2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

Tutorial 16.1 : Vectors I

DIY Questions

1. Objective/skill: To find position vectors and to test for understanding of collinearity.

The points A, B, C have position vectors p + q, 2p – 2q and 6p + λq respectively relative to

JJJG JJJG
an origin. Find AB and AC . If A, B and C are collinear, find the value of λ.
JJJG JJJG JJJG
If
AB = OB − OA JJJAG ,B anJJJG
d C are collinear,
= ( 2p − 2q ) − ( p + q ) AB = μ AC

= p − 3q p − 3q = μ ⎡⎣5p + ( λ − 1) q ⎤⎦

JJJG JJJG JJJG p − 3q = 5μp + μ ( λ − 1) q

AC = OC − OA 1 = 5μ (1)
= ( 6p + λ q ) − ( p + q ) − 3 = μ (λ − 1) (2)
= 5p + ( λ − 1) q
1
From (1), μ =
5

1
−3= (λ − 1)
5
λ = −14

2. Objective/skill: To find vector equation and Cartesian equation.

A, B, C have position vectors i + 3j – k, 2i – 2j – k, – i + 2j + 5k respectively. Find the vector

equation and the Cartesian equation of the line AM where M is the midpoint of BC.
JJJJG JJJJG JJJG
By midpoint theorem AM = OM − OA Equation of line AM in vector
JJJJG 1 JJJG JJJG
2
(
OM = OB + OC ) ⎛1 ⎞
⎜ 2⎟ ⎛ 1 ⎞
equation form
⎛1⎞ ⎛1⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎡⎛ 2 ⎞ ⎛ −1⎞ ⎤ = ⎜ 0 ⎟−⎜ 3 ⎟ r =⎜ 3 ⎟+λ⎜ 6 ⎟
1 ⎢⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ −1⎟ ⎜ −6 ⎟
= ⎢⎜ −2 ⎟ + ⎜ 2 ⎟ ⎥ ⎜ 2 ⎟ ⎝ −1⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
2 ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎝ ⎠
⎢⎣⎝ −1 ⎠ ⎝ 5 ⎠ ⎥⎦
⎛− 1 ⎞ x = 1+ λ
⎛1 ⎞ ⎜ 2⎟
⎜ 2⎟ = ⎜ −3 ⎟ y = 3 + 6λ
=⎜ 0 ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎜ 3 ⎟ z = −1 − 6λ
⎜ ⎟ ⎝ ⎠
⎜ 2 ⎟ x −1 y − 3 − z −1
⎝ ⎠ ⎛1⎞ λ= = =
1⎜ ⎟ 1 6 6
=− ⎜ 6 ⎟
2⎜ ⎟ Equation of line AM in Cartesian
⎝ −6 ⎠
form
x −1 y − 3 − z −1
= =
1 6 6

Vectors 1
 2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

3. Objective/skill: To find vector equation and points of intersection.

1 − 3y
Write the equations x − 2 = = 4 − 2 z in vector equation form. Hence, find the
2
coordinates of the point where the line cuts (a) the plane z = 0 (b) the xz-plane.

