NAME INDEX NUMBER

SCHOOL DATE

VECTORS
KCSE 1989 – 2012 Form 3 Mathematics Working Space

1. 1989 Q11 P2
In the figure below, AB = P, AD = 3/5 AC and CE = 2/3 CB
C

A B

Express DE in terms of p and q

2. 1990 Q21 P1
In a parallelogram ABCD, AB = 2a and AD = b. M is
the midpoint of AB. AC cut MD at X.
i) Express AC in terms of a and b (2 marks)
ii) Given that AX = mAC and MX = nMD, where
m and n are constants, find m and n.

(6 marks)

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 Working Space

3. 1990 Q8 P2
In a triangle ABC, D is the midpoint of AB and E
is appoint on BC such that BE = 2/3 BC. If AD =P and
AC = Q, express EC in terms of p and q.
(2 marks)

4. 1990 Q10 P2
A point T divides a line AB internally in the ratio
5 : 2. Given that A is (-4, 10) And B is (10, 3) find the
coordinates of T. (4 marks)

5. 1991 Q6 P1
In the diagram below OABC is a parallelogram.
T
C

O A
AB is produced to T such that BT: AB = 1:2. M is the
midpoint of AC. Given that OA = a and OC = c. Express
MT in term of a and c. (3 marks)

Working Space
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6. 1991 Q20 P1

In the figure below E is the midpoint of BC, AD: DC = 3:2

and F is the point of intersection of BD and DE.

A D C

i) Given that AB = b and AC = c express AE and

BD in terms of b and c (3 marks)

ii) Given further that BF = tBD and AF = sAE

find the values of s and t. (5 marks)

7. 1992 Q11 P1
Three points A, B and P are in straight line such that
AP = tAB. Given that the coordinates of A, B and P are
(3,4) (8,7) and (x,y) respectively, express x and y in
term s of t. (3 marks)

Working Space
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8. 1992 Q24 P1

OABC is a trapezium such that the coordinates of

O,A,B and C ARE (0,0),(2,-1), (4, 3) and (0, y).
a) Find the value of y (2 marks)
b) M is a midpoint of AB and N is a midpoint
of OM. Show that A, N and C are collinear.
(6 marks)

9. 1992 Q7 P2

The vectors p, q and y are expressed in terms of

the vectors t and s as follow:
p = 3t + 2s
q = 5t – s
y = ht + (h – k)s
where h and k are constants. Given that y = 2p – 3q, find
the values of and k. (4 marks)

Working Space

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10 1993 Q21 P1
OABC is a trapezium in which OA = a, OC = c and
CB = 3a. CB is produced to such that CB : BD = 3: 1. E is
a point on AB such that AB = 2AE. Show that O, E and d
are collinear.
(8 marks)

11 1993 Q16 P1
In the figure below CA = b CB = a, AX = XY and
AY = YB.
C

A X Y B
Express CX in terms of a and b (3 marks)

Working Space

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12 1994 Q24 P1
In the figure below AB = a, AD = b, AX : XC = 2:3 and
XB = 4:5
B C

a X

A b D
a) Express
i) AC
ii) DC in terms of a and b in the simplest
form. (6 marks)
b) If DC = na + mb, find the values of n and m
(2 marks)

13 1994Q12P2
Find the position vector of point R which divides line
MN internally in the ratio 2 : 3.
Take the position vectors of M and N to be

() ()
3 −5
M= 4 and N = −1
−6 2

(3 marks)

Working Space

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14 1994 Q10 P2
In the figure below OC = 3 CA and OD = 3DB. By taking
OA = a, OB = b, show that CD // AB. (3 marks)

C D

A B

15 1994 Q15 P2
. In the figure below ABCD is a parallelogram. AOC and
BOD are diagonals of the parallelogram. Show that the
diagonals of the parallelogram bisect each other. Give
reasons. (3 marks)
A B

