1.10d Vector operations: addition and scalar multiplication

424 questions

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CAIE P1 2002 June Q5
7 marks Moderate -0.3
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{b2cefbd6-6e89-495a-9f42-60f76c8c5975-3_1070_754_255_699} The diagram shows a solid cylinder standing on a horizontal circular base, centre \(O\) and radius 4 units. The line \(B A\) is a diameter and the radius \(O C\) is at \(90 ^ { \circ }\) to \(O A\). Points \(O ^ { \prime } , A ^ { \prime } , B ^ { \prime }\) and \(C ^ { \prime }\) lie on the upper surface of the cylinder such that \(O O ^ { \prime } , A A ^ { \prime } , B B ^ { \prime }\) and \(C C ^ { \prime }\) are all vertical and of length 12 units. The mid-point of \(B B ^ { \prime }\) is \(M\). Unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are parallel to \(O A , O C\) and \(O O ^ { \prime }\) respectively.
  1. Express each of the vectors \(\overrightarrow { M O }\) and \(\overrightarrow { M C ^ { \prime } }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\).
  2. Hence find the angle \(O M C ^ { \prime }\).
CAIE P1 2003 June Q8
8 marks Moderate -0.3
8 The points \(A , B , C\) and \(D\) have position vectors \(3 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { k } , 2 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k } , 2 \mathbf { j } + 7 \mathbf { k }\) and \(- 2 \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } + 7 \mathbf { k }\) respectively.
  1. Use a scalar product to show that \(B A\) and \(B C\) are perpendicular.
  2. Show that \(B C\) and \(A D\) are parallel and find the ratio of the length of \(B C\) to the length of \(A D\).
CAIE P1 2004 June Q9
10 marks Moderate -0.8
9 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of the points \(A , B , C\) and \(D\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ 3 \\ - 1 \end{array} \right) , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ - 1 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) , \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 4 \\ 2 \\ p \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O D } = \left( \begin{array} { r } - 1 \\ 0 \\ q \end{array} \right) ,$$ where \(p\) and \(q\) are constants. Find
  1. the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow { A B }\),
  2. the value of \(p\) for which angle \(A O C = 90 ^ { \circ }\),
  3. the values of \(q\) for which the length of \(\overrightarrow { A D }\) is 7 units.
CAIE P1 2005 June Q11
11 marks Standard +0.3
11 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of the points \(A\) and \(B\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }$$
  1. Use a scalar product to find angle \(A O B\), correct to the nearest degree.
  2. Find the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow { A B }\).
  3. The point \(C\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { O C } = 6 \mathbf { j } + p \mathbf { k }\), where \(p\) is a constant. Given that the lengths of \(\overrightarrow { A B }\) and \(\overrightarrow { A C }\) are equal, find the possible values of \(p\).
CAIE P1 2007 June Q9
8 marks Moderate -0.8
9 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of the points \(A\) and \(B\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 4 \\ 1 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ 2 \\ - 4 \end{array} \right) .$$
  1. Given that \(C\) is the point such that \(\overrightarrow { A C } = 2 \overrightarrow { A B }\), find the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow { O C }\). The position vector of the point \(D\) is given by \(\overrightarrow { O D } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 1 \\ 4 \\ k \end{array} \right)\), where \(k\) is a constant, and it is given that \(\overrightarrow { O D } = m \overrightarrow { O A } + n \overrightarrow { O B }\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are constants.
  2. Find the values of \(m , n\) and \(k\).
CAIE P1 2008 June Q10
9 marks Moderate -0.3
10 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of points \(A\) and \(B\) are \(2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) and \(3 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + p \mathbf { k }\) respectively.
  1. Find the value of \(p\) for which \(O A\) and \(O B\) are perpendicular.
  2. In the case where \(p = 6\), use a scalar product to find angle \(A O B\), correct to the nearest degree.
  3. Express the vector \(\overrightarrow { A B }\) is terms of \(p\) and hence find the values of \(p\) for which the length of \(A B\) is 3.5 units.
