(i) In the case where \(ABC\) is a straight line, find the values of \(p\) and \(q\).
(ii) In the case where angle \(BAC\) is \(90^\circ\), express \(q\) in terms of \(p\).
(iii) In the case where \(p = 3\) and the lengths of \(AB\) and \(AC\) are equal, find the possible values of \(q\).
Solution
(i) For \(ABC\) to be a straight line, vectors \(\overrightarrow{AB}\) and \(\overrightarrow{BC}\) must be parallel. Calculate \(\overrightarrow{AB} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\) and \(\overrightarrow{BC} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ p-5 \\ q+2 \end{pmatrix}\). Equating the ratios gives:
\(\frac{2}{1} = \frac{3}{p-5} = \frac{1}{q+2}\)
Solving these gives \(p = 6.5\) and \(q = -1.5\).
(ii) For \(\angle BAC = 90^\circ\), vectors \(\overrightarrow{AB}\) and \(\overrightarrow{AC}\) must be perpendicular. Calculate \(\overrightarrow{AC} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ p-2 \\ q+3 \end{pmatrix}\). The dot product \(\overrightarrow{AB} \cdot \overrightarrow{AC} = 0\) gives:
\(6 + 3(p-2) + (q+3) = 0\)
Solving gives \(q = -3p - 3\).
(iii) For \(p = 3\) and \(AB = AC\), equate the magnitudes:
\(AB^2 = 4 + 9 + 1 = 14\)
\(AC^2 = 9 + 1 + (q+3)^2\)
Equating gives \((q+3)^2 = 4\), so \(q+3 = \pm 2\).