Show lines intersect and find intersection point

Questions requiring both a proof/verification that two lines intersect (by solving the simultaneous equations and checking consistency) and finding the coordinates of the intersection point.

33 questions · Standard +0.3

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Edexcel C34 Specimen Q9
12 marks Standard +0.3
  1. The line \(l _ { 1 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ 3 \\ - 4 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { l } 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{array} \right)\), where \(\lambda\) is a scalar parameter.
The line \(l _ { 2 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 0 \\ 9 \\ - 3 \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { l } 5 \\ 0 \\ 2 \end{array} \right)\), where \(\mu\) is a scalar parameter.
Given that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) meet at the point \(C\), find
  1. the coordinates of \(C\). The point \(A\) is the point on \(l _ { 1 }\) where \(\lambda = 0\) and the point \(B\) is the point on \(l _ { 2 }\) where \(\mu = - 1\)
  2. Find the size of the angle \(A C B\). Give your answer in degrees to 2 decimal places.
  3. Hence, or otherwise, find the area of the triangle \(A B C\).
Edexcel C4 2005 June Q7
13 marks Standard +0.3
  1. The line \(l _ { 1 }\) has vector equation
$$\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 3 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ - 1 \\ 4 \end{array} \right)$$ and the line \(l _ { 2 }\) has vector equation $$\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 0 \\ 4 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ - 1 \\ 0 \end{array} \right) ,$$ where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are parameters.
The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect at the point \(B\) and the acute angle between \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) is \(\theta\).
  1. Find the coordinates of \(B\).
  2. Find the value of \(\cos \theta\), giving your answer as a simplified fraction. The point \(A\), which lies on \(l _ { 1 }\), has position vector \(\mathbf { a } = 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\).
    The point \(C\), which lies on \(l _ { 2 }\), has position vector \(\mathbf { c } = 5 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k }\).
    The point \(D\) is such that \(A B C D\) is a parallelogram.
  3. Show that \(| \overrightarrow { A B } | = | \overrightarrow { B C } |\).
  4. Find the position vector of the point \(D\).
Edexcel C4 2010 June Q7
12 marks Standard +0.3
7. The line \(l _ { 1 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ 3 \\ - 4 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { l } 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{array} \right)\), where \(\lambda\) is a scalar parameter. The line \(l _ { 2 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 0 \\ 9 \\ - 3 \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { l } 5 \\ 0 \\ 2 \end{array} \right)\), where \(\mu\) is a scalar parameter.
Given that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) meet at the point \(C\), find
  1. the coordinates of \(C\). The point \(A\) is the point on \(l _ { 1 }\) where \(\lambda = 0\) and the point \(B\) is the point on \(l _ { 2 }\) where \(\mu = - 1\).
  2. Find the size of the angle \(A C B\). Give your answer in degrees to 2 decimal places.
  3. Hence, or otherwise, find the area of the triangle \(A B C\).
OCR C4 Specimen Q7
11 marks Standard +0.3
7 The line \(L _ { 1 }\) passes through the point \(( 3,6,1 )\) and is parallel to the vector \(2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }\). The line \(L _ { 2 }\) passes through the point ( \(3 , - 1,4\) ) and is parallel to the vector \(\mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\).
  1. Write down vector equations for the lines \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\).
  2. Prove that \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) intersect, and find the coordinates of their point of intersection.
  3. Calculate the acute angle between the lines.
OCR C4 Q7
12 marks Standard +0.3
7. The line \(l _ { 1 }\) passes through the points \(A\) and \(B\) with position vectors ( \(3 \mathbf { i } + 6 \mathbf { j } - 8 \mathbf { k }\) ) and ( \(8 \mathbf { j } - 6 \mathbf { k }\) ) respectively, relative to a fixed origin.
  1. Find a vector equation for \(l _ { 1 }\). The line \(l _ { 2 }\) has vector equation $$\mathbf { r } = ( - 2 \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } + 6 \mathbf { k } ) + \mu ( 7 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } + 6 \mathbf { k } ) ,$$ where \(\mu\) is a scalar parameter.
  2. Show that lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect.
  3. Find the coordinates of the point where \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect. The point \(C\) lies on \(l _ { 2 }\) and is such that \(A C\) is perpendicular to \(A B\).
