 1 −−→
b i OA00 = 2OA0 = 2 × a = a ∴ 2XY = a + b
4 2
−−→ 1
−−→ −−→ 1 1 ∴ XY = (a + b)
ii OB00 = 2OB0 = 2 × b = b 2
4 2
−−→ 1
−−−−→ −−→ −−→ 1 b XY = (a + b)
iii A00 B00 = OB00 − OA00 = (b − a) 2
2
1 −−→ −−→
= (AB + DC)
2
−−→ −−→ −−→
8 a AB = OB − OA = b − a Since AB and DC are parallel,
−−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 AB + DC is a vector parallel to AB,
b AM = AB = (b − a) 1 −−→ −−→
2 2 and (AB + DC) is a vector parallel
2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
c OM = OA + AM to AB. Hence XY is parallel to AB.
1
= a + (b − a) −−→ −−→ −−→
2 10 a OG = OA + AG
1 −−→ −−→
= (a + b) = OA + BC
2
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OA + OC − OB
=a+c−b
−−→ −−→
b CD = BG
−−→ −−→
= OG − OB
=a+c−b−b
= a + c − 2b

209
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
11 a EF = CO = −OC = −c ii MN = MC + CB + BN
−−→ −−→ 1 −−→ −−→ 1 −−→
b AB = OC = c = DC − BC + BO
2 2
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 −−→ 1 −−→ 1 −−→ −−→ 1 −−→
c EM = ED = AO = − OA = AB − BC − OB
2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1
=− a = (b − a) − (c − b) − b
2 2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−−→ 1 1 1
d OM = OC + CD + DM = b− a−c+b− b
2 2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ 1
= OC + OG − EM =− a+b−c
 1  2
=c+g− − a
2      
1 4  2  −4
=c+g+ a 13 a a = 1 , b = −1 , c =  2 
     
2      
3 3 6
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
e AM = AB + BE + EM Note that a and b are not parallel.
−−→ −−→ −−→ Let c = ma + nb
= AB + OG + EM
1 Then − 4 = 4m + 2n
=c+g− a
2 2=m−n
6 = 3m + 3n
−−→ −−→ −−→ Solving the first two equations using
12 a i AB = OB − OA
a CAS calculator we have m = 0 and
=b−a
n = −2
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii DC = OC − OD
=c−d
−−→ −−→ However when these values are
iii AB = DC
substituted in the third equation,
∴b−a=c−d 3m + 3n = −6 , 6
−−→ −−→ −−→ There are no solutions which satisfy
b i BC = OC − OB the three equations.
=c−b Therefore the vectors are not linearly
dependent.
     
3 4 6
b a = 1 , b = 2 , c = 3
 
    
     
2 1 4
Note that a and b are not parallel.
Let c = ma + nb

210
 Then 6 = 3m + 4n linearly dependent.
3 = m + 2n
d
4 = 2m + n
Solving the first two equations using
a CAS calculator we have 14 a If ka + lb = 3a + (1 − l)b,
3 a, b non-zero, non-parallel
m = 0 and n =
2 then k = 3 and l = 1 − l
∴ 2l = 1
1
∴l=
2
However when these values are
 l
b If 2(l − 1)a + 1 − b =
substituted in the third equation, 5
3 4
2m + n = , 4 − ka + 3b, a, b non-zero, non-
2 5
There are no solutions which satisfy parallel
4
the three equations. then 2(l − 1) = − k 1
5
Therefore the vectors are not linearly
l
dependent. and 1− =3
5
l
∴ = −2
     
 1   3   3 
5
c a =  1  , b = −1 , c = −5
     
∴ l = −10
−1
     
4 11
Substituting l = −10 into 1 yields
Note that a and b are not parallel. 4
Let c = ma + nb 2(−10 − 1) = − k
5
Then 3 = m + 3n 4
∴ −22 = − k
−5 = m − n 5
55
11 = −m + 4n ∴k=
Solving the first two equations using 2
a CAS calculator we have m = −3
−−→ −−→
and n = 2 15 a i OS = kOP = k(2a − b) = 2ka − kb
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii OS = OR + RS
−−→
= a + 4b + mRQ
Substituting these values into the −−→ −−→
= a + 4b + m(OQ − OR)
third equation,
−m + 4n = 3 + 8 = 11 = a + 4b
As there exist real numbers m and n, + m(3a + b − (a + 4b))
both not zero, such that c = ma + nb = a + 4b + m(2a − 3b)
the set of vectors a, b and c are
= (2m + 1)a + (4 − 3m)b

211
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b Since OS = 2ka − kb iii AR = OR − OA
−−→ 4
and OS = (2m + 1)a + (4 − 3m)b = (a + b) − a
5
2k = 2m + 1 1 1
= (4b − a)
and − k = 4 − 3m 5
∴ k = 3m − 4 2 −−→ −−→ −−→
iv RP = OP − OR
Substituting 2 into 1 yields
−−→ −−→
2(3m − 4) = 2m + 1 = 4OB − OR
∴ 6m − 8 = 2m + 1 4
= 4b − (a + b)
5
∴ 4m = 9
4
9 = (4b − a)
∴m= 5
4
9 −−→ 4
Substituting m = into 2 yields b RP = (4b − a)
4 5
9 −−→
k =3× −4 = 4AR
4
Hence RP is parallel to AR and R lies
27 16
= − on AP. AR : RP = 1 : 4
4 4
11 −−→ −−→ −−→
= c PS = OS − OP
4
11 9 −−→ −−→
Hence k = and m = = λOQ − 4OB
4 4
1
= λ × (a + b) − 4b
−−→ −−→ −−→ 2
16 a i OQ = OA + AQ λ λ 
= a+ −4 b
−−→ 1 −−→ 2 2
= OA + AB −−→ −−→
If PS is parallel to AB,
2
−−→ −−→
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→ then PS = k AB, k ∈ R\{0}
= OA + (OB − OA)
2 −−→ −−→
1 −−→ −−→ = k(OB − OA)
= (OA + OB)
2 = k(b − a)
1 = −ka + kb
= (a + b)
2 Equating coefficients
λ λ
−−→ 8 −−→ = −k 1 and −4=k 2
ii OR = OQ 2 2
5 λ
8 1 From 1 , k = −
= × (a + b) 2
5 2 λ
Substituting k = − into 2 gives
4 2
= (a + b) λ λ
5 − = −4
2 2
∴λ=4

212
17 a xa = (y − 1)b 5 + 2x = 0
Equating coefficients 5
x = 0 and y − 1 = 0 ∴x=−
2
∴ x = 0 and y = 1 5
∴ x = − and y = 0
2
b (2 − x)a = 3a + (7 − 3y)b
Equating coefficients
AX
2 − x = 3 and 7 − 3y = 0 18 a =k
7 AB
∴ x = −1 and y =
3 −−→ −−→
b |AX| < |AB|
c (5 + 2x)(a + b) = y(3a + 2b) Therefore k < 1.
∴ (5 + 2x)a + (5 + 2x)b = 3ya + 2yb −−→ −−→
Equating coefficients c XB = (1 − k)AX|
AX k
5 + 2x = 3y 1 and =
XB 1 − k
5 + 2x = 2y 2
From 1 , 2x = 3y − 5 d
AX
=m
∴ 5 + (3y − 5) = 2y XB
k
∴y=0 =m
1−k
Substituting y = 0 into 1 gives k = m − mk
k(m + 1) = m
m
k=
m+1

213
Solutions to Exercise 4B
−−→
1 a i OA = 3i + j d c − 4a = 4k − 4(2i + 2j − k)
−−→ = −8i − 8j + 8k
ii OB = −2i + 3j
√
e |b| = (−1)2 + 4 + 1 =
p
−−→ 6
iii OC = −3i − 2j
√
−−→ f |c| = 16 = 4
iv OD = 4i − 3j
−−→ −−→ −−→
b i AB = OB − OA −−→ −−→ −−→
3 OA = 5i, OC = 2j, OG = 3k
= (−2i + 3j) − (3i + j) −−→ −−→
a i BC = −OA = −5i
= −5i + 2j
−−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ ii CF = OG = 3k
ii CD = OD − OC
−−→ −−→
= (4i − 3j) − (−3i − 2j) iii AB = OC = 2j
−−→ −−→ −−→
= 7i − j iv OD = OA + AD = 5i + 3k
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
iii DA = OA − OD v OE = OA + AB + BE
−−→ −−→ −−→
= (3i + j) − (4i − 3j) = OA + OC + OG
= −i + 4j = 5i + 2j + 3k
−−→ √ √ −−→ −−→ −−→
c i |OA| = 32 + 12 = 10 vi GE = GD + DE
−−→ √ −−→ −−→
ii |AB| = (−5)2 + 22 = 29 = OA + OC
p

−−→ √ = 5i + 2j
iii |DA| = (−1)2 + 42 = 17
p
−−→ −−→ −−→
vii EC = EF + FC
2 a = 2i + 2j − k, b = −i + 2j + k, c = 4k −−→ −−→
= −OA − OG
a a + b = i + 4j = −5i − 3k

b 2a + c = 2(2i + 2j − k) + 4k −−→ −−→ −−→

viii DB = DE + EB
= 4i + 4j + 2k −−→ −−→
= OC − OG
c a + 2b − c = 2i + 2j − k − 2i = 2j − 3k
+ 4j + 2k − 4k
= 6j − 3k

214
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
ix DC = DG + GF + FC ii OM = OC + CM
−−→ −−→ −−→ 5
= −OA + OC − OG = 2j + i
2
= −5i + 2j − 3k 5
= i + 2j
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 2
x BG = BC + CO + OG
−−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ iii DM = DG + GO + OM
= −OA − OC + OG
−−→ −−→ −−→
= −5i − 2j + 3k = −OA − OG + OM
5
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ = −5i − 3k + i + 2j
xi GB = GD + DE + EB 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ 5
= OA + OC − OG = − i + 2j − 3k
2
= 5i + 2j − 3k −−→ −−→
d FN = 2NG
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
xii FA = FE + ED + DA G N F
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OA − OC − OG −−→ 2 −−→
i FN = FG
= 5i − 2j − 3k 3
−−→ −−→
and FG = CO = −2j
−−→
b i OD = 5i + 3j −−→ 2 −−→ 2 −4
−−→ √ ∴ FN = FG = × −2j = j
3 3 3
p
|OD| = (5)2 + (3)2 = 34
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 −−→ 2
−−→ ii GN = GF = − FG = j
ii OE = 5i + 2j + 3k 3 3 3
−−→ p
−−→ −−→ −−→
|OE| = (5)2 + (2)2 + (3)2 iii ON = OG + GN
√
= 38 2 2
= 3k + j = j + 3k
3 3
−−→
iii GE = 5i + 2j −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ p √ iv NA = NO + OA
|GE| = (5)2 + (2)2 = 29 −−→ −−→
= −ON + OA
c M is the midpoint of CB. 2 
= − j + 3k + 5i
−−→ −−→ 3
i CB = OA = 5i
2
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 5 = 5i − j − 3k
CM = CB = (5i) = i 3
2 2 2

215
 −−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
v N M = NF + FC + CM iii a = 6i + yj, b = xi − 4j, a + 2b = 3i − j
−−→ −−→ −−→ a + 2b = 6i + yj + 2(xi − 4j)
= −FN − OG + CM
= (6 + 2x)i + (y − 8)j
4 5
= j − 3k + i ∴ (6 + 2x)i + (y − 8)j = 3i − j
3 2 Equating coefficients
5 4
= i + j − 3k ∴ 6 + 2x = 3 and y − 8 = −1
2 3 3
∴ x = − and y = 7
s
 5 2  4 2 2
−−−→
e i |N M| = + + (−3)2
2 3 −−→
√ 5 a i OA = −2i + 4j
613
= −−→ −−→ −−→
6 ii AB = OB − OA
= i + 6j − (−2i + 4j)
s
 −5 2
−−−→
ii |DM| = + (2)2 + (−3)2 = 3i + 2j
2
√
77 −−→ −−→ −−→
= iii BC = OC − OB
2
= −i − 6j − (i + 6j)
−−→ −−→
iii |AN| = | − NA|
s = −2i − 12j
 2 2
= (−5)2 + + (3)2 −−→ 1 −−→
b OF = OA
3 2
√
310 1
= = (−2i + 4j)
3 2
= −i + 2j
4 i a = 4i − j, b = xi + 3yj, a + b = 7i − 2j −−→ −−→
c AG = 3 BC
a + b = (4 + x)i + (3y − 1)j
∴ (4 + x)i + (3y − 1)j = 7i − 2j = 3(−2i − 12j)
Equating coefficients = −6i − 36j
∴ 4 + x = 7 and 3y − 1 = −2
1
∴ x = 3 and y = − −−→ 1 −−→ −−→
3 6 OM = (OA + OB)
2
ii a = xi + 3j, b = −2i + 5yj, 1
= (i − 6j + 7k + 5i − j + 9k)
a − b = 6i + j 2
a − b = (x + 2)i + (3 − 5y)j 1
= (6i − 7j + 16k)
∴ (x + 2)i + (3 − 5y)j = 6i + j 2
Equating coefficients 7
= 3i − j + 8k
∴ x + 2 = 6 and 3 − 5y = 1 2
7
2 M(3, − , 8)
∴ x = 4 and y = 2
5

216
 −−→
7 a = i + 3j − 2k, b = 5i + j − 6k, ii BD = d − b
c = 5j + 3k, d = 2i + 4j + k
= (2 − 5)i + (4 − 1)j
−−→ −−→ −−→
a i AB = OB − OA + (1 + 6)k
=b−a = −3i + 3j + 7k
= 4i − 2j − 4k −−→ p
∴ | BD| = (−3)2 + 32 + 72
√
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii BC = OC − OB = 67

=c−b c
−−→
2CD = 2(2i − j − 2k)
= (0 − 5)i + (5 − 1)j = 4i − 2j − 4k
+ (3 + 6)k −−→
= AB
= −5i + 4j + 9k −−→ −−→
∴ CD k AB
−−→
iii CD = d − c
= (2 − 0)i + (4 − 5)j 8 a = i + j − 5k, b = 3i − 2j − k
AM = 4MB
+ (1 − 3)k
A M B
= 2i − j − 2k
−−→
−−→ a i AB = b − a
iv DA = a − d
= (3 − 1)i + (−2 − 1)j
= (1 − 2)i + (3 − 4)j
+ (−1 − (−5))k
+ (−2 − 1)k
= 2i − 3j + 4k
= −i − j − 3k
−−→ 4 −−→
−−→ ii AM = AB
b i AC = c − a 5
−−→ 4
= (0 − 1)i + (5 − 3)j ∴ AM = (2i − 3j + 4k)
5
+ (3 + 2)k −−→ −−→ −−→
iii OM = AM + OA
= −i + 2j + 5k 8   −12 
−−→ √ = +1 i+ +1 j
∴ |AC| = 1 + 4 + 25 5 5
√  16 
= 30 + −5 k
5
13 7 9
= i− j− k
5 5 5
1
= (13i − 7j − 9k)
5

217
  13 7 9
b M= ,− ,− 10 Since a, b and c are linearly dependent
5 5 5 la + mb = c
∴ 2l + 4m = 2 1
9 a Assume la + mb = c
−3l + 3m = −4 2
∴ 8l + 4m = 2 1
l − 2m = x 3
5l − 3m = −1 2
3× 1 6l + 12m = 6 4
1
2l + m = 3
2× 2 − 6l + 6m = −8 5
2
1 and 3 are identical equations.
4 + 5 yields 18m = −2
Solving 1 and 2 gives
1 9 −1
l= and m = . ∴m=
22 22 9
−1
Substituting m = in 1 gives
9
4
2l − = 2
9
11
∴l=
9
Since there exists real numbers 11 −2 13
l and m, not both zero, such that ∴x= − =
9 9 9
la + mb = c, the set of vectors a, b
and c are linearly dependent. −−→
11 a i OA = 2i + j
b Assume la + mb = c −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ 8l + 4m = 2 1 ii AB = OB − OA

5l − 3m = −1 2 = (i − 3j) − (2i + j)

2l + m = 2 3 = −i − 4j
Since 1 and 3 are contradictory, a, b −−→ −−→ −−→
and c are linearly independent. iii BC = OC − OB
= (−5i + 2j) − (i − 3j)
c Assume c = `b + ka
2 = 2` + 4k 1 = −6i + 5j

−1 = 5` 2 −−→ −−→ −−→

iv BD = OD − OB
5
2 = 2` + k 3 = (3i + 5j) − (i − 3j)
2
1 = 2i + 8j
From 2 , ` = −
5
11 11
From 1 4k = ⇒k=
5 20
In 3
1 5 11
2,2×− + ×
5 2 20
The vectors are linearly independent.

