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Worked solution

Combine parallelogram vectors, an internal angle and a nearest point

With respect to origin O, A and C have position vectors 3i+11j+11k3\mathbf i+11\mathbf j+11\mathbf k and 2i−j+10k2\mathbf i-\mathbf j+10\mathbf k, respectively. B is such that OABC is a parallelogram.

(i) Write down the position vector of B.

(ii) Find angle OAB to the nearest degree.

(iii) Find a vector equation of line AB.

D has position vector −i+13j−9k-\mathbf i+13\mathbf j-9\mathbf k.

(iv) Verify that D is on line AB.

(v) Find the position vector of the point on line AB closest to O.

CJC · Lecture · Example 27

(i) Use opposite sides and the triangle law

Follow the vertices O→A→B→C around the boundary, anticlockwise in the source schematic. Opposite sides OC and AB are equal and parallel in the same sense, so AB→=OC→\overrightarrow{AB}=\overrightarrow{OC}. By the triangle law, OB→=OA→+AB→=OA→+OC→=(3,11,11)+(2,−1,10)=(5,10,21)\overrightarrow{OB}=\overrightarrow{OA}+\overrightarrow{AB}=\overrightarrow{OA}+\overrightarrow{OC}=(3,11,11)+(2,-1,10)=(5,10,21). The Teacher labelling note helps identify adjacent vertices; the cyclic order is what matters, since the apparent clockwise direction changes with the viewpoint.

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(ii) Use vectors pointing away from the vertex A

AO→=(−3,−11,−11)\overrightarrow{AO}=(-3,-11,-11) and AB→=(2,−1,10)\overrightarrow{AB}=(2,-1,10). Their dot product is −6+11−110=−105-6+11-110=-105 and their magnitudes are 251\sqrt{251} and 105\sqrt{105}. Thus −105=251105cos⁡∠OAB-105=\sqrt{251}\sqrt{105}\cos\angle OAB, giving ∠OAB=cos⁡−1[−105/(251105)]=130∘\angle OAB=\cos^{-1}[-105/(\sqrt{251}\sqrt{105})]=130^\circ to the nearest degree. This is the internal angle, so retain the negative dot product rather than forcing an acute answer.

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(iii) Use A as a base point and AB as a direction

r=OA→+λAB→=(3,11,11)+λ(2,−1,10)\mathbf r=\overrightarrow{OA}+\lambda\overrightarrow{AB}=(3,11,11)+\lambda(2,-1,10), λ∈R\lambda\in\mathbb R.

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(iv) Check D with one parameter

For D to lie on AB, (−1,13,−9)=(3,11,11)+λ(2,−1,10)(-1,13,-9)=(3,11,11)+\lambda(2,-1,10). The three equations are −1=3+2λ-1=3+2\lambda, 13=11−λ13=11-\lambda, −9=11+10λ-9=11+10\lambda. Each gives λ=−2. Therefore D lies on AB, as required.

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(v) Require the position vector of the foot to be perpendicular to AB

Let F be the foot from O. Since F is on AB, OF→=(3+2λ,11−λ,11+10λ)\overrightarrow{OF}=(3+2\lambda,11-\lambda,11+10\lambda). The nearest point satisfies OF→⋅(2,−1,10)=0\overrightarrow{OF}\cdot(2,-1,10)=0. Expanding gives 6+4λ−11+λ+110+100λ=06+4\lambda-11+\lambda+110+100\lambda=0, or 105+105λ=0105+105\lambda=0, so λ=−1. Therefore OF→=(3+2(−1),11−(−1),11+10(−1))=(1,12,1)\overrightarrow{OF}=(3+2(-1),11-(-1),11+10(-1))=(1,12,1). Its dot product with AB is 2−12+10=02-12+10=0, confirming perpendicularity. The foot is before A on the infinite line, as in the source figure.

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Three source constructions show the cyclic parallelogram OABC, the obtuse internal angle OAB using AO and AB, and the perpendicular foot F from O to the infinite line AB. The foot precedes A and B along the direction AB; F=(1,12,1). The Teacher anticlockwise labelling note is integrated as guidance to follow the boundary order in this schematic, not a fixed orientation rule for all views.
Three source constructions show the cyclic parallelogram OABC, the obtuse internal angle OAB using AO and AB, and the perpendicular foot F from O to the infinite line AB. The foot precedes A and B along the direction AB; F=(1,12,1). The Teacher anticlockwise labelling note is integrated as guidance to follow the boundary order in this schematic, not a fixed orientation rule for all views.
Three source constructions show the cyclic parallelogram OABC, the obtuse internal angle OAB using AO and AB, and the perpendicular foot F from O to the infinite line AB. The foot precedes A and B along the direction AB; F=(1,12,1). The Teacher anticlockwise labelling note is integrated as guidance to follow the boundary order in this schematic, not a fixed orientation rule for all views.

Common mistakes

OABC lists successive boundary vertices: use AB=OC, not AB=−OC. Angle OAB is an internal angle at A, not necessarily the acute angle between the supporting lines. The nearest point can lie outside segment AB.

Solution notes

All five asks, source algebra and three geometric constructions retained. The Teacher-only anticlockwise naming note is integrated into the parallelogram step with a viewpoint qualification. The final dot-product confirmation is supplementary.

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