Grade 11

IB-HL MATHEMATICS

Unit - 7
- VECTORS -

Üsküdar American Academy

Mathematics Department
GRADE 11 IB HL

Objectives:
By the end of this chapter you should be familiar with...
• vectors as displacements in the plane and in three dimensions
• components
 of a vector; column representation
v1
→→↑  
• AB = v2 

 = v1 i + v2 j + v3 k
v3
• algebraic and geometric approaches to the following topics:
*the sum and di!erence of two vectors
*the zero vector, the vector →v
*multiplication by a scalar, kv; parallel vectors
*magnitude of a vector,|v|; unit vectors; base vectors, i, j and k
→↑
*position vector OA = a
• the scalar product of two vectors
• perpendicular vectors; parallel vectors
• finding the angle between two vectors
• finding the vector equation of a line r = a + ωb
• finding the angle between two lines
• coincident, parallel, intersecting and skew lines; distinguishing between these cases
• finding points of intersection
• using the vector product of two vectors,v ↓ w
• using the geometric interpretation of |v ↓ w|
• finding the vector equation of a plane r = a + ωb + εc
• using the normal vector to obtain the form r · n = a · n
• finding the Cartesian equation of a plane ax + by + cz = d
• finding intersections of: a line with a plane; two planes; three planes
• finding the angle between: a line and a plane; two planes.

1
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GRADE 11 IB HL

VECTORS , LINES AND PLANES

A vector is defined by direction and magnitude.

→→↑
AB is usually represents either the position vector of B relative to A or the displacement
from A to B.
A is called the initial point and B the terminal point.
The length (magnitude) of a vector v is also known as its modulus or its norm, and it is
written
 as  |v|.
x
↑
→  
v = y 

z
'
Magnitude of a vector v, |v| = x2 + y 2 + z 2

Points,Position vectors and Displacement vectors in 3-D space  

x
→→↑  
Two points A(x1 , y1 , z1 ) and B(x2 , y2 , z2 ) have displacement vectors AB =  
  where
y
z
x = x2 → x1 , y = y2 → y1 and z = z2 → z1    
x1 x
→↑   →→
↑  2
You can also assign a position vector to each point OA =    
 y1  and OB =  y2 
z1 z2

2
GRADE 11 IB HL

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF THE VECTORS

   
u1 v
↑
→   ↑
→  1
If u =    
u2  and v = v2  and k is any real number, then
u3 v3
   
u1 ↔ v 1 ku1
↑
→    
u ↔↑→
v = u 2 ↔ v 2
 and k ↑

→u = ku2 
 
u3 ↔ v 3 ku3

EXAMPLE:

Given the points A(→2, 3, 5) and B(1, 0, →4),

→→↑
(a) find the components of vector AB

→→↑
(b) find the components of vector BA

→→↑
(c) find the components of vector 3AB

→↑ →→↑
(d) find the components of vector OA + OB

(e) calculate |AB| and |BA|

3
GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE:
In the figure, we are given a cuboid ABCDEF where M and N are midpoints of edges
[BF ] and [GH] respectively. Vectors are defined as:
→→↑
AB = p
→→↑
AD = q
→↑
AE = r

Find the following vectors in terms of p, q and r:

→→↑ →→↑
(a) M N (b) DF

→↑ →→↑
(c) AG (d) CE

EXAMPLE:
A rectangle ABCD is given. The points P and Q are the midpoints of the sides [BC] and
1
[CD] respectively. Show that [P Q] is parallel to the diagonal [BD] and that P Q = BD.
2

4
GRADE 11 IB HL

PARALLEL VECTORS: Two vectors   are parallel if one of them

 is a scaler multiple of
2 4
   
the other.For example, the vector    
3 is parallel to the vector 6
4 8
   
2 2
   
since 3 = 2 3
  

4 4

UNIT VECTORS:In three dimensional space, the unit vectors along the axes are
i = (1, 0, 0) , j = (0, 1, 0), k = (0, 0, 1) The vectors i,j and k are called the base vectors of
the 3-space.
 
2
→→↑  
AB =  
→2 = 2i → 2j + 4k
4

EXAMPLE: Given the vectors u = →2i + 3j + k and v = →i + 2j → 3k,

(a) write down u and v in component form.

(b)find u + v and 2u → 3v.