D C

Working Space

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 1995 Q 18 P1
The figure below is a right pyramid with a rectangular
base ABCD and VO as the height. The vectors AD= a,
AB = b and DV = c

a) Express (i) AV in terms of a and c ( 1 mark)

(ii) BV in terms of a, b and c (2 marks)
(b) M is point on OV such that OM: MV = 3:4, Express
BM in terms of a, b and c . Simplify your answer as far
as possible (5 marks)

17 1996 Q 22 P1
a) In the diagram below OABC is a parallelogram,
OA = a and AB = b. N is a point on OA such that
ON: NA = 1: 2

(b) Find
(i) AC in terms of a and b
(ii) BN in terms of a and b
(c) The lines AC and BN intersect at X,
AX = hAC and BX = kBN
(i) By expressing OX in two ways,
find the values of h and k
(ii) Express OX in terms of a and b
(1 mark)

Working Space

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18 1997 Q 11 P2
ABC is a triangle and P is on AB such that P divides
AB internally in the ratio 4:3. Q is a point on AC such
that PQ is parallel to BC. If AC = 14 cm
(i) State the ratio AQ:QC
(ii) Calculate the length of QC

19 1997 Q 22 P1
In the figure below OA = a, OB = b, AB = BC and OB:
BD = 3:1

(a) Determine
(i) AB
(ii) CD, in terms of a and b
(b) If CD : DE = 1:k and OA:AE = 1: m
determine
(i) DE in terms of a, b and k

Working Space

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20 1998 Q 9 P2
In the figure, KLMN is a trapezium in which KL is
parallel to NM and KL = 3 NM

Given that KN = w, NM = u and ML = v. Show that 2 u =

v= w

21 1998 Q 22 P1
The figure below shows a grid of equally spaced
parallel lines

AB = a and BC = b

(a) Express
(i) AC in terms of a and b

(ii) AD in terms of a and b.

(b) Using triangle BEP, express BP in terms of a and b

(c) PR produced meets BA produced at X and PR =

/9 b - 8/3a
1

By writing PX as kPR and BX as hBA and using the

triangle BPX determine the ratio PR: RX

Working Space

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22 1999 Q 14 P2

The points P. Q and R lie on a straight line. The position

vectors of P and R are 2i + 2j + 13k and 5i – 3j + 4k
respectively. Q divides PR Internally in the ratio 2:1.
Find the
(a) Position vector of Q.
(b) Distance of Q from the origin

23 1999 Q 21 P1

In triangle OAB, OA = a, OB = b and P lies on AB

such that AP: BP = 3:5
(a) Find the terms of a and b the vectors

(i) AB
(ii) AP
(iii) BP
(iv) OP
−5 9
(b) Point Q is on OP such AQ = a+ b. Find
8 40
the
ratio OQ: QP

Working Space

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24 2000 Q 21 P1
The figure below shows triangle OAB in which M
divides OA in the ratio 2: 3 and N divides OB in the
ratio 4:1 AN and BM intersect at X.

(a) Given that OA = a and OB = b, express in terms

of a and b:
(i) AN
(ii) BM
(b)If AX = s AN and BX = tBM, where s and t are
constants, write two expressions for OX in terms
of a,b s and t. Find the value of s Hence write OX
in terms of a and b

25 2001 Q 16 P1
The position vectors for points P and Q are 4 i + 3 j + 2k
and 3i – 6j + 6k respectively. Express vector PQ in
terms of unit vectors I, j and k. Hence find the length of
PQ, leaving your answer in simplified form.

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 Working Space

26 2001 Q 19 P1
The figure below shows a parallelogram OPQR with O
as the origin, OP = p and OR = r, Point T divides RQ in
the ratio 1:4 and PT Meets OQ at S.

