Vectors: Cross Product & Distances

178 questions · 20 question types identified

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Shortest distance between two skew lines

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the minimum distance between two non-intersecting lines using the formula |(b₁-b₂)·(d₁×d₂)|/|d₁×d₂|.

42 Challenging +1.0
23.6% of questions
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1 The line \(l _ { 1 }\) passes through the points \(( 0,0,10 )\) and \(( 7,0,0 )\) and the line \(l _ { 2 }\) passes through the points \(( 4,6,0 )\) and \(( 3,3,1 )\). Find the shortest distance between \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
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Easiest question Standard +0.3 »
2
  1. A plane \(\Pi\) has the equation \(\mathbf { r } \cdot \left( \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ 6 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right) = 15 . C\) is the point \(( 4 , - 5,1 )\).
    Find the shortest distance between \(\Pi\) and \(C\).
  2. Lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have the following equations. $$\begin{aligned} & l _ { 1 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 4
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Hardest question Challenging +1.8 »
6 Th p itim ctosg th \(\dot { \mathrm { p } }\) ns \(A , B , C , D\) are $$2 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } - 3 \mathbf { k } , \quad - 2 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } , \quad \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } , \quad \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } + m \mathbf { k }$$ resp ctively, wh re \(m\) is an in eg r. It is g n th the sh test d stan e b tween th lie th g \(\quad A\) ad \(B\) ad lie th g \(\quad C\) ad \(D\) is 3
  1. Shat that to b sib ey le \(6 m\) is 2
  2. Fid b sh test il stan e \(6 D\) frm th lie thrg \(\mathrm { h } A\) ad \(C\).
  3. Swat the actu eas eb tweert b p an \(\mathrm { s } A C D\) ad \(B C D\) is co \({ } ^ { - 1 } \left( \frac { 1 } { \sqrt { 3 } } \right)\).
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Volume of tetrahedron using scalar triple product

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the volume of a tetrahedron or pyramid using the scalar triple product formula (1/6)|a·(b×c)|.

29 Challenging +1.0
16.3% of questions
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9 With respect to a fixed origin \(O\), the points \(A ( - 1,5,1 ) , B ( 1,0,3 ) , C ( 2 , - 1,2 )\) and \(D ( 3,6 , - 1 )\) are the vertices of a tetrahedron.
  1. Find the volume of the tetrahedron \(A B C D\). The plane \(\Pi\) contains the points \(A , B\) and \(C\).
  2. Find a cartesian equation of \(\Pi\). The point \(T\) lies on the plane \(\Pi\). The line \(D T\) is perpendicular to \(\Pi\).
  3. Find the exact coordinates of the point \(T\).
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Easiest question Standard +0.3 »
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{8b3dd4a1-b270-4bd7-88d6-fe10601f9d74-03_333_360_328_794} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have position vectors \(\mathbf { a } , \mathbf { b }\) and \(\mathbf { c }\) respectively, relative to a fixed origin \(O\), as shown in Figure 1. It is given that $$\mathbf { a } = \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } , \quad \mathbf { b } = 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \mathbf { c } = 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } .$$ Calculate
  1. \(\mathbf { b } \times \mathbf { c }\),
  2. a.(b \(\times \mathbf { c ) }\),
  3. the area of triangle \(O B C\),
  4. the volume of the tetrahedron \(O A B C\).
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Hardest question Challenging +1.8 »
1 A tetrahedron ABCD has vertices \(\mathrm { A } ( - 3,5,2 ) , \mathrm { B } ( 3,13,7 ) , \mathrm { C } ( 7,0,3 )\) and \(\mathrm { D } ( 5,4,8 )\).
  1. Find the vector product \(\overrightarrow { \mathrm { AB } } \times \overrightarrow { \mathrm { AC } }\), and hence find the equation of the plane ABC .
  2. Find the shortest distance from \(D\) to the plane \(A B C\).
  3. Find the shortest distance between the lines AB and CD .
  4. Find the volume of the tetrahedron ABCD . The plane \(P\) with equation \(3 x - 2 z + 5 = 0\) contains the point B , and meets the lines AC and AD at E and F respectively.
  5. Find \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) such that \(\overrightarrow { \mathrm { AE } } = \lambda \overrightarrow { \mathrm { AC } }\) and \(\overrightarrow { \mathrm { AF } } = \mu \overrightarrow { \mathrm { AD } }\). Deduce that E is between A and C , and that F is between A and D.
  6. Hence, or otherwise, show that \(P\) divides the tetrahedron ABCD into two parts having volumes in the ratio 4 to 17.
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Common perpendicular to two skew lines

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find points P on line l₁ and Q on line l₂ such that PQ is perpendicular to both lines, or to find the equation of this perpendicular.