5
GRADE 11 IB HL

u
The unit vector v in the same direction as u is v =
|u|
→u
The unit vector v in the opposite direction as u is v =
|u|

EXAMPLE:Given the vector v = i + 2j + 3k.

(a) Find a unit vector u in the direction of v.

(b) Find a unit vector parallel to v.

(c) Find the vector with magnitude 7 in the direction of v.

HOMEWORK

1. Find ϑ such that |ϑi + (ϑ → 1)j + (ϑ + 1)k| = 2.

2. Find the scalar t (or show that there is none) so that the vector v = ti → 2tj + 3tk is
a unit vector.

3. Let u = i + 3j → 2k and v = 2i + j. Find:

(a)|u + v|

(b)|u| + |v|

6
GRADE 11 IB HL

SCALAR ( DOT) PRODUCT

a · b = |a||b| cos ϖ

Let a = (a1 , a2 , a3 ) and b = (b1 , b2 , b3 ). The dot product (scalar) is written as a · b and is
defined as a · b = a1 · b1 + a2 · b2 + a3 · b3 .

PROOF:

EXAMPLES:

1. ! Find the angle between the vectors u = i → 2j + 2k and v = →3i + 6j + 2k.

7
GRADE 11 IB HL

   
3 1
    ϱ
2. Find k such that the angle between the vectors    
→k  and →3 is 3 .
→1 k

   
k 1
    ϱ
3. Find k such that the angle between the vectors    
1 and k  is 3 .
1 1

8
 GRADE 11 IB HL

IF THE TWO VECTORS ARE PERPENDICULAR

u·v =0

PROOF:

EXAMPLES:
   
k k→2
1. The vectors 
 

YETI




 →3  and  2 , k ↗ R are perpendicular. Find the possible
k→2 →1
values of k.

k2 2k 6
kt besffen
3k f4ark

EY.IE
2. a and b are two vectors.|a + b| = |a → b| are given. Prove that the vectors a and b are
perpendicular.

la.b
latbl
t2abtb F 2abtb
2labl 2ab
ab 0soal b →→↑ →→↑ →→↑ →↑
3. Consider an equilateral triangle ABC. Find AB · BC + BC · AC.

0
4. Let u = i + tan(ϑ)j and v = tan(ε)i + j, where 0 < ϑ, ε < .
4
ϱ
Let ς be the angle between the vectors u and v. Show that ϑ + ε + ς = .
2

9
 GRADE 11 IB HL

VECTOR(CROSS)
   PRODUCT

u1 v1
   
u= u
  2
 and v = v2  are two vectors, then the vector(cross) product is written as
 
u3 v3
u ↓ v and is defined as
UN
( (
( (
(i j k(
( (
u ↓ v = ((u1 u3 ((
(
u2
( ofuand
components

( v1 v2 v3 (
( ( ( ( ( (
v (u u (
( 2 3(
(u
( 1 u3 (( (u u (
( 1 2(
u↓v =( (i → ( (j + ( (k
( v2 v3 ( ( v1 v3 ( ( v1 v2 (

Given u = u1 i + u2 j + u3 k and u = v1 i + v2 j + v3 k, the vector cross product of u and v is

the vector given by u ↓ v=(u2 v3 → u3 v2 )i → (u1 v3 → u3 v1 )j + (u1 v2 → u2 v1 )k.
EXAMPLE:
Given the vectors u = 2i → 3j + k and v = i + 3j → 2k, find
(a)u ↓ v
6 3 3 1 k 6 131
_j

742
31 2J 9k
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uxv 3g
(b)v ↓ u

3 t2j 9k vxu
(c)u ↓ u

0
PROPERTIES:

1. u ↓ (v ↔ w) = (u ↓ v) ↔ (u ↓ w)

2. u ↓ 0 = 0

3. u ↓ u = 0

4. i ↓ j = k ; j ↓ k = i; k ↓ i = j

5. u · (u ↓ v) = 0

6. v · (u ↓ v) = 0

10
GRADE 11 IB HL

The Cross Product Rules:

|u ↓ v| = |u||v| sin ϖ

u ↓ v = →(v ↓ u)

Proof(Optional):

AREA OF A TRIANGLE:

→→↑ →→↑
The area of the parallelogram is the magnitude of the cross product of AB and AD
1
The area of the triangle ABD equals |u ↓ v|
2

EXAMPLES:

1. Find the area of the triangle determined by the points A(2,2,0), B(-1,0,2) and C(0,4,3).

A AB B A

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GRADE 11 IB HL

IB QUESTION:
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2. (a) For non-zero vectors a and b, show that

i. if |a + b| = |a → b|, then a and b are perperndicular;

a at
ii. |a ↓ b|2 = |a|2 |b|2 → (a · b)2 .