218
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b −2AB = −2(−i − 4j) ii BC = OC − OB
= 2i + 8j = (2i + 5j + 3k) − (3i + 3j)
−−→ = −i + 2j + 3k
= BD
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ BD = −2AB iii CD = OD − OC
−−→ −−→
∴ BD is parallel to AB = (6j + k) − (2i + 5j + 3k)
c Points A, B and D are collinear. = −2i + j − 2k
−−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ iv DA = OA − OD
12 a i OB = 2i + 3j + k
= (i + 4j − 2k) − (6j + k)
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii AC = OC − OA = i − 2j − 3k
= (−j + 4k) − (i + 4j − 4k)
b ABCD is a parallelogram.
= −i − 5j + 8k
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
iii BD = OD − OB 14 a OD = OC + CD
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= (4i + 5j + 6k) = OC + AB since AB = CD
− (2i + 3j + k) −−→ −−→ −−→
= OC + OB − OA
= 2i + 2j + 5k = (−i) + (4j) − (5i + j)
−−→ −−→ −−→
iv CD = OD − OC = −6i + 3j

= (4i + 5j + 6k) − (−j + 4k) ∴ D = (−6, 3)

= 4i + 6j + 2k −−→ −−→ −−→

b OE = OA + AE
−−→ −−→ −−→
b 2OB = 2(2i + 3j + k) = OA + (− BC)
−−→ −−→ −−→
= 4i + 6j + 2k = OA − (OC − OB)
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= CD = OA − OC + OB
−−→ −−→ = (5i + j) − (−i) + (4j)
∴ CD = 2OB
−−→ −−→
∴ CD is parallel to OB = 6i + 5j
∴ E = (6, 5)
−−→ −−→ −−→
13 a i AB = OB − OA
= (3i + 3j) − (i + 4j − 2k)
= 2i − j + 2k

219
 −−→ −−→ −−→
c OG = OC + CG ∴ x = 8 and y = 4
−−→ 1 −−→ ∴ D = (8, 4)
= OC − (2GC)
2
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= OC − AB 16 a AB = OB − OA
2
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→ = (2i − j + 5k) − (i + 4j + 3k)
= OC − (OB − OA)
2 = i − 5j + 2k
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= OC − OB + OA ∴ OM = OA + AM
2 2
−−→ 1 −−→
1 1 = OA + AB
= (−i) − (4j) + (5i + j) 2
2 2 Since M is the midpoint of AB
3 3 −−→ 1
= i− j ∴ OM = (i + 4j + 3k) + (i − 5j + 2k)
2 2 2
3 3 3 3 
−−→
∴ G = ,− ∴ OM = , , 4
2 2 2 2
−−→
or Let OG = xi + yj −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ b XY = OY − OX
Then AB = 2GC
implies − 5i + 3j = 2(i − xi − yj) = (x2 , y2 , z2 ) − (x1 , y1 , z1 )

−5i + 3j = −2(x − 1)i − 2yj = (x2 − x1 , y2 − y1 , z2 − z1 )

−−→ −−→ −−→
Equating coefficients ∴ OM = OX + XM
∴ −2(x − 1) = −5 and −2y = 3 −−→ 1 −−→
3 3 = OX + XY
i.e. x = and y = − 2
 32 3  2 Since M is
 x + x y + yof XY
the midpoint
−−→ 2 z1 + z2

∴G= , − ∴ OM =
1 2
,
1
,
2 2 2 2 2

−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→

15 a i BC = OC − OB 17 AM = 4 MB
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= (i + 7j) − (−5i + 4j) ∴ OM − OA = 4(OB − OM)
−−→ −−→
= 6i + 3j = 4OB − 4OM
−−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ ∴ 5OM = OA + 4OB
ii AD = OD − OA
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→
= (xi + yj) − (2i + j) ∴ OM = (OA + 4OB)
5
= (x − 2)i + (y − 1)j 1
= ((5i + 4j + k) + 4(3i + j − 4k))
5
−−→ −−→ 1
b BC = AD since ABCD is a = (17i + 8j − 15k)
parallelogram 5
∴ 6i + 3j = (x − 2)i + (y − 1)j 17 8
= j + j − 3k
∴ x − 2 = 6 and y − 1 = 3  17 5 8 5 
∴M= , , −3
5 5

220
 −−→ −−→
or Let OM = xi + yj + zk OP is parallel  3i + j
 a − 11to
(x − 5)i + (y − 4)j + (z − 1)k = ∴ ai + j = k(3i + j), k ∈ R \ {0}
4[(3 − x)i + (1 − y)j + (−4 − z)k] 6
Equating coefficients = 3ki + kj
17 a − 11
x − 5 = 12 − 4x ∴ x = ∴ a = 3k and =k
5  a − 11 6
8 ∴a=3
y − 4 = 4 − 4y ∴y= 6
5
a − 11
z − 1 = −16 − 4z ∴ z = −3 =
2
∴ 2a = a − 11
−11 − 11
−−→ −−→ ∴ a = −11 and b =
18 AN = 3 BN 6
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ ON − OA = 3(ON − OB) −22
=
−−→ −−→ 6
= 3ON − 3OB −11
−−→ −−→ −−→ =
∴ 2ON = 3OB − OA 3
 −11 
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→ ∴ P = −11,
∴ ON = (3OB − OA) 3
2
1
= (3(7i + j) − (4i − 3j)) −−→ −−→
2 20 AB = DC
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
1
= (17i + 6j) ∴ OB − OA = OC − OD
2 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
17 ∴ OB + OD = OA + OC
= j + 3j ∴ b + d = a + c, as required to show.
 17 2 
∴N= ,3
2
−−→ 21 a = 2i + 2j, b = 3i − j, c = 4i + 5j
or Let ON = xi + yj
−−→ −−→
Then as AN = 3 BN 1 1
−−→ 1 a i a = (2i + 2j) = i + j
∴ OM = (x1 , y1 , z1 ) + (x2 − x1 , 2 2
2
y2 − y1 , z2 − z1 )
ii b − c = (3i − j) − (4i + 5j)
(x − 4)i + (y + 3)j = 3[(x − 7)i + (y − 1)j]
Equating coefficients = −i − 6j
∴ x − 4 = 3x − 21 and y + 3 = 3y − 3
17 iii
∴x= and y = 3 3b − a − 2c
2
= 3(3i − j) − (2i + 2j) − 2(4i + 5j)
x − 11 = 9i − 3j − 2i − 2j − 8i − 10j
19 x − 6y = 11 ∴y=
6
Let P = (a, b) = −i − 15j
a − 11
∴b=
6
 a − 11 
∴ P = a,
6

221
 b ka + lb = c iii
∴ k(2i + 2j) + l(3i − j) = 4i + 5j 0.5a + 0.4b
∴ 2ki + 2kj + 3li − lj = 4i + 5j 1 2
= (5i + j − 4k) + (8i − 2j + k)
2 5
∴ (2k + 3l)i + (2k − l)j = 4i + 5j
5 1 16 4 2
Equating coefficients = i + j − 2k + i − j + k
2 2 5 5 5
∴ 2k + 3l = 4 1 and 2k − l = 5
57 3 8
∴ l = 2k − 5 2
= i− j− k
10 10 5
Substituting 2 into 1 yields
= 5.7i − 0.3j − 1.6k
2k + 3(2k − 5) = 4
∴ 2k + 6k − 15 = 4 b ka + lb = c
∴ k(5i + j − 4k) + l(8i − 2j + k)
∴ 8k = 19
= i − 7j + 6k
19
∴k=
8 ∴ 5ki + kj − 4kk + 8li − 2lj + lk
19
Substituting k = in 2 yields = i − 7j + 6k
8
19 ∴ (5k + 8l)i + (k − 2l)j + (l − 4k)k
l=2× −5
8
19 20 = i − 7j + 6k
= − Equating coefficients
4 4
1 ∴ 5k + 8l = 1 1
=−
4 k − 2l = −7 2
19 1
∴k= and l = − and l − 4k = 6
8 4
∴ l = 4k + 6 3
22 a = 5i + j − 4k, b = 8i − 2j + k, Substituting 3 in 1 yields
c = i − 7j + 6k 5k + 8(4k + 6) = 1
∴ 5k + 32k + 48 = 1
a i 2a − b
∴ 37k = −47
= 2(5i + j − 4k) − (8i − 2j + k)
−47
= 10i + 2j − 8k − 8i + 2j − k ∴k=
37
−47
= 2i + 4j − 9k Substituting k = in 3 yields
37
−47
ii a + b + c l=4× +6
37
= (5i + j − 4k) + (8i − 2j + k) −188
= +6
+ (i − 7j + 6k) 37
34
= 14i − 8j + 3k =
37
Check in 2 :

222
 −47 34 two decimal places.
LHS = −2×
37 37
−47 − 68 ii 9
=
37 θ°
−115 4
=
37
a + 2b = 9i − 4j
RHS = −7 9
∴ LHS , RHS θ = tan−1
4
Hence there are no values for k and l
≈ 23.96
such that ka + lb = c a + 2b makes an angle of 23.96◦
clockwise with the positive
23 a = 5i + 2j, b = 2i − 3j, direction of the x axis, correct to
c = 2i + j + k and d = −i + 4j + 2k two decimal places.
√ √
a i |a| = 52 + 22 = 29 iii c − d = 3i − 3j − k
√ z
ii |b| = 22 + (−3)2 = 13
p
–3 O
y
iii |a + 2b| = |5i + 2j + 2(2i − 3j)| c–d –1
θ
= |9i − 4j| 3
p
= 92 + (−4)2
√ x
= 97 The above situation can be redrawn
as the following triangle in
iv |c − d| = |2i + j + k−
three-dimensions.
(−i + 4j + 2k)| A O
= |3i − 3j − k|
p θ E
= 32 + (−3)2 + (−1)2 B C
√
= 19
G D
Consider triangle CDG.
b i
C
2 1
θ° G D
√3 √
 25 CG = 32 + 12 = 10
θ = tan−1 Now consider triangle OCG with the
5
≈ 21.80 required angle θ.
a makes an angle of 21.80◦ O
θ
anticlockwise with the positive 3
direction of the x axis, correct to G C
10

223
  √10 
angle with:
θ = tan−1
3 x axis = 130◦ , y axis = 80◦ , z axis =
≈ 46.51 41.75◦
a1 a2
c − d makes an angle of 46.51◦ with cos 130◦ = , cos 80◦ = ,
|a| |a|
the positive direction of the x axis. a3
cos 41.75 =
◦
|a|
a1 = |a| cos 130◦ = −6.43
24 a |a| = 10, x axis angle = 110◦ ,
a2 = |a| cos 80◦ = 1.74
y axis angle = 20 ◦
a1 a2 a3 = |a| cos 41.75◦ = 7.46
∴ cos 110◦ = cos 20◦ =
|a| |a| ∴ a = a1 i + a2 j + a3 k
a1 = |a| cos 110◦ = −3.42
a2 = |a| cos 20◦ = 9.40 = −6.43i + 1.74j + 7.46k
∴ a = a1 i + a2 j = −3.42i + 9.40j b |a| = 8,
angle with:
b
x axis = 50◦ , y axis = 54.52◦ ,
|a| = 8.5, x axis angle = 250◦ ,
z axis = 120◦
y axis angle = 160◦ a1 a2
cos 50◦ = , cos 54.52◦ = ,
a1 a2 |a| |a|
∴ cos 250◦ = cos 160◦ = a3
|a| |a| cos 120 =◦

a1 = |a| cos 250 = −2.91

◦ |a|
a1 = |a| cos 50◦ = 5.14
a2 = |a| cos 160◦ = −7.99
∴ a = a1 i + a2 j = −2.91i − 7.99j a2 = |a| cos 54.52◦ = 4.64
a3 = |a| cos 120◦ = −4.00
c |a| = 6, x axis angle = 40 , ◦
∴ a = a1 i + a2 j + a3 k
y axis angle = 50◦
a1 a2 = 5.14i + 4.64j − 4.00k
∴ cos 40◦ = cos 50◦ =
|a| |a| c |a| = 7,
a1 = |a| cos 40◦ = 4.60
angle with:
a2 = |a| cos 50◦ = 3.86 x axis = 28.93◦ ,
∴ a = a1 i + a2 j = 4.60i + 3.86j y axis = 110◦ , z axis = 110◦
a1 a2
cos 28.93◦ = , cos 110◦ = ,
d |a| = 5, x axis angle = 300◦ , |a| |a|
a3
y axis angle = 210◦ cos 110 =◦
|a|
∴ cos 300◦ =
a1
cos 210◦ =
a2 a1 = |a| cos 28.93◦ = 6.13
|a| |a| a2 = a3 = |a| cos 110◦ = −2.39
a1 = |a| cos 300 = 2.50
◦
∴ a = a1 i + a2 j + a3 k
a2 = |a| cos 210◦ = −4.33 = 6.13i − 2.39j − 2.39k
∴ a = a1 i + a2 j = 2.50 i − 4.33j
d |a| = 12,
angle with:
25 a |a| = 10,
x axis = 121.43◦ ,

224
 −−→
y axis = 35.5◦ , z axis = 75.2◦ a AB = b − a
a1 a2
cos 121.43◦ = , cos 35.5◦ =
|a| |a| = (0 + 2)i + (2 − 1)j + (3 − 5)k
a3
cos 75.2 =
◦
= 2i + j − 2k
|a|
a1 = |a| cos 121.43◦ = −6.26 −−→
AC = c − a
a2 = |a| cos 35.5◦ = 9.77 = −2i + 4j + 5k − (−2i + j + 5k)
a3 = |a| cos 75.2 = 3.07
◦
= 0i + 3j
∴ a = a1 i + a2 j + a3 k
= 3j
= −6.26i + 9.77j + 3.07k −−→
BC = c − b
= −2i + 4j + 5k − (2j + 3k)
a1 a2 a3
26 a cos α = , cos β = , cos γ =
|a| |a| |a| = −2i + 2j + 2k
∴ cos2 α + cos2 β + cos2 γ −−→ √
|AB| = 4 + 1 + 4 = 3
(a1 )2 (a2 )2 (a3 )2 −−→
= + + |AC| = 3
|a|2 |a|2 |a|2
−−→ √ √ √
(a1 )2 + (a2 )2 + (a3 )2 | BC| = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 = 2 3
= −−→ −−→ −−→
|a|2 ∴ |AB| = |AC| , | BC|
(a1 )2 + (a2 )2 + (a3 )2 ∴ 4ABC is isosceles
=
(a1 ) + (a2 )2 + (a3 )2
=1 b B
M C
1 −−→ −−→ −−→
b cos 60◦ = OM = OB + BM
2
1 1 1 1 −−→
+ + ,1 = 2j + 3k + BC
4 4 4 2
1 1 1 = 2j + 3k + (−i + j + k)
c i+ j+ √ k
2 2 2 = −i + 3j + 4k
−−→ −−→
27 a = −2i + j + 5k, b = 2j + 3k, c AM = m − a where m = OM
c = −2i + 4j + 5k = (−i + 3j + 4k) − (−2i + j + 5k)
= i + 2j − k

225
 −−→ √ −−→ −−→ −−→
d |AM| = 1 + 4 + 1 28 OA = 5i, OC = 5j, MV = 3k
√ V
= 6
−−→ −−→
Area = |AM| × | BM|
√ C B
p
= 6 × ( (−1)2 + 12 + 12 )
√
= 18 M
√ O A
=3 2
−−→ −−→ −−→
a OB = OA + AB
−−→ −−→
= OA + OC
= 5i + 5j

−−→ 1 −−→
b OM = OB
2
1
= (5i + 5j)
2
−−→ −−→ −−→
c OV = OM + MV
5 5
= i + j + 3k
2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→
d BV = BM + MV
1 −−→ −−→
= − OB + MV
2
5 5
= − i − j + 3k
2 2
s
 5 2  5 2
−−→
e |OV| = + + (3)2
2 2
√
86
=
2

226
 −−→
29 A c Let AB = 5j
−−→ −−→ −−→
∴ OB = OA + AB
M B  3 √3 3 
= i − j + 5j
N 2 2
√
O 3 3 7
= i+ j
2 2 √
−−→ 1 −−→ 1
a OM = OA = a She is now at the position
3 3
i+ j
7
2 2 2 2
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 from her starting point.
ON = OB = b
2 2 s √
−−−→ −−→ −−→  3 3 2  7 2
MN = ON − OM −−→
d Distance = |OB| = +
1 1 2 2
= b− a r
2 2 27 49
1 = +
= (b − a) 4 4
2 r
76
1 −−→ =
= AB 4
2 √
= 19
−−−→ −−→ 1 √
b MN k AB and MN = AB The runner is 19 kilometres from
2
her starting point.