13 Challenging +1.6
7.3% of questions
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3 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations \(\mathbf { r } = 6 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 7 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } )\) and \(\mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } + \mu ( - 6 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } )\) respectively. The point \(P\) on \(l _ { 1 }\) and the point \(Q\) on \(l _ { 2 }\) are such that \(P Q\) is perpendicular to both \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\). Find the position vectors of \(P\) and \(Q\).
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Easiest question Challenging +1.2 »
3 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations \(\mathbf { r } = 6 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 7 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } )\) and \(\mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } + \mu ( - 6 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } )\) respectively. The point \(P\) on \(l _ { 1 }\) and the point \(Q\) on \(l _ { 2 }\) are such that \(P Q\) is perpendicular to both \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\). Find the position vectors of \(P\) and \(Q\).
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Hardest question Challenging +1.8 »
5.The lines \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) have vector equations \(L _ { 1 } : \quad \mathbf { r } = - 2 \mathbf { i } + 11.5 \mathbf { j } + \lambda ( 3 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } )\), \(L _ { 2 } : \quad \mathbf { r } = 11.5 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + 8.5 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( 7 \mathbf { i } + 8 \mathbf { j } - 11 \mathbf { k } )\),
where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are parameters.
(a)Show that \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) do not intersect.
(b)Show that the vector \(( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } )\) is perpendicular to both \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) . The point \(A\) lies on \(L _ { 1 }\) ,the point \(B\) lies on \(L _ { 2 }\) and \(A B\) is perpendicular to both \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) .
(c)Find the position vector of the point \(A\) and the position vector of the point \(B\) .
(8) \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{0df09d8a-7478-4679-b117-128ee226db6a-4_554_1017_404_571} Figure 1 shows a sketch of part of the curve \(C\) with equation $$y = \sin ( \ln x ) , \quad x \geq 1 .$$ The point \(Q\) ,on \(C\) ,is a maximum.
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Area of triangle using cross product

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the area of a triangle using the magnitude of the cross product of two edge vectors.

10 Standard +0.6
5.6% of questions
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6. The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have coordinates \(A ( 4,5,2 ) , B ( - 3,2 , - 4 )\) and \(C ( 2,6,1 )\) Use a vector product to show that the area of triangle \(A B C\) is \(\frac { 5 \sqrt { 11 } } { 2 }\) [0pt] [4 marks]
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Easiest question Moderate -0.3 »
1
  1. Find a vector which is perpendicular to both \(\left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ 3 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right)\) and \(\left( \begin{array} { r } - 3 \\ - 6 \\ 4 \end{array} \right)\).
  2. The cartesian equation of a line is \(\frac { x } { 2 } = y - 3 = 2 z + 4\). Express the equation of this line in vector form.
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Hardest question Challenging +1.2 »
12 Three intersecting lines \(L _ { 1 } , L _ { 2 }\) and \(L _ { 3 }\) have equations \(L _ { 1 } : \frac { x } { 2 } = \frac { y } { 3 } = \frac { z } { 1 } , \quad L _ { 2 } : \frac { x } { 1 } = \frac { y } { 2 } = \frac { z } { - 4 } \quad\) and \(\quad L _ { 3 } : \frac { x - 1 } { 1 } = \frac { y - 2 } { 1 } = \frac { z + 4 } { 5 }\).
Find the area of the triangle enclosed by these lines.
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Equation of plane through three points

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the Cartesian or vector equation of a plane given three points, typically using cross product for the normal.