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Io a.b
omeansadb

4 1012161
la lb b la 1b la.b
cosf.ly

(b) The points A,B and C have position vectors a,b and c.

i. Show that the area of triangle ABC is

1
|a ↓ b + b ↓ c + c ↓ a|.
2
ii. Hence, show that the shortest distance from B to AC is

|a ↓ b + b ↓ c + c ↓ a|
|c → a|

12
 GRADE 11 IB HL

LINES IN SPACE
The line can be determined by specifying a point on it and a direction given by a non-zero
vector parallel to it.
As in two dimensions, we can describe a line in space using a point on the line and the
direction of the line, or a parallel vector, which we call the direction vector. Let L be a
line in space passing through point P (x0 , y0 , z0 ). Let v = ai + bj + ck be a vector parallel
→→↑
to L. Then, for any point on line Q(x, y, z), we know that P Q is parallel to ↑ →
v . Thus, as
→→↑
we just discussed, there is a scalar, t, such that P Q = tv, which gives
→→↑
VectorEquat on P Q = tv
ofa L ne
2
E (x → x0 , y → y0 , z → z0 ) = t(a, b, c) = (ta, tb, tc). c

Parametr c Equat on

2 4 44t
1 11
Cartes anEquat on

 
a
↑
→  
The line that passes through the point A(x0 , y0 , z0 ) and parallel to the vector v = 
b

c
has parametric equations: x = x0 + at , y= y0 + bt
 , z = z
  0 + ct
x x0 a
     
The vector equation of the line r = r0 + tv or      
 y  =  y 0  + t  b ,
z z0 c
r is the position vector of any point on the line, while r0 is the position vector of a fixed
point (A in this case) on the line and v is the vector parallel to the given line.
If a ↘= 0, b ↘= 0 , and c ↘= 0, then the set of parametric equations can be re-arranged to
yield the set of Cartesian equations: By equating

x → x0 y → y0 z → z0
= =
a b c

13
GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLES:
4 ᵗ
1. Find parametric equations of the line through the points A(1, →2, 3) and B(2, 4, →2).

2. Find a vector equation of the line that contains (→1, 3, 0) and is parallel to
v = 3i → 2j + k.

F 1 f e

3. Find the Cartesian equations of the line through A(3, →7, 4) and B(1, →4, →1).

4. Let L be the line with Cartesian equations

x→2 y+1
= =z→4
3 →2
Find a set of parametric equations for L.
T

5. Find the equation of the line that passes through the point P (1, 0, →3) and which is
parallel to the line
x+1 y→1
= =z+4
→4 →2

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2 r.tn
GRADE 11 IB HL

THE ANGLE BETWEEN TWO LINES

The angle between two lines is the same as the angle between their direction vectors.
x → x1 y → y1 z → z1 x → x2 y → y2 z → z2
Let l1 : = = and l2 : = = be two lines,
a1 b1 c1 a2 b2 c2

   
a1 a
↑
→   ↑
→  2
then v1 = b1  and v2 =  b2 
  
 are the direction vectors of l1 and l2 respectively.
c1 c2
The cosine of the angle ϑ between these two vectors is given by

↑
→v1 · ↑→
v2
cos ϑ = ↑
| v1 | · |↑
→ →
v2 |

EXAMPLE: Find the cosine of the angle between the lines

x→3 y→3 z+2 x+3 y→1 z+5

l1 : = = ≃ l2 : = = ≃ .
5 3 2 →1 4 →2 2

E E 5 12 4 1

F ts
FE 9

Ey

15
GRADE 11 IB HL

PARALLEL LINES

Two lines are parallel if and only if their direction vectors are parallel.In other words

x → x1 y → y1 z → z1 x → x2 y → y2 z → z2
l1 : = = and l2 : = = are parallel if and only if
a1 b1 c1 a2 b2 c2

   
a1 a
↑
→   ↑
→  2
v1 =  b1  and v2 =  b2 
  
 are parallel.
c1 c2
↑
→ a1 b1 c1
v1 ⇐ ↑
→
v2 ⇒ = =
a2 b2 c2

EXAMPLE:

