2018 H2 MA Prelim Compilation - Vectors (43 Questions with Answers)

ACJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q3

(a) The quadrilateral ABCD is such that P, Q, R and S are the midpoints of AB, BC, CD and
DA respectively. Prove that PQRS is a parallelogram. [3]
(b) Referred to the origin O, points A, B and C have position vectors a , b and c
π
respectively, where a is a unit vector, b  3 , c  3 and angle AOC is radians.
6
Given that 3a  c  kb where k  0 , by considering  3a  c   3a  c  , find the exact values

of k. [4]
Answers

21
(b) 
3

ACJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q11

H T

C V
H Q S
H
R
Figure 1. H Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a methane molecule consisting of a carbon atom with four hydrogen atoms
symmetrically placed around it. Figure 2 shows the tetrahedron structure of the methane
molecule with the centres of the hydrogen atoms represented by points Q, R, S and T and the
centre of the carbon atom represented by point V.
The points Q, R and S has coordinates (8, 1, 8), (8, 7, 2) and (2, 1, 2) respectively and form an
equilateral triangle.
(i) Find a cartesian equation of the plane p which passes through the points Q, R and S. [4]
(ii) Find a cartesian equation of the plane p1 which passes through the midpoint of QR and is
perpendicular to QR. [2]
Plane p2 which passes through the midpoint of RS and is perpendicular to RS has equation

x  y  9.

(iii) Find a vector equation of the line l where p1 and p2 meet. [1]
(iv) The point T is on the line l such that QRST is a regular tetrahedron with QR = QT.
Show that the possible coordinates for point T is (2, 7, 8). Hence, or otherwise, find the
coordinates of a point on plane p that is closest to point T. [5]
3
(v) Given that TV is of the vertical height of tetrahedron QRST. Find the coordinates of
4
point V and hence show that the bonding angle TVQ of the methane molecule is 109.5
(correct to 1 decimal place). [4]
Answers
 10   1
   
(i)  x  y  z  1 , (ii) y  z  1 , (iii) r   1    1  ,
0 1
   
(iv) (6, 3, 4), (v) (5, 4, 5).

AJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q8

Referred to the origin O, a non-zero vector, r  xi  yj  zk , makes an angle of  ,  and 
with the positive x, y and z-axis respectively.

(i) Explain with clear workings, if       45 is possible.

[2]
It is now given that     45 and   90 .

(ii) Find r in terms of x.

[2]
(iii) OABC is a tetrahedron. OA is parallel to r and the point B is the foot of the
perpendicular from the point A to the y-axis. AC is parallel to the z-axis and AC =
AB.

Given that the volume of tetrahedron OABC is 36 unit3, by considering the area of
triangle OAB in terms of x, find the coordinates of a possible point C.
[4]
1
[Volume of tetrahedron =  base area  height  ]
3
 Answers
 x  x
(ii) r   y    x 
 0 0
   
(iii) (6, 6, 6) or (6, 6, 6) .

AJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q2

(i) Given that a and b are non-zero constant vectors, show that the points with
position vector r and satisfying the equation  r  a   b  0 lie on a line. [3]

  2   0 
The line L1 has equation r   1     1   0 , and the line L2 has
  1   1 
    
 1  m
equation r   2     0  , where m is a constant and  is a real parameter.
3 1
   
(ii) Find the vector equations of the parallel planes p1 and p2 , in scalar product form,

such that p1 contains L1 and p2 contains L2 , leaving your answers in terms of m. [3]

(iii) Find the acute angle between the plane p1 and the line which contains both the

points  2,1, 1 and  1, 2,3 , leaving your answer in terms of m. [2]

(iv) It is now given that L1 and L2 is contained in a common plane p3 . Using your

answer in part (iii), or otherwise, find the cartesian equation of the plane p3 . [1]

Answers
 1    
2 1 
     
(ii) p1: r   m    1    m   2  2m
 m   1   m 
     
 1   1  1 
     
p2: r   m    2    m   1  m
 m   3   m 
     
3  3m
(i)   sin 1
26  52m 2
x–y+z=0
 CJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q10
10 In order to render the position of a shadow cast by an object on a wall in virtual reality, the
concept of vector projection is used. When an object is placed between a point source of light and
a wall, its shadow is projected onto the wall as shown in the diagram (not drawn to scale) below.

A triangular object OAB has O as the origin, A  23, 16, 10  and B  9.5, 6.5, 10.5 on the
same plane where it is placed between the point source of light, P 11,  22,  10  , and the wall.
Light rays l A , lB and lO start at point P, passing through points A, B and O respectively and
projecting their respective images A ', B ' and O ' onto the wall.