1− 3y (a) When line cuts the plane z = 0 ,

Let x − 2 = = 4 − 2z = λ
2 4 − 2(0) = λ
x−2=λ λ=4
x = 2+λ ⎛ 2+4 ⎞ ⎛ 6 ⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
1 2
1− 3y r = ⎜ − ( 4) ⎟ = ⎜ − 7 ⎟
=λ ⎜3 3 ⎟ ⎜ 3⎟
2 ⎜ 0 ⎟ ⎝ 0 ⎠
⎝ ⎠
1 2
y= − λ (b) When the line cuts the xz-plane, y = 0
3 3
1 − 3(0)
4 − 2z = λ =λ
2
1
z = 2− λ 1
2 λ=
2
Equation of line in vector equation form
⎛ 1 ⎞
⎛ ⎞ ⎜ 2+ ⎟ ⎛5 ⎞
⎜ 2+λ ⎟ ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎜ 2 ⎟ ⎜ 2⎟
⎛ x⎞ ⎜ ⎟ ⎛⎜ 2 ⎞⎟ ⎜ ⎟ r=⎜ 0 ⎟=⎜ 0 ⎟
⎜ ⎟ ⎜1 2 ⎟
r = ⎜ y⎟ = − λ = ⎜ ⎟+λ − ⎟
1 ⎜ 2 ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
3 ⎜ 3⎟
⎜ z ⎟ ⎜⎜ 3 3 ⎟⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜⎜ − 1 ⎟⎟
⎜ 2 − 1 ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎟ ⎜⎝ 7 4 ⎟⎠
⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠ 1 ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎜ 2 ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎟⎠
⎜2− λ ⎟ ⎝ 2⎠ ⎝
⎝ 2 ⎠

Practice Questions

4. Objective/skill: To apply ratio theorem and prove a point lies on a line.

In a parallelogram OABC, P is the midpoint of AB. Q is divides OP in the ratio 2 : 1.

Show that Q lies on AC and find the ratio of AQ : QC

C B

Q P

O A
JJJG 1
By midpoint theorem OP = ( a + b ) .
2

Vectors 2
 2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

JJJG 2 JJJG JJJG JJJG JJJG JJJG

OQ = OP AQ = OQ − OA We want to express QC in
3 1 terms of a and JJJG
b, then
2 1 = (a + b ) − a
= × (a + b ) 3 compare with AQ .
3 2 2 1
1 = − a+ b JJJG 1
= (a + b ) 3 JJJG
JJJG JJJG 3 QC = ( b − a ) − ( a + b )
3 QC = OC − OQ 3
2 4
1 = b− a
If we are able to show = c − (a + b ) 3 3
AQ & QC , then we can 3
⎡ 2 1 ⎤
conclude that Q lies on = 2 ⎢− a + b⎥
AC. Furthermore, we observe ⎣ 3 3 ⎦
that b = c + a JJJG
= 2 AQ
JJJG JJJG
Since QC = 2 AQ and Q is common, points A,C,Q are collinear. The ratio of AQ : QC is 1 : 2.

Alternative
JJJG 1
OQ = ( a + b ) (see above for detailed workings)
3
We also observe that b = c + a
JJJG
If Q were to lie on line AC, then OQ would satisfy ratio theorem, i.e.
JJJG 1 1 2 1 2a + c
OQ = ( a + b ) = ( a + c + a ) = a + c =
3 3 3 3 3

2 1
Since + = 1 , from ratio theorem, Q divides AC internally in the ratio 1 : 2. Therefore
3 3
points A, Q, C are collinear and AQ : QC is 1 : 2.

5. Objective/skill: To find points of intersection and angle between two lines.

N2002/P2/4
a) Show that the lines given by
r = (5i + 2 j + 4k ) + λ (i + 3j + k ) and r = (3i + j + k ) + μ (4i + 7 j + 5k )
intersects, and find their point of intersection.
b) Calculate the acute angle between the lines.

(a) To check whether the lines intersect, we equate both lines together, i.e.
⎛ 5 + λ ⎞ ⎛ 3 + 4μ ⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎜ 2 + 3λ ⎟ = ⎜ 1 + 7 μ ⎟
⎜ 4 + λ ⎟ ⎜ 1 + 5μ ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
Consider the first two equations 5 + λ = 3 + 4 μ and 2 + 3λ = 1 + 7 μ . Solving them
simultaneously, we obtain λ = 2 , μ = 1 .

Vectors 3
 2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

Now we check for the consistency in the third equation. Substitute λ = 2 , μ = 1 into the
equation 4 + λ = 1 + 5μ , we obtain L.H.S. = 4 + 2 = 6 = 1 + 5 = R.H.S. Hence the lines
intersects.

Their point of intersection is ( 7,8, 6 ) .