  4. Find the position vector of \(C\).
OCR MEI C4 Q4
5 marks Standard +0.3
4 Show that the straight lines with equations \(\mathbf { r } = \begin{array} { r r r } 2 & + \lambda & 0 \\ 4 & & 1 \end{array}\) and \(\mathbf { r } = \quad + \mu \quad\) meet.
Find their point of intersection.
OCR C4 2009 January Q7
10 marks Standard +0.3
7
  1. Show that the straight line with equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ - 3 \\ 5 \end{array} \right) + t \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ 4 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right)\) meets the line passing through ( \(9,7,5\) ) and ( \(7,8,2\) ), and find the point of intersection of these lines.
  2. Find the acute angle between these lines.
OCR C4 2013 January Q4
8 marks Standard +0.3
4 The equations of two lines are $$\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + \lambda ( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \text { and } \mathbf { r } = 6 \mathbf { i } + 8 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } + \mu ( \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } - 5 \mathbf { k } ) .$$
  1. Show that these lines meet, and find the coordinates of the point of intersection.
  2. Find the acute angle between these lines.
OCR C4 2016 June Q5
6 marks Standard +0.3
5 The vector equations of two lines are as follows. $$L : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 1 \\ 4 \\ 5 \end{array} \right) + s \left( \begin{array} { c } 2 \\ - 1 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) \quad M : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 3 \\ 2 \\ - 5 \end{array} \right) + t \left( \begin{array} { c } 5 \\ - 3 \\ 1 \end{array} \right)$$
  1. Show that the lines \(L\) and \(M\) meet, and find the coordinates of the point of intersection.
  2. Show that the line \(L\) can also be represented by the equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 7 \\ 1 \\ 14 \end{array} \right) + u \left( \begin{array} { c } - 4 \\ 2 \\ - 6 \end{array} \right)\).
AQA C4 2011 June Q5
12 marks Standard +0.3
5 The points \(A\) and \(B\) have coordinates \(( 5,1 , - 2 )\) and \(( 4 , - 1,3 )\) respectively.
The line \(l\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { r } - 8 \\ 5 \\ - 6 \end{array} \right] + \mu \left[ \begin{array} { r } 5 \\ 0 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right]\).
  1. Find a vector equation of the line that passes through \(A\) and \(B\).
    1. Show that the line that passes through \(A\) and \(B\) intersects the line \(l\), and find the coordinates of the point of intersection, \(P\).
    2. The point \(C\) lies on \(l\) such that triangle \(P B C\) has a right angle at \(B\). Find the coordinates of \(C\).
Edexcel C4 Q5
9 marks Standard +0.3
5. A straight road passes through villages at the points \(A\) and \(B\) with position vectors ( \(9 \mathbf { i } - 8 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) ) and ( \(4 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\) ) respectively, relative to a fixed origin. The road ends at a junction at the point \(C\) with another straight road which lies along the line with equation $$\mathbf { r } = ( 2 \mathbf { i } + 16 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) + \mu ( - 5 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } ) ,$$ where \(\mu\) is a scalar parameter.
  1. Find the position vector of \(C\). Given that 1 unit on each coordinate axis represents 200 metres,
  2. find the distance, in kilometres, from the village at \(A\) to the junction at \(C\).
    5. continued
AQA C4 2007 June Q7
11 marks Standard +0.3
7 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations \(\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { r } 8 \\ 6 \\ - 9 \end{array} \right] + \lambda \left[ \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ - 3 \\ - 1 \end{array} \right]\) and \(\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { r } - 4 \\ 0 \\ 11 \end{array} \right] + \mu \left[ \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ 2 \\ - 3 \end{array} \right]\) respectively.
  1. Show that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) are perpendicular.
  2. Show that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect and find the coordinates of the point of intersection, \(P\).
  3. The point \(A ( - 4,0,11 )\) lies on \(l _ { 2 }\). The point \(B\) on \(l _ { 1 }\) is such that \(A P = B P\). Find the length of \(A B\).
AQA Further AS Paper 1 2021 June Q15
8 marks Standard +0.3
15 Two submarines are travelling on different straight lines. The two lines are described by the equations $$\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { c } 2 \\ - 1 \\ 4 \end{array} \right] + \lambda \left[ \begin{array} { c } 5 \\ 3 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right] \quad \text { and } \quad \frac { x - 5 } { 4 } = \frac { y } { 2 } = 4 - z$$ 15
    1. Show that the two lines intersect.
      [0pt] [3 marks]
      15
      1. (ii) Find the position vector of the point of intersection.
