2002 Paper 2 Q7

Year: 2002
Paper: 2
Question Number: 7

Course: LFM Pure and Mechanics
Section: Vectors

Difficulty: 1600.0 Banger: 1484.0

Problem

In 3-dimensional space, the lines \(m_1\) and \(m_2\) pass through the origin and have directions \(\bf i + j\) and \(\bf i +k \), respectively. Find the directions of the two lines \(m_3\) and \(m_4\) that pass through the origin and make angles of \(\pi/4\) with both \(m_1\) and \(m_2\). Find also the cosine of the acute angle between \(m_3\) and \(m_4\). The points \(A\) and \(B\) lie on \(m_1\) and \(m_2\) respectively, and are each at distance \(\lambda \surd2\) units from~\(O\). The points \(P\) and \(Q\) lie on \(m_3\) and \(m_4\) respectively, and are each at distance \(1\) unit from~\(O\). If all the coordinates (with respect to axes \(\bf i\), \(\bf j\) and \(\bf k\)) of \(A\), \(B\), \(P\) and \(Q\) are non-negative, prove that:
  1. there are only two values of \(\lambda\) for which \(AQ\) is perpendicular to \(BP\,\);
  2. there are no non-zero values of \(\lambda\) for which \(AQ\) and \(BP\) intersect.

No solution available for this problem.

Rating Information

Difficulty Rating: 1600.0

Difficulty Comparisons: 0

Banger Rating: 1484.0

Banger Comparisons: 1

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Problem source
In 3-dimensional space, the lines $m_1$ and $m_2$ pass through the origin and 
have directions $\bf i + j$ and $\bf i +k $, respectively. Find the directions  of
the two lines $m_3$ and $m_4$  that  pass through the origin and make
angles of $\pi/4$   with both $m_1$ and $m_2$. Find also the cosine of the 
acute angle between $m_3$ and $m_4$.
The points $A$ and $B$ lie on $m_1$ and $m_2$ respectively, and are each at 
distance $\lambda \surd2$ units from~$O$. The points $P$ and $Q$ 
lie on $m_3$ and $m_4$ respectively, and are each at 
distance $1$ unit from~$O$. 
If all the coordinates (with respect to axes $\bf i$, $\bf j$ and $\bf k$)
 of $A$, $B$, $P$ and $Q$ are non-negative, prove that:
\begin{questionparts}
\item there are only two values of $\lambda$ for which $AQ$ is perpendicular
to $BP\,$;
\item there are no non-zero values of $\lambda$ for which $AQ$ and $BP$
intersect.
\end{questionparts}