(b) Let θ be the angle between the two lines. By scalar-dot product rule, we have
⎛1⎞ ⎛ 4⎞ ⎛1⎞ ⎛ 4⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎜ 3 ⎟ ⋅ ⎜ 7 ⎟ = ⎜ 3 ⎟ ⎜ 7 ⎟ cos θ
⎜1⎟ ⎜ 5⎟ ⎜1⎟ ⎜ 5⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
30 10
Simplifying, we get cos θ = = , or θ = 17.5° .
11 90 11

6. Objective/skill: To find modulus, unit vectors, line of projection and length of

perpendicular.

N2001/P2/15
a) The points P and Q have position vectors 3i − j + k and 9i − 7 j − 2k . Show that
PQ = 9 .
JJJG
Find the unit vector in the direction of PQ , and also a Cartesian equation for the
line PQ.
The line l , which passes through P, has equation
x − 3 y +1 z −1
= =
−2 1 2
Find
(i) The length of the projection of PQ onto l .
(ii) The length of the perpendicular from Q to l .

⎛ 9⎞ ⎛3⎞ ⎛ 6⎞
JJJG JJJG JJJG ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
(a) The first part is straight-forward. PQ = OQ − OP = ⎜ −7 ⎟ − ⎜ −1⎟ = ⎜ −6 ⎟ .
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎝ −2 ⎠ ⎝ 1 ⎠ ⎝ −3 ⎠
JJJG
Hence PQ = PQ = 6 2 + ( −6 ) + ( −3) = 9 .
2 2

⎛ 6⎞ ⎛ 2⎞
JJJG 1 JJJG 1 ⎜ ⎟ 1 ⎜ ⎟
The unit vector in the direction of PQ is JJJG PQ = ⎜ −6 ⎟ = ⎜ −2 ⎟ .
PQ 9⎜ ⎟ 3⎜ ⎟
⎝ −3 ⎠ ⎝ −1 ⎠

⎛3⎞ ⎛ 2⎞ ⎛ x⎞ ⎛ 3 ⎞ ⎛ 2⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
The equation of line PQ is r = ⎜ −1⎟ + λ ⎜ −2 ⎟ . In other words, ⎜ y ⎟ = ⎜ −1⎟ + λ ⎜ −2 ⎟ .
⎜1⎟ ⎜ −1 ⎟ ⎜z⎟ ⎜ 1 ⎟ ⎜ −1 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

Vectors 4
 2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

We write the vector form into three separate equations, and make λ the subject in order to
x − 3 − y −1 − z +1
obtain the Cartesian form = = .
2 2 1

(i) Let m denote the direction vector for line l. Then the length of projection of PQ onto l is
given by PQ ⋅m ˆ

In order to find m, we rewrite the equation of line l into vector form, i.e. let
x − 3 y +1 z −1
μ= = =
−2 1 2
⎛ 3 − 2μ ⎞ ⎛3⎞ ⎛ −2 ⎞ ⎛ −2 ⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
Rearranging, we get r = ⎜ −1 + μ ⎟ , or r = ⎜ −1⎟ + μ ⎜ 1 ⎟ . Hence m = ⎜ 1 ⎟ .
⎜ 1 + 2μ ⎟ ⎜1⎟ ⎜ 2⎟ ⎜ 2⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
Q
⎛ 2 ⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎜ − 2⎟ l
⎜ −1⎟
⎝ ⎠
θ R

P
⎛ − 2⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎜ 1 ⎟
⎜ 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠

Hence length of projection of PQ onto l is given by

⎛ 6 ⎞ ⎛ −2 ⎞
1 ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ 1
−6 ⎟ ⋅ ⎜ 1 ⎟ = ( −12 − 6 − 6 ) = 8 units
2 ⎜
( −2 ) + 1 + 2 ⎜⎝ −3 ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ 2 ⎟⎠ 3
2 2

(ii) By Pythagoras’ Theorem, the length of the perpendicular from Q to the line l is simply
the length QR, which is given by 92 − 82 = 17 .