        15
    2. Tracey says that the submarines will collide because there is a common point on the two lines. Explain why Tracey is not necessarily correct. 15
    3. Calculate the acute angle between the lines $$\mathbf { r } = \left[ \begin{array} { c } 2 \\ - 1 \\ 4 \end{array} \right] + \lambda \left[ \begin{array} { c } 5 \\ 3 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right] \quad \text { and } \quad \frac { x - 5 } { 4 } = \frac { y } { 2 } = 4 - z$$ Give your angle to the nearest \(0.1 ^ { \circ }\)
OCR Further Pure Core AS 2023 June Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2 The lines \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) have the following equations. \(L _ { 1 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { c } - 5 \\ 6 \\ 15 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { c } 5 \\ - 2 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right)\) \(L _ { 2 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 24 \\ 1 \\ - 5 \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { c } 3 \\ 1 \\ - 4 \end{array} \right)\)
  1. Show that \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) intersect, giving the position vector of the point of intersection.
  2. Find the equation of the line which intersects \(L _ { 1 }\) and \(L _ { 2 }\) and is perpendicular to both. Give your answer in cartesian form.
OCR Further Pure Core AS 2021 November Q1
5 marks Standard +0.3
1 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have the following equations. $$\begin{aligned} & l _ { 1 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 8 \\ - 11 \\ - 2 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { r } - 2 \\ 5 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) \\ & l _ { 2 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } - 6 \\ 11 \\ 8 \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { r } - 3 \\ 1 \\ - 1 \end{array} \right) \end{aligned}$$
  1. Show that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect.
  2. Write down the point of intersection of \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9794/1 2015 June Q7
9 marks Standard +0.3
7 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have the following vector equations. $$\begin{aligned} & l _ { 1 } : \mathbf { r } = 3 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } - 6 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } ) \\ & l _ { 2 } : \mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( 3 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \end{aligned}$$
  1. Show that the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect and find the coordinates of their point of intersection.
  2. Find the acute angle between the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9794/1 2018 June Q6
8 marks Standard +0.3
6 Two straight lines have equations $$\mathbf { r } = - 3 \mathbf { i } + 11 \mathbf { j } - 9 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( 4 \mathbf { i } + 7 \mathbf { j } + 8 \mathbf { k } )$$ and $$\mathbf { r } = 21 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 15 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k } )$$
  1. Show that the lines intersect and find the coordinates of their point of intersection.
  2. Find the acute angle between the two lines.
Edexcel C4 Q7
13 marks Standard +0.3
The line \(l_1\) has vector equation $$\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix}$$ and the line \(l_2\) has vector equation $$\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 4 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix},$$ where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are parameters. The lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) intersect at the point \(B\) and the acute angle between \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) is \(\theta\).
  1. Find the coordinates of \(B\). [4]
  2. Find the value of \(\cos \theta\), giving your answer as a simplified fraction. [4]
The point \(A\), which lies on \(l_1\), has position vector \(\mathbf{a} = 3\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} + 2\mathbf{k}\). The point \(C\), which lies on \(l_2\), has position vector \(\mathbf{c} = 5\mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j} - 2\mathbf{k}\). The point \(D\) is such that \(ABCD\) is a parallelogram.
  1. Show that \(|\overrightarrow{AB}| = |\overrightarrow{BC}|\). [3]
  2. Find the position vector of the point \(D\). [2]
Edexcel C4 Q4
10 marks Standard +0.3
The line \(l_1\) has vector equation \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 11 \\ 5 \\ 6 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 2 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix}\), where \(\lambda\) is a parameter. The line \(l_2\) has vector equation \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 24 \\ 4 \\ 13 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 7 \\ 1 \\ 5 \end{pmatrix}\), where \(\mu\) is a parameter.
  1. Show that the lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) intersect. [4]
  2. Find the coordinates of their point of intersection. [2]
Given that \(\theta\) is the acute angle between \(l_1\) and \(l_2\),
  1. find the value of \(\cos \theta\). Give your answer in the form \(k\sqrt{3}\), where \(k\) is a simplified fraction. [4]
Edexcel C4 Q6
12 marks Standard +0.3
Two submarines are travelling in straight lines through the ocean. Relative to a fixed origin, the vector equations of the two lines, \(l_1\) and \(l_2\), along which they travel are $$\mathbf{r} = 3\mathbf{i} + 4\mathbf{j} - 5\mathbf{k} + \lambda(\mathbf{i} - 2\mathbf{j} + 2\mathbf{k})$$ and \(\mathbf{r} = 9\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} - 2\mathbf{k} + \mu (4\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} - \mathbf{k})\), where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are scalars.
