1.10g Problem solving with vectors: in geometry

152 questions

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Edexcel Paper 1 Specimen Q4
5 marks Moderate -0.8
  1. Relative to a fixed origin \(O\),
    the point \(A\) has position vector \(\mathbf { i } + 7 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k }\),
    the point \(B\) has position vector \(4 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k }\),
    and the point \(C\) has position vector \(2 \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } + 9 \mathbf { k }\).
    Given that \(A B C D\) is a parallelogram,
    1. find the position vector of point \(D\).
    The vector \(\overrightarrow { A X }\) has the same direction as \(\overrightarrow { A B }\).
    Given that \(| \overrightarrow { A X } | = 10 \sqrt { 2 }\),
  2. find the position vector of \(X\).
Edexcel Paper 2 2019 June Q10
6 marks Standard +0.3
10. Figure 7 Figure 7 shows a sketch of triangle \(O A B\).
The point \(C\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { O C } = 2 \overrightarrow { O A }\).
The point \(M\) is the midpoint of \(A B\).
The straight line through \(C\) and \(M\) cuts \(O B\) at the point \(N\).
Given \(\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { a }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O B } = \mathbf { b }\)
  1. Find \(\overrightarrow { C M }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { a }\) and \(\mathbf { b }\)
  2. Show that \(\overrightarrow { O N } = \left( 2 - \frac { 3 } { 2 } \lambda \right) \mathbf { a } + \frac { 1 } { 2 } \lambda \mathbf { b }\), where \(\lambda\) is a scalar constant.
  3. Hence prove that \(O N : N B = 2 : 1\)
OCR PURE Q7
9 marks Moderate -0.3
7 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a1f4ccbd-f5ed-437a-ae76-c4925ce86e25-06_648_586_255_244} The diagram shows the parallelogram \(O A C B\) where \(\overrightarrow { O A } = 2 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O B } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j }\).
  1. Show that \(\cos A O B = - \frac { 2 \sqrt { 5 } } { 25 }\).
  2. Hence find the exact value of \(\sin A O B\).
  3. Determine the area of \(O A C B\).
OCR MEI Paper 1 2019 June Q12
6 marks Moderate -0.3
12 Fig. 12 shows a curve C with parametric equations \(x = 4 t ^ { 2 } , y = 4 t\). The point P , with parameter \(t\), is a general point on the curve. Q is the point on the line \(x + 4 = 0\) such that PQ is parallel to the \(x\)-axis. R is the point \(( 4,0 )\). \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{59e924e6-8fa9-4035-9173-705fce487bd9-6_766_584_413_255} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 12}
\end{figure}
  1. Show algebraically that P is equidistant from Q and R .
  2. Find a cartesian equation of C .
OCR MEI Paper 3 2018 June Q10
10 marks Challenging +1.2
10 Point A has position vector \(\left( \begin{array} { l } a \\ b \\ 0 \end{array} \right)\) where \(a\) and \(b\) can vary, point B has position vector \(\left( \begin{array} { l } 4 \\ 2 \\ 0 \end{array} \right)\) and point C has position vector \(\left( \begin{array} { l } 2 \\ 4 \\ 2 \end{array} \right)\). ABC is an isosceles triangle with \(\mathrm { AC } = \mathrm { AB }\).
  1. Show that \(a - b + 1 = 0\).
  2. Determine the position vector of A such that triangle ABC has minimum area. Answer all the questions.
    Section B (15 marks) The questions in this section refer to the article on the Insert. You should read the article before attempting the questions.
OCR MEI Paper 3 2023 June Q6
10 marks Standard +0.3
6
  1. Quadrilateral KLMN has vertices \(\mathrm { K } ( - 4,1 ) , \mathrm { L } ( 5 , - 1 ) , \mathrm { M } ( 6,2 )\) and \(\mathrm { N } ( 2,5 )\), as shown in Fig. 6.1. \begin{figure}[h]
    \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 6.1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{20639e13-01cc-4d96-b694-fb3cf1828f4d-06_567_1004_404_319}
    \end{figure}
    1. Find the coordinates of the following midpoints.
      • P , the midpoint of KL
      • Q, the midpoint of LM
      • R, the midpoint of MN
      • S, the midpoint of NK
      • Verify that PQRS is a parallelogram.
      • TVWX is a quadrilateral as shown in Fig. 6.2.