30 a The unit vector a = a1 i + a2 j makes

−−→
angles of −30◦ and 120◦ from the 31 a OA = 50k
positive directions of the x and y axes −−→ −−→ −−→
respectively. b i AB = OB − OA
Now |a| = 1 = (−80i + 20j + 40k) − (50k)
∴ cos(−30◦ ) = a1 and cos(120◦ ) = a2 = −80i + 20j − 10k
∴ a1 = cos 30◦ a2 = − cos 60◦
√ −−→ p
3 1 ii |AB| = (−80)2 + 202 + (−10)2
= =− √
2 2 = 6400 + 400 + 100
√
3 1 √
∴a= i− j = 6900
2 2 √
−−→ = 10 69
b Let OA = 3a be the position of −−→ √
The magnitude of AB is 10 69
the runner with respect to her
metres.
starting point after she has run three
kilometres, √ c Let C be the new position of the hang
 3 1 
−−→
∴ OA = 3 i− j glider.
2 2 −−→
√ BC = 600j + 60k
3 3 3
= i− j
2 2

227
 −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ OC = OB + BC A unit vector in this direction is
given by
= (−80i + 20j + 40k) r3 − r1 −1.5i − 2j
= p
+ (600j + 60k) |r3 − r1 | (−1.5)2 + (−2)2
= −80i + 620j + 100k, −1.5i − 2j
= √
the new position vector of the hang 2.25 + 4
glider. 1
= √ (−1.5i − 2j)
6.25
32 r1 = 1.5i + 2j + 0.9k 1
= (−1.5i − 2j)
p 2.5
a |r1 | = 1.52 + 22 + 0.92 = −0.6i − 0.8j
√
= 2.25 + 4 + 0.81
√ −−→ a1
= 7.06 33 a OP = a1 i + a2 j, where −−→ = cos α
|OP|
≈ 2.66 km a2
The distance from the origin is and = cos β
|OP|
2.66 kilometres, correct to two −−→
where α and β are the angles OP
decimal places. makes with the easterly and northerly
directions
b r2 = 2i + 3j + 0.8k −−→
respectively, and |OP| = 200.
a1 a2
i r1 − r2 = (1.5i + 2j + 0.9k) ∴ = cos 135◦ and = cos 45◦
200 200
− (2i + 3j + 0.8k) ∴ a1 = 200 cos 135◦ a2 = 200 cos 45◦
√
= −0.5i − j + 0.1k = −200 cos 45 ◦
=
200 2
2
p √
ii |r1 − r2 | = (0.5)2 + (1)2 + 0.12 −200 2 √
√ = = 100 2
= 0.25 + 1 + 0.01 2
√
√ = −100 2
= 1.26 −−→ √ √
∴ OP = −100 2i + 100 2j
≈ 1.12
−−→
b PQ = 50j
The distance between the two aircraft
−−→ −−→ −−→
is 1.12 kilometres, correct to two c OQ = OP + PQ
decimal places. √ √
= (−100 2 i + 100 2 j) + 50j
√ √
c The first aircraft must fly over the = −100 2 i + (50 + 100 2) j
point with position vector r3 = 0.9k
∴ it must fly in the direction −−→
d QT = 30k
r3 − r1 = 0.9k − (1.5i + 2j + 0.9k)
= −1.5i − 2j

228
 −−→ −−→ −−→
e OT = OQ + QT There exists real numbers p and q such
√ √ that:
= −100 2 i + (50 + 100 2) j
a = pb + qc
+ 30k Therefore
i − j + 2k = p(i + 2j + mk) + q(3i + nj + k)
−−→ a1 1 = p + 3q . . . (1)
34 a OP = a1 i + a2 j, where −−→ = cos α
|OP| −1 = 2p + nq . . . (2)
a2
and −−→ = cos β 2 = mp + q . . . (3)
|OP| From (2) and (3)
where α and β are the angles
−−→ 2n + 1 m+4
OP makes with the easterly and p= and q = −
northerly directions respectively, and mn − 2 mn − 2
−−→
|OP| = 100. Substitute in (1)
a1 a2
∴ = cos 45◦ and = cos 45◦ 2n − 9
100 √ 200 √ m=
2 2 n+3
∴ a1 = 100 × a2 = 100 ×
2 2
√ √
= 50 2 = 50 2 36 a 2a − 3b = 2(i − j + 2k − 3(i + 2j − 4k
−−→ √ √
∴ OP = 50 2 i + 50 2 j, = −i − 8j + 16k
the position vector of point P.
b a, b and c are linearly dependent.
−−→ −−→ −−→
b i BP = OP − OB There exist real numbers p and q
√ √ such that
= (50 2 i + 50 2 j) − (100i)
√ √ mi + 6j − 12k = pa + qb
= (50 2 − 100) i + 50 2 j mi + 6j − 12k = p(4i − j − 2k) + q(i − j + k)
ii N From 36a
P
2a − 3b = −i − 8j + 16k
50 2 3 3
∴ − (2a − 3b) = i + 6j − 12k
4 4
α
B 3
100 – 50 2 √ ∴m=
4
 50 2 
α = tan−1 √
100 − 50 2 37 a c = m(4i − j − 2k) + (1 − m)(i − j + k)
= 67.5 ∴ c = (3m + 1)i − j + (1 − 3m)k
Bearing = (270 + 67.5)◦
b If c = 7i − j + pk
= 337.5◦
The bearing of P from B is 3m + 1 = 7 . . . (1)
337.5◦ . 1 − 3m = p . . . (2)
From (1), m = 2
Substitute in (2),p = −5
35 a, b and c are linearly dependent.

229
Solutions to Exercise 4C
1 a = i − 4j + 7k, b = 2i + 3j + 3k,
c = −i − 2j + k

a a.a = (i − 4j + 7k).(i − 4j + 7k)

= 1 × 1 + −4 × −4 + 7 × 7
= 1 + 16 + 49
= 66

b b.b = (2i + 3j + 3k).(2i + 3j + 3k)

=2×2+3×3+3×3
=4+9+9
= 22 e b + c = (2i + 3j + 3k) + (−i − 2j + k)
= i + j + 4k
c c.c = (−i − 2j + k).(−i − 2j + k) ∴ a.(b + c) = (i − 4j + 7k).(i + j + 4k)
= −1 × −1 + −2 × −2 + 1 × 1 = 1 × 1 + −4 × 1 + 7 × 4
=1+4+1 = 1 − 4 + 28
=6 = 25
d a.b = (i − 4j + 7k).(2i + 3j + 3k) f
= 1 × 2 + −4 × 3 + 7 × 3 (a + b) = (i − 4j + 7k) + (2i + 3j + 3k)
= 2 − 12 + 21 = 3i − j + 10k
= 11 (a + c) = (i − 4j + 7k) + (−i − 2j + k)
A CAS calculator has the capability = −6j + 8k
to compute the dot product of two (a + b).(a + c)
vectors.
TI: Press→7: Matrix & Vector→ = (3i − j + 10k).(0i − 6j + 8k)
C:Vector→3: Dot Product = 3 × 0 + −1 × −6 + 10 × 8
CP: Tap Action→Vector→dotP = 6 + 80
The syntax for the Dot Product
between two vectors a and b is as = 86
follows.
dotP([a1 , a2 , a3 ], [b1 , b2 , b3 ])
Thus for part d

230
 g (a + 2b) = (i − 4j + 7k) e a + b = (2i − j + 3k)
+ 2(2i + 3j + 3k) + (3i + 0j − 2k)
= 5i + 2j + 13k = 5i − j + k
(3c − b) = 3(−i − 2j + k) a.(a + b) = (2i − j + 3k).(5i − j + k)
− (2i + 3j + 3k) = 2 × 5 + −1 × −1 + 3 × 1
= −5i − 9j = 10 + 1 + 3
(a + 2b).(3c − b) = 14
= (5i + 2j + 13k).(−5i − 9j + 0k)
= 5 × −5 + 2 × −9 + 13 × 0 3 a a · b = |a||b| cos θ
= −25 − 18 = 6 × 7 × cos 60◦
= −43 = 21

b a · b = |a||b| cos θ
2 a = 2i − j + 3k, b = 3i − 2k, c = −i + 3j − k
= 6 × 7 × cos 120◦
a a.a = (2i − j + 3k).(2i − j + 3k)
= −21
= 2 × 2 + −1 × −1 + 3 × 3
=4+1+9
4 a (a + 2b).(a + 2b)
= 14
= a.a + 2a.b + 2b.a + 4b.b
b b.b = (3i + 0j − 2k).(3i + 0j − 2k) = a.a + 4a.b + 4b.b
= 3 × 3 + 0 + −2 × −2
b |a + b|2 − |a − b|2
=9+4
= (a + b).(a + b) − (a − b).(a − b)
= 13
= a.a + a.b + b.a + b.b
c a.b = (2i − j + 3k).(3i + 0j − 2k) − (a.a − a.b − b.a + b.b)
= 2 × 3 + 0 + 3 × −2 = a.a + 2a.b + b.b − a.a
=6−6 + 2a.b − b.b
=0 = 4a.b

d a.c = (2i − j + 3k).(−i + 3j − k) c a.(a + b) − b.(a + b)

= 2 × −1 + −1 × 3 + 3 × −1 = (a + b).(a − b)
= −2 − 3 − 3 = a.a − a.b + b.a − b.b
= −8 = a.a − b.b

231
 a.(a + b) − a.b
d
|a|
a.a + a.b − a.b
=
|a|
a.a
=
|a|
|a|2
=
|a|
= |a|

5 a (i + 2j − 3k).(5i + xj + k) = −6
6 a = i + 2j − k, b = −i + j − 3k
∴ 5 + 2x − 3 = −6
−−→
∴ 2x = −8 a AB = b − a

∴ x = −4 = (−i + j − 3k) − (i + 2j − k)
= −2i − j − 2k
b (xi + 7j − k).(−4i + xj + 5k) = 10
−−→ p
∴ − 4x + 7x − 5 = 10 b |AB| = (−2)2 + (−1)2 + (−2)2
√
∴ 3x = 15 = 9
∴ x=5 =3
−−→
c (xi + 0j + 5k).(−2i − 3j + 3k) = x a.AB
c cos θ = −−→
∴ − 2x + 15 = x |a| |AB|
∴ 3x = 15 (i + 2j − k).(−2i − j − 2k)
∴ cos θ = √
6×3
∴ x=5
−2 − 2 + 2
∴ cos θ = √
d x(2i + 3j + k).(i + j + xk) = 6 3 6
−2
∴ x(2 + 3 + x) = 6 ∴ cos θ = √
3 6
∴ x2 + 5x − 6 = 0 √
6
∴ (x + 6)(x − 1) = 0 ∴ cos θ = −
9
∴ x = −6 or x = 1  √6 
Using the solve and dot product ∴ θ = cos−1 −
9
commands a CAS calculator could be
∴ θ = 105.8◦
used for question 8

232
 c.d −−→ −−→
7 cos θ = b OB.AC = (a + c).(c − a)
|c| |d|
= a.c − a.a + c.c − c.a
4
∴ cos θ =
5×7 = c.c − a.a
4 = |c|2 − |a|2
∴ cos θ =
35 As a rhombus has all sides of equal
A visual representation of the
length
problem is:
∴ |c| = |a|
Hence,
−−→ −−→
OB.AC = |c|2 − |a|2 = 0
−−→ −−→
OB.AC
c cos θ = −−→ −−→
|OB| |AC|
−−→ −−→
∴ cos θ = 0 since OB.AC = 0
∴ θ = 90◦
Using the cosine rule, As the angle between the two
−−→
|CD|2 = |c|2 + |d|2 − 2|c| |d| cos θ diagonals is 90◦ , this implies that the
→
− 4 diagonals of a rhombus intersect at
| CD|2 = 52 + 72 − 2(5)(7) right angles.
35
4
= 74 − 70
35 9 a = i + 3j − k, b = −4i + j + 2k,
= 66
c = −2i − 2j − 3k, d = −i + j + k
−−→ √
∴ |CD| = 66 e = 2i − j − k, f = −i + 4j − 5k
a.e = (i + 3j − k).(2i − j − k)
8 A B
= 1 × 2 + 3 × −1 + −1 × −1
=2−3+1
=0
O C
b.c = (−4i + j + 2k).(−2i − 2j − 3k)
−−→ −−→ = −4 × −2 + 1 × −2 + 2 × −3
a i AB = OC = c
−−→ −−→ −−→ =8−2−6
ii OB = OA + AB = a + c
=0
−−→ −−→ −−→
iii AC = OC − OA = c − a
d.f = (−i + j + k).(−i + 4j − 5k)
= −1 × −1 + 1 × 4 + 1 × −5
=1+4−5
=0

233
 Hence the three pairs of perpendicular 12 (xi + 2j + yk).(i + j + k) = 0
vectors are: a and e, b and c, d and f ∴ x+2+y=0

√ ∴ x + y = −2 1
10 a |a| = |b| = |c| = |d| = |e| = | 3
(xi + 2j + yk).(4i + j + 2k) = 0
b a · b = 1 − 1 − 1 = −1 ∴ 4x + 2 + 2y = 0
1
Therefore cos θ = − θ = 109.47◦ ∴ 4x + 2y = −2 2
3
It is easy to see that this will be the 1 × 4 − 2 gives
same for all combinations 2y = −6
∴ y = −3
Substituting y = −3 into 1 gives
11 a = i + 4j − 4k, b = 2i + 5j − k and
−−→ ∴ x = −2 + 3 = 1
OP = qb
∴ x = 1 and y = −3
−−→ −−→ −−→ = [(2q − 1)i + (5q − 4)j + (4 − q)k]
a AP = OP − OA
= qb − a
13 Before attempting this question ensure
−−→
b AP = qb − a your calculator is set to radian mode.
= q(2i + 5j − k) − (i + 4j − 4k) (i + 2j − k).(i − 4j + k)
−−→ −−→ a cos θ = √ √
Using AP · OB = 0 6 × 18
(2q − 1) × 2 + (5q − 4) × 5 + (4 − q) × 1−8−1
∴ cos θ = √
−1 = 0 6 3
∴ 4q − 2 + 25q − 20 − 4 + q = 0 4
∴ 30q = 26 ∴ cos θ = − √
13 3 3
∴q= ∴ θ = 2.45c
15
−−→ 13 (−2i + j + 3k).(−2i − 2j + k)
c OP = − (2i + 5j − k) b cos θ = √
15 14 × 3
26 13 13 4−2+3
= i+ j− k ∴ cos θ = √
15 3 15 3 14
 26 13 13 
∴P= , ,− 5
∴ cos θ = √
15 3 15 3 14
∴ θ = 1.11c

234
 (2i − j − 3k).(4i + 0j − 2k) perpendicular to each other.
c cos θ = √ √
14 × 20
8+6
∴ cos θ = √ 15 a = i + j + k, b = 2i + j − k
2 70
and M is the midpoint of AB.
7
∴ cos θ = √ −−→
70 a AB = b − a
∴ θ = 0.580c = (2i + j − k) − (i + j + k)
(7i + 0j + k).(−i + j − 3k) = i − 2k
d cos θ = √ √ −−→ −−→ 1 −−→
50 × 11 OM = OA + AB
−7 − 3 2
∴ cos θ = √ 1
5 22 = (i + j + k) + (i − 2k)
2
2
∴ cos θ = − √ −−→ 3
∴ OM = i + j
22 2
∴ θ = 2.01c −−→ −−→
Using a CAS calculator for part c and OA · OM
b cos θ = −−→ −−→
d we have |OA| |OM|
3 
(i + j + k) · i + j + 0k
2
∴ cos θ = r
√ 13
3×
4
3
+1
2
∴ cos θ = √
39
2
5
∴ cos θ = √2
39
14 Given: a.b = 0, a , 0 and b , 0. 2
Using the scalar product, 5
∴ cos θ = √
a.b = |a| |b| cos θ 39
∴ θ = 36.81◦
∴ 0 = |a| |b| cos θ (since a.b = 0)
Now since a , 0 and b , 0 this implies
that |a| , 0 and |b| , 0.
0
∴ cos θ =
|a| |b|
∴ cos θ = 0(since |a| and |b| are both non-zero)
∴ θ = 90◦
Thus, since the angle between the
two vectors a and b is 90◦ , they are

235
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
MB · MO GA = GF + FE + EA
c cos θ = −−→ −−→
| MB| | MO| −−→ −−→ −−→
1  3  = OA − OC − OD
i + 0j − k . − i − j + 0k = 3j − 2k − i
2 2
∴ cos θ = r r
5
×
13 = −i + 3j − 2k
4 4 −−→ −−→
CE.GA
3 4 cos θ =
∴ cos θ = − × √ |CE| |GA|
4 65
(i + 3j − 2k).(−i + 3j − 2k)
3 ∴ cos θ = √ √
∴ cos θ = − √ 14 × 14
65
12
∴ θ = 111.85◦ ∴ cos θ =
14
6
−−→ −−→ −−→ ∴ cos θ =
16 a i GB = GF + FB 7
∴ θ = 31.00◦
−−→ −−→
= OA + DO
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 1 −−→
= OA − OD 17 a i OM = OA + AB
2
= 3j − i −−→ 1 −−→ −−→
 
= OA + OB − OA
= −i + 3j 2
1
−−→ −−→ −−→ = 4i + (−4i + 5j)
ii GE = GF + FE 2
−−→ 5 1
−−→ −−→
= OA − OC ∴ OM = 2i + j = (4i + 5j)
2 2
= 3j − 2k −−→ −−→ 1 −−→
ii ON = OA + AC
−−→ −−→ 2
GB · GE −−→ 1 −−→ −−→
 
b cos θ = = OA + OC − OA
|GB| |GE| 2
(−i + 3j + 0k).(0i + 3j − 2k) 1
∴ cos θ = √ √ = 4i + (−6i + 7k)
10 × 13 2
9 −−→ 7 1
∴ cos θ = √ ∴ ON = i + k = (2i + 7k)
130 2 2
∴ θ = 37.87◦
b
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
c CE = CG + GF + FE OM.ON
cos θ =
−−→ −−→ −−→ |OM| |ON|
= OD + OA − OC  5  7 
= j + 3j − 2k 2i + j + 0k . i + 0j + k
2 2
∴ cos θ = r r
41 53
×
4 4
4 8
∴ cos θ = 2 × √ = √
2173 2173

236
 −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ θ = 80.12◦ MB = MC + CB
−−→ −−→ 1
c cos θ =
OM.OC = − (3i + j − 2k) + 3j
|OM| |OC| 2
3 5
5 =− i+ j+k
 
2i + j + 0k .(−2i + 0j + 7k) 2 2
2
∴ cos θ = r 1
41 √ = (−3i + 5j + 2k)
× 53 2
4 −−−→ −−→ −−→
2 8 DM = DE + EM
∴ cos θ = −4 × √ =−√ −−→ −−→
2173 2173 = OA − CM
∴ θ = 99.88◦
1
= 3j − (3i + j − 2k)
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 2
18 CE = CO + OA + AE 3 5
−−→ −−→ −−→ =− i+ j+k
= −OC + OA + OD 2 2
1
= −(−i + j + 2k) + 3j + (2i − j) = (−3i + 5j + 2k)
2
= 3i + j − 2k −−→
= MB
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
DB = DO + OA + AB Thus M is the midpoint of DB.
−−→ −−→ −−→ Therefore the diagonals bisect each
= −OD + OA + OC other.
−−→ −−→
= −(2i − j) + 3j + (−i + j + 2k) CE.DB
cos θ =
|CE| |DB|
= −3i + 5j + 2k
Let M be the midpoint of CE. (3i + j − 2k).(−3i + 5j + 2k)
−−→ ∴ cos θ = √ √
CE = 3i + j − 2k 14 × 38
−−→ 1 −9 + 5 − 4
⇒ CM = (3i + j − 2k) ∴ cos θ = √
2 2 133
4
∴ cos θ = − √
133
∴ θ = 110.29◦
Acute angle = 180 − 110.29 = 69.71◦