5 11
x→3 y+1 z→1 x+2 y→5 z+6
l1 : = = and l2 : = = are parallel lines.Find p and q.
p 2 3 →1 q →6

P 9 4
PERPENDICULAR LINES
Two lines are perpendicular to each other if and only if their direction vectors are perpendicular.

l1 ⇑ l2 ⇒ ↑
→
v1 ⇑ ↑
→
v2 ⇒ ↑
→
v1 · ↑
→
v2 = 0

so V.V 0
a 1 · a 2 + b1 · b2 + c 1 · c 2 = 0

EXAMPLE:
x→5 y+3 z x+1 y→3 z→2
The lines l1 : = = and l2 : = = are perpendicular.
3 2 →1 4 p →2
Find p.

1 E 16

12 28 2 0
14 2p P
 GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE:
Show that the lines
E l1 : x = 2 + 3t,
l2 : x = →3 → k,
y = →1 + t,
y = 2 + 5k,
z = →2t
z = →2 + k
and
are perpendicular to each other.
1
3 5 2 0 111 12

INTERSECTING LINES and SKEW LINES:

If the direction vectors are not parallel, then the lines either intersect or are skew.

INTERSECTING LINES

If they intersect, then we can find the coordinates of the point of intersection;
1 4 41 92 21 72
EXAMPLE:
The lines L1 and L2 have the following equations:
y = 3 → 4t,3 z = →2 + 4t 2
L1 : x = 1 + 2t,
1
L2 : x = 4 + 3s, y = 4 + s, z = →4 → 2s 11,3 2
Show that the lines intersect and find the intersection point.

1TL 4 35 3 kt 4 5 4 2 4 25
2 35 3 4 5 1 4 25 2
2 0 3.1 11 3
Sotheyntersect

17
 GRADE 11 IB HL

SKEW LINES

Skew Lines: The lines l1 and l2 in space are called skew lines if

1. l1 ↘⇐ l2 (i.e. they are not parallel), and

2. l1 ⇓ l2 = ⇔ (i.e. their intersection is the empty set)

EXAMPLE:
The lines L1 and L2 have the following equations:
L1 : x = 1 + 4t, 2 y = 5 → 4t, z = →1 + 5t
12,4 2,4 5
L2 : x = 2 + 8s, y = 4 → 3s, z =5+s
2 4 5 notparallel or ntersect ng
Show that the lines are skew.

Itht 2 85 5 435 St 1 5 5
4 35 1
ses b
6
5 0
f 0

HOMEWORK:

Classify the following line pairs as either parallel, intersecting,or skew.Where possible, state
the point of intersection.

1. The lines L1 and L2 have the following equations:

L1 : x = 1 + 2t, y = 2 → t, z = →3 + t
L2 : x = →2 + 3s, y = 3 → s, z = 1 + 2s

2. The lines L1 and L2 have the following equations:

L1 : x = →1 + 2ω, y = 2 → 12ω, z = 4 + 12ω
L2 : x = 4µ → 3, y = 3µ + 2, z = →µ → 1

3. The lines L1 and L2 have the following equations:

L1 : x = 1 + 2ω, y = →ω, z = 1 + 3ω
L2 : x = 3 → 4µ, y = →1 + 2µ, z = 4 → 6µ

18
 GRADE 11 IB HL

MODELLING AND PROBLEM SOLVING-

APPLICATION OF LINES TO MOTION

The vector form of the equation of a line in space is more revealing when we think of
the line as the path of an object, placed in an appropriate coordinate system, starting at
position A(x0 , y0 , z0 ) , and moving in the direction of v.

EXAMPLE: !

A
A model plane is to fly directly from a platform at a reference point (2, 1, 1) toward a point
(5, 5, 6) at a speed of 60m/min. What is the position of the plane ( to the nearest metre)
after 10 minutes ?
d rect onvector B A ABI Ths 552
speed v1 6 E
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run 7 101 E IEEE

Tl'latopla

19
GRADE 11 IB HL
8 160
EXAMPLE: ! 5
At 12 : 00 midday a plane A is passing in the vicinity of an airport at a height of 12km
and a speed of 800km/h. The direction of the plane is (4, 3, 0). [Consider that (1, 0, 0) is
a displacement of 1km due east (0, 1, 0) due north, and (0, 0, 1) is an altitude of 1km.]
(a) Using the airport as the origin, find the position vector r of the plane t hours after
midday.

