2023 Year 12 Mathematics Extension 2 Assessment

Task 3 Investigation: Exploring Vectors

Dulan Kamal Acharya

Contents
1 Part C: Working with Vectors in GeoGebra 2
1.1 Vector a in different octants [Nagivation steps 1-10]: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
∼
1.2 Unit vector â inside the unit circle [Navigation steps 15-19]: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
∼
1.3 Different positions of vector d [Navigation steps 21-22]: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
∼
1.4 Free vector r = λa which originates at P different λ values: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
∼ ∼
1.5 Testing your construction - free vector r at different positions of P and values λ: . . . . . . . 6
∼

2 Activity II Questions 8
2.1 Q1(a) answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 Q1(b) answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3 Q2 answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.4 Q3 answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.5 Q4(a) answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.6 Q4(b) answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.7 Q4(c) answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.8 Q4(d) answer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

1
1 Part C: Working with Vectors in GeoGebra
The link for the GeoGebra: https://www.geogebra.org/classic/np8pg86n
The following images omit some of the previous steps in order to reduce clutter.

1.1 Vector a in different octants [Nagivation steps 1-10]:

∼

Page 2
1.2 Unit vector â inside the unit circle [Navigation steps 15-19]:
∼

1.3 Different positions of vector d [Navigation steps 21-22]:

∼

Page 3
Page 4
1.4 Free vector r = λa which originates at P different λ values:
∼ ∼

Page 5
1.5 Testing your construction - free vector r at different positions of P and
∼
values λ:

Page 6
Page 7
2 Activity II Questions
−−→ −−→
1. (a) AB = 3 i − j + k and CD = −3 i + 2j + 4k are two vectors. The position vector A and C are
∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼
6 i + 7j + 4k and −9j + 2k respectively. Find the position vector of the point P on the line AB
∼ ∼ ∼ ∼ ∼
−−→ −−→ −−→
and the point Q on the line CD such that P Q is perpendicular to both AB and CD.
(b) Use the above information and create a diagram using GeoGebra and provide a screenshot of the
diagram into your digital document.

2.1 Q1(a) answer:

−−→
Consider that the line AB passes through the position vector of A and has a direction vector of AB
   
6 3
therefore r = 7 + λ1 −1
∼AB
4 1
Similarly,
−−→
Consider that the line CD passes through the position vector of C and has a direction vector of CD.
   
0 −3
therefore r = −9 + λ2  2 
∼CD
2 4
   
p q
−−→  1  −−→  1 
Let position vector of P, OP = p2 , and position vector of Q, OQ = q2 , where O is the origin
p3 q3
     
q p q − p1
−−→ −−→ −−→  1   1   1
∴ P Q = OQ − OP = q2 − p2 = q2 − p2 
q3 p3 q3 − p3

Page 8
 −−→
since OP lies on r ,
∼AB      
p1 6 3
p2  = r = 7 + λ1 −1
∼AB
p3 4 1
   
p1 6 + 3λ1
p2  =  7 − λ1 
p3 4 + λ1
equating x,y,z components: 
p1 = 6 + 3λ1 
p2 = 7 − λ1 (1)
p3 = 4 + λ1


−−→
similarly, since OQ lies on r ,
∼CD
     
q1 0 −3
q2  = r = −9 + λ2  2 
∼CD
q3 2 4
   
q1 −3λ2
q2  = −9 + 2λ2 
q3 2 + 4λ2
equating x,y,z components: 
q1 = −3λ2 
q2 = −9 + 2λ2 (2)
q3 = 2 + 4λ2


−−→ −−→
since P Q is perpendicular to line AB with direction vector AB,
−−→ −−→
P Q · AB = 0
   
q1 − p1 3
q2 − p2  · −1 = 0
q3 − p3 1
3q1 − 3p1 − q2 + p2 + q3 − p3 = 0
using (1) and (2)

3(−3λ2 ) − 3(6 + 3λ1 ) − (−9 + 2λ2 ) + (7 − λ1 ) + (2 + 4λ2 ) − (4 + λ1 ) = 0

−7λ2 − 11λ1 − 4 = 0
11λ1 = −7λ2 − 4
1
λ1 = (−7λ2 − 4) (3)
11
−−→ −−→
since P Q is perpendicular to line CD with direction vector CD,
−−→ −−→
P Q · CD = 0
   
q1 − p1 −3
q2 − p2  ·  2  = 0
q3 − p3 4
−3q1 + 3p1 + 2q2 − 2p2 + 4q3 − 4p3 = 0

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using (1) and (2)

−3(−3λ2 ) + 3(6 + 3λ1 ) + 2(−9 + 2λ2 ) − 2(7 − λ1 ) + 4(2 + 4λ2 ) − 4(4 + λ1 ) = 0

