CAIE
FP1
2013
June
Q11 OR
Standard +0.8
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 \(\Pi _ { 2 }\).
CAIE
FP1
2006
November
Q9
11 marks
Challenging +1.8
9 With \(O\) as origin, the points \(A , B , C\) have position vectors
$$\mathbf { i } , \quad \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } , \quad \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }$$
respectively. Find a vector equation of the common perpendicular of the lines \(A B\) and \(O C\).
Show that the shortest distance between the lines \(A B\) and \(O C\) is \(\frac { 2 } { 5 } \sqrt { } 5\).
Find, in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\), an equation for the plane containing \(A B\) and the common perpendicular of the lines \(A B\) and \(O C\).
CAIE
FP1
2015
June
Q8
10 marks
Standard +0.3
8 A line, passing through the point \(A ( 3,0,2 )\), has vector equation \(\mathbf { r } = 3 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } )\). It meets the plane \(\Pi\), which has equation \(\mathbf { r } \cdot ( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) = 3\), at the point \(P\). Find the coordinates of \(P\).
Write down a vector \(\mathbf { n }\) which is perpendicular to \(\Pi\), and calculate the vector \(\mathbf { w }\), where
$$\mathbf { w } = \mathbf { n } \times ( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } )$$
The point \(Q\) lies in \(\Pi\) and is the foot of the perpendicular from \(A\) to \(\Pi\). Use the vector \(\mathbf { w }\) to determine an equation of the line \(P Q\) in the form \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { u } + \mu \mathbf { v }\).
CAIE
FP1
2007
November
Q6
8 marks
Standard +0.3
6 The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have position vectors \(2 \mathbf { i } , 3 \mathbf { j }\) and \(4 \mathbf { k }\) respectively. Find a vector which is perpendicular to the plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) containing \(A , B\) and \(C\).
The plane \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) has equation
$$\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } ) + \mu ( \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) .$$
Find the acute angle between the planes \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\).
CAIE
FP1
2011
November
Q2
5 marks
Standard +0.3
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.