2003 Paper 2 Q5

Year: 2003
Paper: 2
Question Number: 5

Course: LFM Pure and Mechanics
Section: Vectors

Difficulty: 1600.0 Banger: 1500.0

Problem

The position vectors of the points \(A\,\), \(B\,\) and \(P\) with respect to an origin \(O\) are \(a{\bf i}\,\), \(b{\bf j}\,\) and \(l{\bf i}+m{\bf j}+n{\bf k}\,\), respectively, where \(a\), \(b\), and \(n\) are all non-zero. The points \(E\), \(F\), \(G\) and \(H\) are the midpoints of \(OA\), \(BP\), \(OB\) and \(AP\), respectively. Show that the lines \(EF\) and \(GH\) intersect. Let \(D\) be the point with position vector \(d{\bf k}\), where \(d\) is non-zero, and let \(S\) be the point of intersection of \(EF\) and \(GH.\) The point \(T\) is such that the mid-point of \(DT\) is \(S\). Find the position vector of \(T\) and hence find \(d\) in terms of \(n\) if \(T\) lies in the plane \(OAB\).

Solution

\(E = \langle \frac{a}{2}, 0,0 \rangle, F = \langle \frac{l}{2}, \frac{m+b}{2}, \frac{n}{2} \rangle, G = \langle 0, \frac{b}{2}, 0 \rangle, H = \langle \frac{a+l}{2}, \frac{m}{2}, \frac{n}{2} \rangle\) Note that the midpoint of \(EF\) and \(GH\) are both $\langle \frac{a+l}{4}, \frac{m+b}{4}, \frac{n}{4} \rangle$, so clearly they must intersect at this point. The vector we just found is \(S\), and \(\mathbf{t} = \mathbf{d} + 2(\mathbf{s}-\mathbf{d}) = 2\mathbf{s} - \mathbf{d}\). Therefore \(T = \langle \frac{a+l}{2}, \frac{m+b}{2}, \frac{n-2d}{2} \rangle\). If \(T\) lies in the plane \(OAB\) then \(n - 2d = 0\) ie \(d = \frac{n}{2}\)
Rating Information

Difficulty Rating: 1600.0

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Banger Rating: 1500.0

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Problem source
The position vectors of the points $A\,$, $B\,$ and $P$ with respect to an origin $O$ are $a{\bf i}\,$,  $b{\bf j}\,$ and  $l{\bf i}+m{\bf j}+n{\bf k}\,$, respectively, where $a$, $b$, and $n$ are all non-zero. The points $E$, $F$, $G$ and $H$ are the midpoints of $OA$, $BP$, $OB$ and  $AP$, respectively.  
Show that the lines $EF$ and $GH$  intersect.
Let $D$ be the point with position vector $d{\bf k}$, where $d$ is non-zero, and let $S$ be the point of intersection of $EF$ and $GH.$
The point $T$ is such that the mid-point of $DT$ is $S$. 
Find the position vector of $T$ and hence find $d$ in terms of $n$
if $T$ lies  in the plane $OAB$.
Solution source
$E = \langle \frac{a}{2}, 0,0 \rangle, F = \langle \frac{l}{2}, \frac{m+b}{2}, \frac{n}{2} \rangle, G = \langle 0, \frac{b}{2}, 0 \rangle, H = \langle \frac{a+l}{2}, \frac{m}{2}, \frac{n}{2} \rangle$

Note that the midpoint of $EF$ and $GH$ are both $\langle \frac{a+l}{4}, \frac{m+b}{4}, 
\frac{n}{4} \rangle$, so clearly they must intersect at this point.

The vector we just found is $S$, and $\mathbf{t} = \mathbf{d} + 2(\mathbf{s}-\mathbf{d}) = 2\mathbf{s} - \mathbf{d}$. Therefore $T = \langle \frac{a+l}{2}, \frac{m+b}{2}, \frac{n-2d}{2} \rangle$. If $T$ lies in the plane $OAB$ then $n - 2d = 0$ ie $d = \frac{n}{2}$