Vectors Past Papers

Worksheet
1. 20N.1.SL.TZ0.S_7

In this question, all lengths are in metres and time is in seconds.

Consider two particles, 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 , which start to move at the same time.

Particle 𝑃1 moves in a straight line such that its displacement from a fixed-point is given by
7
𝑠(𝑡) = 10 − 4 𝑡 2 , for 𝑡 ≥ 0.

(a) Find an expression for the velocity of 𝑃1 at time 𝑡.

[2]
−1 4
(b) Particle 𝑃2 also moves in a straight line. The position of 𝑃2 is given by 𝐫 = ( ) + 𝑡 ( ).
6 −3
The speed of 𝑃1 is greater than the speed of 𝑃2 when 𝑡 > 𝑞.

Find the value of 𝑞.

[5]

2. 21M.2.AHL.TZ1.6

Consider the planes Π1 and Π2 with the following equations.

Π1 : 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 6

Π2 : 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4

(a) Find a Cartesian equation of the plane Π3 which is perpendicular to Π1 and Π2 and passes
through the origin (0, 0, 0).

[3]

(b) Find the coordinates of the point where Π1 , Π2 and Π3 intersect.

[2]
3. 21M.1.AHL.TZ2.8

The lines 𝑙1 and 𝑙2 have the following vector equations where 𝜆, 𝜇 ∈ ℝ.

[3]

(b) Find the minimum distance between 𝑙1 and 𝑙2 .

[5]

4. 21M.1.AHL.TZ1.11
𝑥+1
Consider the line 𝐿1 defined by the Cartesian equation 2
= 𝑦 = 3 − 𝑧.

(a.i) Show that the point (−1, 0, 3) lies on 𝐿1 .

[1]

(a.ii) Find a vector equation of 𝐿1 .

[3]
0 𝑎
Consider a second line 𝐿2 defined by the vector equation 𝐫 = (1) + 𝑡 ( 1 ), where 𝑡 ∈
2 −1
ℝ and 𝑎 ∈ ℝ.

(b) Find the possible values of 𝑎 when the acute angle between 𝐿1 and 𝐿2 is 45∘ .

[8]

(c) It is given that the lines 𝐿1 and 𝐿2 have a unique point of intersection, A, when 𝑎 ≠ 𝑘.

Find the value of 𝑘, and find the coordinates of the point A in terms of 𝑎.

[7]
5. 21N.2.AHL.TZ0.11

Three points A(3, 0, 0), B(0, −2, 0) and C(1, 1, −7) lie on the plane 𝛱1 .
→ →
(a.i) Find the vector AB and the vector AC.

[2]

(a.ii) Hence find the equation of 𝛱1 , expressing your answer in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 = 𝑑,
where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 ∈ ℤ.

[5]

Plane 𝛱2 has equation 3𝑥 − 𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 2.

(b) The line 𝐿 is the intersection of 𝛱1 and 𝛱2 . Verify that the vector equation of 𝐿 can be written
0 1
as 𝐫 = (−2) + 𝜆 ( 1 ).
0 −1
[2]

The plane 𝛱3 is given by 2𝑥 − 2𝑧 = 3. The line 𝐿 and the plane 𝛱3 intersect at the point P.
3
(c.i) Show that at the point P, 𝜆 = .
4

[2]

(c.ii) Hence find the coordinates of P.

[1]

The point B(0, −2, 0) lies on 𝐿.

(d.i) Find the reflection of the point B in the plane 𝛱3 .

[7]

(d.ii) Hence find the vector equation of the line formed when 𝐿 is reflected in the plane 𝛱3 .

[2]
6. 22N.2.AHL.TZ0.12

Consider the points A(1, 2, 3), B(𝑘, −2, 1) and C(5, 0, 2), where 𝑘 ∈ ℝ.
→ →
(a) Write down AB and AC.

[2]

(b) Given that the points A, B and C lie on a straight line, show that 𝑘 = 9.

[1]

For 𝑘 = 9, let 𝐿1 be the line passing through A, B and C.

(c.i) Find a vector equation of the line 𝐿1 .

[2]
𝑥−1 𝑦
(c.ii) Line 𝐿2 has the equation = = 1 − 𝑧. Show that the lines 𝐿1 and 𝐿2 are skew.
2 3

[8]

For 𝑘 ≠ 9, let 𝛱 be the plane containing A, B and C.

(d.i) Find the Cartesian equation of the plane 𝛱.

[4]

(d.ii) Find the coordinates of the point on the plane 𝛱 which is closest to the origin (0, 0, 0).

[5]

7. 22M.1.AHL.TZ1.11

Consider the three planes

∏ : 2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4
1

∏ : 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 5
2

∏ : − 9𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 2𝑧 = 32
3

(a) Show that the three planes do not intersect. [4]

(b.i) Verify that the point P(1, −2, 0) lies on both ∏1 and ∏2 . [1]

(b.ii) Find a vector equation of 𝐿, the line of intersection of ∏1 and ∏2 . [4]

(c) Find the distance between 𝐿 and ∏3 . [6]

Two airplanes, 𝐴 and 𝐵, have position vectors with respect to an origin O given respectively by
19 −6
rA = (−1) + 𝑡 ( 2 )
1 4
1 4
𝐫𝐁 = ( 0 ) + 𝑡 ( 2 )
12 −2
where 𝑡 represents the time in minutes and 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2.5.

Entries in each column vector give the displacement east of O, the displacement north of O and
the distance above sea level, all measured in kilometres.

(a) Find the three-figure bearing on which airplane 𝐵 is travelling.

[2]

(b) Show that airplane 𝐴 travels at a greater speed than airplane 𝐵.

[2]

(c) Find the acute angle between the two airplanes’ lines of flight. Give your answer in degrees.

[4]

The two airplanes’ lines of flight cross at point P.

(d.i) Find the coordinates of P.

[5]

(d.ii) Determine the length of time between the first airplane arriving at P and the second
airplane arriving at P.

[2]

(e) Let 𝐷(𝑡) represent the distance between airplane 𝐴 and airplane 𝐵 for 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2.5.

Find the minimum value of 𝐷(𝑡).

[5]
9. 22M.2.AHL.TZ1.7
12
Consider the vectors 𝐚 and 𝐛 such that 𝐚 = ( ) and |𝐛| = 15.
−5
(a) Find the possible range of values for |𝐚 + 𝐛|.

[2]

Consider the vector 𝐩 such that 𝐩 = 𝐚 + 𝐛.

(b) Given that |𝐚 + 𝐛| is a minimum, find 𝐩.

[2]
𝑥
Consider the vector 𝐪 such that 𝐪 = (𝑦), where 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ+ .

(c) Find 𝐪 such that |𝐪| = |𝐛| and 𝐪 is perpendicular to 𝐚.

[5]