CAIE P1 2009 June Q6
7 marks Moderate -0.3
6 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of the points \(A\) and \(B\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = 2 \mathbf { i } - 8 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = 7 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }$$
  1. Find the value of \(\overrightarrow { O A } \cdot \overrightarrow { O B }\) and hence state whether angle \(A O B\) is acute, obtuse or a right angle.
  2. The point \(X\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { A X } = \frac { 2 } { 5 } \overrightarrow { A B }\). Find the unit vector in the direction of \(O X\).
CAIE P1 2010 June Q10
11 marks Standard +0.3
10 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{56d4d40a-32f5-4f2d-938e-a24312cd42e7-4_552_629_842_758} The diagram shows the parallelogram \(O A B C\). Given that \(\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O C } = 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\), find
  1. the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow { O B }\),
  2. the acute angle between the diagonals of the parallelogram,
  3. the perimeter of the parallelogram, correct to 1 decimal place.
CAIE P1 2010 June Q6
8 marks Moderate -0.3
6 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of the points \(A , B\) and \(C\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k } , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = 3 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 8 \mathbf { k } , \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = - \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 10 \mathbf { k }$$
  1. Use a scalar product to find angle \(A B C\).
  2. Find the perimeter of triangle \(A B C\), giving your answer correct to 2 decimal places.
CAIE P1 2011 June Q4
6 marks Standard +0.3
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{53839c8c-07ea-4545-9c00-a6884aa2afc3-2_750_855_902_646} The diagram shows a prism \(A B C D P Q R S\) with a horizontal square base \(A P S D\) with sides of length 6 cm . The cross-section \(A B C D\) is a trapezium and is such that the vertical edges \(A B\) and \(D C\) are of lengths 5 cm and 2 cm respectively. Unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are parallel to \(A D , A P\) and \(A B\) respectively.
  1. Express each of the vectors \(\overrightarrow { C P }\) and \(\overrightarrow { C Q }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\).
  2. Use a scalar product to calculate angle \(P C Q\).
CAIE P1 2012 June Q6
7 marks Moderate -0.8
6 Two vectors \(\mathbf { u }\) and \(\mathbf { v }\) are such that \(\mathbf { u } = \left( \begin{array} { c } p ^ { 2 } \\ - 2 \\ 6 \end{array} \right)\) and \(\mathbf { v } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 2 \\ p - 1 \\ 2 p + 1 \end{array} \right)\), where \(p\) is a constant.
  1. Find the values of \(p\) for which \(\mathbf { u }\) is perpendicular to \(\mathbf { v }\).
  2. For the case where \(p = 1\), find the angle between the directions of \(\mathbf { u }\) and \(\mathbf { v }\).
CAIE P1 2013 June Q6
7 marks Standard +0.3
6 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of three points, \(A , B\) and \(C\), are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { i } + 2 p \mathbf { j } + q \mathbf { k } , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = q \mathbf { j } - 2 p \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = - \left( 4 p ^ { 2 } + q ^ { 2 } \right) \mathbf { i } + 2 p \mathbf { j } + q \mathbf { k }$$ where \(p\) and \(q\) are constants.
  1. Show that \(\overrightarrow { O A }\) is perpendicular to \(\overrightarrow { O C }\) for all non-zero values of \(p\) and \(q\).
  2. Find the magnitude of \(\overrightarrow { C A }\) in terms of \(p\) and \(q\).
  3. For the case where \(p = 3\) and \(q = 2\), find the unit vector parallel to \(\overrightarrow { B A }\).
CAIE P1 2013 June Q6
7 marks Moderate -0.3
6 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of points \(A\) and \(B\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = 3 \mathbf { i } + p \mathbf { j } + q \mathbf { k }$$ where \(p\) and \(q\) are constants.