(b) Find the position of the plane 1 hour after midday.

e
E 1
1 1 1
(c) another plane B is heading towards the airport with velocity vector (→300, →400, 0)
from a location (600, 480, 12). Is there a danger of collision ?

4 4 1 8

EE.IE E 3tromT1 x
y
there snocollus on Y
s ncex
theypassthroughthesamepo nt.at

d fferentt mes

20
GRADE 11 IB HL

HOMEWORK:!
The diagram shows a boat in danger at the point O(0, 0) and the paths of two secure boats,
Bluespeed and Slowmotion, as they depart from the positions A(10, 5) and B(→5, →2)
respectively.Bluespeed moves at a speed of 15kmh→1 and Slowmotion moves at a speed
of 8kmh→1 .

(a)Find an equation for the position of each boat t hours after departing from A and B
respectively.

(b) Hence, determine how long it takes for each boat to reach the boat in danger.

21
 GRADE 11 IB HL

PLANES

Consider a plane ” and a fixed point P (x0 , y0 , z0 ) on that plane. A vector N = Ai+Bj+Ck,
called the normal vector to the plane, is perpendicular to the plane.

EFFIanda d rect onvector

LEE anormal

po ntandtwod rect onvectors

one

→→↑
N · PM = 0

PROOF:

The Cartesian equation of a plane that passes through a point P (x0 , y0 , z0 ) and has a
normal vector N = Ai + Bj + Ck.
A(x → x0 ) + B(y → y0 ) + C(z → z0 ) = 0 ⇒ Ax + By + Cz = Ax0 + By0 + Cz0 , and setting
Ax0 + By0 + Cz0 = D will give us a more concise form of the equation Ax + By + Cz = D

EXAMPLE:
Find an equation of a plane with normal q = 2i→3j+k and that contains the point A(2, 1, 1).

Ğ 13 2 4 3 3 2 1

2x 3y 2 431

EXAMPLE:
Write an equation for the plane that contains (2, →3, 5) and has normal N = 2i + j → 3k.

22
 GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE:
Find the Cartesian equation of the plane ” if  
1
 
(a) ” contains the point (→3, 4, 0) and has the normal vector  
→2.
→1

Po nt1.1.01
y→1
(b)” contains the point (→1, 1, 1) and the line x → 1 = = z.
2
T T
a
da AB
4,92
Ya
N mal gd n
1 2 1
2 1 2 t3j 4k

(c)” contains the lines 1 → x = y → 1 = 2z and x = 2 → t, y = 1 + 2t, z = t.

1 1
1 da t.f kN EN
o jl 1tE tk zte

ox
E4 F

23
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ofthel ne

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14
2
GRADE 11 IB HL

VECTOR EQUATION OF A PLANE :

Any point a on the plane with position vector r satisfies the Vector equation of a Plane
where ϑ and ε are the vectors in a plane

r = a + ϑu + εv

PARAMETRIC EQUATION OF A PLANE :

       
x x u v
   1  1  1
Let r = y 

, a =  y1 

, u = u 2 

,

and v = v2 
,
z z1 u3 v3

The equations
x = x1 + ϑu1 + εv1
y = y1 + ϑu2 + εv2
z = z1 + ϑu3 + εv3
are called Parametric Equations of the Plane.

EXAMPLE:
Write a vector equation for the plane that contains (2, →3, 5) and has vectors v1 = 2i+j→3k
and v2 = 3i + 2j → 3k.

EXAMPLE:
Find the parametric equation of the plane that contains the points: A(1, 3, 0), B(→2, 1, 2),
and C(1, →2, →1).

24
GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE:
Consider the pyramid shown where O is the origin and the points A, C and V lie on the
x-y and z axes respectively.Given that ABCO is a square with area 4 square units and the
pyramid has a volume of 6 cubic units,find
(a)the coordinates of the vertices of the pyramid.
(b)a vector equation of the plane ABV .
(c)a Cartesian equation of the plane BCV .
(d)a vector equation of the line BV .
(e)a Cartesian equation of the line AV .
(f)a Parametric equation of the plane ABV .