      Points A and B divide side TV into 3 equal parts. Points C and D divide side VW into 3 equal parts. Points E and F divide side WX into 3 equal parts. Points G and H divide side TX into 3 equal parts. \(\overrightarrow { \mathrm { TA } } = \mathbf { a } , \quad \overrightarrow { \mathrm { TH } } = \mathbf { b } , \quad \overrightarrow { \mathrm { VC } } = \mathbf { c }\). \begin{figure}[h]
      \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 6.2} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{20639e13-01cc-4d96-b694-fb3cf1828f4d-06_577_671_1877_319}
      \end{figure}
      1. Show that \(\overrightarrow { \mathrm { WX } } = k ( - \mathbf { a } + \mathbf { b } - \mathbf { c } )\), where \(k\) is a constant to be determined.
      2. Verify that AH is parallel to DE .
      3. Verify that BC is parallel to GF .
OCR MEI Paper 3 Specimen Q3
4 marks Easy -1.2
3 Show that points \(\mathrm { A } ( 1,4,9 ) , \mathrm { B } ( 0,11,17 )\) and \(\mathrm { C } ( 3 , - 10 , - 7 )\) are collinear.
AQA C4 2013 June Q6
14 marks Standard +0.8
6 The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have coordinates \(( 3 , - 2,4 ) , ( 1 , - 5,6 )\) and \(( - 4,5 , - 1 )\) respectively. The line \(l\) passes through \(A\) and has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ - 2 \\ 4 \end{array} \right] + \lambda \left[ \begin{array} { r } 7 \\ - 7 \\ 5 \end{array} \right]\).
  1. Show that the point \(C\) lies on the line \(l\).
  2. Find a vector equation of the line that passes through points \(A\) and \(B\).
  3. The point \(D\) lies on the line through \(A\) and \(B\) such that the angle \(C D A\) is a right angle. Find the coordinates of \(D\).
  4. The point \(E\) lies on the line through \(A\) and \(B\) such that the area of triangle \(A C E\) is three times the area of triangle \(A C D\). Find the coordinates of the two possible positions of \(E\).
AQA C4 2014 June Q6
10 marks Moderate -0.3
6 The line \(l _ { 1 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { r } 4 \\ - 5 \\ 3 \end{array} \right] + \lambda \left[ \begin{array} { r } - 1 \\ 3 \\ 1 \end{array} \right]\).
The line \(l _ { 2 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { r } 7 \\ - 8 \\ 6 \end{array} \right] + \mu \left[ \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ - 3 \\ 1 \end{array} \right]\).
The point \(P\) lies on \(l _ { 1 }\) where \(\lambda = - 1\). The point \(Q\) lies on \(l _ { 2 }\) where \(\mu = 2\).
  1. Show that the vector \(\overrightarrow { P Q }\) is parallel to \(\left[ \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ - 1 \\ 1 \end{array} \right]\).
  2. The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect at the point \(R ( 3 , b , c )\).
    1. Show that \(b = - 2\) and find the value of \(c\).
    2. The point \(S\) lies on a line through \(P\) that is parallel to \(l _ { 2 }\). The line \(R S\) is perpendicular to the line \(P Q\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{9f03a5f3-7fea-4fb7-b3bd-b4c0cdf662a2-16_887_1159_1320_443} Find the coordinates of \(S\). \(7 \quad\) A curve has equation \(\cos 2 y + y \mathrm { e } ^ { 3 x } = 2 \pi\).
      The point \(A \left( \ln 2 , \frac { \pi } { 4 } \right)\) lies on this curve.
AQA C4 2015 June Q6
12 marks Challenging +1.2
6 The points \(A\) and \(B\) have coordinates \(( 3,2,10 )\) and \(( 5 , - 2,4 )\) respectively.
The line \(l\) passes through \(A\) and has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ 2 \\ 10 \end{array} \right] + \lambda \left[ \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ 1 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right]\).
  1. Find the acute angle between \(l\) and the line \(A B\).
  2. The point \(C\) lies on \(l\) such that angle \(A B C\) is \(90 ^ { \circ }\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{fdd3905e-11f7-4b20-adfe-4c686018a221-12_360_339_762_852} Find the coordinates of \(C\).
  3. The point \(D\) is such that \(B D\) is parallel to \(A C\) and angle \(B C D\) is \(90 ^ { \circ }\). The point \(E\) lies on the line through \(B\) and \(D\) and is such that the length of \(D E\) is half that of \(A C\). Find the coordinates of the two possible positions of \(E\).