29λ2 + 7λ1 − 22 = 0
substituting in (3)
1
29λ2 + 7( (−7λ2 − 4)) − 22 = 0
11
270 270
λ2 − =0
11 11
λ2 = 1 (4)

substituting (4) in (3)

1
λ1 = (−7(1) − 4)
11
λ1 = −1 (5)

therefore using (5) & (1) position vector of P is,

       
p 6 + 3λ1 6 + 3(−1) 3
−−→  1  
OP = p2 = 7 − λ1  =  7 − (−1)  = 8
p3 4 + λ1 4 + (−1) 3

similarly using (4) & (2) the position vector of Q is,

       
q1 −3λ2 −3(1) −3
−−→   
OQ = q2 = −9 + 2λ2  = −9 + 2(1) = −7
q3 2 + 4λ2 2 + 4(1) 6

2.2 Q1(b) answer:

The following depicts line AB: r and line CD: r with a line joining the points P and Q derived
∼AB ∼CD
from part (a). The angle between the line joining P and Q and line AB and CD is shown to be 90◦ .

Page 10
2. Bob is given the parametric vector equation

t + 1t + 1
 
r (t) =
∼ t2 + t12 − 3

Help Bob to finds its cartesian equation with full working and sketch the graph.

2.3 Q2 answer:
t + 1t + 1
 
consider r (t) =
∼ t2 + t12 − 3
equating horizontal component, x:
1
x=t+ +1
t
1
x−1=t+
t
1
(x − 1)2 = (t + )2
t
1 1
(x − 1)2 = t2 + 2 + 2(t)( )
t t
1
(x − 1)2 = t2 + 2 + 2
t
1
(x − 1)2 − 2 = t2 + 2 (1)
t
equating the vertical component, y:
1
y = t2 + −3
t2

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 1
y + 3 = t2 + (2)
t2
equating (1) & (2):
y + 3 = (x − 1)2 − 2
y = (x − 1)2 − 5
y = x2 − 2x + 1 − 5
y = x2 − 2x − 4

to find the range of x:

1
x=t+ +1
t
dx
dt = 0 for turning points
dx 1
∴ =1− 2 =0
dt t
t2 = 1
t = ±1

t -1.1 -1 -0.9
dx
dt 0.174 > 0 0 −0.235 < 0
tangent / – \

1
therefore t = 1 is a local minimum point, x = (1) + (1) +1=3

t 0.9 1 1.1
dx
dt −0.235 < 0 0 0.174 > 0
tangent \ – /

1
therefore t = −1 is a local maximum point, x = (−1) + (−1) + 1 = −1

therefore range of x: x ≤ −1 or x ≥ 3
Similarly, to find the range of y:
1
y = t2 + −3
t2

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 dy
to find turning points dt =0
dy 2
∴ = 2t − 2 3
dt t
t4 − 1 = 0
t4 = 1
t = ±1

t -1.1 -1 -0.9
dy
dt −0.697 < 0 0 0.943 > 0
tangent \ – /

1
therefore t = 1 is a local minimum point, y = (1)2 + (1)2 − 3 = −1

t 0.9 1 1.1
dy
dt −0.943 < 0 0 0.697 > 0
tangent \ – /

1
therefore t = −1 is a local minimum point, y = (−1)2 + (−1)2 − 3 = −1
2 1
graph of y = t + t2 −3

therefore range of y is: y ≥ −1

Hence, the cartesian equation of r (t) is y = x2 − 2x − 4 for x ≤ −1 or x ≥ 3, y ≥ −1
∼

at x = −1, y = (−1)2 − 2(−1) − 4 = −1

at x = 3, y = (3)2 − 2(3) − 4 = −1
x-intercepts:
√ x2 − 2x − 4 = 0
2
2± (−2) −4(−4) √
x= 2 =1± 5

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3. Two particles travel according to the trajectories defined by

r (t) = (4t − 3) i + (t2 )j + (t − 1)k

∼1 ∼ ∼ ∼

r (t) = (t2 + 1) i + (3t − 2)j + (3 − t)k

∼2 ∼ ∼ ∼

Determine if the particles will ever collide. Support your solution with a GeoGebra drawing.