237
Solutions to Exercise 4D
1 a a = j + 3j − k 2 a = 3i + 4j − k, b = i − j − k
√ √ √ √
|a| = 1 + 9 + 1 = 11 a i |a| = 9 + 16 + 1 = 26
1
∴ â = √ (i + 3j − k) 1
∴ â = √ (3i + 4j − k)
11 26
√ √
11
∴ â = (i + 3j − k) ∴ â =
26
(3i + 4j − k)
11 26
b b = j + 2j + 2k √
ii |b| = (1)2 + (−1)2 + (−1)2 = 3
p
√ √
|b| = 1 + 4 + 4 = 9 = 3 √
b If a vector is 3√× â
1 √
∴ b̂ = (i + 2j + 2k) then 3 × â =
78
(3i + 4j − k)
3 26
−−→
c c = AB
3 a |â| = |b̂| = 1.
=b−a
Therefore triangle OA0 B0 is isosceles.
= −j + 3k
√ √
∴ |c| = 1 + 9 = 10 b Let M be the midpoint of A0 B0
−−−→0 −−→0 1 −−0−→0
1 OM = OA + A B
∴ ĉ = √ (−j + 3k) 2
10 1
√ = â + (b̂ − â)
10 2
∴ ĉ = (−j + 3k)
10 1
A CAS calculator has the ability to = (b̂ + â)
2
calculate a unit vector as follows:
TI: Press Menu→7: Matrix & c 4OA0 M 0 is congruent to 4OB0 M 0
Vector→C: Vector→1: Unit Vector (SSS).
CP: Tap Action → Vector → unitV Hence ∠A0 OM 0 = ∠B0 OM 0
For part a. type unitV([1,3,-1])
d ∠A0 OB0 = ∠AOB

4 a = 2i − 2j − k, b = 3i + 4k
√
a i |a| = 4 + 4 + 1 = 3
1
∴ â = (2i − 2j − k)
3
√
ii |b| = 9 + 16 = 5
1
∴ b̂ = (3i + 4k)
5

238
 b Consider â + b̂ and let θ = ∠AOB a.b
b= b
b.b
â −1
θ = (i − 4j + k)
O b̂ 9
The resulting vector of adding â + b̂
c a = 4i − j + 3k, b = 4i − k
will bisect ∠AOB.
1 a.b = 16 − 3 = 13
1
θ 180 – θ
2 b.b = 16 + 1 = 17
vector resolute of a in the direction of
1 1 a.b
â + b̂ = (2i − 2j − k) + (3i + 4k) b= b
3 5 b.b
5 3 13
= (2i − 2j − k) + (3i + 4k) = (4i − k)
15 15 17
1
= (19i − 10j + 7k)
15 a.b
1 p 2 6 scalar resolute =
∴ |â + b̂| = 19 + 102 + 72 |b|
15
√
510 a a = 2i + j, b = i
=
15
∴ the unit vector that bisects ∠AOB is a.b = 2, |b| = 1
1
(19i − 10j + 7k) ∴ scalar resolute = 2
15
√
510 b a = 3i + j − 3k,
√ c = i − 2j
15 a.c = 1, |c| = 5 √
1 1 5
= √ (19i − 10j + 7k) ∴ scalar resolute = √ =
510 5 5
√ √
510 c b = 2j +√k, a = 2i √
+ 3j √
= (19i − 10j + 7k)
510 b.a = 2 3, |a| = 4 +√3 = 7√
2 3 2 21
∴ scalar resolute = √ =
5 a a = i + 3j, b = i − 4j + k 7 7
vector resolute of a in the direction of √
a.b d b = i − 5 j, √c = −i + 4j
b= b √
b.b b.c = −1 − 4 5, |c| = 17 √
a.b = 1 − 12 = −11 −(1 + 4 5)
∴ scalar resolute = √
b.b = 1 + 16 + 1 = 18 17
−11 √ √
∴ vector = (i − 4j + k) − 17(1 + 4 5)
18 =
17
b a = i − 3k, b = i − 4j + k
a.b = 1 − 3 = −2 7 a 2i

b.b = 1 + 16 + 1 = 18 b 2
vector resolute of a in the direction of

239
 c Check:
(7i + 26j + 35k).(5i − k) = 35 − 35 = 0
∴ rectangular components give
9 1
a = (5i − k) + (7i + 26j + 35k)
26 26
b a = 3i + j, b = i + k
vector resolute of a in the direction of
8 a a = 2i + j + k, b = 5i − k a.b
b= b
vector resolute of a in the direction of b.b
a.b a.b = 3
b= b
b.b
a.b = 10 − 1 = 9 b.b = 1 + 1 = 2
3
b.b = 25 + 1 = 26 ∴ vector resolute = (i + k)
2
9 perpendicular component
∴ vector resolute = (5i − k) 3
26 = a − (i + k)
perpendicular component 2
9 3 3
= a − (5i − k) = 3i + j − i − k
26 2 2
9 3 3
= (2i + j + k) − (5i − k) = i+j− k
26 2 2
26 9 Check:
= (2i + j + k) − (5i − k)
!
3 3 3 3
26 26 i + j − k .(i + k) = − = 0
1 2 2 2 2
= (7i + 26j + 35k) ∴ rectangular components give
26 3 3 3
!
a = (i + k) + i + j − k
2 2 2

c a = −i + j + k, b = 2i + 2j − k
vector resolute of a in the direction of
a.b
b= b
b.b
a.b = −2 + 2 − 1 = −1
b.b = 4 + 4 + 1 = 9
−1
∴ vector resolute = (2i + 2j − k)
9
perpendicular
" component #
−1
=a− (2i + 2j − k)
9
1
= (−i + j + k) + (2i + 2j − k)
9
9 1
= (−i + j + k) + (2i + 2j − k)
9 9
1
= (−7i + 11j + 8k)
9

240
 Check: b perpendicular component
(2i + 2j − k).(−7i + 11j + 8k) = a − (i − j − k)
= (−14 + 22 − 8) = 0 = 4i + j − (i − j − k)
∴ rectangular components give
−1 = 3i + 2j + k
a= (2i + 2j − k)
9 c magnitude of perpendicular
1 √ √
+ (−7i + 11j + 8k) component = 32 + 22 + 12 = 14
9

9 a = i + 3j − k, b = j + k 11 a = i + 2j + k, b = 2i + j − k, c = 2i − 3j + k
−−→
a vector resolute of a in the direction of a i AB = b − a
a.b
b= b = (2i + j − k) − (i + 2j + k)
b.b
a.b = 3 − 1 = 2 = i − j − 2k
b.b = 1 + 1 = 2 −−→
∴ vector resolute = j + k ii AC = c − a
= (2i − 3j + k) − (i + 2j + k)
b perpendicular component
= a − ( j + k) = i − 5j

= (i + 3j − k) − ( j + k) −−→ −−→
AB.AC −−→
b vector resolute = −−→ −−→ AC
= i + 2j − 2k AC.AC
√ −−→ −−→
Magnitude = 1 + 4 + 4 = 3 AB.AC = 1 + 5 = 6
∴ unit vector through A perpendicular −−→ −−→
1 AC.AC = 1 + 25 = 26
to OB is (i + 2j − 2k) 6
3 ∴ vector resolute = (i − 5j)
26
10 a a = 4i + j, b = i − j − k 3
= (i − 5j)
a.b = (4 × 1) + (1 × −1) + (0 × −1) 13

=3 c B

b.b = (1)2 + (−1)2 + (−1)2 = 3 C

vector resolute of a in the direction of
a.b A
b = b Shortest distance is perpendicular
b.b
3 distance. perpendicular component
= (i − j − k)
3
=i−j−k

241
 !
−−→ 3
= AB − (i − 5j)
13
3
= (i − j − 2k) − (i − 5j)
13
1
= (10i + 2j − 26k)
13
2
= (5i + j − 13k)
13
2 √
magnitude = 25 + 1 + 169
13
2 √
= 195
13 √
2 195
∴ shortest distance = units
13
d B

C
A
−−→ √ √
|AC| = 1 + 25 = 26 √
1√ 2 195
∴ area 4ABC = 26 ×
2 13
√
5070
=
13
√
= 30 square units

12 a a = i − 3j − 2k, b = 5i + j + k
∴ a.b = 5 − 3 − 2 = 0
∴a⊥b
c.a
b i c = 2i − k, d = a
a.a
c.a = 2 + 2 = 4
a.a = 1 + 9 + 4 = 14
2
∴ d = (i − 3j − 2k)
7

242
 c.b 1
ii e = b d f .a = (i + 11j − 16k).
b.b 21
c.b = (2i − k).(5i + j + k) (i − 3j − 2k)
= 10 − 1 1
= (1 − 33 + 32)
=9 21
=0
b.b = 25 + 1 + 1 = 27
1 ∴ f⊥ a
∴ e = (5i + j + k)
3 1
f .b = (i + 11j − 16k).
21
c c=d+e+f
∴f =c−d−e (5i + j + k)
1
2
= 2i − k − (i − 3j − 2k) = (5 + 11 − 16)
7 21
1 =0
− (5i + j + k)
3 ∴ f⊥ b
42 21 6 18 12
= i− k− i+ j+ k
21 21 21 21 21
35 7 7 13 a ⊥ b
− i− j− k
21 21 21 c·a
a d= a
1 11 16 a·a
= i+ j− k
21 21 21
c·b
1 b e= b
= (i + 11j − 16k) b·b
21
c·a c·b
c f =c−d−e=c− a− b
a·a b·b
c·a c·b
d f · a = (c − a− b) · a
a·a b·b
c·a
=c·a− a·a
a·a
=0
c·a c·b
f · b = (c − a− b) · b
a·a b·b
c·b
=c·b− b·b
b·b
=0

243
Solutions to Exercise 4E
1 a

AR : RB = 2 : 1
−−→ −−→ 2 −−→
∴ OR = OA + AB
3
2 −−→
= a + AB
3
2
= a + (b − a)
3
1 2
= a+ b
3 3
b AR : RB = 3 : 2
−−→ −−→ 3 −−→
∴ OR = OA + AB
5
3 −−→
= a + AB
5
3
= a + (b − a)
5
2 3
= a+ b
5 5

−−→ 1 −−→
2 a AR = AB
2
−−→ 1 −−→
OR = a + AB
2
1
= a + (b − a)
2
1 1
= a+ b
2 2
−−→ 5 5
∴ OR = i − j + k
2 2

244
 −−→ 4 −−→
b AR = AB
3
−−→ 4 −−→
OR = a + AB
3
4
= a + (b − a)
3
1 4
=− a+ b
3 3
−−→ 5 8
∴ OR = i − j
3 3
−−→ 1 −−→
c AR = − AB
3
−−→ 1 −−→
OR = a − AB
3
1
= a − (b − a)
3
4 1
= a− b
3 3
−−→ 10 2
∴ OR = i + j + 5k
3 3

−−→ −−→ −−→

3 OP = a, OQ = 3a − 4b, OR = 4a − 6b
−−→ −−→ −−→
a PQ = OQ − OP
= 2a − 4b
−−→ −−→ −−→
PR = OR − OP
= 3a − 6b
−−→ 2 −−→
∴ PQ = PR
3
∴ P, Q and R are collinear.
−−→ −−→ −−→
b QR = OR − OQ
= a − 2b
−−→
PQ = 2a − 4b
−−→ −−→
∴ PQ = 2QR
∴ PQ : QR = 2 : 1

245
4

−−→ 1
a OC = ((x + a)i + yj)
2
−−→ −−→
b If OC ⊥ AB then OC · AB = 0
1
( ((x + a)i + yj)) · (x − a)i + yj = 0
2
x2 − a2 + y2 = 0
x2 + y2 = a2

−−→ 1
a OM = a
5
−−→ −−→ −−→
OP = OM + MP
1 1 −−→
= a+ MB
5 6
1 1 1
= a+ (− a + b)
5 6 5
1 1
= a+ b
6 6
−−→
Also OU = a + b
∴ P is on diagonal OU.

b OP : PU = 1 : 5

246
6

−−→
OA = −4i + 3j
−−→
OC = 3i + 4j
−−→ −−→ −−→
a OB = OA + OC = −i + 7j
−−→ 1 −−→ 1
b BD = BA = (−3i − 4j)
3 3
−−→ −−→ −−→
OD = OA + AD
2
= (−4i + 3j) + (3i + 4j)
3
17
= −2i + j
3
−−→ −−→ −−→
c OE = (1 − λ)OA + λOC
= (7λ − 4)i + (3 + λ)j
We can also write
−−→ −−→
OE = µOD
−−→ 17
∴ OE = µ(−2i + j)
3
∴ 7λ − 4 = −2µ . . . (1)
17
3+λ= µ . . . (2)
3
2
Therefore λ =
5

−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→

7 a OA · OB = |OA||OB| cos θ ∴ −5 = 5 × 3 cos θ
1
cos θ = −
3
∴ θ is obtuse.
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 −−→
b i OP = OA + OB
2 2
= 2i + j + k

247
 −−→ −−→ −−→
ii AB = OB − OA
= −2i + 2j − 6k
Now P, A and B are collinear. Therefore there is a real number λ such that:
−−→ −−→ −−→
OP = λOA + (1 − λ)OB
−−→
∴ OP = (1 + 2λ)i + (2 − 2λ)j + (6λ − 2)k
−−→ −−→
OP ⊥ AB ⇒OP · AB = 0
−2(2 + λ) + 2(2 − 2λ) − 6(6λ − 2) = 0
7
∴λ=
22
−−→ 18 15 1
∴ OP = i + j − k
11 11 11
−−→
iii OP = (1 + 2λ)i + (2 − 2λ)j + (6λ − 2)k
Because of the bisection of ∠AOB
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
OA · OP OB · OP
−−→ = −−→
|OA| |OB|
3(1 + 2λ) + 4(6λ − 2) 1 + 2λ + 2(2 − 2λ) − 2(6λ − 2)
∴ =
5 3
3
∴λ=
8
−−→ 7 5 1
∴ OP = i + j + k
4 4 4

248
Solutions to Exercise 4F
Vector proofs in two-dimensional B R C
geometry

1 Required to prove that the diagonals of a

Q S
parallelogram bisect each other.
A B
A T D
M
ABCD is a rectangle.
Let Q, R, S and T be the midpoints of
AB, BC, CD and DA respectively.
D C −−→
Let AD = a
ABCD is a parallelogram. −−→ 1 1
−−→ ⇒ AT = AD = a
Let AD = a 2 2
−−→ −−→
Let AB = b Let AB = b
Let M be the midpoint of AC. ⇒
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 1 1 1
AC = b + a QT = AT − AQ = a − b = (a − b)
2 2 2
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→ 1
⇒ AM = (a + b) CR = −AT = − a
2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→
BM = −AB + AM −−→ −−→ 1
CS = −AQ− = − b
1 2
= −b + (a + b) −−→ −−→ −−→
2 RS = CS − CR
1 !
= (a − b) 1
=− b− − a
1
2 2 2
−−−→ −−→ −−→
MD = −AM + AD 1
= (a − b)
1 2
= − (a + b) + a −−→ −−→
2 ∴ QT = RS
1 i.e. QT is parallel to RS and they are
= (a − b)
2 equal in length. !
−−→
= BM
!
−−→ 2 1 1
QT = (a − b) . (a − b)
Thus M is the midpoint BD. 2 2
Therefore the diagonals of a 1
parallelogram bisect each other. = (a − b).(a − b)
4
1
= (a.a − 2a.b + b.b)
4
2 Required to prove that if the midpoints
1
of the sides of a rectangle are joined = (a.a + b.b)
4
then a rhombus is formed.
since a.b = 0 (as they are perpendicular)

249
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
T S = AT + AQ QR = QB + BR
1 1 −−→ −−→
= a+ b = OS − OP
2 2 !
1 1 1
= (a + b) = b− a
2 2 2
2 1
! !
−−→ 1 1 = (b − a)
T S = (a + b) . (a + b)
2 2 2
−−→ −−→
1 ∴ PS = QR
= (a + b).(a + b) i.e. PS is parallel to QR and they are
4
1 equal in length. !
= (a.a + 2a.b + b.b)
!
−−→ 2 1 1
4 |PS | = (b − a) . (b − a)
1 2 2
= (a.a + b.b) 1
4 = (b − a).(b − a)
since a.b = 0 (as they are 4
perpendicular) 1
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ = (b.b − 2a.b + b.b)
∴ |QT |2 = |T S |2 ⇒ |QT | = |T S | 4
1
So since = (a.a + b.b)
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 4
QT = RS and |QT | = |T S | since a.b = 0 (as they are
i.e. one pair of opposite sides are equal perpendicular)
and parallel and adjacent sides are of −→ −−→ −−→
SR = OS + OP
equal length.
1
∴ QRS T is a rhombus. = (a + b)
2 ! !
−→ 2 1 1
∴ |SR| = (a + b) . (a + b)
3 Required to prove that if the midpoints 2 2
of the sides of a square are joined then 1
= (a + b).(a + b)
another square are is formed. 4
Q 1
A B = (a.a + 2a.b + b.b)
4
1
= (a.a + b.b)
4
P R since a.b = 0 (as they are
perpendicular)
−−→ −→ −−→ −−→
∴ |PS |2 = |SR|2 ⇒ |PS | = |S R|
O S C OABC is a square.
Let P, Q, R and S be the midpoints of So since
−−→ −−→ −−→ −→
OA, AB, BC and CO respectively. PS = QR and |PS | = |SR|, PSRQ is a
Let rhombus.
−−→ −−→
OA = a and OC = b
−−→ 1 −−→ 1
∴ OP = a and OS = b
2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ 1
∴ PS = OS − OP = (b − a)
2

250
 −−→ −→ 1 1 Thus the median to the base of an
PS .SR = (b − a). (a + b)
2 2 isosceles triangle is perpendicular to the
1
= (b.b − a.a) base.
−−→ −−→ −−→ 1
4 OM = OA + AM = a + (b − a) =
1 2
= (|b|2 − |a|2 ) 1
4 (b + a)
As a rhombus has all sides of equal 2
length. 5 Required to prove that if the diagonals
∴ |a| = |b| of a parallelogram are of equal length
Hence then the parallelogram is a rectangle.
−−→ −→
PS .SR = 0
C B
∴ ∠PSR = 90◦
Therefore PSRQ is a square.

