1992 Paper 3 Q7

Year: 1992
Paper: 3
Question Number: 7

Course: LFM Pure and Mechanics
Section: Vectors

Difficulty: 1700.0 Banger: 1474.8

Problem

The points \(P\) and \(R\) lie on the sides \(AB\) and \(AD,\) respectively, of the parallelogram \(ABCD.\) The point \(Q\) is the fourth vertex of the parallelogram \(APQR.\) Prove that \(BR,CQ\) and \(DP\) meet in a point.

Solution

Let \(\overrightarrow{AX} = \mathbf{x}\) for all points, so: \begin{align*} \mathbf{p} &= p\mathbf{b}\\ \mathbf{r} &= r\mathbf{d}\\ \mathbf{q} &= \mathbf{p}+\mathbf{r} \\ &= p\mathbf{b} + r\mathbf{d} \end{align*} Therefore \begin{align*} BR: && \mathbf{b} + \lambda(\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{b}) \\ &&= (1-\lambda) \mathbf{b}+ \lambda r \mathbf{d} \\ CQ: && \mathbf{c} + \mu(\mathbf{q} - \mathbf{c}) \\ &&= \mathbf{b}+\mathbf{d} + \mu(p\mathbf{b}+r\mathbf{d} - (\mathbf{b}+\mathbf{d}) ) \\ &&= (1+\mu(p-1))\mathbf{b} + (1+\mu(r-1))\mathbf{d} \\ DP: && \mathbf{d} + \nu (\mathbf{p} - \mathbf{d}) \\ &&= \nu p\mathbf{b} +(1-\nu) \mathbf{d} \end{align*} So we need \(1-\nu = \lambda r, \nu p = 1-\lambda, \) so lets say \(1 = \nu + \lambda r, 1 = \lambda + \nu p \Rightarrow \lambda(pr-1) = p-1 \Rightarrow \lambda = \frac{p-1}{pr-1}\) so they intersect at \(\frac{rp-r}{pr-1} \mathbf{d} + \frac{pr-p}{pr-1}\mathbf{b}\). If we take \(\mu = -\frac{\lambda}{p-1} = 1-pr\) this is clearly also on \(CQ\) hence they all meet at a point
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Difficulty Rating: 1700.0

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Banger Rating: 1474.8

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Show LaTeX source
Problem source
The points $P$ and $R$ lie on the sides $AB$ and $AD,$ respectively, of the parallelogram $ABCD.$ The point $Q$ is the fourth vertex of the parallelogram $APQR.$ Prove that $BR,CQ$ and $DP$ meet in
a point.
Solution source
Let $\overrightarrow{AX} = \mathbf{x}$ for all points, so:
\begin{align*}
\mathbf{p} &= p\mathbf{b}\\
\mathbf{r} &= r\mathbf{d}\\
\mathbf{q} &= \mathbf{p}+\mathbf{r} \\
&= p\mathbf{b} + r\mathbf{d}
\end{align*}

Therefore 
\begin{align*}
BR: && \mathbf{b} + \lambda(\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{b}) \\
&&= (1-\lambda) \mathbf{b}+ \lambda r \mathbf{d}  \\
CQ: && \mathbf{c} + \mu(\mathbf{q} - \mathbf{c}) \\
&&= \mathbf{b}+\mathbf{d} + \mu(p\mathbf{b}+r\mathbf{d} - (\mathbf{b}+\mathbf{d}) ) \\
&&= (1+\mu(p-1))\mathbf{b} + (1+\mu(r-1))\mathbf{d} \\
DP: && \mathbf{d} + \nu (\mathbf{p} - \mathbf{d}) \\
&&= \nu p\mathbf{b} +(1-\nu) \mathbf{d}
\end{align*}

So we need $1-\nu = \lambda r, \nu p = 1-\lambda, $ so lets say $1 = \nu + \lambda r, 1 = \lambda + \nu p \Rightarrow \lambda(pr-1) = p-1 \Rightarrow \lambda = \frac{p-1}{pr-1}$ so they intersect at $\frac{rp-r}{pr-1} \mathbf{d} + \frac{pr-p}{pr-1}\mathbf{b}$. If we take $\mu = -\frac{\lambda}{p-1} = 1-pr$ this is clearly also on $CQ$ hence they all meet at a point