25
GRADE 11 IB HL

INTERSECTION OF A LINE AND A PLANE:

The line l2 is parallel to the plane ”. The line l1 meets the plane at a point.

EXAMPLE:

The line l with vector equation r = 2i → j + 3k + ω(i → j + 2k) and the plane ” with
Cartesian equation 2x → y + z + 2 = 0 intersect at a point.Find the coordinates of the point
of intersection.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE:
x
Determine the value of k for which the line = ky = k → z and the plane
2
(2k → 1)x → ky + z = 5 + k are parallel.

DISTANCE BETWEEN A POINT AND A PLANE :

The distance between a point P (x0 , y0 , z0 ) and a plane with equation Ax + By + Cz = D

with a point Q(x, y, z) is given by

'
d= (x → x0 )2 + (y → y0 )2 + (z → z0 )2

EXAMPLE:
Find the distance between the two parallel planes: x + 2y → 2z = 3 and 2x + 4y → 4z = 7.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE:

Consider the point A and the plane ” as shown in the diagram.

(a) Find the vector equation of the line, L, through point A and perpendicular to the plane.

(b)Find the point of intersection, P , of the line L and the plane ”.

(c)Calculate the distance from point A to the plane.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

THE ANGLE BETWEEN TWO PLANES:

The angle between two planes is defined as the acute angle between them.
The equations of the planes are:

E1 : a 1 x + b1 y + c 1 z + d 1 = 0

E2 : a 2 x + b2 y + c 2 z + d 2 = 0

The acute angle between two planes E1 and E2 is the same their normals:

( (
( n1 · n2 (
(
cos ϖ = ( (
|n1 | · |n2 | (

EXAMPLE: !
Find the angle between the planes with equations 2x → 3y = 0 and 3x + y → z = 4.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE:
Find the cosine of the acute angle between the planes 2x→y→z→5 = 0 and x+y→2z+6 = 0.

EXAMPLE: !
Find the angle between the planes with equations
x → y + 3z = 1
r = (4 → 2ϑ + 2ε)i + (1 → 3ε)j + (2 → ϑ → ε)k.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

ANGLE BETWEEN A LINE AND A PLANE:

↑
→
v is the direction vector of the line l and ↑
→
n is a normal vector to the plane E.

The angle between the vectors ↑

→
n and ↑
→
v is ϖ:

v·n
cos ϖ =
|v| · |n|

The angle between the vectors ↑

→
v and the plane E is ϑ.
As ϑ + ϖ = 900 , cos ϖ = sin ϑ

v·n
sin ϑ =
|v| · |n|

EXAMPLE: !
x→1 y→2 z
Find the angle between the line with equations = = , and the plane with
2 3 2
equation 2x → y → z = 7.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE: !
x→1
Calculate the angle between the line with equation = 2y = 3 → 2z and the plane
3
with vector equation r = (2 → 2ϑ → 3ε)i + (1 → ϑ + ε)j + (→2ϑ + ε)k

EXAMPLE: !
Consider the points A(1, 0, 1), B(→1, 1, 0), C(2, 3, →1) and D(→1, →1, →1).
(a)Find a Cartesian equation of the plane ABC.

(b)Find a Cartesian equation of the line AD.

(c)Find the angle between the line AD and the plane ABC.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

INTERSECTION OF TWO PLANES:

Consider two planes P and Q that have l as their line of intersection.

EXAMPLE:

x → x1 y → y1 z → z1
Determine, in the form = = , equations of the line of intersection of
u1 u2 u3
the planes x → 3y + z = 2 and →x + y → 2z = 1.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

INTERSECTION OF THREE PLANES:

**If the lines of intersection are not parallel the three planes meet at one point.
**If the three planes pass through one ,straight line, there is an infinite number of solutions

EXAMPLE:

Consider the planes defined by the equations:

x + y + 3z = 5

→x + 2y + 2z = 3

4x + y → 3z = 2

Show that the three planes intersect at a point and find its coordinates.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLE:

Show that the intersection of these planes is a straight line.

3x + 2y + z = 1

7x + 4y + 5z = 3

5x + 3y + 3z = 2

Find a vector equation of the line of intersection.