A
B
P
O
Wall Point source
of light

Given that the coordinates of A ' is  40, 35, 20  and the line that passes through A’ and B’ is
parallel to the vector 10i  11k ,

(i) Find the coordinates of the point B ' . [4]

It is given that the light ray lO is perpendicular to the wall.

(ii) Find the equation of the plane O ' A ' B ' in scalar product form. Show that coordinates of
O ' is given by  22, 44, 20  . [4]
(iii) Hence or otherwise, find the exact distance between point P and the wall. [2]
(iv) Are the planes OAB and O ' A ' B ' parallel? Justify your answer. [2]

Answers
11 
 
(i)  30,35,31 (ii) r   22   1410
 10 
 
(iii) 6345
 CJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q2
The origin O, and the points A and B lie in the same plane where OA  a and OB  b . It is given
π
that a  1 , b  2 and the angle between a and b is radians. The point F is the foot of the
3
perpendicular from A to the line segment passing through O and B.

(i) Find OF in terms of b only. [4]

(ii) It is given that C is the point of reflection of A about the line segment passing
through O and B. Find the position vector of C in terms of a and b.
Hence, state with a reason, the shape of the quadrilateral OABC and show that its
[4]
exact area is 3.
Answers
1
(i) b
4

DHS Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q9

1  t 
The line l1 passes through the point A with the position vector  3  and is parallel to  t 2  1 , while
 2  3 
   
the cartesian equation of the plane p is given by tx  2 y  z  3, where t is a real constant. It is
known that l1 and p have no point in common.

(i) Show that t   1. [3]

(ii) Find the distance between l1 and p. [2]

(iii) The line l2 has the cartesian equation 2 y  z , x  3. Show that l2 lies on p. [2]

(iv) Given that point B and point C lie on l1 and l2 respectively, find BC such that it is
perpendicular to both l1 and l2. [3]

(v) Find the vector equation of the line of reflection of l1 in p. [3]

Answers
 1 
2 1 
(ii) (iv)  2 
6 3 
 1 
 83   1
 
(v) r   3     2  ,  
  13  3
 3  
 DHS Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q1

With reference to the origin O, the position vectors of point A and B are a and b, where a and b
are non-zero and non-parallel vectors.

(i) State the shortest distance from B to the line passing through O and A. [1]

(ii) Given that c  a + b, state the geometrical meaning of b  c and show that b  c  a  b .
[2]

(iii) Given that a  2b  d  3a, find a linear relationship between a, b and d. [2]

Answers
(i) b  aˆ

(ii) Area of a parallelogram with sides OB and OC

(iii) a  k  2b  3d  , k 

EJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q5

(a) Referred to the origin O, the points A and B have position vectors a and b . Point C is on
the line which contains A and is parallel to b. It is given that the vectors a and b are both
of magnitude 2 units and are at an angle of sin 1 1/ 6  to each other. If the area of triangle
OAC is 3 units2, use vector product to find the possible position vectors of C in terms of a
and b . [5]
(b) Referred to the origin O, the points P and Q have position vectors p and q where p and q
are non-parallel, non-zero vectors. Point R is on PQ produced such that PQ : QR  1:  .
Point M is the mid-point of OR.
(i) Find the position vector of R in terms of  , p and q . [1]

F is a point on OQ such that F, P and M are collinear.

(ii) Find the ratio OF:FQ, in terms of  . [4]
Answers
(a) OC  a  9b
(b) (i) OR  1    q  p (ii) OF : FQ  1   :1
EJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q9
A drilling company plans to install a straight pipeline AB through a mountain. Points  x, y, z  are
defined relative to a main control site at the foot of the mountain at  0,0,0  , where units are
metres. The x-axis points East, the y-axis points North and the z-axis points vertically upwards.
Point A has coordinates  200,150,10  while point B has coordinates 100,10, a  , where a is an
integer. Point B is at a higher altitude than Point A.
(i) Given that the pipeline AB is of length 337 metres, find the coordinates of B. [3]
A thin flat layer of rock runs through the mountain and is contained in the plane with equation
20 x  y  2 z  837 .
(ii) Find the coordinates of the point where the pipeline meets the layer of rock. [4]
To stabilise the pipeline, the drilling company decides to build 2 cables to join points A and B to
the layer of rock. Point A is joined to Point P while point B is joined to Point Q.
(iii) Assuming that the minimum length of cable is to be used, find the length PQ. [2]

(iv) Show that the pipeline is at an angle of 10.80 to the horizontal plane. [2]
(v) After the pipeline is completed, a ball bearing is released from point B to roll down the
pipeline to check for obstacles. The ball bearing loses altitude at a rate of 0.3t metres per
second, where t is the time (in seconds) after its release. Find the speed at which the ball
bearing is moving along the pipeline 10 seconds after its release. [3]
Answers
(i) 100,10,73 (ii) C are (-50,80,41.5). (iii) 158 m (v)16.0 m/s

HCI Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q3

(a) A point Q has position vector q and a line l has equation r  a  d ,   . A vector p ,
where p  1 , is in the direction of d . Give a geometrical meaning of p  (a  q) . [1]
 
(b) The vectors a and b form two adjacent sides of a triangle OAB, where a  OA and b  OB

. The angle between a and b is  . By considering  a  b  .  a  b  and the cosine rule for
the triangle OAB, show that a.b  a b cos  . [4]

Answers

p  (a  q) is the shortest distance (or perpendicular distance) from Q to l .