4 Required to prove that the median

to the base of an isosceles triangle is
perpendicular to the base. O A
O OABC is a parallelogram.
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Let OA = a, OC = b and |OB| = |CA|
−−→ −−→ −−→
OB = OA + OC = a + b
−−→ −−→ −−→
CA = OA − OC = a − b
−−→
|OB|2 = (a + b).(a + b)
= a.a + 2a.b + b.b
A M B −−→
|CA|2 = (a − b).(a − b)
M is the midpoint of AB.
−−→ −−→ = a.a − 2a.b + b.b
Let OA = a and OB = b
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 Since
AM = AB = (b − a) −−→ −−→ −−→
2 2 |OB| = |CA| = |OB|2 = |CA|2
−−→ −−→ 1 1 ∴ a.a + 2a.b + b.b = a.a − 2a.b + b.b
AM.OM = (b − a). (b + a) ∴ 4a.b = 0
2 2
1 ∴ a.b = 0
= (b.b − a.a) ∴ ∠COA = 90◦
4
1 Hence the parallelogram OABC is a
= (|b|2 − |a|2 )
4 rectangle.
As an isosceles triangle has two sides of
equal length.
∴ |b| = |a| 6 Required to prove that the midpoint of
Hence the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
−−→ −−→
AM.OM = 0 is equidistant from the three vertices of
∴ ∠OMA = 90◦ the triangle.

251
ABC is a triangle. 7 Required to prove that the sum of the
C squares of the lengths of the diagonals
of any parallelogram is equal to the sum
of the squares of the lengths of the sides.
M R Q

A B
Let M be the midpoint of BA.
−−→ −−→ O P
Let AB = a and AC = b −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ Let OP = a and OR = b
CB = AB − AC = a − b −−→
OQ = a + b
−−→ 1
∴ CM = (a − b) −−→
2 RP = a − b
−−→ −−→ 1 So
BM = −CM = − (a − b) −−→ −−→
|OQ|2 + |RP|2
2
−−→ −−→ −−→ 1 = (a + b).(a + b) + (a − b).(a − b)
AM = AC + CM = (a + b)
2
−−→ 1 1 = a.a + 2a.b + b.b + a.a − 2a.b
|CM|2 = (a − b). (a − b)
2 2 + b.b
1
= (a.a − 2a.b + b.b) = a.a + b.b + a.a + b.b
4
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
1 = |OP|2 + |PQ|2 + |RQ|2 + |OR|2
= (a.a + b.b)
4 as required to prove.
(since a and b are perpendicular,
a.b = 0)
−−→ 1 1 8 Required to prove that if the midpoints
| BM|2 = − (a − b). − (a − b)
2 2 of the sides of a quadrilateral are joined
1 then a parallelogram if formed.
= (a.a − 2a.b + b.b)
4 A
1
= (a.a + b.b) P
4 S B
(since a and b are perpendicular,
a.b = 0)
−−→ 1 1
|AM|2 = (a + b). (a + b) D
2 2
1 Q
= (a.a + b.b) R
4
(since a and b are perpendicular,
a.b = 0)
−−→ −−→ −−→ C
∴ |CM|2 = | BM|2 = |AM|2 ABCD is a quadrilateral. P, Q, R and S
Thus the midpoint of the hypotenuse is are the midpoints of the sides AB, BC,
equidistant from the three vertices.

252
 CD and DA respectively. −−−→ −−→ −−→ 1
DM = AM − AD = a − b
−−→ 1 −−→ 2
AS = AD
2 −−→ 2 −−−→ 2
DP = DM =
−−→ 1 −−→ 3 3
AP = AB !
2 1 1
−−→ −−→ −−→ a − b = (a − 2b)
S P = AP − AS 2 3
−−→ −−→ −−→
=
1 −−→ 1 −−→
AB − AD AP = AD + DP
2 2 1
1 −−→ −−→ = (a + b)
= (AB − AD) 3
2 1 −−→
1 −−→ = AC
= DB 3
2 −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ 1 −−→ PC = DC − DP
∴ S P = DB
2 1
Similarly, = a − (a − 2b)
−−→ 1 −−→ 3
CR = CD 2
2 = (a + b)
−−→ 1 −−→ 3
CQ = CB 2 −−→
2 = AC
−−→ −−→ −−→ 3
RQ = RC + CQ Therefore P is a point of trisection of
1 −−→ 1 −−→ AC nearer to A.
= CB − CD
2 2 Since AP k PC k AC this implies that A,
1 −−→ −−→ P and C are collinear.
= (CB − CD)2
2 Thus A, P and C are collinear and P is a
1 −−→ point of trisection of AC.
= DB
2 As required to prove.
−−→ 1 −−→
∴ RQ = DB
2
−→ −−→
Thus SP = RQ meaning SP k RQ and 10 D C
SP = RQ
Hence PQRS is a parallelogram. Q

P
9 D C
A B
−−→ −−→
Let AD = b and AB = a
P

A M B
−−→ −−→
Let AD = b and AB = a

253
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
AC = a + b AC = −OA + OC
−−→ −−→ −−→
DB = a − b = OA − OD
−−→ 2 −−→
DP = DA = −d − a
3 −−→ −−→
AC.AD = (−d − a).(d − a)
2 −−→ 2
= (−AD) = − b = −d.d + d.a
3 3
−−→ 1 −−→ 1
DQ = DB = (a − b) − a.d + a.a
3 3
−−→ −−→ −−→ = a.a − d.d
PQ = DQ − DP
= |a|2 − |d|2
1  2 
Since OA and OD are the radius of the
= (a − b) − − b
3 3 circle
1 1 ∴ |a| = |d|
= a+ b
3 3 Hence
1 −−→ −−→
= (a + b) AC.AD = 0
3 ∴ ∠CAD = 90◦
1 −−→
= AC Therefore ACBD is a rectangle.
3
−−→ 1 −−→
∴ PQ = AC
3 12 O
Thus PQ is parallel to AC.

11
a b
A C

O
A M B
D B
−−→
a i AB = b − a
−−→ 1 −−→ 1
Required to prove that ACBD is a ∴ AM = AB = (b − a)
2 2
rectangle.
AB and CD are the diameters of the −−→ −−→ −−→
ii OM = OA + AM
circle, hence AB = CD.
−−→ −−→ 1
Let OA = a and OD = d = a + (b − a)
−−→ −−→ −−→ 2
AD = OD − OA = d − a 1
−−→ −−→ −−→ = (a + b)
CB = −OA + OD = d − a 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
So since AD = CD ⇒ AD = CB and −−→ −−→ 1 1
−−→ −−→ b AM.AM = (b − a). (b − a)
ADCB 2 2
∴ ACBD is a parallelogram. 1
= (b.b − 2a.b + a.a)
4

254
 −−→ −−→ 1 1 −−→ −−→ −−→
OM.OM = (a + b). (a + b) PC = OC − OP
2 2
1
1 = 2b − (a + 4b)
= (a.a + 2a.b + b.b) 3
4
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 1 2
AM.AM + OM.OM =− a+ b
1  1  3 3
= 2 a.a + 2 b.b 1
= (2b − a)
4 4 3
1 1 −−→ −−→ −−→
= a.a + b.b AP = OP − OA
2 2
1
1 = (a + 4b) − a
= (a.a + b.b) 3
2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 1 2 4
∴ AM.AM + OM.OM = (a.a + b.b) =− a+ b
2 3 3
2
c Prove OA2 + OB2 = 2OM 2 + 2AM 2 = (2b − a)
3
RHS −−→
2OM 2 + 2AM 2 = 2(OM 2 + AM 2 ) = 2PC
−−→ −−→
Thus since AP = 2PC, A, P and C are
= 2(OM.OM + AM.AM)
! collinear.
1
= 2 (a.a + b.b)
2 b D, B and P are collinear if there exist
−−→ −−→
a k ∈ R \{0} such that DB = k BP
(from part b) −−→ −−→ −−→
DB = DO + OB = a + b
= a.a + b.b −−→ −−→
(Since DO = OA)
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OA2 + OB2 BP = OP − OB
1
= (a + 4b) − b
13 A 3
1 1
= a+ b
3 3
1
= (a + b)
O C 3
B −−→
= DB
−−→ −−→
D Thus since DB = 3 BP, D, B and P
O is the midpoint of AD and B is the are collinear.
midpoint of OC. −−→ −−−→
c Since DB = 3BP
a A, P and C are collinear ifthere exist ∴ DB:BP = 3:1
a
−−→ −−→
k ∈ R \{0} such that AP = k PC

255
14 A 15 T V S

P Q

O v s
t U
B
u
−−→ 2 −−→ −−→ −−→
AP = AB and OQ = 3OP
3
O r R
−−→ −−→ −−→
a i OP = OA + AP
−−→ −−→ −−→
2 −−→ a OS = OR + RS
= a + AB
3 −−→ −−→
= OR + OT
2
= a + (b − a)
3 =r+t
2 1 ∴s=r+t
= b+ a
3 3
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ OP = (a + 2b) b OV = OS + S V
3
1
−−→ −−→ =s− r
ii OQ = 3OP = a + 2b 2
1
−−→ −−→ −−→ = s − (s − t) since s = r + t
iii AQ = AP + PQ 2
2 −−→ −−→ 1
= (b − a) + (OQ − OP) = (s + t)
3 2
2 1
= (b − a) ∴ v = (s + t)
3 2
 1  −−→ −−→ −−→
+ a + 2b − (a + 2b) c OU = OR + RS
3
2 2 2 4 1
= b− a+ a+ b =r+ t
3 3 3 3 2
1
= 2b = r + (s − r) since s = r + t
2
−−→ −−→ 1
b AQ = 2b = 2OB = (r + s)
−−→ −−→ 2
∴ AQ = 2OB
−−→ −−→ 1
Therefore AQ is parallel to OB ∴ u = (r + s)
2

256
 ∴ 3x + y = 14
!
1 1 1
4(u + v) = 4 (r + s) + (s + t)
2 2 As the point F lies on the extended
= 2(r + s) + 2(s + t) line DC
−−→ −−→
⇒ DF = αDC
= 2r + 2s + 2s + 2t −−→
∴ DF = α(i − j) = αi − αj
= 2r + 3s + s + 2t Also,
−−→
= 2r + 3s + (r + t) + 2t DF = f − d = (x + 2)i + (y − 8)j
Hence
= 3r + 3s + 3t
α = x + 2 and −α = y − 8
= 3(r + s + t) ∴ −(x + 2) = y − 8
as required. ∴ x+y=6
∴y=6−x 2

16 a = i + 11j, b = 2i + 8j, c = −i + 7j, Substituing 2 into 1 gives

2x = 8
d = −2i + 8j, e = −4i + 6j
∴x=4
−−→
a AD = d − a = −3i − 3j Substituting x = 4 into 2 gives y = 2
−−→ ∴ x = 4 and y = 2
AE = e − a = −5i − 5j Thus f = 4i + 2j
−−→ 5 −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ AE = AD = AEAD −−→
3 d FD = d − f = −6i + 6j
∴ E lies on the line DA.
−−→ −−→ −−→
BC = c − b = −3i − j EA = −AE = 5i + 5j
−−→ −−→ −−→
BE = e − b = −6i − 2j EB = − BE = 6i + 2j
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ BE = 2 BC ⇒ BE BC AF = f − a = 3i − 9j
∴ E lies on the line BC. −−→ −−→
FD.EA = (−6i + 6j).(5i + 5j)
−−→
b AB = b − a = i − 3j = −30 + 30
−−→
DC = c − d = i − j
=0
−−→ −−→
c Let the point F have position vector ∴ FD ⊥ AF
−−→ −−→
f = xi + yj. EB.AF = (6i + 2j)(3i − 9j)
As the point F lies on the extended = 18 − 18
line AB
−−→ −−→ =0
⇒ AF = AB −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ ∴ EB ⊥ AF
∴ AF = k AB
−−→ as required.
∴ AF = k(i − 3j) = ki − 3kj
Also,
−−→ e Since ∠EDF and ∠EBF are at
AF = f − a = (x − 1)i + (y − 11)j
right-angles this implies that EF is
Hence
the diameter of the circle (angles in a
k = x − 1 and −3k = y − 11
semicircle).
∴ −3(x − 1) = y − 11

257
 The centre of the circle is the 18 R B
A
midpoint of EF and has position
vector
e+f (−4i + 6j) + (4i + 2j)
=
2 2
8j P
= Q
2
O
= 4j −−→ −−→ −−→
Hence the position vector of the OQ = OP + PQ
centre of the circle through E, D, B 1 −−→ −−→
= OA + RB
and F is 4j. 4
1 2 −−→
= a + AB
4 3
17 C D
1 2 −−→ −−→
= a + (OB − OA)
4 3
1 2
= a + (b − a)
E 4 3
2 5
= b− b
3 12
Therefore the position vector of Q is
O A B 2 5
Given: b− a
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 3 12
OA = a, OB = b, OC = c, OD = d,
−−→ 1 −−→ 1 −−→
OE = e, e = d, AE = AC 19
3 3
A is the midpoint of OB.
−−→ −−→ −−→
BD = OD − OB = d − b
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 20 E
OC = OA + AE + EC
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= a + (OE − OA) + (ED + DC)
2  B C
= a + (e − a) + d − b
3
2 Y X
=e+ d−b
3
1 2
= d+ d−b A
3 3 D
=d−b
−−→
= BD F
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ OC = BD ⇒ OC = BD and OC BD Given:
∴ OCDB is a parallelogram BE = AF = BC
Let Y X k BC k AD.
4EBC is similar to 4EY X and since

258
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
BC = BE ⇒ Y E = Y X FY = FA + AY
Similarly, Y F = Y X. −−→ 1 −−→
−−→ −−→
∴ Y E = −Y F = FA + AB
2
Now −−→ 1 −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ = FA + (k FA)
XE = Y E − Y X 2
and
 k −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ = 1 + FA
XF = Y F − Y X 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ As 4FAD is similar to 4FY X
XE.XF = (Y E − Y X).(Y F − Y X)
FY FX
−−→ −−→ −−→−−→ ⇒ =
= Y E.Y F − Y E Y X FA FD
−−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→−−→ Given FX = µED
− Y X.Y F + Y X Y X k k+2
∴µ=1+ =
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 2 2
= −Y E.Y E − Y E.Y X
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ c A rhombus has all sides of equal
+ Y X.Y E + Y X.Y X
length.
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= −Y E.Y E + Y X.Y X ∴ |AB| = | BC|
−−→ −−→
Given |AB| = k| BC|, k = 1 if ABCD
= |Y X|2 − |Y E|2
is a rhombus.
=0 3 3
−−→ −−→ ∴ λ = and µ =
(Since Y E = Y X) 2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ EX and FX meet at right angles. d XE = XY + Y E
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b |AB| = k| BC| = k| BE| = k|FA| FX = FY + Y X
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
FE = FA + AB + BE |XE|2 = (XY.Y E).(XY.Y E)
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= BE + k BE + BE = |XY|2 + 2XY.Y E + |Y E|2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= 2 BE + k BE |FX|2 = (FY.Y X).(FY.Y X)
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= (2 + k) BE = |FY|2 + 2FY.Y X + |Y X|2
1 −−→ 1 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ Y E = FE = (2 + k) BE Since |XY|2 = |Y X|2 , |FY|2 = |Y E|2
2 2
As 4EBC is similar to 4EY X and |XE|2 = |FX|2
Y E EX −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
⇒ = ∴ 2XY.Y E = 2FY.Y X
BE EC
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Given EX = λEC ∴ XY.Y E = FY.Y X
1 k+2
∴ λ = (2 + k) = −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
2 2 ∴ −Y X.Y E = −Y F.Y X
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ Y X.Y E = Y F.Y X
−−→ −−→
∴ |Y X||Y E| cos(∠XY E)
−−→ −−→
= |Y F||Y X| cos(∠FY X)
−−→ −−→ −−→
Since |Y X| = |Y E| = |Y F|

259
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ cos(∠XY E) = cos(∠FY X) ∴ |AP|2 + | BP|2 + |CP|2 + |DP|2
∴ ∠XY E = ∠FY X = 90◦ −−→ −−→
= 4 × 3r2 − 2OP.OA − 2OP.OB
−−→ −−→
−−→ −−→
Since BC ⊥ Y X ⇒ ∠Y BC = 90◦ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
− 2OP.OC − 2OP.OD
∴ ABCD is a rectangle
−−→ −−→
= 12r2 − 2OP.OA
−−→ −−→ −−→
21 A D + OB + OC + OD
−−→
= 12r2 − 2OP.(0)
r
= 12r2
r O
Vectorproof in three-dimensional
geometry
P
B C
22
−−→ −−→ −−→
a AP = AO + OP
−−→ −−→ −−→
∴ AP = OP − OA
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
AP.AP = (OP − OA).(OP − OA)
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= OP.OP − 2OP.OA + OA.OA Space diagonls OF and CE are consid-
−−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ ered. Let OA = a, OC = c, OD = d
= r2 − 2OP.OA + |OA|2 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ OF = OD + DE + EF
= r2 − 2OP.OA + (r2 + r2 ) −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ = OD + OA + OC
= 3r2 − 2OP.OA
=d+a+c
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b | BP|2 = 3r2 − 2|OP||OB| CE = CO + OD + DE
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
|CP|2 = 3r2 − 2|OP||OC| = CO + OD + OA
−−→ −−→ −−→ = −c + d + a
|DP|2 = 3r2 − 2|OP||OD|
Let X be the midpoint of OF and Y be
the midpoin of CE
−−→ 1 −−→ 1
Then OX = OF = (d + a + c)
2 2

260
−−→ −−→ −−→
OY = OC + CY
−−→ 1 −−→
= OC + CY
2
1
= c + (−c + d + a)
2
1
= (d + a + c)
2
∴X=Y
−−→
|OF|2 = (d + a + c) · (d + a + c)
=d·d+a·a+c·c
since a · c = c · d = a · d = 0
and
−−→
|CE|2 = (d + a − c) · (d + a − c)
=d·d+a·a+c·c
since a · c = c · d = a · d = 0
−−→ −−→
Therefore |CE| = |OF|

261
 −−→ −−→
23 BY · OF = 0
((µ − 1)a + (µ − 1)c + µd) · (d + a + c) = 0
µ(a2 + d2 + c2 ) = a2 + c2
c2 + a2
µ=
a2 + d2 + c2
−−→ c2 + a2
Hence OY = 2 (d + a + c)
a + d2 + c2
−−→ 2
c i OY = (d + a + c)
3
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 1
OA = a, OC = c, OD = d and OX = (d + a + c)
3
and
|a| = a, |c| = c, |d| = d −−→ −−→ −−→
ii XC = XO + OC
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ 1
a OF = OD + DE + EF = −( (d + a + c) + c
3
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OD + OA + OC 1 1 2
=− d− a+ c
=d+a+c 3 3 3
Let X be the point on OF such that −−→ 1 1 4
−−→ −−→ |XC|2 = + +
CX ⊥ OFand OX = λOF for some 9 9 9
6
λ∈R =
−−→ −−→ 9
Then CX = −c + OX =
(λ − 1)c + λa + λd
We use the dot product. −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ XA = XO + OA
CX · OF = 0 1
= −( (d + a + c) + a
((λ − 1)c + λa + λd) · (d + a + c) = 0 3
(λ − 1)c · c + λa · a + λd · d = 0 1 2 1
=− d− a− c
3 3 3
λ(a2 + d2 + c2 ) = c2 −−→ 1 4 1
|XA|2 = + +
c2 9 9 9
λ=
a2 + d2 + c2 =
6
−−→ c2 9
Hence OX = (d + a + c) Remembering the magnitudes of
a2 + d2 + c2
a, d and c are each 1:
b Let Y be the point on OF such that −−→ −−→ 2 1 2 1
−−→ −−→ XC · XA = − + − = −
BY ⊥ OFand OX = µOF for some 9 9 9 3
µ∈R
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Then BY = BA + AO + AY
= −c − a + µ(a + c + d)
= (µ − 1)a + (µ − 1)c + µd
We use the dot product.

