CAIE A-Level Further Math 1.6 Vectors Question Bank
Practise using vector products, plane equations, lines and distances in 3D geometry, with answers in Cartesian and vector forms.
- Syllabus
- 2028–2030
- Course
- Further Mathematics 9231
- Level
- AS
Practise using vector products, plane equations, lines and distances in 3D geometry, with answers in Cartesian and vector forms.
The points A, B, C have position vectors
respectively, relative to the origin O.
Find the equation of the plane ABC, giving your answer in the form a x+b y+c z=d.
AB=−2i+j+4kAC=−3i+3kBC=−i−j−k
B1
Finds direction vectors of two lines in the plane.
ijk−21−303=(3−63)∼(1−21)
M1 A1FT
Finds normal to the plane ABC.
1(1)−2(1)+1(0)=−1⇒x−2y+z=−1
M1 A1
Substitutes point. CAO
5
Find the perpendicular distance from O to the plane ABC.
12+22+121=61=0.408
M1 A1FT
Divides by magnitude of normal vector.
FT their (a).
2
Find a vector equation of the common perpendicular to the lines OC and AB.
OP=(−2λλ3λ),OQ=(1−2μ1+μ4μ)⇒PQ=(1−2μ+2λ1+μ−λ4μ−3λ)
M1 A1
Finds PQ, where P is a point on OC and Q is a point on
AB.
(1−2μ+2λ1+μ−λ4μ−3λ)⋅(−213)=0
M1*
Uses that dot product of PQ with line direction is zero.
17μ−14λ=1
dM1
Deduces one equation.
(1−2μ+2λ1+μ−λ4μ−3λ)⋅(−214)=0⇒21μ−17λ=1
dM1
Deduces second equation.
λ=−54⇒OP=−54(−213)
dM1 A1
Solves for λ or μ and substitutes into OP.
r=−54(−213)+k(120)
A1
OE
8