EXAMPLE:

Show that the intersection of these planes is the empty set.

3x + 2y + z = 1

x+y→z =3

5x + 3y + 3z = 2

Does this mean that the three planes are parallel? Explain.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

EXAMPLES:

1. Solve the following system of equations in two ways:

2x + y → z = 2

x + 3y + 2z = 1

2x + 4y + 6z = 6

(a) using row operations (an elimination method), and

(b) using a simultaneous equation solver on a GDC.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

2. Solve the system of three linear equations. If the system has infinite solutions, simply
write “infinite solutions”.

5x → 3y + 2z = 2

2x + 2y → 3z = 3

x → 7y + 8z = →4

3. Solve the system of three linear equations by using an elimination method and
simultaneous equation solver on a GDC.

2x + 3y + 5z = 4

3x + 5y + 9z = 7

5x + 9y + 17z = 1

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GRADE 11 IB HL

4. Find the value(s) of k such that the following system of equations has no solution.

x + y + (k → 1) = 2

kx → z = →3

6x + 2y → 3z = 1

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GRADE 11 IB HL

5. Find the value(s) of a real parameter k so that the system of equations has infinitely
many solutions.

x + 2y + 3z = 1

kx + 4y + 3z = 2

3x + 6y → 2z = 3

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GRADE 11 IB HL

6. Find the values of a real parameter m so that the system of equations has a unique
solution.

x+y+z =m

x + my + z = 2m

x + y + mz = →1

Hence, find the solution in terms of m.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

7. MAY 2015, PAPER 2:

Consider the following system of equations:

2x + y + 6z = 0

4x + 3y + 14z = 4

2x → 2y + (ϑ → 2)z = ε → 12

(a) Find conditions on and for which

i. the system has no solutions

ii. the system has only one solution

iii. the system has an infinite number of solutions.

(b) In the case where the number of solutions is infinite, find the general solution
of the system.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

HOMEWORK:

1.
3x → y + 5z = 2

2x + 4y + z = 1

x + y + kz = c

Find the conditions for which the system of equations has

(a) a unique solution

(b) infinitely many solutions

(c) no solutions

2. Consider the following system of equations where a ↗ R.

x + 3y → 2z = 3

2x + y → z = 1

→x + 2y + az = 2

(a) Find the value of a for which the system of equations does not have a unique
solution.

(b) Consider the case where the system has a unique solution. Find the solution of
the system of equations.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

3. Consider the following system of equations where a, b ↗ R.

2x → y + z = 1

→x + y + az = 0

x → 2y → 2z = b

(a) Find the conditions of a and b for which

i. the system has no solutions;

ii. the system has a unique solution;

iii. the system has an infinite number of solutions.

(b) Find the solution of the system of equations when a = b = 0.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

PAST IB QUESTIONS:

1. (a) Show that a Cartesian equation of the line, l1 , containing points A(1, –1, 2) and
B(3, 0, 3) has the form
x→1 y+1 z→2
= =
2 1 1
(b) An equation of a second line, l2 , has the form
x→1 y→2 z→3
= =
1 2 1
Show that the lines l1 and l2 intersect, and find the coordinates of their point
of intersection.
(c) Given that direction vectors of l1 and l2 are d1 and d2 respectively, determine
d1 ↓ d2 .
(d) Show that a Cartesian equation of the plane, ”, that contains l1 and l2 is
–x–y + 3z = 6.
(e) Find a vector equation of the line l3 which is perpendicular to the plane ” and
passes through the point T (3, 1, –4).
(f) i. Find the point of intersection of the line l3 and the plane ”.
ii. Find the coordinates of T ↑ , the reflection of the point T in the plane ”.
→→↑
iii. Hence find the magnitude of the vector T T ↑ .

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GRADE 11 IB HL

2. Consider the points A(1, →1, 4), B(2, →2, 5) and O(0, 0, 0).

(a) Calculate the cosine of the angle between the vectors OA and AB.
(b) Find a vector equation of the line L1 which passes through A and B.

The line L2 has equation r = 2i + 4j + 7k + t(2i + j + 3k), where t ↗ R.

