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Worksheet

Proofs using vectors

   
1 a Show that AB + DC = AC + DB. D
A

B C

b If ABCD are also the vertices of

a quadrilateral
 and D
M
M and N are  of AD and BC respectively,
themidpoint
A
prove that AB + DC = 2 MN .

B N C
      
2 Given OA = a and OB = b , if OP = 4a − 3b , show P
that A, B, P are collinear.

4a 2 3b
A

a
B

    

3 Given OA = a, OB = b , P is a point on the line joining AB. B
    
If OP = p, show that p = (1 − t )a + tb for any t.

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4 In ABC , OA = a, OB = b.
  1  
a If M is the midpoint of AB, then show that OM = (a + b ).
2 B

b
M
C

A
a
O


b If P is a point on AB such that AP : PB = m : n ,
B
 
 na + mb
then show that OP = . b
m+n C P

A
a
O

5 The coordinates of A, B, C and D are (1, 1), (3, 2), (4, 4) and (2, 3) respectively.
   
a Find AB, BC, AD and DC.

b Hence prove that ABCD is a rhombus.

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CMIS12WK00055.indd 2 13/01/20 11:16 am

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Answers
     
1 a BC = AC − AB also BC = DC − DB
   
DC − DB = AC − AB
   
∴ AB + DC = AC + DB
   
b BN = BA + AM + MN [1]
   
and CN = CD + DM + MN [2]
   
BN = − CN and AM = −DM
  
∴ 0 = − AB − DC + 2 MN
  
AB + DC = 2 MN
    
2 AB = OB − OA = b − a
        
AP = OP − OA = (4a − 3b) − a = − 3(b − a) = − 3 AB
 
AP is opposite to AB, ∴ B, A, P are collinear. 
  AP
3 As A, P, B are collinear, AP = t AB, where t = 
AB
         
AP = OP − OA = p − a and AB = OB − OA = b − a
   
p − a = t (b − a)
  
∴ p = (1 − t )a + tb
    1  1  
4 a AB = b − a and AM = AB = ( b − a )
2 2
   1  
OM = OA + AM = (a + b)
2
    m  m  
b AB = b − a and AP = AB = (b − a)
m+n m+n
 
    m   mb na
OP = OA + AP = a + (b − a) = +
m+n m+n m+n
   
5 a AB = 2 i + j , BC = i + 2 j , AD = i + 2 j , DC = 2 i + j
     
    
b AB = BC = AD = DC = 5

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