9 Standard +0.4
5.1% of questions
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1 Points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have coordinates \(( 0,1 , - 4 ) , ( 1,1 , - 2 )\) and \(( 3,2,5 )\) respectively.
  1. Find the vector product \(\overrightarrow { A B } \times \overrightarrow { A C }\).
  2. Hence find the equation of the plane \(A B C\) in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
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Easiest question Standard +0.3 »
9 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{dd7b2aee-4318-48e8-97c0-541e47f2e83a-3_704_714_1272_717} The diagram shows three points \(A , B\) and \(C\) whose position vectors with respect to the origin \(O\) are given by \(\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ - 1 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) , \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 0 \\ 3 \\ 1 \end{array} \right)\) and \(\overrightarrow { O C } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 3 \\ 0 \\ 4 \end{array} \right)\). The point \(D\) lies on \(B C\), between \(B\) and \(C\), and is such that \(C D = 2 D B\).
  1. Find the equation of the plane \(A B C\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
  2. Find the position vector of \(D\).
  3. Show that the length of the perpendicular from \(A\) to \(O D\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } \sqrt { } ( 65 )\).
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Hardest question Challenging +1.2 »
1 A mine contains several underground tunnels beneath a hillside. The hillside is a plane, all the tunnels are straight and the width of the tunnels may be neglected. A coordinate system is chosen with the \(z\)-axis pointing vertically upwards and the units are metres. Three points on the hillside have coordinates \(\mathrm { A } ( 15 , - 60,20 )\), \(B ( - 75,100,40 )\) and \(C ( 18,138,35.6 )\).
  1. Find the vector product \(\overrightarrow { \mathrm { AB } } \times \overrightarrow { \mathrm { AC } }\) and hence show that the equation of the hillside is \(2 x - 2 y + 25 z = 650\). The tunnel \(T _ { \mathrm { A } }\) begins at A and goes in the direction of the vector \(15 \mathbf { i } + 14 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k }\); the tunnel \(T _ { \mathrm { C } }\) begins at C and goes in the direction of the vector \(8 \mathbf { i } + 7 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k }\). Both these tunnels extend a long way into the ground.
  2. Find the least possible length of a tunnel which connects B to a point in \(T _ { \mathrm { A } }\).
  3. Find the least possible length of a tunnel which connects a point in \(T _ { \mathrm { A } }\) to a point in \(T _ { \mathrm { C } }\).
  4. A tunnel starts at B , passes through the point ( \(18,138 , p\) ) vertically below C , and intersects \(T _ { \mathrm { A } }\) at the point Q . Find the value of \(p\) and the coordinates of Q .
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Perpendicular distance from point to plane

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the shortest distance from a point to a plane using the formula |ax₀+by₀+cz₀-d|/√(a²+b²+c²).

8 Standard +0.7
4.5% of questions
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7 The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have coordinates \(A ( 4,5,2 ) , B ( - 3,2 , - 4 )\) and \(C ( 2,6,1 )\) 7
  1. Use a vector product to show that the area of triangle \(A B C\) is \(\frac { 5 \sqrt { 11 } } { 2 }\) [0pt] [4 marks]
    7
  2. The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) lie in a plane.
    Find a vector equation of the plane in the form r.n \(= k\) 7
  3. Hence find the exact distance of the plane from the origin.
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Find reflection of point in line or plane

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the image of a point after reflection in a line or plane.

7 Challenging +1.2
3.9% of questions
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8 The equation of a plane is \(4 x + 2 y + z = 7\).
The point \(A\) has coordinates \(( 9,6,1 )\) and the point \(B\) is the reflection of \(A\) in the plane.
Find the coordinates of the point \(B\).
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Angle between vectors using scalar product

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find an angle in a triangle or between vectors using the scalar (dot) product formula.

7 Standard +0.3
3.9% of questions
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6 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of the points \(A\) and \(B\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = 7 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k }$$
  1. Use a scalar product to find angle \(O A B\).
  2. Find the area of triangle \(O A B\).
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Find parameter value for geometric condition

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find a constant or parameter value given a distance, angle, or other geometric constraint involving vectors.

6 Standard +0.8
3.4% of questions
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5 Vectors, \(\mathbf { a } , \mathbf { b }\) and \(\mathbf { c }\), are given by \(\mathbf { a } = \mathbf { i } + ( 1 - p ) \mathbf { j } + ( p + 2 ) \mathbf { k } , \mathbf { b } = 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\) and \(\mathbf { c } = \mathbf { i } + 14 \mathbf { j } + ( p - 3 ) \mathbf { k }\) where \(p\) is a constant. You are given that \(\mathbf { a } \times \mathbf { b }\) is perpendicular to \(\mathbf { c }\). Determine the possible values of \(p\).
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Perpendicular distance from point to line

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the shortest distance from a point to a line using cross product or perpendicular projection methods.