  1. State the values of \(p\) and \(q\) for which \(\overrightarrow { O A }\) is parallel to \(\overrightarrow { O B }\).
  2. In the case where \(q = 2 p\), find the value of \(p\) for which angle \(B O A\) is \(90 ^ { \circ }\).
  3. In the case where \(p = 1\) and \(q = 8\), find the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow { A B }\).
CAIE P1 2013 June Q7
8 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{13cfb59a-7781-4786-a625-919b01a2a4f0-3_465_554_255_794} The diagram shows three points \(A ( 2,14 ) , B ( 14,6 )\) and \(C ( 7,2 )\). The point \(X\) lies on \(A B\), and \(C X\) is perpendicular to \(A B\). Find, by calculation,
  1. the coordinates of \(X\),
  2. the ratio \(A X : X B\).
CAIE P1 2013 June Q8
8 marks Moderate -0.3
8 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{13cfb59a-7781-4786-a625-919b01a2a4f0-3_716_437_1137_854} The diagram shows a parallelogram \(O A B C\) in which $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ 3 \\ - 4 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 5 \\ 0 \\ 2 \end{array} \right)$$
  1. Use a scalar product to find angle \(B O C\).
  2. Find a vector which has magnitude 35 and is parallel to the vector \(\overrightarrow { O C }\).
CAIE P1 2014 June Q8
6 marks Moderate -0.3
8 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of points \(A\) and \(B\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 3 p \\ 4 \\ p ^ { 2 } \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { c } - p \\ - 1 \\ p ^ { 2 } \end{array} \right)$$
  1. Find the values of \(p\) for which angle \(A O B\) is \(90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. For the case where \(p = 3\), find the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow { B A }\).
CAIE P1 2014 June Q7
7 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{1a4ddaa9-1ec2-4138-bfcb-a482fe6c942f-3_394_750_260_699} The diagram shows a trapezium \(A B C D\) in which \(B A\) is parallel to \(C D\). The position vectors of \(A , B\) and \(C\) relative to an origin \(O\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 3 \\ 4 \\ 0 \end{array} \right) , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 1 \\ 3 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 4 \\ 5 \\ 6 \end{array} \right)$$
  1. Use a scalar product to show that \(A B\) is perpendicular to \(B C\).
  2. Given that the length of \(C D\) is 12 units, find the position vector of \(D\).
CAIE P1 2014 June Q7
8 marks Standard +0.3
7 The position vectors of points \(A , B\) and \(C\) relative to an origin \(O\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 2 \\ 1 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 6 \\ - 1 \\ 7 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 2 \\ 4 \\ 7 \end{array} \right)$$
  1. Show that angle \(B A C = \cos ^ { - 1 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 3 } \right)\).
  2. Use the result in part (i) to find the exact value of the area of triangle \(A B C\).
CAIE P1 2016 June Q10
10 marks Moderate -0.3
10 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of points \(A , B\) and \(C\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ 1 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right) , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 5 \\ - 1 \\ k \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ 6 \\ - 3 \end{array} \right)$$ respectively, where \(k\) is a constant.
  1. Find the value of \(k\) in the case where angle \(A O B = 90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Find the possible values of \(k\) for which the lengths of \(A B\) and \(O C\) are equal. The point \(D\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { O D }\) is in the same direction as \(\overrightarrow { O A }\) and has magnitude 9 units. The point \(E\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { O E }\) is in the same direction as \(\overrightarrow { O C }\) and has magnitude 14 units.
  3. Find the magnitude of \(\overrightarrow { D E }\) in the form \(\sqrt { } n\) where \(n\) is an integer.
CAIE P1 2016 June Q3
4 marks Moderate -0.8
3 Relative to an origin \(O\), the position vectors of points \(A\) and \(B\) are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = 2 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }$$ The point \(C\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { A B } = \overrightarrow { B C }\). Find the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow { O C }\).