HCI Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q4

5 2 k 
y      
A line l has equation x  1   z  3 , and a plane p has equation r   2     1     1  ,
2 1  3   4
     
where k is a real constant,  ,   .
(i) Given that l and p are parallel, show that k  1 . [3]
Use k  1 for the rest of the parts of the question.
(ii) Hence show that l and p do not intersect. [2]
(iii) Find the exact distance between l and p . [3]
(iv) A point A on l has coordinates ( 2, 2, 4 ) and N is the foot of the perpendicular from A to p.
Find the coordinates of N. Hence find the coordinates of the reflection of N in l . [4]
Answers

32 83  390 6 428  58 326 236

(iii) ; N , ,  ; N '(  , , )
83  83 83 83  83 83 83

IJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q3

R

r
p

O Q
q
 
The origin O and the points P, Q and R lie in the same plane, where OP  p , OQ  q and

OR  r (see diagram).
(i) Explain why r can be expressed as r   p   q , for constants  and  . [1]

(ii) The point X is on PR such that PX : XR  2 :1 . It is given that the area of triangle OPX is
equal to the area of triangle OQR, find the ratio  :  in the case where  and  are
positive. [4]
Answers
2:3
IJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q11
In Chemistry, the molecular structure of chemical compounds is often of interest to chemists as
this will aid them in predicting the chemical properties of the compound.

In studying the molecular structure of silicon tetrachloride, it is found that this compound takes
the form of a regular tetrahedron, that is, it consists of a silicon atom at the centre with four
chlorine atoms symmetrically positioned at the corners of the regular tetrahedron (see diagram).

Suppose the centers of the chlorine atoms are at the points A, B, C and D with coordinates
(5, 2,5) , (5, 4, 1) , (1, 2, 1) and (7, 4, 3) respectively, where ABCD forms a regular
tetrahedron.
(i) Verify that triangle ABC is an equilateral triangle. [2]
(ii) Find a vector that is perpendicular to the plane containing triangle ABC. [1]

(iii) 1 is a plane that is perpendicular to AB and passes through the mid-point of the line
segment AB. Find the cartesian equation of 1 . [2]

(iv)  2 is a plane that is perpendicular to BC and passes through the mid-point of the line
segment BC. Given that 1 and  2 meet in the line l, find a vector equation for l. [3]
(v) The position of the silicon atom is at the point G, where G is equidistant from A, B, C and
D. Find the coordinates of G. [3]
(vi) The angle AGD is also known as the bonding angle of the compound. Find the bonding
angle. Show your workings clearly. [2]

Answers
1
 
(ii)  1
 1
 
(iii) y  z  1
 4  1
 
(iv) l : r   1    1  , where  
0 1
   
(v) (4, -1, 0)
(vi) 109.5

JJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q6

The position vectors of points A, B and C of a triangle are a, b and c respectively, relative to an
origin O.

(i) By considering the area of triangle ABC, show that the shortest distance from B to AC is
ab  bc  ca
. [4]
ca

1 2
R is a point on AB such that AR  AB . S is a point on AC such that AS  AC . OACB is a
3 3
kite with OA  OB, CA  CB and OC is perpendicular to AB.

(ii) Show that SRA  90 . [6]

Answers

Nil

JJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q10

Building contractors are constructing a rock climbing wall at the corner wall of a gymnasium.
Points  x, y, z  are defined relative to a ground anchor point at  0,0,0  , where units are metres.

Support beams are laid in straight lines and the thickness of the support beams and rock climbing
wall can be neglected.
The three support beams of the rock climbing wall, S1 , S 2 and S3 start at the ground anchor

1 0 0

     
point and go in the direction  0  ,  1  , and  0  respectively. The support beams S1 and S 2 are
0 0 1
     
on the ground level. The vertices A , B and C of the rock climbing wall lie on the support
beams S1 , S 2 and S3 respectively. The rock climbing wall lies on the plane  with vector

1  2  1
     
equation r   5     3     2  , where  ,   .
 1  12   7 
     
(i) Find the cartesian equation of the plane  and hence show that the coordinates of A are
(4, 0, 0) . [4]

One of the building safety standards stipulates that the rock climbing wall should be inclined to
the horizontal ground at an acute angle not exceeding 80 .
(ii) Determine if this building safety standard is met. [3]

