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Question 31

In a high-precision manufacturing bay, a robotic arm maps the positions of three docking pins relative to a fixed calibration origin OOO. The pins have the following position vectors:

∙\bullet∙ Pin PPP has position vector 4i−j+2k4\mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j} + 2\mathbf{k}4i−j+2k ∙\bullet∙ Pin QQQ has position vector 6i+3j−2k6\mathbf{i} + 3\mathbf{j} - 2\mathbf{k}6i+3j−2k ∙\bullet∙ Pin RRR has position vector ki+3j+5kk\mathbf{i} + 3\mathbf{j} + 5\mathbf{k}ki+3j+5k

where kkk is a constant.

The guide rail LLL is a straight line passing through the centers of pins PPP and QQQ.

a.

Determine a vector equation for the line LLL.

[2]
b.

Given that the displacement vector PR⃗\vec{PR}PR is perpendicular to the guide rail LLL,

find the value of kkk.

[3]
c.

Calculate the area of the triangular space PQRPQRPQR formed by the pins, expressing your answer as a surd in its simplest form.

[3]

Vectors Questions

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