7. Objective/skill: To find perpendicular distance and angle between two lines.

The equation of a line l is r = λi – (λ + 4)j + k. Given that OA is perpendicular to l, find,

with respect to origin O, the position vector of the point A on l. Hence find the
perpendicular distance of the line l from O. Find also the acute angle between l and
x y −1 z + 3
another line with equation = = .
−4 1 5

Equation of line l Equation of line l2

x y −1 z + 3
= = =λ
−4 1 5
x = −4λ

Vectors 5
 2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

⎛ λ ⎞ ⎛0 ⎞ ⎛1⎞ y −1
= λ ⇒ y = 1+ λ
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ 1
r = ⎜ −4 − λ ⎟ = ⎜ −4 ⎟ + λ ⎜ −1⎟
⎜ 1 ⎟ ⎜1 ⎟ ⎜0⎟ z +3
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ = λ ⇒ z = −3 + 5λ
5
⎛ x ⎞ ⎛ 0 − 4λ ⎞
⎛ t ⎞ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
JJJG ⎜ ⎟ r = ⎜ y ⎟ = ⎜ 1+ λ ⎟
OA = ⎜ −4 − t ⎟ for some t ∈ \ ⎜ z ⎟ ⎜ −3 + 5λ ⎟
⎜ 1 ⎟ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
⎝ ⎠
JJJG ⎛0⎞ ⎛ −4 ⎞
Since OA perpendicular to l ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
r =⎜ 1 ⎟+λ⎜ 1 ⎟
⎛ t ⎞ ⎛1⎞ ⎜ −3 ⎟ ⎜ 5⎟
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
⎜ −4 − t ⎟ ⋅ ⎜ −1⎟ = 0
⎜ 1 ⎟ ⎜0⎟ The acute angle between l and l2
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
t + 4 + t = 0 ⇒ t = −2 ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ −4 ⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎜ −1⎟ ⋅ ⎜ 1 ⎟
⎛ −2 ⎞ ⎛ −2 ⎞ ⎜0⎟ ⎜ 5⎟
JJJG ⎜ = cos −1 ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ = cos −1 5 = 56.9°
⎟ ⎜ ⎟
Hence OA = ⎜ −4 + 2 ⎟ = ⎜ −2 ⎟ ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ −4 ⎞ 84
⎜ 1 ⎟ ⎜1⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎜ −1⎟ ⎜ 1 ⎟
Shortest distance between l and origin ⎜0⎟ ⎜5⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
⎛ −2 ⎞
JJJG ⎜ ⎟
= OA = ⎜ −2 ⎟ = 3
⎜1⎟
⎝ ⎠

8. Objective/skill: Prove two lines are perpendicular and area of triangle using cross
product.

N2007/1/6
Referred to the origin O , the position vectors of points A and B are given
i – j +2k and 2i +4j + k respectively.
(i) Show that OA is perpendicular to OB.
(ii) Find the position vector of the point M on the line segment AB such that AM:MB
= 1:2.
(iii) The point C has position vector -4i +2j + 2k . Use a vector product to find the
exact area of triangle OAC.

⎛1⎞ ⎛ 2⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ 2⎞
JJJG ⎜ ⎟ JJJG ⎜ ⎟ JJJG JJJG ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
(i) Given that OA = ⎜ −1⎟ , OB = ⎜ 4 ⎟ . Since OA ⋅ OB = ⎜ −1⎟ ⋅ ⎜ 4 ⎟ = 2 − 4 + 2 = 0 , OA
⎜2⎟ ⎜1⎟ ⎜ 2 ⎟ ⎜1⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
and OB are perpendicular.

