MATH HL

EXERCISES 4.1-4.5 SOLUTIONS

VECTORS – EQUATIONS OF LINES
Compiled by: Christos Nikolaidis

A. Practice Questions
1  3
   
1. (a) AB = 1 BC =  3  , Hence BC = 3 AB . Since BC // AB and they have a common point
1  3
   
A,B,C are collinear. (Notice: You can also consider AC = 4 AB )

1  3
   
(b) r = 1 + λ  4 
1  5
   
AB ⋅ AD 12
(c) cos BAD = =
| AB | ⋅ | AD | 150
2. (a) Only B(8,3,9) lies in the line
For the following questions we notice that a point in the line has the form P ( 2 + 2λ , λ ,3 + 2λ ) .

(b) d ( A, P ) = 6 ⇒ λ = 1 or 5 The points are (4,1,5) and (12,5,13)

38 58 38 49
(c) d (O, P ) = 89 ⇒ λ = 2, λ = − The points are (6,2,7) and ( − ,− ,− )
9 9 9 9
26 34 26 25
(c) d (C , P ) = 54 ⇒ λ = 2, λ = − The points are (6,2,7) and ( − ,− ,− )
9 9 9 9
 2 + 2λ   2 
   
(e) For the foot P, DP ⊥ line ⇒  λ − 1  ⋅  1  = 0 ⇒ λ = −1 . The point is (0,-1,1)
 3 + 2λ   2 
   

(f) For P(0,-1,1) (from (e), d ( D, P ) = 5

(g) For D(0,1,0), P(0,-1,1) it is D΄(0,-3,2) (since P is the midpoint of DD΄)

2   3 −1   3 
       
3. (a) r =  − 4  + λ  7  (b) r =  5  + λ  − 1 
1  5 1 / 2  5 / 2
       
2   3 2   3
       
(c) r =  − 4  + λ  7  (d) r =  − 4  + λ  0 
10  0 −1  1
       
0 1 0 0 0 1
           
(e) r =  0  + λ  0  (f) r =  0  + λ  1  (g) r =  0  + λ  0 
0 0 0 0 0 1
           

1
4. Given two non-zero vectors a and b show that
2 2
(a) a=b ⇔ a = b ⇔ a 2 = b 2 ⇔ a 2 − b 2 = 0 (a + b) ⋅ (a − b) = 0 ⇔ a + b ⊥ a − b
2 2
(b) a + b=a − b ⇔ a + b = a − b ⇔ (a + b)2 = (a − b) 2
⇔ a 2 + 2a ⋅ b + b 2 = a 2 − 2a ⋅ b + b 2 ⇔ 4a ⋅ b = 0 ⇔ a ⋅ b = 0 ⇔ a ⊥ b
(c)
B C

a–b
a+b
a

A b D

(i) a parallelogram is a rhombus if and only if the diagonals are equal

(ii) a parallelogram is a rectangle if and only if the diagonals bisect each other
(iii) a parallelogram is a square if and only if the diagonals are equal and bisect each other

5. (a) 27.3 (b) 48.2 (c) P(5,6,7)

(d) They pass through P(5,6,7) . Since the direction vectors have the same magnitude,
for the bisector lines we can consider the direction vectors d 1 ± d 2
5  3 5 1
       
r =  6  + λ  3  and r =  6  + λ  − 1
7  4 7 0
       
(otherwise we would add and subtract the unit vectors of d 1 , d 2 )
(e) The foot is P(29/9, 22/9, 31/9) so the reflection of A is A΄(49/9,8/9,35/9)
(f) it is the line passing through P(5,6,7) and A΄(49/9,8/9,35/9)
5  4/9  5  2 
       
r =  6  + λ  − 46 / 9  which can be simplified to r =  6  + λ  − 23 
7  − 28 / 9  7  − 14 
       