262
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
XC · XA = |XC||XA| cos ∠CXA 24
1 6
− = cos ∠CXA
3 9
1
cos ∠CXA = −
2
∠CXA = 120◦
−−→ −−→ −−→
iii Y B = YO + OB
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
2 Let OP = p, OQ = q, OR = r, OS = s
= −( (d + a + c) + c + a
3 Let W, X, Y and Z be the midpoints of
1 1 2 PQ, QR, RS and S P respectively. Then,
= a+ c− d −−→ 1
3 3 3 OW = (p + q) We prove that WXYZ
−−→ 1 1 4 2
|Y B|2 = + + −−→ 1
9 9 9 OX = (q + r)
6 2
= −−→ 1
9 OZ = (p + s)
2
−−→ 1
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ OY = (s + r)
YG = YO + OC + OG 2
−−→ −−→
2 is a parallelogram by proving WX = ZY
= −( (d + a + c) + c + c −−→ −−→
3 and WZ = XY
−−→ 1 1
2 1 1 WX = (q + r − (p + q)) = (r − p)
=− a+ d+ c 2 2
3 3 3 −−→ 1 1
−−→ 4 1 1 ZY = (s + r − (p + s)) = (r − p)
|YG|2 = + + 2 2
9 9 9
6
= −−→ 1 1
9 WZ = (p + s − (p + q)) = (s − q)
Remembering the magnitudes of 2 2
a, d and c are each 1: −−→ 1 1
−−→ −−→ 2 1 2 1 XY = (s + r − (q + r)) = (s − q)
Y B · YG = − + − = − 2 2
9 9 9 3
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Y B · YG = |Y B||YG| cos ∠BYG
25
1 6
− = cos ∠CXA
3 9
1
cos ∠BYG = −
2
∠BYG = 120◦

−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→

Let OP = p, OQ = q, OR = r, OS = s

263
 Let A be the midpoint of PS and B be Therefore,
−−→ 1
the midpoint of QR. OG = (a + b)
Then, 3
−−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ 1 CG = CO + OG
OA = (p + s) −−→ 1
2 That is, CG = −c + (a + b)
−−→ 1 3
OB = (q + r) Consider the dot product. We assume
2
Let Z be the midpoint of AB the edge lengths of the tetrahedron
−−→ −−→ 1 −−→ are all 1. The angles between
OZ = OA + AB
2 edges in triangles are all 60◦ and
1 1 1 1 1
= (p + s) + ( (q + r) − (p + s)) cos 60◦ = .
2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 −−→ −−→ 1 1
= p+ s+ q+ r CG · OG = (−c + (a + b) · ( (a + b))
4 4 4 4 3 3
1 1 1
= (p + s + q + r) = − (a + b) · c + (a + b) · (a + b)
4 3 9
|et C be the midpoint of PR and D be the 1 1
= − (a · c + b · c) + (a · a + 2a · b + b · b)
midpoint of QS . 3 9
Then, 1 1 1 1
−−→ 1 = − ( + ) + (1 + 1 + 1)
OC = (p + r) 3 2 2 9
2 1 1
−−→ 1
OD = (q + s) =− +
2 3 3
Let W be the midpoint of CD =0
−−→ −−→ 1 −−→
OW = OC + CD
2
1 1 1 1 27
= (p + r) + ( (q + s) − (p + r))
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
= p+ s+ q+ r
4 4 4 4
1
= (p + s + q + r)
4
Therefore W = Z

26 The centroid is the point of intersection

−−→
of the three medians of a triangle. A PS = s − p
−−→
median of a triangle is a line from a QR = r − q
−−→ −−→
vertec to the midpoint of the opposite PS · QR = (s − p) · (r − q)
side. = s · r − s · q − p · r + p · q . . . (1)
We now need to use the properties that
a We refer to Example 31 on page 129. we can assume all edges have magnitude
−−→ 2 −−→
OG = OM where M is the midpoint 1 and angles between edges of a triangle
3
of AB. of the the tetrahedron = 60◦
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→ 1
OM = (a + b) SP·SQ =
2 2

264
 Also 29
−−→ −−→
S P · S Q = (p − s) · (q − s)
That is,
1
p · q − p · s − s · q + s · s = . . . (2)
2
Further,
−−→ −−→ 1
SP · SR =
2
Also
−−→ −−→
S P · S R = (p − s) · (r − s)
−−→ −−→
That is, OA · BC = 0
1
p · r − p · s − s · r + s · s = . . . (3) ∴ a · (c − b) = 0 . . . (1)
2
Therefore from (2) and (3) −−→ −−→
p·q−p·s−s·q+s·s= OB · AC = 0
p·r−p·s−s·r+s·s ∴ b · (c − a) = 0 . . . (2)
Hence −−→ −−→
OC · BA = 0
p·q−s·q=p·r−s·r
Rearranging, ∴ c · (a − b) = 0 . . . (3)
s·r−s·q−p·r+p·q=0 We prove first that OA2 + BC 2 =
which gives the result from (1). OB2 + AC 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
LHS = OA · OA + BC · BC

28 = a · a + (c − b) · (c − b)
= a · a + c · c − 2b · c + b · b
From (2), b · (c − a) = 0 ⇒ 2b · c = 2a · c
∴ a · a + c · c − 2b · c + b · b
= a · a + c · c − 2a · c + b · b
= (a − c) · (a − c) + b · b
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ = AC · AC + OB · OB
OA · BC = 0 We next prove first that
⇒ a · (c − b) = 0 OB2 + AC 2 = OC 2 + AB2
⇒a·c=a·b

−−→ −−→
OB · AC = 0
⇒ b · (c − a) = 0
⇒b·c=b·a

Therefore,
a·c=b·c
⇒ (a − b) · c = 0
−−→ −−→
⇒ BA · OC = 0

265
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
LHS = OB · OB + AC · AC b BT · VC = ( BV + VT ) · VC
= b · b + (c − a) · (c − a) −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= BV · VC + VC · VT
= b · b + c · c − 2a · c + a · a −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= −V B · VC + VC · VT
From (1), b · (c − b) = 0 ⇒ 2a · c = 2b · a
= −8 + 4 × 2
∴ b · b + c · c − 2b · a + a · a
=0
= b · b + c · c − 2a · b + a · a
−−→ −−→
= (b − a) · (b − a) + c · c c TA · TB = 4 √
−−→ −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ |T A| = |T A| = 2 3
= AB · AB + OC · OC 4 1
cos(∠AT B) = =
12 3
1
∠AT B = arccos
30 3

All edges are taken to be of length 4. All

angles between edges in a triangle are
60◦
−−→ −−→
a VT = λVC and AT ⊥ VC
−−→ −−→
AT · VC = 0
−−→ −−→ −−→
(AV + VT ) · VC = 0
−−→ −−→ −−→
(AV + λVC) · VC = 0
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
(AV · VC) + λVC · VC = 0
1
−16 × + 16λ = 0
2
1
λ=
2

266
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
31 a OG = OD + DC + CG b |OG|2 = (b + d + e).(b + d + e)
=d+b+e = b.b + b.d + b.e
=b+d+e + d.b + d.d
DF = DH + EF + EF + d.e + e.b + e.d + e.e
= OE − OD + OB = |b|2 + |d|2 + |e|2
=e−d+b + 2(b.d + b.e + d.e)
=b−d+e −−→
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ |DF|2 = (b − d + e).(b − d + e)
BH = BO + OD + DH
= b.b − b.d + b.e
−−→ −−→ −−→
= −OB + OD + OE − d.b + d.d − d.e
= −b + d + e + e.b − e.d + e.e
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
CE = CD + DO + OE
= |b|2 + |d|2 + |e|2
−−→ −−→ −−→
= −OB − OD + OE + 2(−b.d + b.e − d.e)
= −b − d + e −−→
| BH|2 = (−b + d + e).(−b + d + e)
= b.b − b.d − b.e
− d.b + d.d + d.e
− e.b + e.d + e.e
= |b|2 + |d|2 + |e|2
+ 2(−b.d + d.e − b.e)
−−→ 2
|CE| = (−b − d + e).(−b − d + e)
= b.b + b.d − b.e
+ d.b + d.d − d.e
− e.b − e.d + e.e
= |b|2 + |d|2 + |e|2
+ 2(b.d − b.e − d.e)

c |OG|2 + |DF|2 + |BH|2 + |CE|2

= 4|b|2 + 4|d|2 + 4|e|2
= 4(|b|2 + |d|2 + |e|2 )
as required.

267
Solutions to Technology-free questions
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
1 a AD = BC = OC − OB B C

= (4i − k) − (2i + j − 2k) θ

A D
= 2i − j + k

−−→ −−→ −−→

b AB = OB − OA
= (2i + j − 2k) − (i + 2j − k)
=i−j−k
−−→ −−→
AB.AD
cos θ = −−→ −−→
|AB||AD|
2+1−1
= √ √
4+1+1× 1+1+1
√
2 2
= √ √ =
6× 3 3

−−→
−−→ AB −−→
2 a i AM = −−→ × AC| B
|AB|
−−→ −−→ −−→ M
AB = OB − OA N

= (−i + j + 2k) − (2i − j − 4k) A C

= −3i + 2j + 6k
−−→ −−→ −−→
AC = OC − OA
= (i − 3j − 2k) − (2i − j − 4k)
= −i − 2j + 2k
√
−−→ 1+4+4
∴ AM = (−3i + 2j + 6k) √
9 + 4 + 36
3
= (−3i + 2j + 6k)
7

268
 −−→ 1 −−→ −−→
ii AN = (AM + AC)
2
!
1 3
= (−3i + 2j + 6k) + (−i − 2j + 2k)
2 7
1
= (−9i + 6j + 18k − 7i − 14j + 14k)
14
1
= (−16i − 8j + 32k)
14
1
= (−8i − 4j + 16k)
7
−−→ −−→ −−→
ON = AN + OA
1
= (−8i − 4j + 16k) + 2i − j − 4k
7
1
= (6i − 11j − 12k)
7
−−→ −−→ −−→
b CM = AM − AC
3
= (−3i + 2j + 6k) − (−i − 2j + 2k)
7
1
= (−9i + 6j + 18k + 7i + 14j − 14k)
7
1
= (−2i + 20j + 4k)
7
−−→ −−→ 1
AN.CM = (16 − 80 + 64) = 0
49
−−→ −−→
∴ AN⊥CM

3 a a⊥b iff a.b = 0

∴ 8−3−x=0 ∴ x=5

b a⊥c 4y + 3z + 2 = 0 1

b⊥c 2y − z − 10 = 0 2

1 + 3 × 2 10y − 28 = 0 ∴ y = 2.8
Substituting y = 2.8 into 2 gives 5.6 − z − 10 = 0
z = −4.4

269
4 a |a| cos θ = |b̂| = 1
1 1 1 a
∴ cos θ = = √ = θ
|a| 1+4+4 3 b̂ b

b |b| cos θ = 2|â| = 2

2 1
∴ |b| = =2÷ =6
cos θ 3

a.b
5 a a a= b+c
c b.b
6−6−8
b c=− (2i + j − 2k) + (3i − 6j + 4k)
4+1+4
8
= (2i + j − 2k) + (3i − 6j + 4k)
9
1
= (16i + 8j − 16k + 27i − 54j + 36k)
9
1
= (43i − 46j + 20k)
9
c.a
b d= a
a.a
1 129 + 276 + 80
!
= (3i − 6j + 4k)
9 9 + 36 + 16
485
= (3i − 6j + 4k)
549
√ √
c |a| = 9 + 36 + 16 = 61
485 √
|d| = × 61
549
485 × 61 485
|a||d| = =
549 9
1 4365 485
|c|2 = 2 (432 + 462 + 202 ) = 2 =
9 9 9
∴ |a||d| = |c| 2

−−→
6 a i CA = a − c
= 2i + 3j − 4k − 2i − (1 + 3t)j − (−1 + 2t)k
= (2 − 3t)j + (−3 − 2t)k

270
 −−→
ii CB = b − c
= 2i − j + 2k − 2i − (1 + 3t)j − (−1 + 2t)k
= (−2 − 3t)j + (3 − 2t)k
−−→ −−→
b ∠BCA = 90◦ ∴ CB⊥CA ∴ CB.CA = 0
∴ (2 − 3t)(−2 − 3t) + (−3 − 2t)(3 − 2t) = 0
−4 + 9t2 + 4t2 − 9 = 0
13t2 − 13 = 0
t2 = 1 ∴ t = ±1

7 a i a − c = (2i + 2j − k) − (2i − 6j − 3k) = 8j + 2k

√
∴ |a − c| = 64 + 4
√ √
= 68 = 2 17

ii a + c = 4i − 4j − 4k A B
√ a θ
|a + c| = 4 3
O c C

iii (a − c).(a + c) = −32 − 8 = −40

(a − c).(a + c) −40 −5
b cos θ = = √ √ = √
|a − c||a + c| 4 3 × 2 17 51
5
θ is obtuse, ∴ accute angle between diagonals = cos−1 √
51

−−→ 1 −−→ 1 3
8 a AB = OC = (6i − 3j + 2k) = 3i − j + k A B
2 2 2 θ

O C

−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→

b OC = OA + AB + BC
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ BC = OC − OA − AB
3
= 6i − 3j + 2k − (2i − j − 3k) − (3i − j + k)
2
1
= i − j + 4k
2

271
 −−→ −−→
AC.AB
c cos θ = −−→ −−→
|AC||AB|
−−→ −−→ −−→
AC = OC − OA
= 6i − 3j + 2k − 2i + j + 3k
= 4i − 2j + 5k
12 + 3 + 5
∴ cos θ = r
√ 9
16 + 4 + 25 × 9+
+1
4
√
20 40 8 5
= r = √ =
√ 49 21 5 21
45 ×
4

−−→ −−→
9 a AO = −OA
= −6i − 4j
−−→ −−→ −−→
AB = OB − OA
= 3i + pj − 6i − 4j
= −3i + (p − 4)j
−−→ −−→
AO.AB = 18 − 4(p − 4)
= 34 − 4p
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b If AO ⊥ AB, then ∴ AO.AB = 0
34 − 4p = 0
p = 8.5
−−→ −−→
AO.AB
c cos ∠OAB = −−→ −−→
|AO||AB|
34 − 24
= √ √
36 + 16 × 9 + 4
10 5
= √ √ =
52 × 13 13

272
10 To be collinear, A, B and C must lie on the same straight line.
−−→ −−→
∴ AC = c(AB), c ∈ R
−−→ −−→ −−→
AC = OC − OA
= 6p + mq − p − q = 5p + (m − 1)p
−−→ −−→ −−→
AB = OB − OA
= 3p − 2q − p − q
= 2p − 3q
5 = 2c ∴ c = 2.5
m − 1 = −3c ∴ m = −3 × 2.5 + 1 = −6.5

11 r + λs + µt = 3i + 3j − 6k + λ(i − 7j + 6k) + µ(−2i − 5j + 2k)

= (3 + λ − 2µ)i + (3 − 7λ − 5µ)j + (−6 + 6λ + 2µ)k
To be parallel to the x-axis, r + λs + µt = ci, c ∈ R
∴ 3 + λ − 2µ = c
∴ λ − 2u = c − 3 1

3 − 7λ − 5µ = 0
∴ −7λ − 5µ = −3 2

−6 + 6λ + 2µ = 0
∴ 6λ + 2µ = 6 3

6× 2 +7× 3 − 16µ = 24 4

3
µ=−
2
3 ÷2 3λ + µ = 3 5
3
Substitute µ = − in 5
2
3
3λ − = 3
2
3
∴λ=
2

273
 −−→
12 AB = i − j + 3k
−−→
DC = 2i − 2j + 6k
−−→ −−→
∴DC = 2AB
∴ AB||DC, AB:CD = 1:2
ABCD is a trapezium.