For additional stability, a fourth support beam from the ground anchor point to a point N on the
rock climbing wall is laid. This support beam is the shortest in length.
(iii) Find the coordinates of N and the exact length of this support beam. [5]
Answers
(i)  : 3x  2 y  z  12 , (ii) Inclination angle = 74.5 ,

 18 12 6  6 14
(iii) N :  , ,  , Length =
 7 7 7 7

MI Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q10
0  5 
   
Relative to the origin O, the position vectors of the points A and B are  5  and  7 
 15   12 
   
 2   1
   
respectively. The line l1 has equation r   1     2  ,   . The line l2 is parallel to the
 3 3
   
 1
 
vector  6  and passes through A.
 12 
 

(i) Given that l1 and l2 intersect at the point C, find OC . [2]

The point B lies on l1 and is the foot of the perpendicular from A to l1 .

(ii) Find the cartesian equation of the line of reflection of l2 in the line l1 . [2]

The equations of two planes π1 and π 2 are as follows:

π1 : x  y  2 z  1,
π 2 : ax  y  3z  5,
where a is a constant.

(iii) Find the foot of the perpendicular from A to π1 and hence, find the perpendicular distance
from A to π1 . [4]

(iv) Given that the angle between l1 and π 2 is 30o, find the value(s) of a. [2]

(v) Given instead that the line of intersection of π1 and π 2 has the equation
5
 
r  v    1 ,   , where v is the position vector of the point V on the line of
2
 
intersection, determine the value of a and a possible position vector of V. [3]

Answers
 2
 
(i)  7 
 9 
 
 x  10 y  9 z  9 2 x y 7 z 9
(ii)   or  
6 8 9 6 8 9
(iii) (4,9, 7) ; 4 6 units
(iv) a  2.93 or  11.7 (3 s.f)
 3 
 
(v) a  1 ;  2  or the position vector of any point
0
 
 3  5
   
that satisfies the equation r   2     1 ,  
0 2
   
MI Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q4
Relative to the origin O, the position vectors of points A, B and C are a , b and c respectively.
It is given that a and b – a are perpendicular and C lies on AB produced such that
AC : AB  4 : 3 .

(i) If a is a unit vector, show that b > 1. [3]

Given further that b = 2, find the angle between a and b . [1]

(ii) The direction cosines of b are 0.6, λ, µ and b is perpendicular to the y-axis. Find

(a) the angle b makes with the x-axis, [1]

(b) λ and µ. [2]

(iii) By expressing c in terms of a and b , show that c  a = a  a. [3]

Hence state the length of projection of c onto a in terms of a . [1]

ca
(iv) Give a geometrical interpretation of c  a and hence evaluate . [2]
ba
Answers
(i) 60O
(ii) (a) 53.1o. (1 d.p.)
(ii) (b)   0 ,   0.8
(iii) a
4
(iv)
3

MJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q2

(a) Interpret geometrically what a  b means, given that a and b are non-zero and non-parallel
vectors. [1]

(b) Show that a formula for the area of triangle OAB can be given as k OA  OB ,

where k is a constant to be determined. [2]

Hence give the geometrical meaning of OA  OB in relation to an appropriate

 quadrilateral. [1]
Answers

(b)  0.5 OA  OB

MJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q8

The points A and B have position vectors 2i  7 j  3k and j  k respectively. The plane p has
equation x  y  5 .

(i) Find a vector equation of line l passing through the points A and B. [2]

(ii) Find the acute angle between l and p. [2]

(iii) Verify that the point A lies on the plane p. Given that the point C is the reflection of the
point B in the plane p, describe the shape formed by the points A, B
and C. [2]

(iv) Find a vector equation of the line which is a reflection of the line l in the plane p. [4]

Answers

 2  1
   
(i) r   7     4  ,  
 3  1
   

(ii)   30

 2   4 
   
(iv) r   7   k  1  , k 
 3   1
   
NJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q2

Referred to the origin O, the points A and B are such that OA  a and OB  b. The point C is on
AB produced such that AB : BC = 1 : k, where k is a real constant.

 3
Given that OA  2OC , AOB  , and AOC  , find the exact value of k, showing your
2 4
working clearly. [5]
Answers
2
k
4

NJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q2

1
 
The planes p1 and p2 , have equations 2 x  3 y  6 z  0 and r  2   6 respectively.
 2
 
(i) Find a vector equation of the line of intersection, l, between p1 and p2 . [2]

The line m passes through the points A  2, 1, 1 and B  5, 4, 2  .