6. Two bodies are moving according to the equations
1  2  4 1
       
r1 =  4  + t  1  and r2 =  4  + t  2 
 3  2  5  2
       
 2 1
   
(a) v1 =  1  , v 2 =  2  speeds: v1 = 9 = 3 , v 2 = 9 = 3
 2  2
   
(b) Point of intersection (5,6,7)
(c) They do not collide since at the point of intersection t1 = 2 , t2 = 1

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B. Past Paper questions (SHORT)

7. v . w = 2 + 3 +2 = 7 (A1)
v = 6 w = 14 (A1) (A1)
 v⋅w 
 = arccos 
7 
θ = arccos    = 0.702 radians. (M1)(A1) (A1)
 v w   6 14 
[6]
 4  − 3
   
8. (a) Finding correct vectors AB =  3  AC =  1  A1A1
 − 1  1 
   
Substituting correctly in scalar product AB ⋅ AC = 4(–3) + 3(1) – 1(1) A1
= –10 AG 3
(b) AB = 26 AC = 11 (A1)(A1)
) − 10
Attempting to use scalar product formula, cos BAC = M1
26 11
= –0.591 (to 3 s.f) AG 3
[6]
 3  1  5 
     
9. 2a − b = 2 2  −  5  =  − 1  (M1)(A1)
 − 1  2   − 4 
     
 5  2
  
 − 1   y  =0 ⇒ 10 – y – 12 = 0 ⇒ y = -2 (M1)(A1)(A1)(A1) C6
 − 4  3 
  
[6]
10. a•b = 3 (A1)

[6]

3
 a .b
11. Method 1: Let the angle be α, then cosα = (M1)
ab
2 sin θ cos θ
= (A1)
(1)(1)
π 
= sin 2θ= cos  − 20  (M1)
2 
π
α= – 2θ or α = arcos(sin 2θ) (A2) (C5)
2
Method 2:
y

Q(sin , cos )
y=x
v 1
P(cos , sin )
1
u
α
x
Q is the image of P under a reflection in y = x (M2)
α π π
θ+ = α= – 2θ (A2)(A1) (C5)
2 4 2
[5]
→ →

(a) ˆ = OP ⋅ OQ = − 6  = − 6 
cos POQ (M1)(A1)(A1)
12. → →  
OP  OQ 14 24  336 
Note: Award (A1) for scalar product, and (A1) for correct values of magnitudes.
ˆ = 109o (1.90 radians)
POQ (A1) (C4)
(b) METHOD 1
1 → → ˆ = 8.66 (Accept 8.67)
area ∆POQ = PO OQ sin POQ (M1)(A1) (C2)
2
METHOD 2 (this requires the cross product; it will be learned later on)
1 → 1
( )
→
area ∆POQ = OP × OQ = 10i + 10 j + 10k = 75 = 5 3 (M1)(A1) (C2)
2 2
[6]
13. a • b = │a││b│cos θ (M1)
 1   3 
   
a • b =  − 2  •  − 2  = 7 + 3m A1
 3  m
   
a = 14 b = 13 + m 2 A1
a b cos θ = 14 13 + m 2 cos 30°
7 + 3m = 14 13 + m 2 cos 30° A1
m = 2.27, m = 25.7 A1A1
[6]
14. AH = 5 cm, HC = 3 5 cm, AC = 2 13 cm (A2)
Note: Award (A2) for all 3 correct, (A1) for 2 correct.
AH + CH 2 − AC 2 25 + 45 − 52
2
cos AHˆ C = = (M1)
2( AH )(CH ) 30 5
ˆ
i.e. AHC = 74.4° (to the nearest one-tenth of a degree) (A1)
[4]

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15. BC = c – b
CA = a – c
⇒ a • (c – b) = 0 and b • (a – c) = 0 M1 M1
⇒ a • c = a • b and a • b = b • c A1 A1
⇒ a•c=b•c M1
⇒ b • c – a • c = 0 ⇒ c • (b – a) = 0 A1
⇒ OC is perpendicular to AB , as b ≠ a. AG
[6]
2 2
16. u + v = u – v => u + v = u – v (M1)
=> (u + v) . (u + v) = (u – v) . (u – v) (M1)(A1)
=> u2 + 2u . v + v2 = u2 – 2u . v + v2 (A1)
=> 4u . v = 0=> u . v = 0 (A1) (A1) (C6)
[6]
17.