    [0pt] [4 marks]
Edexcel C4 Q3
11 marks Standard +0.3
3. Relative to a fixed origin, \(O\), the line \(l\) has the equation $$\mathbf { r } = ( \mathbf { i } + p \mathbf { j } - 5 \mathbf { k } ) + \lambda ( 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + q \mathbf { k } ) ,$$ where \(p\) and \(q\) are constants and \(\lambda\) is a scalar parameter.
Given that the point \(A\) with coordinates \(( - 5,9 , - 9 )\) lies on \(l\),
  1. find the values of \(p\) and \(q\),
  2. show that the point \(B\) with coordinates \(( 25 , - 1,11 )\) also lies on \(l\). The point \(C\) lies on \(l\) and is such that \(O C\) is perpendicular to \(l\).
  3. Find the coordinates of \(C\).
  4. Find the ratio \(A C : C B\) 3. continued
Edexcel C4 Q8
13 marks Challenging +1.2
8. The line \(l _ { 1 }\) passes through the points \(A\) and \(B\) with position vectors \(( - 3 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } )\) and ( \(7 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 12 \mathbf { k }\) ) respectively, relative to a fixed origin.
  1. Find a vector equation for \(l _ { 1 }\). The line \(l _ { 2 }\) has the equation $$\mathbf { r } = ( 5 \mathbf { j } - 7 \mathbf { k } ) + \mu ( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 7 \mathbf { k } )$$ The point \(C\) lies on \(l _ { 2 }\) and is such that \(A C\) is perpendicular to \(B C\).
  2. Show that one possible position vector for \(C\) is \(( \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } )\) and find the other. Assuming that \(C\) has position vector \(( \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } )\),
  3. find the area of triangle \(A B C\), giving your answer in the form \(k \sqrt { 5 }\).
    8. continued
    8. continued
Edexcel C4 Q4
11 marks Standard +0.8
4. The points \(A\) and \(B\) have coordinates \(( 3,9 , - 7 )\) and \(( 13 , - 6 , - 2 )\) respectively.
  1. Find, in vector form, an equation for the line \(l\) which passes through \(A\) and \(B\).
  2. Show that the point \(C\) with coordinates \(( 9,0 , - 4 )\) lies on \(l\). The point \(D\) is the point on \(l\) closest to the origin, \(O\).
  3. Find the coordinates of \(D\).
  4. Find the area of triangle \(O A B\) to 3 significant figures.
    4. continued
Edexcel C4 Q5
11 marks Standard +0.3
5. Relative to a fixed origin, the points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have position vectors ( \(2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 6 \mathbf { k }\) ), \(( 5 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } )\) and \(( 7 \mathbf { i } - 6 \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } )\) respectively.
  1. Show that \(A , B\) and \(C\) all lie on a single straight line.
  2. Write down the ratio \(A B : B C\) The point \(D\) has position vector \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k } )\).
  3. Show that \(A D\) is perpendicular to \(B D\).
  4. Find the exact area of triangle \(A B D\).
    5. continued
Edexcel M4 2015 June Q1
7 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Particles \(P\) and \(Q\) move in a plane with constant velocities. At time \(t = 0\) the position vectors of \(P\) and \(Q\), relative to a fixed point \(O\) in the plane, are \(( 16 \mathbf { i } - 12 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\) and \(( - 5 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\) respectively. The velocity of \(P\) is \(( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) and the velocity of \(Q\) is \(( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\)
Find the shortest distance between \(P\) and \(Q\) in the subsequent motion.
Edexcel M4 2015 June Q2
6 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. When a woman walks due North at a constant speed of \(4 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), the wind appears to be blowing from due East. When she runs due South at a constant speed of \(8 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), the speed of the wind appears to be \(20 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\).
Assuming that the velocity of the wind relative to the earth is constant, find
  1. the speed of the wind,
  2. the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Edexcel M4 2016 June Q3
13 marks Standard +0.3
3. Two straight horizontal roads cross at right angles at the point \(X\). A girl is running, with constant speed \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), due north towards \(X\) on one road. A car is travelling, with constant speed \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), due west towards \(X\) on the other road.
  1. Find the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the car relative to the girl, giving the direction as a bearing.
    (6) At noon the girl is 150 m south of \(X\) and the car is 800 m east of \(X\).
  2. Find the shortest distance between the car and the girl during the subsequent motion.
Edexcel M4 2017 June Q5
9 marks Challenging +1.2
5. A cyclist riding due north at a steady speed of \(12 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) notices that the wind appears to come from the north-west. At the same time, another cyclist, moving on a bearing of \(120 ^ { \circ }\) and also riding at a steady speed of \(12 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), notices that the wind appears to come from due south. The velocity of the wind is assumed to be constant. Find
  1. the wind speed,
  2. the direction from which the wind is blowing, giving your answer as a bearing.
