With respect to the origin O, the position vectors of the points A, B and C are given by
\(\overrightarrow{OA} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 5 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}, \quad \overrightarrow{OB} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \quad \text{and} \quad \overrightarrow{OC} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -3 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}.\)
The midpoint of AC is M and the point N lies on BC, between B and C, and is such that BN = 2NC.
(a) Find the position vectors of M and N.
(b) Find a vector equation for the line through M and N.
(c) Find the position vector of the point Q where the line through M and N intersects the line through A and B.
Solution
(a) To find the position vector of M, the midpoint of AC, use the midpoint formula:
\(\overrightarrow{OM} = \frac{1}{2} (\overrightarrow{OA} + \overrightarrow{OC}) = \frac{1}{2} \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 5 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} + \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -3 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}.\)
\(For N, given BN = 2NC, we find:\)
\(\overrightarrow{ON} = \overrightarrow{OB} + \frac{2}{3}(\overrightarrow{OC} - \overrightarrow{OB}) = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} + \frac{2}{3} \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -3 \\ -3 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}.\)
(b) The vector equation for the line through M and N is:
\(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -3 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}.\)
(c) The vector equation for the line through A and B is:
\(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 5 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -5 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}.\)
Equating components of AB and MN gives:
\(\lambda = -3\) or \(\mu = 2.\)
Substituting \(\mu = 2\) into the equation for AB gives:
\(\overrightarrow{OQ} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 5 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} + 2 \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -5 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 10 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}.\)
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