[6]
18. Solve 1 + λ = 1 + 2µ, 1 + 2λ = 4 + µ, 1 + 3λ = 5 + 2µ (M1)(A1)
Solving, λ = 2, (or µ = 1). (A1)
 3
 
P has position vector 3i + 5j + 7k; or  5  (A1)(A1)(A1) (C6)
7
 
[6]
Extra question (for the bisector lines)
 1 / 14   2 / 3
   
The direction unit vectors are: d 1 =  2 / 14  , d 2 =  1 / 3 
   2 / 3
 3 / 14   
 3  1 / 14 + 2 / 3   3  1 / 14 − 2 / 3 
       
The lines are: r =  5  + λ  2 / 14 + 1 / 3  and r =  5  + λ  2 / 14 − 1 / 3 
7   7  
   3 / 14 + 2 / 3     3 / 14 − 2 / 3 

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19.

[6]
x  1   1   x  5 3
           
20. Line (AB) is  y  =  4  + λ  1  Line (CD) is  y  =  6  + µ  2  (A1)(A1)
 z   – 1  – 1  z  3 1 
           
at point of intersection of two lines
1 + λ = 5 + 3µ
4 + λ = 6 + 2µ
–1 – λ = 3 + µ (M1)
solving simultaneously any two of these three equations gives
λ = –2 and µ = –2 (only one value required). (A2)
⇒ point of intersection (–1, 2, 1) (A1) (C6)
Note:Since question states that lines intersect,no need to check the solution in 3rd equation
[6]
21. The direction of the line is v = 2i – 2j + k and v= 3. (M1) (A1)
Therefore, the position vector of any point on the line 6 units from A is
3i – 2k ± 2v = 7i – 4j or –i + 4j – 4k, (M1)(A1)
giving the point (7, –4, 0) or (–1, 4, –4). (A1) (C5)
OR
Any point on the line has the form P(3+2λ,-2λ,-2+λ). The distance between A and B must be 6.
This will give two values for λ: λ=±2. Thus the point is (7, –4, 0) or (–1, 4, –4).
[5]
 5 
 
22. (a) AB =  – 10  . Direction vector of line is 1: –2: 5.
 25 
 
(Accept any multiple of 1: –2: 5) (M1)
Therefore the equation of l in parametric form is
x = λ + l, y = –2λ + 3, z = 5λ – 17 (A1)(A1)(A1)
(or x = λ + 6, y = –2λ – 7, z = 5λ + 8, or any equivalent parametric form) 4
(b) P on l => P can be written as (p + 1, –2p + 3, 5p – 17).
 p +1   1 
   
OP ⊥ l =>  – 2 p + 3  ⋅  – 2  = 0 (M1)
 5 p – 17   5 
   
p + 1 + 4p – 6 + 25p – 85 = 0 (A1)
30p = 90 => p = 3
Therefore P is (4, –3, –2) (A1) 3
[7]

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23. EITHER
The position vector for the point nearest to the origin is perpendicular to
the direction of the line. At that point:
 1 − λ   −1
   
 2 − 3λ  •  − 3  = 0 (M1)A1
 2   0 
   
7
Therefore, 10λ – 7 = 0 Therefore, λ = A1A1
10
OR
Let s be the distance from the origin to a point on the line, then
s2 = (1 – λ)2 + (2 – 3λ)2 + 4= 10λ2 – 14λ + 9 (M1)A1
d( s 2 ) d( s 2 ) 7
= 20λ – 14 For minimum = 0, ⇒ λ = A1A1
dλ dλ 10
THEN
3 1  3 −1 
x= ,y=− The point is  , , 2  . (A1)(A1) N3
10 10  10 10 
[6]
24.
A(0, 2, 2)