(a) Express in terms of p and r the vectors

(i) OQ
(ii) OT
(b) Vector OS can be expressed in two
ways: mOQ or OT + n TP, Where m and
n are constants express OS in terms of
(i) m, p and r
(ii) n, p and r
Hence find the:
(iii) Value on m
(iv) Ratio OS: SQ

27 2002 Q 10 P2

The coordinates of points O,P,Q and R are (0,0) , (3,4) ,

(11,6) and (8,2) respectively. A point T is such that
vectors OT,QP and QR satisfy the vector equation.
OT = QP + ½ QR .Find the coordinates of T.

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 Working Space

28 2002 Q 4 P1
The position vectors of points X and Y are x=2i + j – 3k
and y =3i + 2j -2k respectively. Find XY

29 2003 Q 6 P1
Given that x = 2i +j – 2k,y = - 3i +4j –k and z = - 5i +3j
+2k and that p = 3x – y +2z. Find the magnitude of
vector p to 3 significant figure (4 marks)

30 2003 Q 21 P1
In the figure below, vector OP = p and OR =r. Vector
OS = 2r and OQ = 3/2p.

a) Express in terms of p and r (i) QR and (ii) PS

b) The lines QR and PS intersect at K such that QK
= m QR and PK = n PS, where m and n are
scalars. Find two distinct expressions for OK in
terms of p,r,m and n. Hence find the values of m
and n. (5 marks)
c) State the ratio PK:KS

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 Working Space

31 2004 Q 4 P1
Given that OA = 3i -2j + and OB = 4i + j – 3k. Find the
distance between points A and B to 2 decimal places.

32 2004 Q 21 P1
a) If A, B and C are the points P and Q are p and q
respectively is another point with position
vector r = 3/2q -1/2 p. Express in terms of p and
q.
i) PR
ii) RQ hence shows that P, Q and R are
collinear.
iii) Determine the ratio PQ: QR.

33 2005 Q 13 P1

Point T is the midpoint of a straight line AB. Given the

position vectors of A and T are i-j + k and 2i+ 1 ½ k
respectively, find the position vector of B in terms of i,
j and k. (3 marks)

34 2005 Q 18 P1
The points P, Q, R and S have position vectors 2p, 3p, r
and 3r respectively, relative to an origin O. A point T
divides PS internally in the ratio 1:6
(a) Find, in the simplest form, the vectors OT and QT in
terms P and r (4 marks)
(b) (i) Show that the points Q, T, and R lie on a straight
line (3 marks)
(ii) Determine the ratio in which T divides QR
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 (1 mark)

Working Space

35 2006 Q 12 P1
Two points P and Q have coordinates (-2, 3) and
(1,3) respectively. A translation map point P to
P’ ( 10, 10)
a) Find the coordinates of Q’ the image of Q under the
translation (1 mark)
(ii) The position vector of P and Q in (a) above are
p and q respectively given that mp – nq = (−12
9 )
(3 marks)
b) Find the value of m and n

36 2006 Q 22 P1
In the diagram below, the coordinates of points A
and B are (1, 6) and (15, 6) respectively. Point N is
on OB such that 3 ON = 2OB. Line OA is produced to
L such that OL = 3 OA

(a) Find vector LN (3 marks)

(b) Given that a point M is on LN such that LM: MN
= 3: 4, find the coordinates of (2 marks)
(c) If line OM is produced to T such that OM: MT =
6:1
(i) Find the position vector of T (1 mark)
(ii) Show that points L, T and B are collinear (4 marks)

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 Working Space

37 2006 Q 9 P2
Given that q i + 1/3 j + 2/3 k is a unit vector, find q
(2 marks)

38 2007 Q 21 P1
In the figure below, OQ = q and OR = r. Point X
divides OQ in the ratio 1: 2 and Y divides OR in the
ratio 3: 4 lines XR and YQ intersect at E.