(ii) Verify that A lies on p2 . [1]

(iii) Find the coordinates of the points on m that are equidistant from planes p1 and p2 . [5]

Answers
(i) , (iii)
 18   6   145 131 53 
     , , 
r   12     2  ,    14 14 14 
 0  1
   

NYJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q5

The line l passes through the points A and B with coordinates (5, 2, 4) and (4, 1, 3) respectively.
The plane p has equation 4 x  7 y  5 z  24.
(i) The point C lies on l such that the foot of perpendicular of C onto p has coordinates
(3, 1, 1). Find the coordinates of C. [4]
 Plane p1 has equation 3x  2 y   z  .

(ii) What can be said about the values of  and  if l does not intersect p1 ? [2]

(iii) Hence find the exact values of  if the distance between p1 and l is 2 units. [3]

Answers
(i) (7, 8, 6)

(ii)   3 ,   23

(iii)   23  2 22 or 23  2 22

NYJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q7

(a) Referred to the origin O, points A and B have position vectors a and b respectively, where a
and b are unit vectors.
(i) By using scalar product, show that the vector a  b is the bisector of angle AOB. [3]
1
(ii) If the area of the triangle AOB is units2, state the exact value of the sine of angle
10
AOB. [1]
(b) Referred to the origin O, points C and D have position vectors 7i  8 j  7k and
4i  7 j  4k
respectively.
(i) Using vector product, find the exact shortest distance of the line, passing through
points C and D, from the origin. [4]
(ii) Find angle OCD. [2]

Answers
2
(a) (ii) sin AOB 
10

(b) (i) 3 6 (ii) 35.3o

PJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q10

G F

5
10
D E
B
C

11
k
j
O i 16 A

The diagram shows a container with a horizontal rectangular base OABC, where OA  16 cm
and AB  11 cm. The top of the container DEFG is also a horizontal rectangle, where
DE  10 cm and EF  5 cm. The 4 sloping faces (e.g. OAED) of the container, each a
trapezium, are inclined at the same angle to the horizontal such that the distance between the
base and the top is 6 cm. The point O is taken as origin and perpendicular unit vectors i, j, k
are such that i and j are parallel to OA and OC respectively.

(i) Show that a cartesian equation of plane BCD is 3 y  4 z  33 . [3]

(ii) Find the cartesian equations of the planes such that the perpendicular distance from
each plane to plane BCD is 10 cm. [4]
(iii) Find the coordinates of the point on plane BCD which is closest to point G. [3]
(iv) Hence or otherwise, determine the acute angle between CG and plane BCD. [3]

Answers
(ii) 3 y  4 z  83 and 3 y  4 z  17

 31 18 
(iii)  3, , 
 5 5

(iv)   24.1o

PJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q1

Referred to the origin O, points A and B have position vectors a and b respectively. The point C
lies on OA produced and is such that OC  OA , where   1 . The point D lies on OB,
between O and B, such that AD is perpendicular to OB . It is given that a  4 , b  8 and
AOB  60o .
 1
(i) Show that OD  b . [2]
4

(ii) Show that the vector equation of the line BC can be written as r  a  1    b, where 
is a parameter. [2]
The point E lies on the line BC.

(iii) Find the values of  , in terms of  , such that the area of triangle ODE is 300 . [4]

Answers
5 5
(ii)   or  
 

RI Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q10
Two children Hansel and Gretel are participating in the junior category of the Festival of Lights
competition. They decided to set up a structure consisting of a pyramid with a rectangular base
OABC and vertex V. The main power supply switch is positioned at O with coordinates
 0, 0, 0 and relative to O, the coordinates of A and C are 1, 2, 1 and  1, 1,  1 respectively.
The vertex V is fixed at a height 8 metres above the rectangular base OABC such that it is
equidistant to the points O, A, B and C. All the surfaces of the pyramid, excluding the base
OABC, are completely covered with LED (light emitting diodes) light strips so that it
illuminates in the dark.

(i) Point D is the foot of the perpendicular from V to the rectangular base OABC. Show
that the coordinates of D is  0,1.5, 0  . [1]

(ii) Find a vector perpendicular to the rectangular base OABC. Hence, find the position
vector of V, given that its k-component is positive. [4]

Hansel and Gretel decide to install two different colour display schemes on the pyramid and the
control switch is to be installed inside the pyramid at a point E with position vector
 i  1.5 j   k , where  is a constant.

(iii) Show that VE is perpendicular to the rectangular base OABC and explain why
2    0. [3]

(iv) Find the distance between E and the surface OVA in terms of  , simplifying your
answer. [4]

(v) Given that the ratio of the distance between E and the rectangular base OABC to the
distance between E and the surface OVA is 10 : 105 find the
 value of  . [2]

Answers
 2 
6  12
(ii) 1.5  (iv)
4
(v) 
 2  210 9
 

RI Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q3
The position vectors of the points U and V with respect to the origin O are u and v respectively,
where u and v are non-zero and non-parallel vectors.