  1. Show that the submarines are moving in perpendicular directions. [2]
  2. Given that \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) intersect at the point \(A\), find the position vector of \(A\). [5]
The point \(B\) has position vector \(10\mathbf{j} - 11\mathbf{k}\).
  1. Show that only one of the submarines passes through the point \(B\). [3]
  2. Given that 1 unit on each coordinate axis represents 100 m, find, in km, the distance \(AB\). [2]
AQA C4 2010 June Q7
12 marks Standard +0.3
The point \(A\) has coordinates \((4, -3, 2)\). The line \(l_1\) passes through \(A\) and has equation \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{bmatrix} 4 \\ -3 \\ 2 \end{bmatrix} + \lambda \begin{bmatrix} 2 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}\). The line \(l_2\) has equation \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{bmatrix} -1 \\ 3 \\ 4 \end{bmatrix} + \mu \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ -2 \\ -1 \end{bmatrix}\). The point \(B\) lies on \(l_2\) where \(\mu = 2\).
  1. Find the vector \(\overrightarrow{AB}\). [3 marks]
    1. Show that the lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) intersect. [4 marks]
    2. The lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) intersect at the point \(P\). Find the coordinates of \(P\). [1 mark]
  2. The point \(C\) lies on a line which is parallel to \(l_1\) and which passes through the point \(B\). The points \(A\), \(B\), \(C\) and \(P\) are the vertices of a parallelogram. Find the coordinates of the two possible positions of the point \(C\). [4 marks]
AQA C4 2016 June Q6
15 marks Standard +0.3
The line \(l_1\) passes through the point \(A(0, 6, 9)\) and the point \(B(4, -6, -11)\). The line \(l_2\) has equation \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{bmatrix} -1 \\ 5 \\ -2 \end{bmatrix} + \lambda \begin{bmatrix} 3 \\ -5 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}\).
  1. The acute angle between the lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) is \(\theta\). Find the value of \(\cos \theta\) as a fraction in its lowest terms. [5 marks]
  2. Show that the lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) intersect and find the coordinates of the point of intersection. [5 marks]
  3. The points \(C\) and \(D\) lie on line \(l_2\) such that \(ACBD\) is a parallelogram. \includegraphics{figure_6} The length of \(AB\) is three times the length of \(CD\). Find the coordinates of the points \(C\) and \(D\). [5 marks]
Edexcel C4 Q7
12 marks Standard +0.3
Two submarines are travelling in straight lines through the ocean. Relative to a fixed origin, the vector equations of the two lines, \(l_1\) and \(l_2\), along which they travel are \begin{align} \mathbf{r} &= 3\mathbf{i} + 4\mathbf{j} - 5\mathbf{k} + \lambda(\mathbf{i} - 2\mathbf{j} + 2\mathbf{k})
\text{and} \quad \mathbf{r} &= 9\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} - 2\mathbf{k} + \mu (4\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} - \mathbf{k}), \end{align} where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are scalars.
  1. Show that the submarines are moving in perpendicular directions. [2]
  2. Given that \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) intersect at the point \(A\), find the position vector of \(A\). [5]
The point \(B\) has position vector \(10\mathbf{j} - 11\mathbf{k}\).
  1. Show that only one of the submarines passes through the point \(B\). [3]
  2. Given that 1 unit on each coordinate axis represents 100 m, find, in km, the distance \(AB\). [2]
OCR MEI C4 2012 January Q7
5 marks Moderate -0.3
Show that the straight lines with equations \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 2 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\) and \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 4 \\ 9 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 1 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}\) meet. Find their point of intersection. [5]
Edexcel C4 Q4
9 marks Standard +0.3
Relative to a fixed origin, two lines have the equations $$\mathbf{r} = (7\mathbf{i} - 4\mathbf{k}) + s(4\mathbf{i} - 3\mathbf{j} + \mathbf{k}),$$ and $$\mathbf{r} = (-7\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} + 8\mathbf{k}) + t(-3\mathbf{i} + 2\mathbf{k}),$$ where \(s\) and \(t\) are scalar parameters.
  1. Show that the two lines intersect and find the position vector of the point where they meet. [5]
  2. Find, in degrees to 1 decimal place, the acute angle between the lines. [4]