2014 A-level H2 Mathematics (9740) Paper 1 Question 9 Suggested Solutions

All solutions here are SUGGESTED. Mr. Teng will hold no liability for any errors. Comments are entirely personal opinions.

(i)
direction of l =\begin{pmatrix}2\\-1\\4\end{pmatrix}

Since planes p and q are perpendicular, the normal of plane p is parallel to plane q.

normal of plane q, n = \begin{pmatrix}2\\-1\\4\end{pmatrix} \times \begin{pmatrix}1\\2\\-3\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}-5\\10\\5\end{pmatrix} = 2{\begin{pmatrix}-1\\2\\1\end{pmatrix}}.

\begin{pmatrix}1\\-1\\3\end{pmatrix} \bullet \begin{pmatrix}-1\\2\\1\end{pmatrix} = 0

Thus, the cartesian equation of q is x-2y-z=0.

(ii)
From GC, equation of m is \textbf{r}= \begin{pmatrix}6\\3\\0\end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix}4\\1\\2\end{pmatrix}, \lambda \in \mathbb{R}.

(iii)
Let \vec{OB} = \begin{pmatrix}6\\3\\0\end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix}4\\1\\2\end{pmatrix} for some \lambda

\vec{AB}=\begin{pmatrix}6\\3\\0\end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix}4\\1\\2\end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix}1\\-1\\3\end{pmatrix}

\vec{AB}=\begin{pmatrix}{5+4\lambda}\\{4+\lambda}\\{-3+2\lambda}\end{pmatrix}

|\vec{AB}|=|\begin{pmatrix}{5+4\lambda}\\{4+\lambda}\\{-3+2\lambda}\end{pmatrix}|

{|\vec{AB}|}^{2}={\sqrt{(5+4\lambda)^{2}+(4+\lambda)^{2}+(-3+2\lambda)^{2}}}^{2}

{|\vec{AB}|}^{2}={(5+4\lambda)^{2}+(4+\lambda)^{2}+(-3+2\lambda)^{2}}

{|\vec{AB}|}^{2}= 25 + 40 \lambda + 16 {\lambda}^{2} + 16 + 8 \lambda + {\lambda}^{2} + 9 -12 \lambda + 4 {\lambda}^{2}

{|\vec{AB}|}^{2}= 50 + 36 \lambda + 21 {\lambda}^{2}

To find the minimum distance, differentiate {|\vec{AB}|}^{2} with respect to \lambda,

2|\vec{AB}| \frac{d|\vec{AB}|}{d\lambda}= 36 + 42 \lambda

At minimum distance, \frac{d|\vec{AB}|}{d\lambda} = 0,

36 + 42 \lambda = 0

\lambda = -\frac{6}{7}

\vec{OB}= \begin{pmatrix}6\\3\\0\end{pmatrix} - \frac{6}{7} \begin{pmatrix}4\\1\\2\end{pmatrix}

= \begin{pmatrix}{\frac{18}{7}}\\{\frac{15}{7}}\\{\frac{-12}{7}}\end{pmatrix}

Thus, required coordinates is ({\frac{18}{7}},{\frac{15}{7}},{\frac{-12}{7}}).

Personal Comments:
The first and second part are standard tutorial questions that students should be able to handle. Students need to realise the use of GC in finding line of intersection is most effective. For (iii), there are several methods, students can complete the square to find the turning point. Alternatively, students can graph the expression found on GC and find the minimum \lambda. They find the same answers too, but it will not be exact. As for students that are keen on following the “otherwise” approach, they can use the foot of perpendicular from A to B on m. Lastly, since the question asked for coordinates, students are expected to give in coordinate form.

Showing 4 comments
  • Jq
    Reply

    For 9i shouldn’t the vector be (-5 10 -10)

    • Jq
      Reply

      Sorry I’m careless

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