Question
z
D
y
C
B
O
A x
The diagram shows a set of rectangular axes Ox, Oy and Oz, and four points A, B, C and D with position vectors OA = 3i, OB = 3i + 4j, OC = i + 3j and OD = 2i + 3j + 5k.
(i) Find the equation of the plane BCD, giving your answer in the form ax + by + cz = d . [6]
(ii) Calculate the acute angle between the planes BCD and OABC. [4]
Mark scheme
9(i) Obtain a vector parallel to the plane, e.g. CB = 2i + j B1
Use scalar product to obtain an equation in a, b, c, M1 e.g. 2a + b = 0, a + 5c = 0, a + b – 5c = 0
Obtain two correct equations in a, b, c A1
Solve to obtain a : b : c, M1 or equivalent
Obtain a : b : c = 5 : – 10 : – 1, A1 or equivalent
Obtain equation 5 x − 10 y − z = −25 , A1 or equivalent
Alternative method 1
JJJG JJJG
Obtain a vector parallel to the plane, e.g. CD = i + 5k B1 BD = −i − j + 5k
Obtain a second such vector and calculate their M1
vector product, e.g. ( 2i + j) × ( i + 5k )
Obtain two correct components A1
Obtain correct answer, e.g. 5i – 10j – k A1
Substitute to find d M1
Obtain equation 5 x − 10 y − z = −25 , A1 or equivalent
9(i) Alternative method 2
JJJG
Obtain a vector parallel to the plane, e.g. DB = i + j − 5k B1
Obtain a second such vector and form correctly a M1
2-parameter equation for the plane
State a correct equation, e.g. A1
r = 3i + 4 j + λ ( i + 5k ) + µ ( i + j − 5k )
State three equations in x, y, z, λ and µ A1
Eliminate λ and µ M1
Obtain equation 5 x − 10 y − z = −25 A1 or equivalent
Alternative method 3
Substitute for B and C and obtain 3a + 4b = d and B1
a + 3b = d
Substitute for D to obtain a third equation and M1
eliminate one unknown (a, b, or d) entirely
Obtain two correct equations in two unknowns, e.g. a, b, c A1
Solve to obtain their ratio, e.g. a : b : c M1
Obtain a : b : c = 5 : – 10 : – 1, A1 or equivalent
a : c : d = 5 : – 1: – 25, or b : c : d = 10 : 1 : 25
Obtain equation 5 x − 10 y − z = −25 A1 or equivalent
9(i) Alternative method 4
Substitute for B and C and obtain 3a + 4b = d and B1
a +3b = d
Solve to obtain a : b : d M2 or equivalent
Obtain a : b : d = 1 : – 2: – 5 A1 or equivalent
Substitute for C to obtain c M1
Obtain equation 5 x − 10 y − z = −25 A1 or equivalent
6
9(ii) State or imply a normal vector for the plane OABC is k B1
Carry out correct process for evaluating a scalar product of two M1 i.e. correct process using k and their normal
relevant vectors, e.g. (5i – 10j – k).(k)
Using the correct process for calculating the moduli, divide the M1 Allow M1M1 for clear use of an incorrect vector that has been
scalar product by the product of the moduli and evaluate the inverse stated to be the normal to OABC
cosine of the result
Obtain answer 84.9° or 1.48 radians A1
4