CAIE P1 2019 June Q7
7 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{ebf16cae-1e80-44d2-9c51-630f5dc3c11f-12_775_823_260_662} The diagram shows a three-dimensional shape in which the base \(O A B C\) and the upper surface \(D E F G\) are identical horizontal squares. The parallelograms \(O A E D\) and \(C B F G\) both lie in vertical planes. The point \(M\) is the mid-point of \(A F\). Unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are parallel to \(O A\) and \(O C\) respectively and the unit vector \(\mathbf { k }\) is vertically upwards. The position vectors of \(A\) and \(D\) are given by \(\overrightarrow { O A } = 8 \mathbf { i }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O D } = 3 \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { k }\).
  1. Express each of the vectors \(\overrightarrow { A M }\) and \(\overrightarrow { G M }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\).
  2. Use a scalar product to find angle \(G M A\) correct to the nearest degree.
CAIE P1 2019 June Q8
8 marks Moderate -0.3
8 The position vectors of points \(A\) and \(B\), relative to an origin \(O\), are given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 6 \\ - 2 \\ - 6 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ k \\ - 3 \end{array} \right)$$ where \(k\) is a constant.
  1. Find the value of \(k\) for which angle \(A O B\) is \(90 ^ { \circ }\).
  2. Find the values of \(k\) for which the lengths of \(O A\) and \(O B\) are equal.
    The point \(C\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { A C } = 2 \overrightarrow { C B }\).
  3. In the case where \(k = 4\), find the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow { O C }\).
CAIE P1 2016 March Q7
8 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{0f58de6c-aba7-4a79-a962-c23be3ee0aa9-3_529_698_260_721} The diagram shows a pyramid \(O A B C\) with a horizontal triangular base \(O A B\) and vertical height \(O C\). Angles \(A O B , B O C\) and \(A O C\) are each right angles. Unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are parallel to \(O A , O B\) and \(O C\) respectively, with \(O A = 4\) units, \(O B = 2.4\) units and \(O C = 3\) units. The point \(P\) on \(C A\) is such that \(C P = 3\) units.
  1. Show that \(\overrightarrow { C P } = 2.4 \mathbf { i } - 1.8 \mathbf { k }\).
  2. Express \(\overrightarrow { O P }\) and \(\overrightarrow { B P }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\).
  3. Use a scalar product to find angle \(B P C\).
CAIE P1 2002 November Q7
7 marks Moderate -0.8
7 Given that \(\mathbf { a } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ - 2 \\ 1 \end{array} \right) , \mathbf { b } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 2 \\ 6 \\ 3 \end{array} \right)\) and \(\mathbf { c } = \left( \begin{array} { c } p \\ p \\ p + 1 \end{array} \right)\), find
  1. the angle between the directions of \(\mathbf { a }\) and \(\mathbf { b }\),
  2. the value of \(p\) for which \(\mathbf { b }\) and \(\mathbf { c }\) are perpendicular.
CAIE P1 2003 November Q7
8 marks Standard +0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{1cf37a58-8a7f-4dc8-9e35-2e8badf3eb83-3_636_1047_1153_550} The diagram shows a triangular prism with a horizontal rectangular base \(A D F C\), where \(C F = 12\) units and \(D F = 6\) units. The vertical ends \(A B C\) and \(D E F\) are isosceles triangles with \(A B = B C = 5\) units. The mid-points of \(B E\) and \(D F\) are \(M\) and \(N\) respectively. The origin \(O\) is at the mid-point of \(A C\). Unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are parallel to \(O C , O N\) and \(O B\) respectively.
  1. Find the length of \(O B\).
  2. Express each of the vectors \(\overrightarrow { M C }\) and \(\overrightarrow { M N }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\).
  3. Evaluate \(\overrightarrow { M C } \cdot \overrightarrow { M N }\) and hence find angle \(C M N\), giving your answer correct to the nearest degree.