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Exam-Style Questions.

Problems adapted from questions set for previous Mathematics exams.

1.

GCSE Higher
$$ a = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 5 \\ \end{pmatrix} \quad b = \begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ -7 \\ \end{pmatrix} $$

Find \(4a - b\) as a column vector.


2.

GCSE Higher

Calculate the vector \(3a - 2b\) if the vectors \(a\) and \(b\) are:

$$ a = \begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ -5 \\ \end{pmatrix} $$ $$ b = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ -3 \\ \end{pmatrix} $$

3.

GCSE Higher

(a) Shape \(A\) is translated to shape \(B\) using the vector \( \begin{pmatrix}m\\n\\ \end{pmatrix}\). What are the values of \(m\) and \(n\)?

Vectors

(b) Vectors \(a, b, c, d\) and \(e\) are drawn on an isometric grid. Write each of the vectors \(c, d\) and \(e\) in terms of \(a\) and/or \(b\).

Vectors

4.

GCSE Higher

In the parallelogram OABC two of the sides can be represented by vectors \(a\) and \(c\).

\( \overrightarrow{OA} = a \) and \( \overrightarrow{OC} = c \)

Diagram

\( X \) is the midpoint of the line \( AC \).

\( OCD \) is a straight line such that \(OC:CD = k:1 \)

Given that \( \overrightarrow{XD} = 3c - \frac12 a \) find the value of \( k \).


5.

IGCSE Extended

(a) If A is the point (3,5) write down the position vector of A.

(b) If B is the point (6,9) find \(\mid\overrightarrow{AB} \mid\) the magnitude of \( \overrightarrow{AB}\).

The following diagram is not to scale.

Vectors

\(O\) is the origin, \(\overrightarrow{OP}=p\) and = \(\overrightarrow{OQ}=q\).

\(OP\) is extended to \(R\) so that \(OP=PR\).

\(OQ\) is extended to \(S\) so that \(OQ=QS\).

(c) Write down \(\overrightarrow{RQ}\) in terms of \(p\) and \(q\).

(d) \(PS\) and \(RQ\) intersect at \(M\) and \(RM=2 MQ\).

Use vectors to find the ratio \(PM:PS\), showing all your working.


6.

GCSE Higher
Sine and Cosine Rules

In the diagram above (not drawn to scale) \(X\) is the point on \(AB\) such that \(AX:XB = 9:4\).

The position vector of \(A\) is \(3a\) and the position vector of \(B\) is \(3b\).

Find the value of \(k\) if \(\vec{OX} = k(4a + 9b)\) where \(k\) is a scalar quantity.


7.

IB Standard

Consider two perpendicular vectors \(p\) and \(q\).

(a) Let \(r=p-q\). Draw a diagram to show what this relationship might look like.

(b) If \(p=\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 1 \\ -3 \\ \end{pmatrix}\) and \(q=\begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ n \\ -5 \\ \end{pmatrix}\), where \(n\in \mathbb Z\), find \(n\).


8.

IB Standard

George and Hugo like to fly model airplanes. On one day George's plane takes off from level ground and shortly after that Hugo's plane takes off.

The position of George’s plane \(s\) seconds after it takes off is given by \(\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 0 \\ \end{pmatrix} + s\begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ -2 \\ 6 \\ \end{pmatrix} \) where the distances are in metres.

(a) Find the speed of George’s plane to the nearest integer.

(b) Find the height of George’s plane after four seconds.

The position of Hugo’s airplane \(t\) seconds after it takes off is given by \(\begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ -4 \\ 0 \\ \end{pmatrix}+t\begin{pmatrix} 7 \\ -2 \\ 9 \\ \end{pmatrix} \) where the distances are in metres.

(c) Show that the paths of the planes are not perpendicular.

The two airplanes collide at the point \((46, -16, 54)\).

(d) How long after George’s plane takes off does Hugo’s plane take off ?


9.

A-Level

The points A and B have coordinates \((3,-2,1)\) and \((4, 0, -1)\) respectively.

The line \(l\) has the following equation:

$$ r= \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 2 \\ 0 \\ \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ -2 \\ 0 \\ \end{pmatrix} $$

The point C lies on \(l\) where \(\lambda = 3\).

(a) Find the coordinates of C.

(b) Find the acute angle ABC, giving your answer to the nearest tenth of a degree.

(c) The point D lies on a line through A and B such that angle ADC is a right angle. Find the coordinates of D.

(d) The point E completes the parallelogram ACBE. Find the coordinates of E.


10.

IB Analysis and Approaches

Consider the vectors \(\mathbf{a}\) and \(\mathbf{b}\) such that \(\mathbf{a} = \begin{pmatrix} 16 \\ -12 \end{pmatrix} \) and \( |\mathbf{b}| = 11\).

(a) Find the possible range of values for \(|\mathbf{a+b}|\).

Consider the vector \(\mathbf{p}\) such that \(\mathbf{p=a+b}\).

(b) Given that \(|\mathbf{a+b}|\) is a minimum, find \(\mathbf{p}\).

Consider the vector q such that \(\mathbf{q} = \begin{pmatrix}x \\ y \end{pmatrix} \) , where \(x,y \in \mathbb{R} \).

(c) Find \(\mathbf{q}\) such that \(\mathbf{|q| = |b|}\) and \(\mathbf{q}\) is perpendicular to \(\mathbf{a}\).


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The exam-style questions appearing on this site are based on those set in previous examinations (or sample assessment papers for future examinations) by the major examination boards. The wording, diagrams and figures used in these questions have been changed from the originals so that students can have fresh, relevant problem solving practice even if they have previously worked through the related exam paper.

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