APM01A1 Applied Mathematics 1A

Tutorial 1 February 2022

This tutorial will mainly try to develop students’ skills in analysing line segments in
three-dimensional space.

Question 1

Firstly, what is the angle at point D in triangle ODB? Next, calculate the angles inside
the triangle BAC in the following 4 × 8 × 9 rectangular box:

8m

A
B

9m O C

4m
D

Question 2

Consider the point P (1, 3, 2)

2.a) How far is P from the origin O?

2.b) How far is P from the XY-plane?

2.c) How far is P from the XZ-plane?

−→
2.d) What angle does OP make with the positive X-axis?

2.e) Assume that the positive Z-axis is directed upwards, find the angle of elevation of
P relative to the origin.

Question 3
√
Let P be a point with positive coordinates. Suppose P is at a distance of 40 metres
from the Y-axis and the y-coordinate of P is 3 m.

1
 −→
3.a) Find the angle that OP makes with the positive Y-axis.
√
3.b) Assume also that P is 17m from the Z-axis. Find the z-coordinate.

3.c) Now you have enough information to calculate the directional cosine α. Find α.

Question 4

Consider two points A(3, −2, 1) and B(−2, 5, 1).

−→
4.a) What are the (x, y, z) components of the displacement AB?
−→
4.b) What is the magnitude of AB?

Question 5

Do P1.3.2 page 14 of the prescribed lecture notes (CMV).

HINT: Draw in your reference system with the 3 axes, and follow the path from the
origin step-by-step.

Question 6

Consider the following line segments

→
− →
−
a = b =

→
− →
− −
Write down the addition of →
−
a + b and then b + →a . Use the tip-to-tail method of adding
line segments. What do you notice about your answers?