Edexcel PMT Mocks — Question 2 5 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModulePMT Mocks (PMT Mocks)
Marks5
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicVectors 3D & Lines
TypeEqual length conditions
DifficultyModerate -0.8 Part (a) requires straightforward vector subtraction and magnitude calculation to solve for a constant—a routine exercise. Part (b) involves applying the parallelogram property (opposite sides equal) using basic vector addition. Both parts are standard textbook exercises requiring only direct application of fundamental vector operations with no problem-solving insight needed.
Spec1.10a Vectors in 2D: i,j notation and column vectors1.10b Vectors in 3D: i,j,k notation1.10c Magnitude and direction: of vectors1.10f Distance between points: using position vectors

2. Relative to a fixed origin \(O\),
the point \(A\) has position vector \(( 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } )\) the point \(B\) has position vector ( \(\mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k }\) )
and the point \(C\) has position vector \(( - \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + a \mathbf { k } )\), where \(a\) is a constant and \(a > 0\).
Given that \(| \overrightarrow { B C } | = \sqrt { 41 }\) a. show that \(a = 2\). \(D\) is the point such that \(A B C D\) forms a parallelogram.
b. Find the position vector of \(D\).

Question 2:
Part (a): Show that \(a = 2\)
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMark Guidance
\(\overrightarrow{BC} = \overrightarrow{OC} - \overrightarrow{OB} = (-\mathbf{i}+\mathbf{j}+a\mathbf{k})-(\mathbf{i}+2\mathbf{j}-4\mathbf{k}) = -2\mathbf{i}-\mathbf{j}+(a+4)\mathbf{k}\)M1 Finds difference between \(\overrightarrow{OC}\) and \(\overrightarrow{OB}\), then squares and adds each of the 3 components
\((-2)^2+(-1)^2+(a+4)^2 = 41 \Rightarrow (a+4)^2 = 36\)M1 Complete method applying Pythagoras on \(
\(a = 2\) or \(a = -10\); since \(a > 0\), reject \(a = -10\), so \(a = 2\)A1 Obtains only \(a = 2\) with \(a > 0\) condition stated
(3 marks)
Part (b): Find position vector of \(D\)
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMark Guidance
\(\overrightarrow{BC} = \overrightarrow{AD} = -2\mathbf{i}-\mathbf{j}+6\mathbf{k}\); \(\overrightarrow{OD} = \overrightarrow{OA} + \overrightarrow{AD}\)M1 Complete applied strategy to find a vector expression for \(\overrightarrow{OD}\)
\(\overrightarrow{OD} = \mathbf{i} - 2\mathbf{j} + 8\mathbf{k}\)A1 Correct position vector
(2 marks)
## Question 2:

### Part (a): Show that $a = 2$

| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
|--------|------|----------|
| $\overrightarrow{BC} = \overrightarrow{OC} - \overrightarrow{OB} = (-\mathbf{i}+\mathbf{j}+a\mathbf{k})-(\mathbf{i}+2\mathbf{j}-4\mathbf{k}) = -2\mathbf{i}-\mathbf{j}+(a+4)\mathbf{k}$ | M1 | Finds difference between $\overrightarrow{OC}$ and $\overrightarrow{OB}$, then squares and adds each of the 3 components |
| $(-2)^2+(-1)^2+(a+4)^2 = 41 \Rightarrow (a+4)^2 = 36$ | M1 | Complete method applying Pythagoras on $|\overrightarrow{BC}|=\sqrt{41}$ and solving resulting quadratic to find at least one value of $a$ |
| $a = 2$ or $a = -10$; since $a > 0$, reject $a = -10$, so $a = 2$ | A1 | Obtains only $a = 2$ with $a > 0$ condition stated |

**(3 marks)**

### Part (b): Find position vector of $D$

| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
|--------|------|----------|
| $\overrightarrow{BC} = \overrightarrow{AD} = -2\mathbf{i}-\mathbf{j}+6\mathbf{k}$; $\overrightarrow{OD} = \overrightarrow{OA} + \overrightarrow{AD}$ | M1 | Complete applied strategy to find a vector expression for $\overrightarrow{OD}$ |
| $\overrightarrow{OD} = \mathbf{i} - 2\mathbf{j} + 8\mathbf{k}$ | A1 | Correct position vector |

**(2 marks)**

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2. Relative to a fixed origin $O$,\\
the point $A$ has position vector $( 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } )$\\
the point $B$ has position vector ( $\mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k }$ )\\
and the point $C$ has position vector $( - \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + a \mathbf { k } )$, where $a$ is a constant and $a > 0$.\\
Given that $| \overrightarrow { B C } | = \sqrt { 41 }$\\
a. show that $a = 2$.\\
$D$ is the point such that $A B C D$ forms a parallelogram.\\
b. Find the position vector of $D$.\\

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel PMT Mocks  Q2 [5]}}