6 Standard +0.4
3.4% of questions
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3 Find the perpendicular distance from the point with position vector \(12 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k }\) to the line with equation \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k } + t ( 8 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - 6 \mathbf { k } )\).
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Distance between parallel planes or line and parallel plane

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the distance between two parallel planes or between a line and a plane parallel to it.

5 Standard +0.8
2.8% of questions
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6 The plane with equation \(2 x + 2 y - z = 5\) is denoted by \(m\). Relative to the origin \(O\), the points \(A\) and \(B\) have coordinates \(( 3,4,0 )\) and \(( - 1,0,2 )\) respectively.
  1. Show that the plane \(m\) bisects \(A B\) at right angles.
    A second plane \(p\) is parallel to \(m\) and nearer to \(O\). The perpendicular distance between the planes is 1 .
  2. Find the equation of \(p\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
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Line lies in or parallel to plane

A question is this type if and only if it asks to verify or find conditions for a line to lie in a plane or be parallel to it.

4 Standard +0.4
2.2% of questions
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9 The line \(l\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } + t ( 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } )\). It is given that \(l\) lies in the plane with equation \(2 x + b y + c z = 1\), where \(b\) and \(c\) are constants.
  1. Find the values of \(b\) and \(c\).
  2. The point \(P\) has position vector \(2 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k }\). Show that the perpendicular distance from \(P\) to \(l\) is \(\sqrt { } 5\).
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Find foot of perpendicular from point to line

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the coordinates of the point on a line closest to a given point by solving perpendicularity conditions.

4 Standard +0.4
2.2% of questions
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10 The points \(A ( 5 , - 4,6 )\) and \(B ( 6 , - 6,8 )\) lie on the line \(L\). The point \(C\) is \(( 15 , - 5,9 )\). 10
  1. \(D\) is the point on \(L\) that is closest to \(C\).
    Find the coordinates of \(D\).
    10
  2. Hence find, in exact form, the shortest distance from \(C\) to \(L\).
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Equation of plane containing line and point/parallel to vector

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find a plane equation given a line it contains and either a point on the plane or a direction it's parallel to.

4 Challenging +1.2
2.2% of questions
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7 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations \(\mathbf { r } = - 5 \mathbf { j } + \lambda ( 5 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { k } )\) and \(\mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } )\) respectively. The plane \(\Pi\) contains \(l _ { 1 }\) and is parallel to \(l _ { 2 }\).
  1. Find the equation of \(\Pi\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
  2. Find the distance between \(l _ { 2 }\) and \(\Pi\).
    The point \(P\) on \(l _ { 1 }\) and the point \(Q\) on \(l _ { 2 }\) are such that \(P Q\) is perpendicular to both \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
  3. Show that \(P\) has position vector \(\frac { 55 } { 27 } \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } + \frac { 22 } { 27 } \mathbf { k }\) and state a vector equation for \(P Q\).
    If you use the following lined page to complete the answer(s) to any question(s), the question number(s) must be clearly shown.
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Show lines are skew (non-intersecting)

A question is this type if and only if it asks to prove that two lines do not intersect by showing no common point exists or are not parallel.

3 Standard +0.3
1.7% of questions
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8 The points \(A\) and \(B\) have position vectors, relative to the origin \(O\), given by \(\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O B } = 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { k }\). The line \(l\) has vector equation \(\mathbf { r } = 2 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } + \mu ( - \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } )\).
  1. Show that the line passing through \(A\) and \(B\) does not intersect \(l\).
  2. Show that the length of the perpendicular from \(A\) to \(l\) is \(\frac { 1 } { \sqrt { 2 } }\).
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Acute angle between line and plane

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the angle between a line and a plane using sin(θ) = |d·n|/(|d||n|) where d is the line direction and n is the plane normal.

