Porisma

A hint to get started

Find a perpendicular foot and use it as a triangle height

Referred to the origin OO, points AA and BB have position vectors a=−i−6j−5k\mathbf a=-\mathbf i-6\mathbf j-5\mathbf k and b=4i+4j+10k\mathbf b=4\mathbf i+4\mathbf j+10\mathbf k respectively. Point PP lies on ABAB, between AA and BB, such that AP:PB=2:3AP:PB=2:3.

(i) Find the position vector OP→\overrightarrow{OP}.

(ii) Show that AB→\overrightarrow{AB} and OP→\overrightarrow{OP} are perpendicular.

The vector c\mathbf c is a unit vector in the direction of OP→\overrightarrow{OP}.

(iii) Find the value of ∣a⋅c∣|\mathbf a\cdot\mathbf c| and give the geometrical interpretation of ∣a⋅c∣|\mathbf a\cdot\mathbf c|. Hence, or otherwise, find the area of triangle OABOAB.

[2016/TPJC/Promo/4]

CJC · Discussion · Question 4

Use the perpendicularity proved in(ii) to turn OP into the triangle’s height.

Read the worked solution