(i) Show that  u  v    v  2u  can be written as k  u  v  , where k is a constant to be

determined, justifying your working. [2]

The vectors u and v are now given by

u  i  j  2 k and v  a i  b j ,
where a and b are constants.

(ii) If a  2 and b  3 , find a unit vector parallel to  u  v    v  2u  . [2]

(iii) If v is perpendicular to the vector i  2 j  3 k , find v in terms of i , j , k and b. Interpret

the solution geometrically. [3]

Answers
 6 
1  
(i) k  3 (ii)  4
77  
 5

RVHS Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q1

 p
  

Relative to the origin O , the points A , B , C and D have position vectors OA   q  ,
r
 
1 1 0

     

 
OB   2  , OC   1  and OD   3  respectively.
1 0 0
     
  1

 

 
The vectors OA and OB are perpendicular to each other. The vector  1  is a normal to the
2
 
plane containing O , A and C . The point A lies on the line passing through the point D


parallel to the vector OB . Find the values of p , q and r . [6]
Answers
p  1 , q  1 , r  1

RVHS Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q4


 
 

Relative to the origin O , the points A , B and C are such that OA  a , OB  b and OC  c
respectively, where a , b and c are vectors which are mutually non-parallel.

The plane  and the line l have the following equations

 : r  a  b where  ,   and
l : r  a   c where  
respectively.

(i) Find the point(s) of intersection between  and l given that the points O , A , B and C
are
(a) coplanar,
(b) not coplanar. [3]
1
(ii) State the geometrical meaning of ab . [1]
2
In the rest of the question, O, A, B and C are not coplanar.

(iii) The vector p is a unit vector in the direction of a  b . State the geometrical meaning of
cp . [1]

1 0 0



     

 
(iv) It is given that OA   1  , OB   1  and OC   0  . Find the volume of the pyramid
0 1  2
     
OABC . [3]
Answers

(i) (a) line l , (b) point A

 1
(iv) unit 3
3

RVHS Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q3

The diagram below shows the structure of an indoor farm to be built. Edges OA, DC, IH and
EF are vertical, and edges OA, AB, BC and CD are equal to EF, FG, GH and HI respectively.
Diagram is not drawn to scale.

E I
A

k
j

O i D

Taking O as the origin and the vectors i, j and k as unit vectors along the OD, OE and OA
respectively, the coordinates of A and C are (0, 0, 20) and (50, 0, 25) respectively. All lengths
are measured in metres.
(i) Given that i + 4k is a vector perpendicular to the flat roof ABGF, and i + 2k is
perpendicular to the flat roof BCHG, find the obtuse angle between the two roofs.
[2]
(ii) A humidity sensor is to be installed along the line BG, 50 metres away from B. Find the
coordinates of the location of the sensor. [4]
(iii) A metal cable is anchored on the ground outside the farm in front of OABCD, at a point
25 metres away from O along OD and 10 metres in front of OD. The cable is attached to
a point on AB to secure the roof ABGF. Find the length of the shortest cable needed.
[3]
(iv) State an assumption for the above calculations to be valid. [1]
Answers
(i) 139.4 , (ii) (40, 50, 30), (iii) 27.4 metres
SAJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q6

Relative to the origin O, the position vectors of points A and B are a and b respectively, where a
and b are non-zero and non-parallel vectors. The point C with position vector c lies on the line
segment AB such that AC : CB is  :1   . It is given that b is a unit
4
vector, a  and the angle formed between OA and OB is 120 .
3

(i) Find the value of  such that the points O, A and C form a right angle AOC. [4]

(ii) Find m, the position vector of M, the midpoint of AC, in terms of a and b. [2]

A circle is drawn with AC as its diameter and O is a point on the circumference of the circle
drawn.

(iii) Determine if OB is a tangent to the circle described above. [3]

(iv) Give a geometrical interpretation of b  m . Hence, explain  b  m  b in terms of

its magnitude and direction. [2]
Answers
8
(i)
11

7 4
(ii) a b
11 11

(iii) no

SAJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q5

11  2 
    x  4 y z 1
The line l1 has equation r   6     0  ,   and the line l2 has equation  
0  1  2 3 4
   
.

(i) Show that l1 and l2 are skew lines. [3]

The line l1 contains points A and B with coordinates (11, 6, 0) and (1, 6, 5) respectively with
 4
 
respect to the origin O. The plane p1 which is parallel to l1 has equation r   3   240 .
8 
 
(ii) Find the position vector of the point P on p1 which has the shortest distance to the line l1
and is equidistant from the points A and B. [5]

A plane p2 contains the point P and is parallel to both l1 and l2 .