JJJG JJJG ⎛ 4⎞
JJJJG 2OA + OB 1 ⎜ ⎟
(ii) By ratio theorem, OM = = ⎜ 2⎟ .
3 3⎜ ⎟
⎝5⎠

Vectors 6
 2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ −4 ⎞ ⎛ −6 ⎞
1 JJJG JJJG 1 ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ 1 ⎜
(iii) Area of triangle OAC is given by OA × OC = ⎜ −1⎟ × ⎜ 2 ⎟ = ⎜ −10 ⎟⎟ = 35 .
2 2⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ 2⎜ ⎟
⎝2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ −2 ⎠

9. Objective/skill: To use ratio theorem, prove two lines are perpendicular, understand
what are dot and cross products.

N2009/P2/2
Relative to the origin O, two points A and B have position vectors given by
a = 14i + 14 j + 14k and b = 11i - 13j + 2k respectively.
(i) The point P divides the line AB in the ratio 2 : 1. Find the coordinates of P.
(ii) Show that AB and OP are perpendicular.
JJJG
(iii) The vectors c is a unit vector in the direction of OP . Write c as a column vector,
and give the geometrical meaning of a.c .
JJJG
(iv) Find a × p , where p is the vector OP , and give the geometrical meaning of a × p .
Hence write down the area of triangle OAP.

A 2 P 1
B

O
JJJG JJJG ⎡⎛14 ⎞ ⎛ 11 ⎞ ⎤ ⎛ 12 ⎞
JJJG OA + 2OB 1 ⎢⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟⎥ ⎜ ⎟
OP = = ⎢⎜14 ⎟ + 2 ⎜ −13 ⎟ ⎥ = ⎜ −4 ⎟ .
2 +1 3 ⎜ ⎟ ⎜
⎢⎣⎝14 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎟⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎜⎝ 6 ⎟⎠
The coordinates of P is (12, −4, 6 ) .
ii)
⎛ 12 ⎞ ⎛ 14 ⎞ ⎛ −3 ⎞
JJJG JJJG JJJG ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
AB = OB − OA = ⎜ −4 ⎟ − ⎜ 14 ⎟ = ⎜ −27 ⎟ .
⎜ 6 ⎟ ⎜ 14 ⎟ ⎜ −12 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

⎛ −3 ⎞ ⎛ 12 ⎞
JJJG JJJG ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
AB ⋅ OP = ⎜ −27 ⎟ ⋅ ⎜ −4 ⎟ = −36 + 108 − 72 = 0
⎜ −12 ⎟ ⎜ 6 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
Hence AB and OP are perpendicular.
iii)

Vectors 7
 2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

JJJG ⎛ 12 ⎞ ⎛ 6⎞
OP 1 ⎜ ⎟ 1⎜ ⎟
c = JJJG = ⎜ − 4 ⎟ = 7 ⎜ −2 ⎟
122 + ( −4 ) + 62
2
OP ⎜ 6⎟ ⎜ 3⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
JJJG JJJG
a ⋅ c is the length of projection of OA onto the line with the direction OP .

iv)
⎛ 14 ⎞ ⎛ 12 ⎞ ⎡⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ 6 ⎞ ⎤ ⎡⎛ (1)( 3) − (1)( −2 ) ⎞ ⎤ ⎛5⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎢⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ ⎢⎜ ⎟⎥ ⎜ ⎟
a × p = ⎜ 14 ⎟ × ⎜ −4 ⎟ = 28 ⎢⎜ 1⎟ × ⎜ −2 ⎟ ⎥ = 28 ⎢⎜ − ( (1)( 3) − (1)( 6 ) ) ⎟ ⎥ = 28 ⎜ 3 ⎟
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎢⎜ ⎟⎥ ⎜ −8 ⎟
⎝ 14 ⎠ ⎝ 6 ⎠ ⎣⎢⎝1⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠ ⎦⎥ ⎢⎣⎝ (1)( −2 ) − (1)( −6 ) ⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎝ ⎠

a × p is the area of parallelogram with two sides OA and OP .

