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Nov 2014 p12 q7
2240
The diagram shows a pyramid \(OABCX\). The horizontal square base \(OABC\) has side 8 units and the centre of the base is \(D\). The top of the pyramid, \(X\), is vertically above \(D\) and \(XD = 10\) units. The mid-point of \(OX\) is \(M\). The unit vectors \(\mathbf{i}\) and \(\mathbf{j}\) are parallel to \(\overrightarrow{OA}\) and \(\overrightarrow{OC}\) respectively and the unit vector \(\mathbf{k}\) is vertically upwards.
(i) Express the vectors \(\overrightarrow{AM}\) and \(\overrightarrow{AC}\) in terms of \(\mathbf{i}\), \(\mathbf{j}\) and \(\mathbf{k}\).
(ii) Use a scalar product to find angle \(MAC\).
Solution
(i) To find \(\overrightarrow{AM}\), note that \(M\) is the midpoint of \(OX\). Since \(OX = 10\mathbf{k}\), \(M\) is at \(5\mathbf{k}\). \(A\) is at \(8\mathbf{i}\). Thus, \(\overrightarrow{AM} = 5\mathbf{k} - 8\mathbf{i} = -6\mathbf{i} + 2\mathbf{j} + 5\mathbf{k}\).
For \(\overrightarrow{AC}\), \(C\) is at \(8\mathbf{j}\). Thus, \(\overrightarrow{AC} = 8\mathbf{j} - 8\mathbf{i} = -8\mathbf{i} + 8\mathbf{j}\).
(ii) The scalar product \(\overrightarrow{AM} \cdot \overrightarrow{AC} = (-6)(-8) + (2)(8) + (5)(0) = 48 + 16 = 64\).
The magnitudes are \(|\overrightarrow{AM}| = \sqrt{(-6)^2 + 2^2 + 5^2} = \sqrt{65}\) and \(|\overrightarrow{AC}| = \sqrt{(-8)^2 + 8^2} = \sqrt{128}\).
Using the cosine formula, \(64 = \sqrt{128} \sqrt{65} \cos \theta\).
Solving for \(\cos \theta\), we find \(\theta = 45.4^\circ\).