B(t+5, 2t+9, 2t+6)

v=i+2
 jt+2
+k5   1 
  
AB . v = 0 Therefore,  2t + 7 . 2  = 0 (M1)
 2t + 4   2 
  
t + 5 + 4t + 14 + 4t + 8 = 0, giving t = –3 (A1)(A1)
 2 
 
Then AB =  1  , and the required distance AB = 3. (A1)
 − 2
 
[4]
Extra questions
(b) for t = –3 we obtain B(2,3,0)
(c) B (2,3,0) is the midpoint of AA΄. Since we know A(0,2,2), we obtain A΄(4,4,-2)

C. Past Paper Questions (LONG)

→ →
OA • AB
25. (a) Use of cosθ = → →
(M1)
OA AB

→ → →
AB = i − j + k AB = 3 and OA = 3 2 A1A1
→ →
OA • AB = 6 A1
2  
substituting gives cosθ =  = 6  or equivalent M1 N1
6  3 

→ →
(b) L1: r = OA + s AB or equivalent (M1)
L1: r = i − j + 4k + s(i − j + k) or equivalent A1
Note: Award (M1)A0 for omitting “r =” in the final answer.

7
 (c) Equating components and forming equations involving s and t (M1)
1 + s = 2 + 2t, −1 − s = 4 + t, 4 + s = 7 + 3t
Having two of the above three equations A1A1
Attempting to solve for s or t (M1)
Finding either s = −3 or t = −2 A1
Explicitly showing that these values satisfy the third equation R1
Point of intersection is (−2, 2, 1) A1 N1
Note: Position vector is not acceptable for final A1.
[14]
26. (a) Given the points A(–1, 2, 3), B(–1, 3, 5) and C(0, –1, 1),
0  1 
then AB =  1  , AC =  − 3  and AB = 5 , AC = 14 (A1)(A1)
2 − 2
   
The size of the angle between the vectors AB and AC is given by
 
 AB ⋅ AC   −7 
θ = arccos   = arccos  = 147° (3 s.f.) or 2.56 rad (M1)(A1) 4
 AB AC   5 14 
 
1 1
(b) Area = AB AC sinθ or AB × AC (M1)
2 2
 21 
Area = 2.29 units2  accept 2.28, 2.30 and (A1) 2
 2 
(c) (i) The parametric equations of l1 and l2 are
l1: x = 2, y = –1 + λ, z = 2λ (A1)
l2: x = –1 + µ, y = 1 – 3µ, z = 1 – 2µ (A1)
Note: At this stage accept answers with the same parameter for both lines.
(ii) To test for a point of intersection we use the system of equations:
2 = –1 + µ 1
–1 + λ = 1 – 3µ 2
2λ = 1 – 2µ 3 (M1)
Then µ = 3, λ = –7 from 1 and 2 (A1)
Substituting into 3 gives RHS = –14, LHS = –5 (M1) 5
Therefore the system of equations has no solution and the lines do not intersect.

(d) Consider random points P(2,-1+λ,2λ) on l1 and Q(-1+µ,1-3µ, 1-2µ) on l2.

 −3+ µ 
 
Then PQ =  2 − 3 µ − λ  .
1 − 2 µ − 2λ 
 
0  1 
   
PQ is perpendicular to both lines: so PQ ⋅  1  = 0 and PQ ⋅  − 3  = 0
 2  − 2
   
That is
( 2 − 3µ − λ ) + 2(1 − 2µ − 2λ ) = 0 ⇒ 5λ + 7 µ = 4
( −3 + µ ) − 3(2 − 3µ − λ ) − 2(1 − 2 µ − 2λ ) = 0 ⇒ 7λ + 14µ = 11
 − 12 / 7 
  189
This gives λ= -1, µ=9/7. PQ =  − 6 / 7  . |PQ|= = 1.96
 3/7  7
 
[16]

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27.

[20]