2.4 Q3 answer:
When the particles collide they have the same position.

∴ r (t) = r (t)
∼1 ∼2
  2 
4t − 3 t +1
 t2  = 3t − 2 (*)
t−1 3−t

equating the i , j , and k components

∼ ∼ ∼

4t − 3 = t2 + 1 (1)

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 t2 = 3t − 2 (2)
t−1=3−t (3)
(1):
4t − 3 = t2 + 1
t2 − 4t + 4 = 0
(t − 2)2 = 0
∴t=2
substitute t = 2 into (∗)
r (2) = r (2)
∼1 ∼2
   2 
4(2) − 3 (2) + 1
 (2)2  = 3(2) − 2
(2) − 1 3 − (2)
   
5 5
4 = 4
1 1
Therefore at t = 2 the trajectories of both particles meet and collide, as the i , j , and k components are
∼ ∼ ∼
all the same, satisfying (1), (2), and (3).
t = 2 is the only time at which the particles collide as this is the only time that the i component is the
∼
same by (1).
Geogebra drawing depicting each trajectory and the collision:

Page 15
 4. In three dimensions, points O, C and B defines a plane which is not parallel to another plane defined
by points O, C and A. These two planes intersect on the line OC where O is the origin.
(a) Define your own coordinates of points A, B and C.
(b) Show these points in GeoGebra, clearly showing their coordinates. Also construct the two planes
mentioned earlier and measure the angle in GeoGebra.
Submit a screenshot of your construction along with your working document.
(c) Using vector method taught in Mathematics Extension 1 and/or 2 only, find two vectors written in
component form:
– one vector along plane OCA that is perpendicular to OC and
– another vector along plane OCB that is also perpendicular vectors.
(d) Hence, find the angle between the two planes.

2.5 Q4(a) answer:

 
0
−→  
Let the position vector of A be OA = 8
6
 
5
−−→
Let the position vector of B be OB = 4
3
 
0
−−→
Let the position vector of C be OC = −3
4
2.6 Q4(b) answer:

The points O, A, B, C are shown on the axes below:

Page 16
The planes OCA and OCB are shown below. The acute angle between the planes is 45◦ , the obtuse being
135◦ , as shown in the below diagram.

Page 17
 2.7 Q4(c) answer:
Consider the triangle OCA (which is on the plane OCA), where the vector u represents the vector joining
∼
−−→
A perpendicular to OC as shown below. This vector is along the plane OCA and is perpendicular to OC.

−→ −−→
taking the vector projection of OA perpendicular on OC:
−→ −−→
u = OA − proj−
−→ OC
OA
∼

−→ −−→
−→ OA · OC −−→
u = OA − −−→ OC
∼ |OC|2
   
0 0
  8 · −3  
0 6 4 0
u = 8 −  2  −3
∼ 0
6 4
−3
4
-
   
0 0
(0)(0) + (8)(−3) + (6)(4) −3
u = 8 −
∼ (0)2 + (−3)2 + (4)2
6 4
   
0 0
−24 + 24  
u = 8 − −3
∼ 25
6 4
   
0 0
0  
u = 8 − −3
∼ 25
6 4
 
0
u = 8
∼
6
Similarly,

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Consider the triangle OCB (which is on the plane OCB), where the vector v represents the vector joining
∼
−−→
B perpendicular to OC as shown below. This vector is along the plane OCB and is perpendicular to OC.
−−→ −−→
taking the vector projection of OB perpendicular on OC:
−−→ −−→
v = OB − proj− −→ OC
OB
∼
−−→ −−→
−−→ OB · OC −−→
v = OB − −−→ OC
∼ |OC|2
   
5 0
  4 · −3  
5 3 4 0
v = 4 − −3
∼
  2
3 0 4
−3
4
-
   
5 0
(5)(0) + (4)(−3) + (3)(4) −3
v = 4 −
∼ (0)2 + (−3)2 + (4)2
3 4
   
5 0
−12 + 12  
v = 4 − −3
∼ 25
3 4
   
5 0
0  
v = 4 − −3
∼ 25
3 4
 
5
v = 4
∼
3
−−→
Hence vector along plane OCA that is perpendicular to OC:
 
0
u = 8 = 8j + 6k
∼ ∼ ∼
6

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 −−→
Vector along plane OCB that is perpendicular to OC:
 
5
v = 4 = 5 i + 4j + 3k
∼ ∼ ∼ ∼
3

2.8 Q4(d) answer:

As the position vector of C is shared between the two planes OCA and OCB, the angle between the two
−−→
planes is the angle between vectors along OCA and OCB that are perpendicular to OC.

Consider the following diagram representing this information:

Let the angle between the two planes be θ.

Hence, using the dot product of u & v
∼ ∼
u · v = u v cos θ
∼ ∼ ∼ ∼

u·v
∼ ∼
cos θ =
u v
∼ ∼
   
0 5
8 · 4
6 3
cos θ =    
0 5
8 4
6 3
(0)(5) + (8)(4) + (6)(3)
cos θ = p p
(0)2 + (8)2 + (6)2 (5)2 + (4)2 + (3)2
0 + 32 + 18
cos θ = √
10 × 50

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 50
cos θ = √
10 × 5 × 2
1
cos θ = √
2
1
θ = cos−1 ( √ )
2
θ = 45◦
which is consistent with the acute angle found in part (b)

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