Vector

The points P,Q and R have position vectors ( j+2k ), ( 2i+3j+k )

and ( i+j+3k ), respectively, relative to the origin O. The plane π
contains the points P, Q and R.
a) Find a vector which is perpendicular to π. ( 3 marks )

→ = j+2k, → = 2i+3j+k, → = i+j+3k

𝑂𝑃 𝑂𝑄 𝑂𝑅

2 0 2 1 0 1
→ =(3) − (1)=( 2 ) → = (1) − (1)=(0)
𝑃𝑄 𝑃𝑅
1 2 −1 3 2 1

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
→ × → =|2 2 −1|
𝑃𝑄 𝑃𝑅
1 0 1
=(2-0)i + (-1-2)j + (0-2)k
=2i-3j-2k
b) Area of ∆ PQR. ( 2 marks )
1
= 2 |→ × → |
𝑃𝑄 𝑃𝑅

1
= 2 √22 + (−3)2 (−2)2
1
= 2 √17 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 2

c) Find a vector equation of π in the form r.n=p. ( 2 marks )

2 2 2
r • (−3) = (3) (−3)
−2 1 −2
= (2)(2) + (3)(-3) + (1)(-2)
= -7
 r • ( 2i -3j – 2k ) = -7

d) Hence, or otherwise, obtain a Cartesian equation of π.

(1 marks)
2x – 3y – 2z = -7
e) Find the distance of O from π. ( 4 marks )
r • ( 2i − 3j – 2k ) −7
=
√22 + (−3)2 (−2)2 √22 + (−3)2 (−2)2
r • ( 2i − 3j – 2k ) −7
=
√17 √17
2
√17
−3 −7
r • =
√17 √17
2
(√17)

2
 The distance of O from π = 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡.
√17
 f) The point S has position vector ( 3i+4j+k ). The distance of
1
S from π is . Using this distance, or otherwise, calculate
√19
the acute angle between the line PS and π, giving your
answer in degrees to one decimal place. ( 3 marks )
→ = (3𝑖 + 4𝑗 + 𝑘) − (𝑗 + 2𝑘)
𝑃𝑆

= 3𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 𝑘

|→ | = √32 + 32 + (−1)2
𝑃𝑆

= √19
1
19
sin 𝑋 = √
√19
1
= 19

X = 3.0 ◦
Q

P
X 𝟏 R

√𝟏𝟗
X
√𝟏𝟗
S