13 a + b = 3i − 2j + 5k
(a + b).b = 3 + 2 − 5
=0
∴ a + b⊥b
a − b = i + 7k
(a + b).(a − b)
cos θ =
|a + b||a − b|
3 + 35
= √ √
9 + 4 + 25 × 1 + 49
38
= √ √
38 × 50
19
= √
19 × 5
√
19
=
5

−−→ −−→ −−→

14 a OA = OC + OB
−−→ −−→ −−→
∴ OC = OA − OB = −i + 10 j
∴ C(−1, 10)

274
 −−→ −−→ −−→ y
b If OD = hOA + kOB
A
4
then 1 = 3h + 4k 1

24 = 4h − 6k 2
3 4
O x
4× 1 −3× 2 −68 = 34k
k = −2 −6 B

Substitute in 1 1 = 3h − 8
3h = 9
h=3

−−→
15 a OD = 2c
−−→ −−→ −−→
AD = OD − OA
= 2c − a
−−→ −−→
−−→ OA + OD 1
b b = OB = = a+c
2 2
−−→ −−→
c OE = 4AE O

−−→ −−→ a C
∴ a + AE = 4AE
A D
−−→ B
∴ a = 3AE
E
−−→ 1
AE = a
3
−−→ 1
CB = a
2
1 k 3
∴ a= a ∴k = = 1.5
2 3 2

−−→ −−→ −−→ 1 1

16 QS = OS − OQ = hp + q − q = hp − q
2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ 1 1
QR = OR − OQ = p + kq − q = p + (k − 1)q
3 3
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→
QR = QS , since R is the midpoint of QS
2
1 1 2
∴ = h ∴ h=
3 2 3

275
 1
and k−1=−
4
3
∴ k=
4

−−→ A
17 AC = 2i + 4j
−−→
AB = k(i + j), k ∈ R\{0}
−−→ −−→ −−→ B C
BC = AC − AB
= (2i + 4j) − (ki + kj)
= (2 − k)i + (4 − k)j
−−→ −−→
Now BA. BC = 0, since ∠ABC = 90◦
∴ (−ki − kj).((2 − k)i + (4 − k)j) = 0
∴ −k(2 − k) − k(4 − k) = 0
∴ −2k + k2 − 4k + k2 = 0
∴ 2k2 − 6k = 0
∴ k2 − 3k = 0
∴ k(k − 3) = 0
∴ k − 3 = 0, since k , 0
∴ k=3
−−→
∴ AB = 3(i + j)

−−→ −−→ −−→

18 a DB = DA + AB
−−→ −−→
= −AD + OC
= −a + c
−−→ −−→
b Let OE = k OC
= kc, k ∈ R+
−−→ −−→
and DE = l DB, l ∈ R+
= l(c − a)
= lc − la

276
 −−→ −−→ −−→
Now OD = OA + AD
−−→ −−→
= 2 AD + AD
−−→
= 3 AD
= 3a
−−→ −−→ −−→
OE = OD + DE
∴ kc = 3a + lc − la
= (3 − l)a + lc
Since a and c are non-parallel, non-zero vectors
(3 − l) = 0, and l = k
∴ l = 3, and k = 3
−−→
OE = 3c
−−→
= 3OC, as required to prove.

−−→ 1 −−→ 1
19 a i OD = OC = c E B
3 3 A

−−→ −−→ −−→

ii OE = OA + AE
−−→ 1 −−→ O
D C
= OA + AB
3
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→
= OA + (OB − OA)
3
1
= a + (b − a)
3
2 1
= a+ b
3 3

−−→ −−→ −−→

iii DE = OE − OD
2 1 1
= a+ b− c
3 3 3
!
−−→ 2 1 1
b 3DE = 3 a + b − c = 2a + b − c
3 3 3
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
2OA + CB = 2OA + OB − OC = 2a + b − c
−−→ −−→ −−→
∴ 3DE = 2OA + CB, as required to prove.

277
 −−→ −−→ −−→
20 a OT = OA + AT B M
T
−−→ 3 −−→
= OA + AB
4 A
O
−−→ 3 −−→ −−→
= OA + (OB − OA)
4
3
= a + (b − a)
4
1 3
= a+ b
4 4

−−→ −−→ −−→

b i BM = OM − OB
−−→ −−→
= λOT − OB
!
1 3
=λ a+ b −b
4 4
λ
!
3λ
= a+ −1 b
4 4
−−→ −−→
ii Let BM = kOA = ka, k ∈ R\{0}
λ
!
3λ
then ka = a + −1 b
4 4
Since a and b are non-parallel, non-zero vectors
λ 3λ 4
k= and −1=0 ∴λ=
4 4 3

21 There exist real numbers p and q such that

a = pb + qc
∴ i + j + 3k = p(i − 2j + mk) + q(−2i + nj + 2k)
1 = p − 2q . . . (1)
1 = −2p + nq . . . (2)
3 = mp + 2q . . . (3)
Eliminate p and q
3(n − 6)
m=
(n + 2)

278
 a·b
22 Vector resolute = b
b·b
4
= (i + 3k)
5
4
Required vector v = a − (i + 3k)
5
6 2
= i+j− k
5 5
If a, b and v are linearly dependent then there exists p and q such that: v = pa + qb
Hence
6 2
i + j − k = p(2i + j + 2k) + q(i + 3k)
5 5
= (2p + q)i + pj + (2p + 3q)k
Therefore
6
2p + q = . . . (1)
5
p = 1 . . . (2)
2
2p + 3q = − . . . (3)
5
4
p = 1 and q = − satisfy all three equations.
5

279
Solutions to multiple-choice questions
−−→ −−→ −−→
1 C OB = OA + AB A
= (a + 2b) + (a − b)
= 2a + b
O
−−→ −−→ −−→
2 D EF = DC + 3AB
−−→ −−→
= −CD + 3AB B
It is also known that
= −c + 3a −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
AO.AB = BO. BA
= 3a − c −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ AO.AB = BO. − AB
3 B B C −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
∴ AO.AB = − BO.AB
−−→ −−→
M ∴ AO = − BO
−−→ −−→
∴ AO = OB
A D
−−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
DM = DA + AM ⇒ |AO| = |OB|
−−→ 1 −−→ Thus the side lengths AO and OB are
= − BC + AB the same size.
2
1 Hence the triangle is isosceles as two
= u−v sides are identical in length.
2
−−→ −−→ −−→
4 B AB = OB − OA 7 E x(a + b) = 2ya + (y + 3)b
∴ xa + xb = 2ya + (y + 3)b
= (11, 1) − (3, 6)
Equating coefficients
= (8, −5) x = 2y 1 and x = y + 3 2
= 8i − 5j Substituting 1 into 2 gives
√ 2y = y + 3
(2, 1, − 2).(5, 8, 0) ∴y=3
5 C cos θ = √ √
7 × 89 Substituting y = 3 into 1 gives x = 6
10 + 8 ∴ x = 6 and y = 3
∴ cos θ = √
623
−−→
18 8 E |AB| = b − a
∴ cos θ = √
623 = (5i − 2j + 2k) − (i + j)
∴ θ = 43.85 ◦
= 4i − 3j + 2k
−−→ −−→
6 C As |AB| , |OB| the side lengths AB
and OB of triangle OAB are different
in size.

280
 −−→ p
∴ |AB| = 42 + (−3)2 + 22 Using Pythagoras’ Theorem
√ −−→ −−→ −−→
|AC|2 = |AB|2 + | BC|2
= 16 + 9 + 4
√ −−→ −−→
= 29 = |AB|2 + (3|AB|)2
−−→ −−→
x.y = |AB|2 + 9|AB|2
9 D x.ŷ = −−→
|y| = 10|AB|2
(3, −2, 4).(−5, 1, 1) −−→ √ −−→
= √ ∴ |AC| = 10|AB|
27
−−→ √
−15 − 2 + 4 ∴ |AC| = 10|a|
= √
27
11 C
13
=−√ Write i + 2 j + ak = `(2i − 8 j + 10k) + m(i − j + k)
27
√ 1 = 2` + m . . . (1)
13 27
=− 2 = −8` − m . . . (2)
27
10 B B a = 10` + m . . . (3)
C
1
∴`=−
2
m=2
a = −3
A D
12 B
Given:
−−→ −−→ −−→
| BC| = 3|AB|, AB = a 13 D

281
Solutions to extended-response questions
−−→ −−→ −−→
1 a i AB = OB − OA
= (3i + 4j + 2k) − (2i + 3j + k)
=i+j+k
−−→
ii Length = |AB|
√ √
= 12 + 12 + 12 = 3
√
The strand is 3 units long.
−−→ −−→ −−→
b i CQ = OQ − OC
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OA + AQ − OC
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OA + λ AB − OC
= (2i + 3j + k) + λ(i + j + k) − (2.5i + 4j + 1.5k)
= (λ − 0.5)i + (λ − 1)j + (λ − 0.5)k
−−→ −−→
ii CQ.AB = ((λ − 0.5)i + (λ − 1)j + (λ − 0.5)k).(i + j + k)
= (λ − 0.5) × 1 + (λ − 1) × 1 + (λ − 0.5) × 1
= 3λ − 2
−−→ −−→
But CQ.AB = 0
∴ 3λ − 2 =0
2
∴ λ=
3
−−→ −−→ −−→
OQ = OA + AQ
−−→ 2 −−→
= OA + AB
3
2
= (2i + 3j + k) + (i + j + k)
3
1
= (8i + 11j + 5k)
3

282
c Let P be the point of contact of AB and MN.
−−→ −−→
Now AP = aAB, a ∈ R+
−−→ −−→ −−→
∴ OP − OA = aAB
−−→ −−→ −−→
∴ OP = aAB + OA
= a (i + j + k) + (2i + 3j + k)
= (a + 2)i + (a + 3)j + (a + 1)k 1
−−→ −−−→
and MP = b MN, b ∈ R+
−−→ −−→ −−−→
∴ OP − OM = b MN
−−→ −−→ −−−→
∴ OP = OM + b MN
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OM + b(ON − OM)
= (4i + 2j − k) + b((6i + 10j + 9k) − (4i + 2j − k))
= (4i + 2j − k) + b(2i + 8j + 10k)
= (4 + 2b)i + (2 + 8b)j + (10b − 1)k
Equating coefficients:
a + 2 = 4 + 2b, a + 3 = 2 + 8b and a + 1 = 10b − 1 2
∴ a = 2 + 2b
and a + 3 = 2 + 8b
∴ (2 + 2b) + 3 = 2 + 8b
∴ 5 + 2b = 2 + 8b
∴ 3 = 6b
1
∴ b=
2
2
∴ a=2+
2
=3 Check in 2

a+1=3+1
=4
10
10b − 1 = −1
2
=4
∴ LHS = RHS
Substituting a = 3 in 1 yields

283
 −−→
OP = (3 + 2)i + (3 + 3)j + (3 + 1)k
= 5i + 6j + 4k, the position vector of the point of contact.
−−→ √ −−→ p
2 a i |OA| = 22 + 32 + 12 |OB| = 32 + (−2)2 + 12
√ √
= 4+9+1 = 9+4+1
√ √
= 14 = 14
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii AB = OB − OA
= (3i − 2j + k) − (2i + 3j + k)
= i − 5j
−−→ −−→ −−→
b i OX = OA + AX
−−→ 1 −−→
= OA + AB
2
1
= (2i + 3j + k) + (i − 5j)
2
5 1
= i+ j+k
2 2
1
= (5i + j + 2k)
2
−−→ −−→ 1
ii OX.AB = (5i + j + 2k).(i − 5j + 0k)
2
1
= (5 × 1 + 1 × (−5) + 2 × 0)
2
1
= (5 − 5)
2
=0
−−→ −−→
Hence OX is perpendicular to AB.

c If OABC is a parallelogram
−−→ −−→ −−→
OC = OA + AC C
−−→ −−→
= OA + OB A
B
= 2i + 3j + k + 3i − 2j + k
O
= 5i + j + 2k
−−→
i.e. OC = 5i + j + 2k, the position vector of C such that OACB is a parallelogram.

284
 −−→ −−→
d OC.AB = (5i + j + 2k).(i − 5j + 0k)
= 5 × 1 + 1 × (−5) + 2 × 0
=5−5
=0
∴ OC is perpendicular to AB.
√
e i Let p = ai + bj + ck, a, b, c ∈ R, be the vector with magnitude 195 which is
−−→ −−→
perpendicular to both
√ OA and OB √
|p| = a2 + b2 + c2 and |p| = 195
∴ a2 + b2 + c2 = 195 1
−−→
Now OA.p = 0
∴ (2i + 3j + k).(ai + bj + ck) = 0
∴ 2a + 3b + c = 0 2
−−→
and OB.p = 0
∴ (3i − 2j + k).(ai + bj + ck) = 0
∴ 3a − 2b + c = 0 3
Subtracting 2 from 3 yields a − 5b = 0
∴ a = 5b 4

From 3 c = 2b − 3a
= 2b − 3(5b)
= −13b
and from 1 c2 = 195 − a2 − b2
∴ (−13b)2 = 195 − (5b)2 − b2
∴ 169b2 = 195 − 25b2 − b2
∴ 195b2 = 195
∴ b2 = 1
∴ b = ±1
From 4 , when b = 1, a = 5 and when b = −1, 0 = −5
Substituting into 2 , when a = 5 and b = 1,
2(5) + 3(1) + c = 0
∴ 10 + 3 + c = 0
∴ c = −13
and when a = −1 and b = −1,

285
 2(−5) + 3(−1) + c = 0
∴ −10 − 3 + c = 0
∴ c = 13
∴ p = 5i + j − 13k or p = −5i − j + 13k
−−→
ii When p = 5i + j − 13k, AB.p = (i − 5j + 0k).(5i + j − 13k)
= 1 × (5) + (−5) × (1) + 0 × (−13)
=5−5=0
−−→
and OC.p = (5i + j + 2k).(5i + j − 13k)
= 5 × (5) + 1 × (1) + 2 × (−13)
= 25 + 1 − 26 = 0
−−→
When p = −5i − j + 13k, AB.p = (i − 5j + 0k).(−5i − j + 13k)
= 1 × (−5) + (−5) × (−1) + 0 × (13)
= −5 + 5 = 0
−−→
and OC.p = (5i + j + 2k).(−5i − j + 13k)
= 5 × (−5) + 1 × (−1) + 2 × (13)
= −25 − 1 + 26 = 0
−−→ −−→
Therefore p is perpendicular to both AB and OC.
−−→ −−→
iii Since p is perpendicular to both AB and OC, it is perpendicular to the plane
containing OACB.
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
3 a OX = OC + CY + Y X OY = OC + CY
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= OC + OB + OA = OC + OB
= (i + 4j) + (i + 3k) + 5i = (i + 4j) + (i + 3k)
= 7i + 4j + 3k = 2i + 4j + 3k
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
OZ = OA + AZ OD = OA + AD
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
= OA + OC = OA + OB
= 5i + (i + 4j) = 5i + (i + 3k)
= 6i + 4j = 6i + 3k

286
 −−→ √
Length of OD = |OD| = 62 + 32
√
= 36 + 9
√
= 45
√
=3 5
−−→ √
Length of OY = |OY| = 22 + 42 + 32
√
= 4 + 16 + 9
√
= 29
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b ZO.ZY = |ZO| |ZY| cos ∠OZY
−−→ −−→ !
−1 ZO.ZY
∴ ∠OZY = cos −−→ −−→
|ZO| |ZY|
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Now ZO = −6i − 4j and ZY = OY − OZ
= (2i + 4j + 3k) − (6i + 4j)
= −4i + 3k
−−→ p −
−
→ p
∴ |ZO| = (−6)2 + (−4)2 and |ZY| = (−4)2 + 32
√ √
= 36 + 16 = 16 + 9
√ √
= 52 = 25
√
= 2 13 =5
−−→ −−→
and ZO.ZY = (−6i − 4j + 0k).(−4i + 0j + 3k)
= (−6) × (−4) + (−4) × 0 + 0 × 3
= 24
!
24
∴ ∠OZY = cos −1
√
2 13 × 5
√ !
12 13
= cos−1
65
= (48.268 53 . . .)◦
Angle OZY is 48.27◦ , correct to two decimal places.