2 Standard +0.6
1.1% of questions
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13 The points A and B have coordinates \(( 4,0 , - 1 )\) and \(( 10,4 , - 3 )\) respectively. The planes \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) have equations \(x - 2 y = 5\) and \(2 x + 3 y - z = - 4\) respectively.
  1. Find the acute angle between the line AB and the plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\).
  2. Show that the line AB meets \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) at the same point, whose coordinates should be specified.
    1. Find \(( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } ) \times ( 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } )\).
    2. Hence find the acute angle between the planes \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\).
    3. Find the shortest distance between the point A and the line of intersection of the planes \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\).
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Acute angle between two planes

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the angle between two planes using the angle between their normal vectors.

2 Standard +0.3
1.1% of questions
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9 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{98ee8d3e-9aba-46a2-aa9c-b1e2093f393e-14_666_703_260_721} The diagram shows a set of rectangular axes \(O x , O y\) and \(O z\), and four points \(A , B , C\) and \(D\) with position vectors \(\overrightarrow { O A } = 3 \mathbf { i } , \overrightarrow { O B } = 3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } , \overrightarrow { O C } = \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O D } = 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k }\).
  1. Find the equation of the plane \(B C D\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
  2. Calculate the acute angle between the planes \(B C D\) and \(O A B C\).
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Line of intersection of two planes

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the vector or Cartesian equation of the line where two planes intersect.

1 Standard +0.8
0.6% of questions
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  1. Referred to a fixed origin O , the points \(\mathrm { P } , \mathrm { Q }\) and R have coordinates \(( \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) , ( - 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 3 \mathbf { k } )\) and \(( 3 \mathbf { j } - 5 \mathbf { k } )\) respectively. The plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) passes through \(\mathrm { P } , \mathrm { Q }\) and R . Find
    1. \(\overrightarrow { \mathrm { PQ } } \times \overrightarrow { \mathrm { QR } }\),
    2. a cartesian equation of \(\Pi _ { 1 }\).
    The plane \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r }\). ( \(\mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }\) ) \(= 6\). The planes \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) intersect in the line I .
  2. Find a vector equation of I, giving your answer in the form ( \(\mathbf { r } - \mathbf { a }\) ) \(\times \mathbf { b } = \mathbf { 0 }\).
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Intersection of line with plane

A question is this type if and only if it asks to find the coordinates where a line meets a plane by substituting the line equation into the plane equation.

1 Standard +0.8
0.6% of questions
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7 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have vector equations $$\mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + \lambda ( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } ) \quad \text { and } \quad \mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } )$$ respectively.
  1. Show that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect.
  2. Find the perpendicular distance from the point \(P\) whose position vector is \(3 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } + 6 \mathbf { k }\) to the plane containing \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
  3. Find the perpendicular distance from \(P\) to \(l _ { 1 }\).
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Verify perpendicularity using scalar product

A question is this type if and only if it asks to verify that angles are 90° or that vectors/lines are perpendicular by showing their scalar product equals zero.

1 Standard +0.3
0.6% of questions
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7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{5fed65b9-a848-4343-858c-3cbac0608b24-3_736_399_260_872} The diagram shows a triangular pyramid \(A B C D\). It is given that $$\overrightarrow { A B } = 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } , \quad \overrightarrow { A C } = \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { A D } = \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } - 7 \mathbf { k }$$
  1. Verify, showing all necessary working, that each of the angles \(D A B , D A C\) and \(C A B\) is \(90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Find the exact value of the area of the triangle \(A B C\), and hence find the exact value of the volume of the pyramid.
    [0pt] [The volume \(V\) of a pyramid of base area \(A\) and vertical height \(h\) is given by \(V = \frac { 1 } { 3 } A h\).]
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Unclassified

Questions not yet assigned to a type.

