GCSE QUESTIONS ON VECTORS

P
1. OP = 4a + 5b and OQ = 5a b.

4a + 5b

R is a point on PQ such that PR : RQ = 1 : 2.

O
(a) Express OR in terms of a and b. 5a b
Q
(3)
(b) PS = a + 4b

Express OS in terms of a and b.

(2)
(c) What two facts do OR and OS indicate about the points O, R and S?

Give a reason for each of your answers.

(2)
Total 7 marks)

2. OAB is a triangle where M is the mid-point of OB. B

Not drawn accurately

P and Q are points on AB such that AP = PQ = QB. b Q

M
OA = a and OB = 2b
P
b
(a) Find, in terms of a and b, expressions for
A
a
(i) BA O

(1)

(ii) MQ
(2)

(iii) OP
(2)

(b) What can you deduce about quadrilateral OMQP?

Give a reason for your answer.
(2)
(Total 7 marks)
C B
3. ABCDEF is a regular hexagon with centre O.
Diagram drawn accurately
b
OA = a and AB = b
D O A
a

(a) Find expressions, in terms of a and b, for

E F
(i) OB
(1)

(ii) AC
(1)

(iii) EC (1)

B A Judson 1
 GCSE QUESTIONS ON VECTORS
(b) The positions of points P and Q are given by the vectors

OP = a b OQ = a + 2b

(i) Draw and label the positions of points P and Q on the diagram.
(2)

(ii) Hence, or otherwise, deduce an expression for PQ .

(1)
(Total 6 marks)

4. In the diagram OACD, OADB and ODEB are parallelograms.

E

OA = a and OB = b

D C
B
(a) Express, in terms of a and b, the following vectors.
Give your answers in their simplest form.

b
(i) OD
(1)
O a A

(ii) OC
(1)

(iii) AB
(1)

(b) The point F is such that OCFE is a parallelogram.

Write the vector CF in terms of a and b.

(2)

(c) What geometrical relationship is there between the points O, D and F? Justify your
answer.
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

5. In triangle ABC, M lies on BC such that BM = 3 BC.

4 B Not drawn accurately

AB = s and AC = t
s

Find AB in terms of s and t. M

Give your answer in its simplest form. A

t
C

A
(Total 3 marks)

a
6. In the diagram OP = 4a, PA = a,
P
Q
OB = 5b, BR = 3b and AQ = 2 AB
5
4a

Not drawn accurately

B A Judson O B
R 2
5b 3b
 GCSE QUESTIONS ON VECTORS
(a) Find, in terms of a and b, simplifying your answers,

(i) AB
(1)
(ii) PQ
(2)

(b) Show clearly that points P, Q and R lie on a straight line.

(3)
(Total 6 marks)

7. OPQR is a parallelogram.
M is the mid-point of the diagonal OQ.
R Q

OP = 2p and OR = 2r
2r
M

(a) Express OM in terms of p and r. O P

2p
(1)

(b) Use vectors to prove that M is also the mid-point of PR.

(3)
(Total 4 marks)

8. PQRSTU is a regular hexagon and O is the centre of the hexagon.

U P

OP = p and OQ = q
p

T Q
O q
Express each of the following vectors in terms of p and q

(a) PQ S R
(1)

(b) SP
(1)

(c) SQ
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

9. The diagram shows two sets of parallel lines.

U V W

Vector PQ = a and vector PS = b

Not to scale
S T
PR = 3PQ and PU = 2 PS
b
P a Q R
(a) Write the vector PV in terms of a and b
(1)

(b) Write the vector RU in terms of a and b (1)

B A Judson 3
 GCSE QUESTIONS ON VECTORS
(c) Find two vectors that can be written as 3a b
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

10. OACB is a parallelogram and M is the mid-point of BC.

A C
OA = a and OB = b
Not drawn accurately
a
M
N
(a) Express the following vectors in terms of a and b O b B

(i) BA
(1)

(ii) AM
(1)

(b) AM is extended to N, where AN = 2 AM .

Show that BN = b
(2)

(c) What does this tell you about the position of N?

(1)
(Total 5 marks)
11. In triangle ABC, M is the mid-point of BC. B

AB = s and AC = t
s M

(a) Find AM in terms of s and t.

Give your answer in its simplest form. A C
t (3)

(b) AD = s + t
The length of AB is not equal to the length of AC.

(i) Write down the name of the shape ABDC.

(1)

(ii) Write down one fact about the points A, M and D.

Explain your answer.
(2)
(Total 6 marks)
12. OPQR is a parallelogram.
M is the midpoint of the diagonal OQ. R Q
OP = 2p and OR = 2r
2r
M

(a) Express OM in terms of p and r.

O P (1)
2p

(b) Use vectors to show that M is the midpoint of PR.

(3)
(Total 4 marks)

B A Judson 4