2001 Paper 3 Q10

Year: 2001
Paper: 3
Question Number: 10

Course: LFM Pure and Mechanics
Section: Vectors

Difficulty: 1700.0 Banger: 1516.0

Problem

Three ships \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) move with velocities \({\bf v}_1\), \({\bf v}_2\) and \(\bf u\) respectively. The velocities of \(A\) and \(B\) relative to \(C\) are equal in magnitude and perpendicular. Write down conditions that \(\bf u\), \({\bf v}_1\) and \({\bf v}_2\) must satisfy and show that \[ \left| {\bf u} -{\textstyle\frac12} \l {\bf v}_1 + {\bf v}_2 \r \right|^2 = \left|{\textstyle\frac12} \l {\bf v}_1 - {\bf v}_2 \r \right|^2 \] and \[ \l {\bf u} -{\textstyle\frac12} \l {\bf v}_1 + {\bf v}_2 \r \r \cdot \l {\bf v}_1 - {\bf v}_2 \r = 0 \;. \] Explain why these equations determine, for given \({\bf v}_1\) and \({\bf v}_2\), two possible velocities for \(C\,\), provided \({\bf v}_1 \ne {\bf v}_2 \,\). If \({\bf v}_1\) and \({\bf v}_2\) are equal in magnitude and perpendicular, show that if \({\bf u} \ne {\bf 0}\) then \({\bf u} = {\bf v}_1 + {\bf v}_2\,\).

No solution available for this problem.

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Difficulty Rating: 1700.0

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Banger Rating: 1516.0

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Problem source
Three ships $A$,  $B$ and $C$ move with velocities ${\bf v}_1$,
${\bf v}_2$ and $\bf u$ respectively. The velocities of $A$ and $B$ 
relative to $C$ are equal in magnitude and
perpendicular. Write down conditions that $\bf u$, ${\bf v}_1$ and ${\bf v}_2$ must satisfy
and show that
\[
\left| {\bf u} -{\textstyle\frac12} \l {\bf v}_1 + {\bf v}_2 \r \right|^2 =
\left|{\textstyle\frac12}  \l {\bf v}_1 - {\bf v}_2 \r \right|^2
\]
and
\[
\l {\bf u} -{\textstyle\frac12} \l {\bf v}_1 + {\bf v}_2 \r \r \cdot \l {\bf v}_1 -
{\bf v}_2 \r = 0 \;.
\]
Explain why these equations determine, for given ${\bf v}_1$ and ${\bf v}_2$, 
two possible velocities for  $C\,$, provided ${\bf v}_1 \ne {\bf v}_2 \,$.
If ${\bf v}_1$ and ${\bf v}_2$ are equal in magnitude and perpendicular,
show that if ${\bf u} \ne {\bf 0}$ then ${\bf u} = {\bf v}_1 + {\bf v}_2\,$.