Edexcel C4 2006 January — Question 6

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleC4 (Core Mathematics 4)
Year2006
SessionJanuary
TopicVectors 3D & Lines

6. The line \(l _ { 1 }\) has vector equation $$\mathbf { r } = 8 \mathbf { i } + 12 \mathbf { j } + 14 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) ,$$ where \(\lambda\) is a parameter. The point \(A\) has coordinates (4, 8, a), where \(a\) is a constant. The point \(B\) has coordinates ( \(b , 13,13\) ), where \(b\) is a constant. Points \(A\) and \(B\) lie on the line \(l _ { 1 }\).
  1. Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\). Given that the point \(O\) is the origin, and that the point \(P\) lies on \(l _ { 1 }\) such that \(O P\) is perpendicular to \(l _ { 1 }\),
  2. find the coordinates of \(P\).
  3. Hence find the distance \(O P\), giving your answer as a simplified surd.