Angle between two lines

Questions requiring calculation of the acute angle between two lines using the scalar product of their direction vectors.

8 questions · Standard +0.6

4.04c Scalar product: calculate and use for angles
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE P3 2015 June Q6
9 marks Standard +0.3
6 The straight line \(l _ { 1 }\) passes through the points \(( 0,1,5 )\) and \(( 2 , - 2,1 )\). The straight line \(l _ { 2 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = 7 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } + \mu ( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k } )\).
  1. Show that the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) are skew.
  2. Find the acute angle between the direction of the line \(l _ { 2 }\) and the direction of the \(x\)-axis.
OCR MEI Further Pure Core 2020 November Q8
9 marks Standard +0.3
8
  1. Given that the lines \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 0 \\ 2 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { r } - 1 \\ 1 \\ 3 \end{array} \right)\) and \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } - 1 \\ 2 \\ k \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { l } 2 \\ 3 \\ 4 \end{array} \right)\) meet, determine \(k\).
  2. In this question you must show detailed reasoning. Find the acute angle between the two lines.
Edexcel AEA 2018 June Q3
10 marks Challenging +1.2
3.The lines \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) have the equations $$L _ { 1 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 1 \\ 0 \\ 9 \end{array} \right) + s \left( \begin{array} { l } 2 \\ p \\ 6 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad L _ { 2 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } - 15 \\ 12 \\ - 9 \end{array} \right) + t \left( \begin{array} { r } 4 \\ - 5 \\ 2 \end{array} \right)$$ where \(p\) is a constant.
The acute angle between \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) is \(\theta\) where \(\cos \theta = \frac { \sqrt { 5 } } { 3 }\)
  1. Find the value of \(p\) . The line \(L _ { 3 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } - 15 \\ 12 \\ - 9 \end{array} \right) + u \left( \begin{array} { r } 8 \\ - 6 \\ - 5 \end{array} \right)\) and the lines \(L _ { 3 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) intersect at the point \(A\) .
    The point \(B\) on \(L _ { 2 }\) has position vector \(\left( \begin{array} { r } 5 \\ - 13 \\ 1 \end{array} \right)\) and point \(C\) lies on \(L _ { 3 }\) such that \(A B D C\) is a rhombus.
  2. Find the two possible position vectors of \(D\) .
AQA Further Paper 2 2021 June Q11
9 marks Hard +2.3
11 The Cartesian equation of the line \(L _ { 1 }\) is $$\frac { x + 1 } { 3 } = \frac { - y + 5 } { 2 } = \frac { 2 z + 5 } { 3 }$$ The Cartesian equation of the line \(L _ { 2 }\) is $$\frac { 2 x - 1 } { 2 } = \frac { y - 14 } { m } = \frac { z + 12 } { p }$$ The non-singular matrix \(\mathbf { N } = \left[ \begin{array} { c c c } - 0.5 & 1 & 2 \\ 1 & b & 4 \\ - 3 & - 2 & c \end{array} \right]\) maps the line \(L _ { 1 }\) onto the line \(L _ { 2 }\) Calculate the values of the constants \(b , c , m\) and \(p\) Fully justify your answers.
AQA Further AS Paper 1 2019 June Q13
10 marks Standard +0.3
Line \(l_1\) has Cartesian equation $$x - 3 = \frac{2y + 2}{3} = 2 - z$$
  1. Write the equation of line \(l_1\) in the form $$\mathbf{r} = \mathbf{a} + \lambda\mathbf{b}$$ where \(\lambda\) is a parameter and \(\mathbf{a}\) and \(\mathbf{b}\) are vectors to be found. [2 marks]
  2. Line \(l_2\) passes through the points \(P(3, 2, 0)\) and \(Q(n, 5, n)\), where \(n\) is a constant.
    1. Show that the lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) are not perpendicular. [3 marks]
    2. Explain briefly why lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) cannot be parallel. [2 marks]
    3. Given that \(\theta\) is the acute angle between lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\), show that $$\cos \theta = \frac{p}{\sqrt{34n^2 + qn + 306}}$$ where \(p\) and \(q\) are constants to be found. [3 marks]
OCR MEI Further Pure Core Specimen Q1
3 marks Moderate -0.5
Find the acute angle between the lines with vector equations \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 0 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}\) and \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 5 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}\). [3]
SPS SPS FM Pure 2025 February Q7
10 marks Standard +0.3
Line \(l_1\) has Cartesian equation $$x - 3 = \frac{2y + 2}{3} = 2 - z$$
  1. Write the equation of line \(l_1\) in the form $$\mathbf{r} = \mathbf{a} + \lambda \mathbf{b}$$ where \(\lambda\) is a parameter and \(\mathbf{a}\) and \(\mathbf{b}\) are vectors to be found. [2 marks]
  1. Line \(l_2\) passes through the points \(P(3, 2, 0)\) and \(Q(n, 5, n)\), where \(n\) is a constant.
    1. Show that the lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) are not perpendicular. [3 marks]
    2. Explain briefly why lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) cannot be parallel. [2 marks]
    3. Given that \(\theta\) is the acute angle between lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\), show that $$\cos \theta = \frac{p}{\sqrt{34n^2 + qn + 306}}$$ where \(p\) and \(q\) are constants to be found. [3 marks]
OCR FP1 AS 2017 December Q3
8 marks Standard +0.3
Two lines, \(l_1\) and \(l_2\), have the following equations. $$l_1: \mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} -11 \\ 10 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$$ $$l_2: \mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 2 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}$$ \(P\) is the point of intersection of \(l_1\) and \(l_2\).
  1. Find the position vector of \(P\). [3]
  2. Find, correct to 1 decimal place, the acute angle between \(l_1\) and \(l_2\). [3]
\(Q\) is a point on \(l_1\) which is 12 metres away from \(P\). \(R\) is the point on \(l_2\) such that \(QR\) is perpendicular to \(l_1\).
  1. Determine the length \(QR\). [2]