287
 −−→ −−→ −−→
c i OP = OC + CP
−−→ λ −−→
= OC + CZ
λ+1
−−→ λ −−→ −−→
= OC + (OZ − OC)
λ+1
λ
= i + 4j + ((6i + 4j) − (i + 4j))
λ+1
λ
= j + 4j + (5i)
λ+1
!
5λ
= + 1 i + 4j
λ+1
! !
−−→ −−→ 5λ
ii OP.CZ = + 1 i + 4j .(5i + 0j)
λ+1
!
5λ
= +1 ×5+4×0
λ+1
!
5λ
=5 +1
λ+1
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
If OP ⊥ CZ, then OP.CZ = 0
!
5λ
∴ 5 +1 =0
λ+1
5λ
∴ +1=0
λ+1
5λ
∴ = −1
λ+1
∴ 5λ = −(λ + 1)
= −λ − 1
∴ 6λ = −1
−1
∴ λ=
6
Note: P divides CZ extemally. C Z P

−−→ −−→ −−→

4 a i AB = OB − OA
=b−a
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii BC = OC − OB
=c−b

288
 −−→ −−→ −−→
iii CA = OA − OC
=a−c
−−→ −−→ −−→
iv OP = OB + BP
−−→ 1 −−→
= OB + BC
2
1
= b + (c − b)
2
1
= (b + c)
2
−−→ −−→ −−→
v OQ = OC + CQ
−−→ 1 −−→
= OC + CA
2
1
= c + (a − c)
2
1
= (a + c)
2
−−→ −−→ −−→
vi OR = OA + AR
−−→ 1 −−→
= OA + AB
2
1
= a + (b − a)
2
1
= (a + b)
2

289
 −−→ −−→ 1
b OP. BC = (b + c).(c − b)
2
1
= (c.c − b.b)
2
1 2
= (|c| − |b|2 )
2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Now OR.AB = 0 and OQ.AC = 0
1 1
∴ (a + b).(b − a) = 0 (a + c).(c − a) = 0
2 2
1 1
∴ (a.a − b.b) = 0 (c.c − a.a) = 0
2 2
1 2 1 2
∴ (|a| − |b|2 ) = 0 (|c| − |a|2 ) = 0
2 2
∴ |a|2 − |b|2 = 0 |c|2 − |a|2 = 0
∴ |a|2 = |b|2 |c|2 = |a|2
Therefore |b|2 = |c|2
−−→ −−→ 1 2
and OP. BC = (|c| − |c|2 )
2
=0
Hence, OP is perpendicular to BC.

c OP ⊥ BC, therefore the perpendicular bisectors are concurrent.

d From b, |a|2 = |b|2 and |c|2 = |a|2 A

∴ |a|2 = |b|2 = |c|2

|a|
∴ |a| = |b| = |c| |b| |c|
O
i.e. O is the circumcentre of the triangle. B C

−−→ −−→ −→
5 a OL = OB + BL
−−→ 2 −−→
= OB + BC
3
−−→ 2 −−→ −−→
= OB + (OC − OB)
3
2
= b + (c − b)
3
1 2
= b+ c
3 3

290
 −−→ −−→
b OL = −OA
1 2
∴ b + c = −a
3 3
∴ b + 2c = −3a
∴ 3a + b + 2c = 0, as required to prove.
−−→ −−→
c i BO = −OB B

= −b
−−→ −−→ −−→
OM = OA + AM L
O
−−→ 2 −−→ A
= OA + AC M
C
5
−−→ 2 −−→ −−→
= OA + (OC − OA)
5
2
= a + (c − a)
5
3 2
= a+ c
5 5
1
= (3a + 2c)
5
1
= (−b) since 3a + b + 2c = 0
5
1 −−→
= BO
5
Therefore OM is parallel to BO and B, O and M are collinear.
1
ii BO : OM = BO : BO
5
1
=1:
5
=5:1

291
 d C, O and N are collinear
−−→ −−→
∴ ON = pCO, p ∈ R+ B
−−→
= −pOC
= −pc N
O
L

1 A C
= p × −2c M
2
1
= p × (3a + b), since 3a + b + 2c = 0
2
3p p
= a+ b 1
2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→
Also ON = OA + AN
−−→ −−→
= OA + qAB, q ∈ R+
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OA + q(OB − OA)
= a + q(b − a)
= (1 − q)a + qb 2

Equating coefficients yields

3p p
1−q= and q =
2 2
p 3p
∴ 1− =
2 2
4p
∴ 1=
2
1 1
∴ p= and q =
2 4
−−→ 1 −−→
Therefore AN = AB, so AN: NB = 1 : 3
4
−−→ −−→ −−→
6 a i OD = OA + AD
−−→ 1 −−→
= OA + AB
2
−−→ 1 −−→ −−→
= OA + (OB − OA)
2
1
= a + (b − a)
2
1
= (a + b)
2

292
 −−→ −−→ −−→
ii DE = OE − OD
−−→ −−→
= λ OB − OD
!
1
= λb − a + b
2
!
1 1
=− a+ λ− b
2 2
! !
−−→ −−→ 1 1
b DE.OB = − a + λ − b .(0a + b)
2 2
!
1 1
= − a.b + λ − b.b
2 2
−−→ −−→
If DE ⊥ OB,
−−→ −−→
then DE.OB = 0
!
1 1
∴ − a.b + λ − b.b = 0
2 2
!
1 1
∴ λ − b.b = a.b
2 2
1 1
∴ λb.b − b.b = a.b
2 2
1
∴ λb.b = (a.b + b.b)
2
1
(a.b + b.b)
∴ λ= 2 as required.
b.b

293
 −−→ −−→
c i If DE⊥OB,
1
(a.b + b.b)
then λ= 2
b.b
Let a = |a| and b = |b|
1
(ab cos θ + b2 )
∴ λ= 2
b2
1 2
(b cos θ + b2 )
= 2 since a = b
b2
1 2
b (cos θ + 1)
= 2
b2
1 1
= cos θ +
2 2
5
Now λ=
6
1 1 5
∴ cos θ + =
2 2 6
1 2
∴ cos θ =
2 6
1
=
3
2
∴ cos θ = , as required.
3

294
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
ii OF = OE + EF and AE = OE − OA
5 −−→ 1 −−→ 5 −−→ −−→
= OB + ED = OB − OA
6 2 6
5 −−→ 1 −−→ 5
= OB − DE = b−a
6 2 6
! !
5 1 1 5 1
= b− − a+ − b
6 2 2 6 2
5 1 1
= b+ a− b
6 4 6
1 2
= a+ b
4 3
! !
−−→ −−→ 1 2 5
OF.AE = a + b . b − a
4 3 6
1 5 2 5 1 2
= a. b + b. b − a.a − b.a
4 6 3 6 4 3
−11 1 5
= a.b − a.a + b.b
24 4 9
−11 11
= a.b + b.b, as |b| = |a|
24 36
2 2
As cos θ = , a.b = b.b
3 3
−−→ −−→
∴ OF.AE = 0
−−→ −−→
Since OF.AE = 0, OF⊥AE, as required.
−−→ −−→
7 a i OA.OB = (3i − 12j + 3k).(2i + aj + 2k)
= 3 × 2 + (−12) × a + 3 × 2
= 6 − 12a + 6 = 12(1 − a)
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
ii OA ⊥ OB ∴ OA.OB = 0
∴ 12(1 − a) = 0
∴ 1−a=0
∴ a=1
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b i OA ⊥ OC ∴ OA.OC = 0
∴ (3i − 12j + 3k).(xi + yj + 2k) = 0
∴ 3x − 12y + 6 = 0
∴ x − 4y + 2 = 0 1

295
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
ii OB⊥OC ∴ OB.OC = 0
∴ (2i + j + 2k).(xi + yj + 2k) = 0
∴ 2x + y + 4 = 0
∴ y = −2x − 4 2
Substituting 2 in 1 yields
x − 4(−2x − 4) + 2 = 0
∴ x + 8x + 16 + 2 = 0
∴ 9x + 18 = 0
−18
∴ x= = −2
9
∴ y = −2(−2) − 4 = 0
−−→ −−→ −−→
c i OD = OB + BD
−−→ −−→
= OB + OC
= (2i + j + 2k) + (−2i + 2k) = j + 4k
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii OX = OA + AX
−−→ −−→
= OA + OC
= (3i − 12j + 3k) + (−2i + 2k)
= i − 12j + 5k
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
iii OY = OA + AZ + ZY
−−→ −−→ −−→
= OA + OB + OC
= (3i − 12j + 3k) + (2i + j + 2k) + (−2i + 2k)
= 3i − 11j + 7k

d The heights above ground are given by the k components.

Hence X is 5 units above the ground and Y is 7 units above the ground.

296
 −−→ 3 −−→ 3
8 a i BD = BC = c
4 4
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii BE = BA + AE
−−→ 3 −−→
= BA AC
5
−−→ 3 −−→ −−→
= BA + ( BC − BA)
5
3
= a + (c − a)
5
2 3
= a+ c
5 5
−−→ −−→ −−→
iii AD = AB + BD
−−→ 3 −−→ 3
= − BA + BC = −a + c
4 4
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b BP = µ BE and BP = BA + AP
!
2 3 −−→ −−→
=µ a+ c = BA + λ AD
5 5
!
2µ 3µ 3
= a+ c = a + λ −a + c
5 5 4
3λ
= (1 − λ)a + c
4
Equating coefficients:
2µ 3µ 3µ 4µ
=1−λ and = ∴ λ=
5 5 4 5
4µ
=1−
5
6µ
∴ =1
5
5
∴ 6µ = 5 ∴ µ=
6
5
4× 2
So λ = 6
=
5 3

9 a a = pi + qj
b = qi − pj
c = −qi + pj

297
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
b i AB = OB − OA AC = OC − OA
= −i − (xi + yj) = i − (xi + yj)
= −(x + 1)i − yj = (1 − x)i − yj
−−→ −−→
ii AE = yi + (1 − x)j AF = −yi + (x + 1)j
−−→ −−→
(AC is rotated 90◦ (AB is rotated 90◦
anticlockwise about A.) clockwise about A.)
−−→
c i OA = xi + yj
−−→ −−→ −−→
EF = AF − AE
= (−yi + (x + 1)j) − (yi + (1 − x)j)
= −2yi + 2xj
= 2(−yi + xj)
−−→ −−→
OA.EF = (xi + yj).2(−yi + xj)
= 2(−xy + xy)
=0
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Since OA.EF = 0, OA is perpendicular to EF.

−−→ −−→
q q
ii |EF| = (−2y)2 + (2x)2 and |OA| = x2 + y2
q
= 4y2 + 4x2
q
= 4(x2 + y2 )
q
= 2 x2 + y2
−−→
= 2|OA|, as required to prove.
−−→
10 a i BC = mv
−−→
BE = nv
−−→
CA = mw
−−→
CF = nw

298
 −−→ −−→ −−→
ii |AE| = |AB + BE| u

= |mu + nv| 120°

v
p
= (mu + nv)2
√
= m2 u.u + 2mnu.v + n2 v.v
p
= m2 |u|2 + 2mn|u||v| cos 120◦ + n2 |v|2
r
−1
= m2 + 2mn × + n2 , since |u| = |v| = 1
2
√
= m2 − mn + n2
−−→ −−→ −−→
|FB| = |FC + CB| w
120° v
−−→ −−→
= | − CF − BC|
= | − nw − mv|
p
= (−nw − mv)2
p
= n2 |w|2 + 2mn|w||v| cos 120◦ + m2 |v|2
r
−1
= n2 + 2mn × + m2 , since |v| = |w| = 1
2
√
= m2 − mn + n2

−−→ −−→
b AE.FB = (mu + nv).(−nw − mv)
= −mnu.w − n2 v.w − m2 u.v − mnv.v
= −mn|u||w| cos 120◦ − n2 |v||w| cos 120◦ − m2 |u||v| cos 120◦ − mn|v|2
−1 −1 −1
= −mn × − n2 × − m2 × − mn, since |u| = |v| = |w| = 1
2 2 2
1 1 1
= mn + n2 + m2 − mn
2 2 2
1
= (m2 − mn + n2 ), as required.
2

299
 −−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
c AE.FB = |AE||FB| cos G
√ √
= m2 − mn + n2 m2 − mn + n2 cos G
= (m2 − mn + n2 ) cos G
−−→ −−→ 1 2
But AE.FB = (m − mn + n2 )
2
1
∴ (m2 − mn + n2 ) cos G = (m2 − mn + n2 )
2
1
∴ cos G =
2
∴ G = 60◦
By symmetry, H and K are also angles of 60◦ , hence 4GHK is equilateral.
−−→ −−→
11 a In the diagram OC = c and OA = a O
−−→ −−→ −−→
CF = CO + OF
1 F •H
= −c + a
2 • K
X •
−−→ 1
OE = (a + c)
2 A C
E

−−→ −−→
b i OE is perpendicular to AC
−−→ −−→
which implies OE.AC = 0
1
which can be written as (a + c)(c − a) = 0
2
Hence c.c − a.a = 0
which implies |c|2 = |a|2
and OA = OC
The triangle OAC is isosceles.
−−→ −−→
ii Let ∠AOC = θ. If CF is perpendicular to OA
1
|a| 1
then cos θ = 2 = , as oA = OC
|c| 2
Therefore θ = 60◦
Hence all angles are 60◦ and triangle AOC is equilateral.

300
 −−→ 1
c i OH = (a + c)
4
−−→ 1 −−→
CK = CF
2
!
1 1
= −c + a
2 2
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Now HK = HO + OC + CK
!
1 1 1
= − (a + c) + c + −c + a
4 2 2
1
= c
4
−−→ 1
Since HK = λc, λ =
4
−−→ −−→ −−→
Also FE = FA + AE
1 1
= a + (c − a)
2 2
1
= c
2
−−→ 1
Since FE = µc, µ =
2
ii HK is parallel to FE
∠XEF = ∠XHK (alternate angles)
∠XFE = ∠XKH (alternate angles)
Therefore triangle HXK is similar to triangle EXF.
−−→ −−→
iii As |HK| : |FE| = 1 : 2 (from c)
−−→ −−→
|HX| : |XE| = 1 : 2 (similar triangles)
−−→ 2 −−→
Therefore |XE| = |HE|
3
1 −−→
= |OE|
3
−−→ 2 −−→
Therefore |OX| = |OE|
3
Hence OX : XE = 2 : 1

301
 −−→
12 a OA = −2i − 2j V
−−→
OB = 2i − 2j
−−→
OC = 2i + 2j M
−−→
OD = −2i + 2j
N D C
k
j
i Q
O

A P B

−−→ −−→ −−→ 1 −−→

b PM = PB + BC + CV
2
1
= 2i + 4j + (−2i − 2j + 2hk)
2
= i + 3j + hk
−−→ −−→ −−→ 1 −−→
QN = QB + BA + AV
2
1
= −2j − 4i + (2i + 2j + 2hk)
2
= −3i − j + hk
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
c Write OX = OA + AP + λPM
= −2i − 2j + 2i + λ(i + 3j + hk)
= λi + (3λ − 2)j + λhk 1
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Also OX = OB + BQ + µQN
= 2i + µ(−3i − j + hk)
= (2 − 3µ)i − µj + µhk 2
From 1 and 2
λ = 2 − 3µ, 3λ − 2 = −µ and λh = µh
λ=µ
Therefore
and 4λ = 2
1
which implies λ=
2
1
Therefore µ=
2
−−→ 1 1 1
Therefore OX = i − j + hk
2 2 2

302
 −−→ −−→
d i If OX is perpendicular to V B!
1 1 1
i − j + hk .(2i − 2j − 2hk) = 0
2 2 2
Therefore 1 + 1 − h2 = 0
√
Therefore h = 2 as h > 0

ii Let θ be the angle between PM and QM.

−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
Consider PM.QN = |PM||QN| cos θ
√ √
Therefore −3 − 3 + 2 = 12 12 cos θ
−4
Therefore cos θ =
12
−1
=
3 !
1
θ is obtuse. The acute angle between PM and QN is cos −1
= 71◦ , to the
3
nearest degree.

e i PM and QN are diagonals of quadrilateral NMPQ and are of equal length and
bisect each other at X(c). Therefore NMPQ is a rectangle.

ii NMPQ is a square if the diagonals bisect each other at right angles.

−−→ −−→
i.e. PM.QN = 0
This implies −3 − 3 + h2 = a
√
and therefore h = 6 as h > 0

13 A C

O B

−−→ 1
a i OM = aj
2
−−→ −−→ −−→
ii MC = MA + AC
1
= ai + aj
2

303
 !
−−→ 1
b MP = λ ai + aj
2
!
−−→ 1 1
BP = aj − ai + λ ai + aj
2 2
1 −−→ −−→ −−→
= (λ − 1)ai + (1 + λ)aj Also OP = OB + BP
2
1
= λai + (1 + λ)aj
2
−−→ −−→ 1
c i BP. MC = 0 implies a2 (1 + λ) + a2 (λ − 1) = 0 (a , 0)
4
Therefore (1 + λ) + 4(λ − 1) = 0
which implies 5λ = 3
3
Therefore λ=
r √ 5
−−→ 4 2 16 2 2 5
| BP| = a + a = a
25 25 5
r
−−→ 9 2 16 2
|OP| = a + a =a
25 25
−−→
|OB| = a
−−→ −−→ −−→ −−→
ii BP. BO = | BP|| BO| cos θ
√
2 2 5 2
− a × −a = a cos θ
5 5
√
5
Therefore cos θ =
5
−−→ a √ 2
d |OP| = 4λ + 1 + 2λ + λ2
2
a√ 2
= 5λ + 2λ + 1
2
−−→ −−→ a√ 2
|OP| = |OB| implies a= 5λ + 2λ + 1
2
Squaring both sides gives 4 = 5λ2 + 2λ + 1
3
which implies λ=
or λ = −1
5
3
P1 corresponds to λ = and P2 corresponds to λ = −1
5

304
 A C

P1
M

P2 O B

e X

A
C
M P

O
B
−−→ −−→ −−→
OP = OB + BP
1
= λai + (1 + λ)aj
2
3 −−→ 3 4
From c, λ = , therefore OP = ai + aj
5 5 5
−−→ −−→ −−→
Now CX = CP + PX
2 −−→
= − MC + ak
5
2 1
= − ai − aj + ak
5 5
−−→ −−→ −−→
PY = PC + CY
! !
2 1 2 1
= ai + aj + µ − ai − aj + ak
5 2 5 5
2 1
= a(1 − µ)j + a(1 − µ)j + µak
5 5
−−→ −−→
CX.PY = 0

305
 4 2 1
∴ −a (1 − µ) − a2 (1 − µ) + µa2 = 0
25 25
4 4 1 1
∴ − a2 + a2 µ − a2 + a2 µ + µa2 = 0
25 25 25 25
2
a
∴ (−4 + 4µ − 1 + µ + 25µ) = 0
25
∴ −5 + 30µ = 0
∴ 30µ = 5
1
∴ µ=
6 !
−−→ 1 2 1
Therefore OY = ai + aj + − ai − aj + ak
6 5 5
14 29 1
= ai + aj + ak
15 30 6

306