14
7.9% of questions
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10 The line \(l\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 9 \mathbf { j } + 9 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( - 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } )\). The point \(A\) has position vector \(3 \mathbf { i } + 8 \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k }\).
  1. Show that the length of the perpendicular from \(A\) to \(l\) is 15 .
  2. The line \(l\) lies in the plane with equation \(a x + b y - 3 z + 1 = 0\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants. Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
1 Four points have coordinates \(\mathrm { A } ( - 2 , - 3,2 ) , \mathrm { B } ( - 3,1,5 ) , \mathrm { C } ( k , 5 , - 2 )\) and \(\mathrm { D } ( 0,9 , k )\).
  1. Find the vector product \(\overrightarrow { \mathrm { AB } } \times \overrightarrow { \mathrm { CD } }\).
  2. For the case when AB is parallel to CD ,
    (A) state the value of \(k\),
    (B) find the shortest distance between the parallel lines AB and CD ,
    (C) find, in the form \(a x + b y + c z + d = 0\), the equation of the plane containing AB and CD .
  3. When AB is not parallel to CD , find the shortest distance between the lines AB and CD , in terms of \(k\).
  4. Find the value of \(k\) for which the line AB intersects the line CD , and find the coordinates of the point of intersection in this case.
6 The line \(l _ { 1 }\) passes through the point with position vector \(8 \mathbf { i } + 8 \mathbf { j } - 7 \mathbf { k }\) and is parallel to the vector \(4 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j }\). The line \(l _ { 2 }\) passes through the point with position vector \(7 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k }\) and is parallel to the vector \(4 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { k }\). The point \(P\) on \(l _ { 1 }\) and the point \(Q\) on \(l _ { 2 }\) are such that \(P Q\) is perpendicular to both \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\). In either order,
  1. show that \(P Q = 13\),
  2. find the position vectors of \(P\) and \(Q\).
The points \(A , B , C\) and \(D\) have coordinates as follows: $$A ( 2,1 , - 2 ) , \quad B ( 4,1 , - 1 ) , \quad C ( 3 , - 2 , - 1 ) \quad \text { and } \quad D ( 3,6,2 ) .$$ The plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) passes through the points \(A , B\) and \(C\). Find a cartesian equation of \(\Pi _ { 1 }\). Find the area of triangle \(A B C\) and hence, or otherwise, find the volume of the tetrahedron \(A B C D\).
[0pt] [The volume of a tetrahedron is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } \times\) area of base × perpendicular height.]
The plane \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) passes through the points \(A , B\) and \(D\). Find the acute angle between \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\). \footnotetext{Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge. }
11 The line \(l _ { 1 }\) passes through the points \(A ( 2,3 , - 5 )\) and \(B ( 8,7 , - 13 )\). The line \(l _ { 2 }\) passes through the points \(C ( - 2,1,8 )\) and \(D ( 3 , - 1,4 )\). Find the shortest distance between the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\). The plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) passes through the points \(A , B\) and \(D\). The plane \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) passes though the points \(A , C\) and \(D\). Find the acute angle between \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\), giving your answer in degrees.
The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations \(\mathbf { r } = 8 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } )\) and \(\mathbf { r } = 5 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - 14 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( 2 \mathbf { j } - 3 \mathbf { k } )\) respectively. The point \(P\) on \(l _ { 1 }\) and the point \(Q\) on \(l _ { 2 }\) are such that \(P Q\) is perpendicular to both \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\). Find the position vector of the point \(P\) and the position vector of the point \(Q\). The points with position vectors \(8 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k }\) and \(5 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - 14 \mathbf { k }\) are denoted by \(A\) and \(B\) respectively. Find
  1. \(\overrightarrow { A P } \times \overrightarrow { A Q }\) and hence the area of the triangle \(A P Q\),
  2. the volume of the tetrahedron \(A P Q B\). (You are given that the volume of a tetrahedron is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } \times\) area of base × perpendicular height.) \footnotetext{Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
    To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at \href{http://www.cie.org.uk}{www.cie.org.uk} after the live examination series.
    Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge. }
The position vectors of the points \(A , B , C , D\) are $$\mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } , \quad 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k } , \quad 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } , \quad 5 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } + \alpha \mathbf { k } ,$$ respectively, where \(\alpha\) is a positive integer. It is given that the shortest distance between the line \(A B\) and the line \(C D\) is equal to \(2 \sqrt { } 2\).
  1. Show that the possible values of \(\alpha\) are 3 and 5 .
  2. Using \(\alpha = 3\), find the shortest distance of the point \(D\) from the line \(A C\), giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
  3. Using \(\alpha = 3\), find the acute angle between the planes \(A B C\) and \(A B D\), giving your answer in degrees.