(a)Express in terms of q and r

(i) XR (1 mark)
(ii) YQ (1 mark)
(b) If XE = m XR and YE = n YQ, express OE in terms of:
( 1 mark)
(i) r, q and m
(ii) r, q and n (1 mark)
(c) Using the results in (b) above, find the values of m
and n. (6 marks)

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 Working Space

39 2007 Q 12 P2
Vector q has a magnitude of 7 and is parallel to vector p.
Given that p= 3 i –j + 1 ½ k, express vector q in terms
of i, j, and k. (2 marks)

40 2008 Q 19 P2
In the figure below AB=p, AD= q, DE= ½ AB and BC=
2
/3 BD
B

E
P C

A D

a) Find in terms of p arid q the vectors: (1 mark)

(i) BD; (1 mark)

(ii) BC; (1 mark)
(iii) CD; (1 mark)
(iv) AC. (2
marks)

b) Given that AC=kCE, where k is a scalar, find

(i) The value of k (4
marks)
(ii) The ratio in which C divides AE
(1 mark)

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 Working Space

41 2008 Q 4 P2

( )
3
The position vectors of points A and B are −1 and
−4

()
8
−6 respectively.
6

A point P divides AB in AB it he ratio 2:3. Find the

position Vector of point P. (3
marks)

42 2009 Q 20 P1
The position vectors of point A and B with respect to
the O,are (−85) and (−5
12
) respectively
Point M is the midpoint of AB and N is the midpoint of
OA.

(a) Find:

i) The coordinates of N and M (3 marks)

ii) The magnitude of NM (3 marks)

(b) Express vector NM in term of OB.

(c) Point P maps onto P by a translation (−58)

Given that OP=OM+2MN, find the coordinates
of P´

43 2009 Q 6 P2

Vector OA = (21) and OB= (−36 ) Point C is on OB such

CB=2OC and point D is on AB such that AD=3DB.
Express CD as a column vector. (3 marks)

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 Working Space

44 2010 Q 7 P1
In the figure below, OPQR is a trapezium in which PQ is
parallel to OR and M is the mid-point of QR and OP=p,
OR=r and PQ = 1/3 OR.

Find OM in terms of p and r. (3 marks)

45 2010 Q 18 P2
In the figure below OJKL is a parallelogram in which OJ
= 3p and OL = 2r
L K

2r

O 3p J
a) If A is a point on LK such that LA = ½ AK and point
B divide the line JK externally in the ratio 3:1,
express OB and AJ in terms of p and r.
(2 marks)
b) Line OB interests AJ at X such that OX = mOB and
AX = nAJ.
i) Express OX in terms of p, r and m.
(1 mark)
ii) Express OX in terms of p, r and n
(1 mark)
iii) Determine the value of m and n and hence
the ratio in which point x divides line AJ.
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 (6 marks)

Working Space

46 2011 Q 13 P2
Vector OP=6i + j and OQ+ -2i +5j. A point N divides PQ
internally in the ratio 3:1. Find PN in terms of i and j.
(3 marks)

47 2011 Q 23 P1
In the figure below,ABCD is a trapezium. AB is parallel
to DC,diagonals AC and DB intersect at X and DC=2AB.
AB= a, DA=d, AX=k AC and DX= hDB where h and k
are constants.
A a B

d X

D C

a) Find in terms of a and d

i) BC (2 marks)
ii) AX (2 marks)
iii) DX (1 mark)

48 2012 Q4 P2
Given that P=2i-3j+k, Q=3i-4j-3k and R=3P+2Q, find the

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 magnitude of R to 2 significant figures. (3 marks)

Working Space

49 2012 Q19 P2
In triangle OPQ below, OP = p, OQ=q. Point M lies on
OP such that OM: MP=2:3 and point N lies on OQ such
that ON: NQ=5:1. Line PN intersects line MQ at X.

O Q
q
(a) Express in terms of p and q:
(i) PN; (1 mark)

ii) QM; (1 mark)

(b) Given that PX= kPN and QX=rQM,where k and r

are scalars:
(i) Write two different expressions for OX
in terms of p,q,k and r; (2 marks)
(ii) Find the values of k and r; (4 marks)
(iii) Determine the ratio in which X divides
line MQ. (2 marks)

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