(c) Show that the lines L1 and L2 intersect and find the coordinates of their point
of intersection.
(d) Find the Cartesian equation of the plane that contains both the line L2 and the
point A.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

3. ! A plane ” has vector equation r = (→2i+3j →2k)+ω(2i+3j +2k)+µ(6i→3j +2k).

(a) Show that the Cartesian equation of the plane ” is 3x + 2y → 6z = 12.

(b) The plane ” meets the x, y and z axes at A, B and C respectively. Find the
coordinates of the A, B and C.
(c) Find the volume of the pyramid OABC.
(d) Find the angle between the plane ” and the x → axis.
(e) Hence, or otherwise, find the distance from the origin to the plane ”.
(f) Using your answers from (c) and (b), find the area of the triangle ABC.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

4. The points A and B are given by and . A(0, 3, →6), B(6, →5, 11).
The plane ” is defined by the equation 4x → 3y + 2z = 20

(a) Find a vector equation of the line L passing through the points A and B.

(b) Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of the line L with the plane ”.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

→↑ →→↑
5. In the following diagram, OA = a, OB = b. C is the midpoint of [OA] and
→→↑ 1 →→↑
OF = F B.
6

→→↑
(a) Find, in terms of a and b, OF .
→↑
(b) Find, in terms of a and b, AF .

→→↑ →↑ →→↑ →→↑

It is given also that AD = ω · AF and CD = µ · CB
→→↑
(c) Find an expression for OD in terms of a, b and ω;
→→↑
(d) Find an expression for OD in terms of a, b and µ;
1
(e) Show that µ = , and find the value of ω
13
→→↑
(f) Deduce an expression for CD in terms of a and b only.
(g) Given that area↖OAB = k(area↖CAD), find the value of k.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

HOMEWORK:

1. Consider the plane with equation 3x → y + z = 3 and the line given by the parametric
equations x = 3 → (2 → k)ω, y = (2k → 1) + ω, z = →1 + kω
Given that the line s perpendicular to the plane, find

(a) the value of k.

(b) the coordinates of the point of intersection of the line and the plane.

2. Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of the planes 5x + y + 2z = 3,

x + y + z = 3 and 4x + 2y + 2z = 5.

3. Show that these planes intersect in a straight line. 2x + y + z = 1, 3x + y + 2z = 3

and 4x + y + 3z = 5. Hence, find a vector equation of the line of intersection.

4. Show that the planes defined by these equations have no common point. x+y+z = 1,
x → y + z = 3 and 3x + y + 3z = 1.

5. Identify the relative position of the three planes defined by the equations
x + 2y → 2z = 5, 3x → 6y + 3z = 2 and x → 2y + z = 7

6. Consider the planes defined by the equations x + y + z = 2, 2x → y + z = →1 and

3x → y + kz = 4, where k is a real number.

(a) If k = →3, find the coordinates of the point of intersection of the three planes.
(b) Find the value of k for which the three planes do not have any common point.

7. Find a Cartesian equation of the plane that:

(a) contains the point A(2, →3, 4)and is perpendicular to the position vector of A.
(b) contains the point A(6, 0, 0), B(0, 0, →3) and C(3, 6, 0).
(c) contains the point A(3, 2, →1), B(4, 4, 0) and perpendicular to the plane
2x + 4y → 4z = 3.
(d) contains the point A(2, →1, →3), B(4, →3, 2) and is parallel to the x → axis.
(e) passes through the point (3, 4, 2) and perpendicular to the x → axis.
(f) passes through the point (3, 2, 1) and perpendicular to each of the planes
2x + 3y → z = 5 and 3x + 3z = 2.
(g) passes through the point (3, 1, 1) and contains the line of intersection of the
planes x + y + 5z = 0 and 2x + 3y + 12z = 0.

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GRADE 11 IB HL

8. Consider the following system of linear equations

3x + y + z = 1

x+y→z =4

2x + y + bz = a

where a and b are constants.

(a) Solve the system in terms of a and b.

(b) Hence, write down the values of a and b for which his system of equations has
a non-unique solution and state this geometric meaning.

References:
• Wazir, I. and Garry, T., High Level Mathematics Analysis and Approaches for the IB
Diploma, Pearson, 2019, ISBN: 9781292267418
• Haese, M., Humphries, M., Sangwin, C. and Vo, N., Mathematics Analysis and Approaches
HL 2, Haese Mathematics, 2022, ISBN: 9781925489569

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