    \footnotetext{Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
    To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at \href{http://www.cie.org.uk}{www.cie.org.uk} after the live examination series. Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge. }
10 The line \(l _ { 1 }\) is parallel to the vector \(a \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\), where \(a\) is a constant, and passes through the point whose position vector is \(9 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\). The line \(l _ { 2 }\) is parallel to the vector \(- a \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k }\) and passes through the point whose position vector is \(- 6 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } + 10 \mathbf { k }\).
  1. It is given that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect.
    (a) Show that \(a = - \frac { 6 } { 13 }\).
    (b) Find a cartesian equation of the plane containing \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
  2. Given instead that the perpendicular distance between \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) is \(3 \sqrt { } ( 30 )\), find the value of \(a\).
2 The position vectors of points \(A , B , C\), relative to the origin \(O\), are \(\mathbf { a } , \mathbf { b } , \mathbf { c }\), where $$\mathbf { a } = 3 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } , \quad \mathbf { b } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } , \quad \mathbf { c } = 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }$$ Find \(\mathbf { a } \times \mathbf { b }\) and deduce the area of the triangle \(O A B\). Hence find the volume of the tetrahedron \(O A B C\), given that the volume of a tetrahedron is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } \times\) area of base × perpendicular height.
The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations $$\mathbf { r } = 6 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } + s ( 3 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } ) \quad \text { and } \quad \mathbf { r } = 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } + t ( \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } )$$ respectively. The point \(P\) on \(l _ { 1 }\) and the point \(Q\) on \(l _ { 2 }\) are such that \(P Q\) is perpendicular to both \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\). Show that the position vector of \(P\) is \(3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) and find the position vector of \(Q\). Find, in the form \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { a } + \lambda \mathbf { b } + \mu \mathbf { c }\), an equation of the plane \(\Pi\) which passes through \(P\) and is perpendicular to \(l _ { 1 }\). The plane \(\Pi\) meets the plane \(\mathbf { r } = p \mathbf { i } + q \mathbf { j }\) in the line \(l _ { 3 }\). Find a vector equation of \(l _ { 3 }\).
8 The plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) has equation $$\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 5 \\ 1 \\ 0 \end{array} \right) + s \left( \begin{array} { r } - 4 \\ 1 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) + t \left( \begin{array} { l } 0 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{array} \right)$$
  1. Find a cartesian equation of \(\Pi _ { 1 }\).
    The plane \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) has equation \(3 x + y - z = 3\).
  2. Find the acute angle between \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\), giving your answer in degrees.
  3. Find an equation of the line of intersection of \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\), giving your answer in the form \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { a } + \lambda \mathbf { b }\). [5]
6 With \(O\) as the origin, the points \(A , B , C\) have position vectors $$\mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } , \quad 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 7 \mathbf { k } , \quad \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }$$ respectively.
  1. Find the shortest distance between the lines \(O C\) and \(A B\).
  2. Find the cartesian equation of the plane containing the line \(O C\) and the common perpendicular of the lines \(O C\) and \(A B\).
6 With \(O\) as the origin, the points \(A , B , C\) have position vectors $$\mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } , \quad 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 7 \mathbf { k } , \quad \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }$$ respectively.
  1. Find the shortest distance between the lines \(O C\) and \(A B\).
  2. Find the cartesian equation of the plane containing the line \(O C\) and the common perpendicular of the lines \(O C\) and \(A B\).
  1. With respect to a fixed origin \(O\) the point \(A\) has coordinates \(( 3,6,5 )\) and the line \(l\) has equation
$$( \mathbf { r } - ( 12 \mathbf { i } + 30 \mathbf { j } + 39 \mathbf { k } ) ) \times ( 7 \mathbf { i } + 13 \mathbf { j } + 24 \mathbf { k } ) = \mathbf { 0 }$$ The points \(B\) and \(C\) lie on \(l\) such that \(A B = A C = 15\) Given that \(A\) does not lie on \(l\) and that the \(x\) coordinate of \(B\) is negative,
  1. determine the coordinates of \(B\) and the coordinates of \(C\)
  2. Hence determine a Cartesian equation of the plane containing the points \(A , B\) and \(C\) The point \(D\) has coordinates \(( - 2,1 , \alpha )\), where \(\alpha\) is a constant.
    Given that the volume of the tetrahedron \(A B C D\) is 147
  3. determine the possible values of \(\alpha\) Given that \(\alpha > 0\)
  4. determine the shortest distance between the line \(l\) and the line passing through the points \(A\) and \(D\), giving your answer to 2 significant figures. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c0ac1e1e-16bf-4a06-9eaa-8dcf01177722-24_2267_50_312_1980}