(iii) Hence, find the Cartesian equation of p2 . [3]

Answers

 
 14 
 
(ii)  12 
 37 
 
 2 

(iii) 3x + 10y + 6z = 273

SRJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q9

The position vectors of points A, B, C with respect to the origin O are given by
a, b and c respectively. The non-zero vectors a, b and c satisfy the equation
abc  0.
(i) By considering the plane OAB or otherwise, explain clearly why O, A, B and C lies
on the same plane.
Show that a  b  b  c  c  a . [4]

(ii) Show that the area of triangle ABC is given by k a  b where k is a constant to be

determined. [3]
(iii) If b is a unit vector and a is perpendicular to b , find the length of projection of
  
AC onto OB . Given that the magnitude of AC is 2 units, deduce the angle
 
between AC and OA . [5]

Answers
5
(iii) 1; 150 or rad
6
SRJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q5
A hollow metallic ramp, in the shape of a prism, is constructed for the marching
contingent to march onto to reach an elevated platform from the ground during the
national day parade.
The diagram below shows the prism with O as the origin of position vectors and the unit
vectors i, j and k are parallel to OA, OC and OE respectively.
It is given that OE = CD = 1 m, OA = CB = 2 m and OC = AB = ED = 4 m.
D
1m
C 2m
B
E

k j 4m
O i A
ax
A laser beam in the form of a line l has Cartesian equation  z, y  1 , where a
2
 , is emitted onto the plane ABDE.
(i) Find, in terms of a, the coordinates of the point of intersection, M, of the laser beam
and the plane ABDE. [4]
For the following parts of the question assume a  0 .
(ii) The laser beam is reflected about the plane ABDE. By finding the foot of
perpendicular from Q  0,1,0  to the plane ABDE, find the equation of the reflected
beam. [5]
(iii) The path traced out by an ant crawling on the floor OABC is given by
 2  1
   
r   0    2 ,   . Let P be the point on the path, located under the ramp,
0 0
   
whereby the ant is equidistant between the planes ABDE and OCDE. Find the
position vector of point P exactly. [4]
Answers
 2a 2a 
(i)  ,1, 
 2 4 
4 
 5  2 
(ii) r =  1     0  ,  
   11 
8   
 5
  2  2 
OR r =  2     0  ,  
1 
2   11 
1  
 5 1 
1  
(iii) OP  10  2 5 
2 
 0 
 

TJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q10

p2

G 4m
F p1
target

The diagram shows two parallel boards p1 and p2 modelled by planes with equations 4 x  3z  2
and ax  z  b respectively. p1 and p2 are placed vertically on a horizontal ground, with a
distance of 4 m apart.

State the value of a. [1]

Robin places a gun through a hole at point G on p2 and aims to shoot in a direction perpendicular
 1 
to p1 at a target F on p1, with coordinates   ,1, 0  . It can be assumed that all shots travel in a
 2 
straight line.

 37 12 
Show that a set of possible coordinates of G are   ,1,  . [3]
 10 5

 37 12 
For the rest of this question, take the coordinates of G to be   ,1,  .
 10 5

ii(i) Find the value of b. [1]

The bullet from G travels in a path parallel to the vector i  j  2k and ends up at a point H on p1
instead.

i(ii) Find the acute angle between the path travelled by the bullet and p1. Hence find the
exact distance between H and F. [4]

Due to long term usage, p1 becomes slanted such that the new slanted board p3 is now modelled
by a plane that passes through the origin and contains the line with equation
y  1 3z  6
x2  .
2 4

(iii) Find a vector equation of p3, in scalar product form. [2]

(iv) Find a vector equation of the line of intersection between p1 and p3. [2]

Answers
4
a
3

22
(i) b 
3

(ii) 54.7 ; 2 2 units

 16 
(iii) r  2   0
 15 
 

 
 2  1
   
(iv) r   1     2  ,  
 2  4
   
3

TJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q4

Given that p and q are two non-zero vectors, show that p  q  p q   p q  .

2 2 2 2
(a) [2]

(b) The points O, A and B are distinct and non-collinear. A and B have position vectors a and b
respectively. It is given that AOB  90 and a   b where  is a constant. Point M is

the midpoint of AB and point T lies on OM produced such that 3OM = MT.
 (i) Write down a vector equation of the line AB in terms of a and b. [1]
(ii) Show that the position vector of the foot of perpendicular from point T to line AB is

2 
 2 2  1 a   2   2  b  .
1
given by 
[6]
1 
Answers
(b)(i) r  a    b  a  where  

TPJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q6

Referred to the origin O, points A and B have position vectors given by a   pi  2 pj  2 pk

and b  4i  3j respectively, where p > 0.

(i) Given that a is a unit vector, find the exact value of p. [2]
(ii) Give a geometrical interpretation of a b . [1]

Point C lies on AB, between A and B, such that AC : CB  3: 2 .

