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Nov 2015 p13 q5
2188
Relative to an origin O, the position vectors of the points A and B are given by
\(\overrightarrow{OA} = \begin{pmatrix} p-6 \\ 2p-6 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\) and \(\overrightarrow{OB} = \begin{pmatrix} 4-2p \\ p \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}\),
where \(p\) is a constant.
(i) For the case where OA is perpendicular to OB, find the value of \(p\).
(ii) For the case where OAB is a straight line, find the vectors \(\overrightarrow{OA}\) and \(\overrightarrow{OB}\). Find also the length of the line OA.
Solution
(i) To find the value of \(p\) when \(\overrightarrow{OA}\) is perpendicular to \(\overrightarrow{OB}\), set the scalar product to zero:
\((p-6)(4-2p) + (2p-6)p + 1 \times 2 = 0\)
\(-2p^2 + 16p - 24 + 2p^2 - 6p + 2 = 0\)
\(10p - 22 = 0\)
Solving for \(p\), we get \(p = 2.2\).
(ii) For \(OAB\) to be a straight line, \(\overrightarrow{OB} = 2 \overrightarrow{OA}\):