Edexcel M4 2018 June Q3
7 marks Challenging +1.2
3. When a man walks due West at a constant speed of \(4 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), the wind appears to be blowing from due South. When he runs due North at a constant speed of \(8 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), the speed of the wind appears to be \(5 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\).
The velocity of the wind relative to the Earth is constant with magnitude \(w \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\).
Find the two possible values of \(w\).
Edexcel M5 Q1
5 marks Standard +0.8
  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are horizontal unit vectors.]
A small smooth ring of mass 0.5 kg moves along a smooth horizontal wire. The only forces acting on the ring are its weight, the normal reaction from the wire, and a constant force \(( 5 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\). The ring is initially at rest at the point with position vector \(( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\), relative to a fixed origin. Find the speed of the ring as it passes through the point with position vector \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\).
Edexcel M5 Q2
6 marks Standard +0.8
2. Three forces, \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) act on a rigid body. \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } )\) N and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 } = ( p \mathbf { i } + q \mathbf { j } + r \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\), where \(p , q\) and \(r\) are constants. All three forces act through the point with position vector \(( 3 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\), relative to a fixed origin. The three forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) are equivalent to a single force ( \(5 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) ) N , acting at the origin, together with a couple \(\mathbf { G }\).
  1. Find the values of \(p , q\) and \(r\).
  2. Find \(\mathbf { G }\).
Edexcel M5 2006 January Q5
10 marks Challenging +1.8
5. A uniform circular disc has mass \(m\) and radius \(a\). The disc can rotate freely about an axis that is in the same plane as the disc and tangential to the disc at a point \(A\) on its circumference. The disc hangs at rest in equilibrium with its centre \(O\) vertically below \(A\). A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is moving horizontally and perpendicular to the disc with speed \(\sqrt { } ( k g a )\), where \(k\) is a constant. The particle then strikes the disc at \(O\) and adheres to it at \(O\). Given that the disc rotates through an angle of \(90 ^ { \circ }\) before first coming to instantaneous rest, find the value of \(k\).
(Total 10 marks)
Edexcel M5 2009 June Q5
16 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. Two forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( - 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) act on a rigid body. The force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) acts at the point with position vector \(\mathbf { r } _ { 1 } = ( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) and the force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) acts at the point with position vector \(\mathbf { r } _ { 2 } = ( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\). A third force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) acts on the body such that \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) are in equilibrium.
    1. Find the magnitude of \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\).
    2. Find a vector equation of the line of action of \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\).
    The force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 3 }\) is replaced by a fourth force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 4 }\), acting through the origin \(O\), such that \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } , \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 4 }\) are equivalent to a couple.
  2. Find the magnitude of this couple.
Edexcel M5 2010 June Q4
13 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. Two forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) act on a rigid body.
The force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) acts through the point with position vector ( \(2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { k }\) ) m and the force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) acts through the point with position vector \(( \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\).
  1. If the two forces are equivalent to a single force \(\mathbf { R }\), find
    1. \(\mathbf { R }\),
    2. a vector equation of the line of action of \(\mathbf { R }\), in the form \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { a } + \lambda \mathbf { b }\).
  2. If the two forces are equivalent to a single force acting through the point with position vector \(( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) together with a couple of moment \(\mathbf { G }\), find the magnitude of \(\mathbf { G }\).
Edexcel FP1 Specimen Q6
11 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. A tetrahedron has vertices \(A ( 1,2,1 ) , B ( 0,1,0 ) , C ( 2,1,3 )\) and \(D ( 10,5,5 )\).
Find
  1. a Cartesian equation of the plane \(A B C\).
  2. the volume of the tetrahedron \(A B C D\). The plane \(\Pi\) has equation \(2 x - 3 y + 3 = 0\) The point \(E\) lies on the line \(A C\) and the point \(F\) lies on the line \(A D\).
    Given that \(\Pi\) contains the point \(B\), the point \(E\) and the point \(F\),
  3. find the value of \(k\) such that \(\overrightarrow { A E } = k \overrightarrow { A C }\). Given that \(\overrightarrow { A F } = \frac { 1 } { 9 } \overrightarrow { A D }\)
  4. show that the volume of the tetrahedron \(A B C D\) is 45 times the volume of the tetrahedron \(A B E F\).