(iii) Find the position vector of C. [2]
(iv) Find the exact area of triangle OBC. [3]
Answers
1
(i) p
3
 34 
1 
(iii) 31
15  
4

221
(iv)
15

TPJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q3

x9 y 5
The line l has equation  , z  1 , and the plane p1 has equation  x  2 y  z  6 .
3 1
(i) Find the acute angle between l and p1 . [3]

Referred to the origin O, the point A has position vector 2i  j  6k .

(ii) Find the position vector of F, the foot of the perpendicular from A to p1 . [3]
(iii) Find the perpendicular distance from A to p1 , in exact form. [2]

(iv) Given that l is the line of intersection of the planes p2 and p3 with equations
x  3 y  z  a and x  by  z  7 respectively, where a and b are real constants, find the
values of a and b. [4]
Answers
(i) 7.4
0
 
(ii) 5
 4 
 
(iii)  6
a  5 , b  3

VJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q8

(a) The straight line l has equation r = i + 6j − 3k + s(i − 2j + 2k), s  . The plane p has
equation r  (2i − 3j + 6k) = 6. The line l intersects the plane p at a point C.

(i) Show that the position vector of C is 3i + 2j + k. [2]

(ii) Find a vector equation of the line which lies in p, passes through C and is
perpendicular to l. [3]

(b) Referred to the origin O , the points A and B have position vectors a and b respectively.

Show that a  b = a b   a  b  .
2 2 2 2
(i) [3]

1
It is further given that a is a unit vector, b has magnitude 3 and a.b = .
3

(ii) Find the exact area of triangle OAB. [2]

(iii) Give the geometrical meaning of a  b . [1]

Answers
 3   6 
   
(aii) r   2   t  2  , t 
1  1 
   
 2 5
(bii) units 2
3

VJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q11

z H

y (N)

Control
tower
G
O
x (E)

The diagram illustrates the initial flight path of a helicopter H taking off from an airport. The
origin O is taken to be at the base of the control tower. The x-axis is due east, the y-axis due
north, and the z-axis is vertical. The units of distances are measured in kilometres.

The helicopter takes off from the point G on the ground. The position vector r of the helicopter t
minutes after take-off is given by

r = (1 + t)i + (0.5 +2t)j + 2tk.

(i) Write down the coordinates of G and describe the initial flight path. [3]

(ii) Find the acute angle that the helicopter’s flight path makes with the horizontal. [3]

(iii) A mountain top is situated at the point M (5, 4.5, 3). Determine how long after take off the
helicopter will be nearest to M. [2]

(iv) An eagle sets off from the mountain top to hunt for food. The position of the eagle satisfies
the equation

x2 z2
 , y  4.5 .
3 1

Determine if the flight path of the helicopter will intersect the path traced out by the eagle,
showing your reasoning clearly. [3]
(v) The helicopter enters a cloud at a height of 2 km. Given that the visibility on that day is
3.75 km, determine if the air traffic controller who is situated at 70 m above ground level,
in the control tower, will be able to sight the helicopter as it enters the cloud. [2]

Answers
(i) (1, 0.5, 0)

(ii) 41.8

(iii) 2 min

YJC Prelim 9758/2018/01/Q9

1  0
z    
The two lines l1 and l2 have equations x   2, y  0 and r   0     q  respectively, where
2  2  2
   
  and q is a constant. The point A has coordinates  4, 3, k  where k is a constant and the
two planes p1 and p2 have equations 4 x  8  y  2 z and y  tz  2t respectively, where t is a
constant.
(i) Find a vector equation of l1 and hence show that l1 lies in p1 . [3]
(ii) Find the coordinates of the foot of perpendicular from A to p1 . Express your answer in
terms of k. [3]
(iii) Given that the angle between l1 and l2 is 60°, find the possible values of q . [2]
(iv) Given that q  1 and that the point B 1, 2, 2  is equidistant from l2 and p2 , find the
possible values of t. [6]

Answers
 2  1
   
(i) r =  0     0  ,  
0  2 
   
 8 2 17 
(ii)   k , 4  k , k  2 
 21 21 21 
44
(iii) q   =  2.97
5
1
(iv) t  
2
YJC Prelim 9758/2018/02/Q4
Relative to the origin O, the position vectors of points A, B and N are a, b and n respectively. It
is given that N lies on AB, between A and B, such that a n  b n and AON and BON are
30 and 60 respectively.

(i) Show that AB is perpendicular to ON. [2]

(ii) State the geometrical meaning of a  n . [1]

n
(iii) State the geometrical meaning of a  and show that its value is k n , where k is an
n
exact value to be found. [2]
(iv) Find the ratio AN : NB and express n in terms of a and b. [3]

Answers
1
(iii) AN  n
3
3a  b
(iv) 1: 3 , n 
4