IB Maths AA HL Ahl 3 15 Hl Line Relationships in 3d Questions
Practise classifying 3D lines as coincident, parallel, intersecting or skew, solving for intersections and communicating the spatial relationship precisely.
Syllabus
First assessment 2021
Course
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL
Level
HL
Exam points
Classify 3D lines as coincident, parallel, intersecting or skew by comparing direction vectors and solving the line equations.
Find an intersection point or prove that no intersection exists, showing the required parameter consistency.
Interpret the geometric relationship between lines in a spatial model and communicate the conclusion precisely.
IB Maths AA HL Ahl 3 15 Hl Line Relationships in 3d Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 10]
Consider the points A(1,2,3), B(k,-2,1) and C(5,0,2), where k∈R.
For k=9, let L1 be the line passing through A, B and C .
Line L2 has the equation 2x−1=3y=1−z. Show that the lines L1 and L2 are skew. are skew.
METHOD 1 point on line L1 has coordinates (1+4λ,2−2λ,3−λ) attempt to use a different parameter for L22x−1=3y=1−z=μ or r=101+μ23−1 point on line L2 has coordinates (1+2μ,3μ,1−μ) Note: This A1 may be implied by r=101+μ23−1. 1+4λ=1+2μ2−2λ=3μ3−λ=1−μ any two of the above equations attempt to solve two simultaneous equations with two parameters eg λ=0.25,μ=0.5 or λ=1.6,μ=−0.4 or λ=−2,μ=−4 substitute into third equation or solve a different pair of simultaneous equations obtain contradiction eg 3−0.25=1−0.5 or 1+4(1.6)=1+2(−0.4) or 2−2(−2)=3(−4) (so the lines do not intersect) Note: Do not award this R1 if it is based on incorrect values. lines are not parallel so lines are skewMETHOD 2 point on line L1 has coordinates (1+4λ,2−2λ,3−λ) attempt to use the equation of L2 to generate at least two equations in λ if the two lines intersect, 2(1+4λ)−1=32−2λ(⇒2λ=32−2λ)2(1+4λ)−1=1−(3−λ)(⇒2λ=λ−2)32−2λ=1−(3−λ)⇒(32−2λ=λ−2) any two of the above equations attempt to solve at least one equation in λ one of λ=41,λ=−2,λ=58 seen substitute into second equation or solve second equation obtain contradiction eg λ=41=−2 or 2(41)=41−2 (so the lines do not intersect) Note: Do not award this R1 if it is based on incorrect values. lines are not parallel so lines are skewMETHOD 3 attempt to use a find Cartesian equation for L14x−1=−2y−2=−1z−3 attempt to isolate one variable in both equations L1:z=41−x+3=2y−2+3L2:z=21−x+1=3−y+1 OR L1:y=21−x+2=2(z−3)+2L2:y=23(x−1)=3(1−z) OR L1:x=1−2(y−2)=1−4(z−3)L2:x=32y+1=1−2(z−1) attempt to solve for each of the other two variables e.g. 21−x+1=41−x+3 and 3−y+1=2y−2+3 x=-7, y=-1.2 OR x=2, z=1.4 OR y=1.5, z=5 obtain contradiction eg z=5=1.4 OR y=1.5=−1.2 OR x=2=−7 (so the lines do not intersect) Note: Do not award this R1 if it is based on incorrect values. lines are not parallel so lines are skew