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Worked solution

Intersect extended lines by comparing independent coefficients

Referred to O, A,B,C have position vectors a,b,c. C lies on AB produced with AC:AB=k:1, where 1<k<2. Show c=(1−k)a+kb\mathbf c=(1-k)\mathbf a+k\mathbf b. mark

D is the midpoint of OA. Lines DB produced and OC produced meet at E. Given k=3/2, find the position vector of E in terms of a,b and the ratio DB:DE. marks

[2022/ACJC/J2MYE/I/4(b)]

CJC · Review problems · Question 10

Answer

c=(1−k)a+kbc=(1-k)a+kb; OE=−a+3bOE=-a+3b; DB:DE=1:3.

First ask, method 1: compare displacements

AC=kABAC=kAB gives c−a=k(b−a)\mathbf c-\mathbf a=k(\mathbf b-\mathbf a), so c=kb−ka+a=(1−k)a+kb\mathbf c=k\mathbf b-k\mathbf a+\mathbf a=(1-k)\mathbf a+k\mathbf b.

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First ask, method 2: section formula

B lies between A,C with AB:BC=1:(k−1). Hence b=[c+(k−1)a]/k\mathbf b=[\mathbf c+(k-1)\mathbf a]/k. Rearranging gives c=−(k−1)a+kb=(1−k)a+kb\mathbf c=-(k-1)\mathbf a+k\mathbf b=(1-k)\mathbf a+k\mathbf b.

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Second ask: write both line equations

Line OC:r=λc\mathbf r=\lambda\mathbf c; line DB:r=12a+μ(b−12a)\mathbf r=\frac12\mathbf a+\mu(\mathbf b-\frac12\mathbf a), with independent real parameters. For k=3/2, c=−a/2+3b/2\mathbf c=-\mathbf a/2+3\mathbf b/2. At the intersection,

−λ2a+3λ2b=(12−μ2)a+μb.\begin{aligned}&-\frac\lambda2\mathbf a+\frac{3\lambda}2\mathbf b\\ & =\left(\frac12-\frac\mu2\right)\mathbf a+\mu\mathbf b.\end{aligned}

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Second ask: solve and read the ratio

Under the nonzero, nonparallel a,b assumption invoked by the source solution, compare coefficients: −λ/2=1/2−μ/2-\lambda/2=1/2-\mu/2 and 3λ/2=μ3\lambda/2=\mu. Substitution gives −λ/2=1/2−3λ/4-\lambda/2=1/2-3\lambda/4, so λ=2, μ=3. Hence OE=2c=−a+3bOE=2\mathbf c=-\mathbf a+3\mathbf b. Also DE=OE−OD=−3a/2+3b=3(b−a/2)=3DBDE=OE-OD=-3\mathbf a/2+3\mathbf b=3(\mathbf b-\mathbf a/2)=3DB, so DB:DE=1:3.

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Common mistakes

The source proof assumes a,b are nonzero and nonparallel, although the printed prompt does not state it. Without that nondegenerate geometry, the intersection need not be uniquely determined.

Solution notes

Both first-ask methods and all second-ask equations retained. The unstated independence assumption in the source working is explicit; do not apply the claimed unique intersection to coincident collinear lines. No source figure.

Read the hint