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.
Determine a vector equation for the line LLL.
Given that the displacement vector PR⃗\vec{PR}PR is perpendicular to the guide rail LLL,
find the value of kkk.
Calculate the area of the triangular space PQRPQRPQR formed by the pins, expressing your answer as a surd in its simplest form.
197 exam-style questions on OCR A Level Maths 1.10 Vectors, covering 1.10.1 Vectors in two dimensions, 1.10.2 Vectors in three dimensions (A-level only), 1.10.3 Magnitude and direction of vectors, 1.10.4 Basic operations on vectors, 1.10.5 Position vectors, 1.10.6 Distance between points, 1.10.7 Problem solving using vectors, 1.10.8 Vectors in kinematics, and 1.10 Vectors. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.