⎛5⎞
1 1 ⎜ ⎟
Area of triangle OAP = a × p = 28 ⎜ 3 ⎟ = 14 52 + 32 + ( −8 ) = 98 2 units 2
2

2 2 ⎜ ⎟
⎝ −8 ⎠

Mastery Questions

10. Objective/skill: To find equation of line, points of intersection and angle between
(J94/1/14) In the diagram, O is centre of the square base ABCD of a right pyramid,
vertex V. Perpendicular unit vectors i, j, k are parallel to AB, AD, OV respectively. The
length of AB is 4 units and the length of OV is 2h units. P, Q, M and N are the mid-
points of AB, BC, CV and VA respectively. The point O is taken as the origin for
position vectors.
⎛ 0 ⎞ ⎛1⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
(a) Show that the equation of the line PM may be expressed as r = ⎜ −2 ⎟ + t ⎜ 3 ⎟ ,
⎜ 0 ⎟ ⎜h⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
where t is a parameter.
V
(b) Find an equation for the line QN. M
(c) Show that the lines PM and QN intersect,
JJJG D C
and that the position vector OX of their N k j
⎛ 12 ⎞
⎜ ⎟ O i
point of intersection is ⎜ − 1 2 ⎟ .
⎜1 ⎟ P
B
⎝ 2h⎠ A
(d) Given that OX is perpendicular to VB,
find the value of h and calculate the acute angle between PM and QN, giving your
answer correct to the nearest 0.1°.

Vectors 8
 2010 SAJC JC2 H2 Mathematics

JJJJG 1 JJJG JJJG

( 1
)
(a) By ratio theorem, OM = OV + OC = ( 2i + 2 j + 2hk ) = i + j + hk .
2 2
JJJJG JJJJG JJJG
Hence PM = OM − OP = i + j + hk − ( −2 j) = i + 3j + hk .
⎛ 0 ⎞ ⎛1⎞
JJJG JJJJG ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
The equation of the line PM is r = OP + t PM = ⎜ −2 ⎟ + t ⎜ 3 ⎟ .
⎜ 0 ⎟ ⎜h⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

JJJG 1 JJJG JJJG

( 1
)
(b) Similarly, ON = OA + OV = ( −2i − 2 j + 2hk ) = −i − j + hk .
2 2
JJJG JJJG JJJG
Hence QN = ON − OQ = −i − j + hk − 2i = −3i − j + hk .
⎛ 2 ⎞ ⎛ −3 ⎞
JJJG JJJG ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
The equation of the line QN is r = OQ + sQN = ⎜ 0 ⎟ + s ⎜ −1 ⎟ .
⎜0⎟ ⎜ h ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

⎛ t ⎞ ⎛ 2 − 3s ⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
(c) To show that both lines, we equate them, i.e. ⎜ −2 + 3t ⎟ = ⎜ − s ⎟ . Clearly, by
⎜ ht ⎟ ⎜ hs ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
1
observation, for a solution set that satisfy all three equations, we require t = s = . Hence
2
⎛ 2 ⎞
1

⎜ ⎟
OX = ⎜ − 12 ⎟ .
⎜ 1 h⎟
⎝2 ⎠

⎛ 2 ⎞ ⎛ 12 ⎞ ⎛ 2 ⎞
JJG ⎜ ⎟ JJJG JJG ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
(d) VB = ⎜ −2 ⎟ . OX ⊥ VB ⇒ OX ⋅ VB = 0 ⇒ ⎜ − 12 ⎟ ⋅ ⎜ −2 ⎟ = 0 ⇒ h = ± 2 . Clearly from the
⎜ −2 h ⎟ ⎜ 1 h ⎟ ⎜ −2 h ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝2 ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
diagram, h = 2 .

⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ −3 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ −3 ⎞
From scalar-dot product rule, ⎜⎜ 3 ⎟⎟ ⋅ ⎜⎜ −1 ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ 3 ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ −1 ⎟⎟ cos θ . Substituting h = 2 and solving,
⎜h⎟ ⎜ h ⎟ ⎜h⎟ ⎜ h ⎟
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
1
we get θ = cos −1 = 70.5° .
3

Vectors 9