Porisma

A hint to get started

Use a projection foot to find a pyramid base area

OABC is the base of a pyramid where O is the origin. E is the highest point and D lies on OB with DE perpendicular to the base. The position vectors of A,B,C,E are respectively −7j+k-7\mathbf j+\mathbf k, 3i−9j+3k3\mathbf i-9\mathbf j+3\mathbf k, 4i−5j+3k4\mathbf i-5\mathbf j+3\mathbf k, and 6i−7j−5k6\mathbf i-7\mathbf j-5\mathbf k.

(i) Find angle AOE. marks

(ii) Find OD, the length of the projection of OE onto OB. Hence or otherwise show that D has position vector 2i−6j+2k2\mathbf i-6\mathbf j+2\mathbf k. marks

(iii) Show A,D,C are collinear. marks

(iv) Show OB is perpendicular to AC. Hence find the exact area of OABC in the form m66m\sqrt{66}, where m is a constant to be determined. marks

[2016/DHS/Promo/11]

CJC · Review problems · Question 11

DE perpendicular to the base makes its foot D the projection onto OB.

Read the worked solution