Collinear Vector Help: Finding the Value of p for Collinearity | Origin O

  • Thread starter Thread starter omicron
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Vector
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the value of p for which the position vectors of points A, B, and C are collinear, given their expressions relative to an origin O. The subject area includes vector geometry and coordinate systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the concept of collinearity through gradients between points and discuss the assignment of coordinates to the position vectors. Questions about the understanding of unit vectors and the calculation of vector magnitudes are also raised.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on how to approach the problem of collinearity and the related vector questions. There is an exploration of different aspects of vector representation and calculations, but no consensus has been reached on the specific value of p.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for evidence of work and understanding of unit vectors, indicating that there may be homework constraints or expectations for showing steps in problem-solving.

omicron
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
The position vectors of A, B and C relative to an origin O are [tex]-I+pj[/tex], [tex]5i+9j[/tex] & [tex]6i+8j[/tex] respectively. Determine the value of p for which A, B & C are collinear.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Have you learned any coordinate geometry at school?
 
Yes I have.
 
So you may instead assign the coordinates (-1,p) to the position vector -i + pj, (5,9) to the position vector 5i + 9j and (6,8) to the position vector 6i + 8j.

If three points are collinear, this means that the gradient between any two points of the three is the same.
 
Thank you!
 
One more question.
a) The vector [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA}[/tex] has magnitude 100 and has the same direction as [tex]\displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}7\\24\end{array}\right)[/tex]. Express [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA}[/tex] as a column vector.
b) The vector [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OB}[/tex] is [tex]\displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}24\\99\end{array}\right)[/tex]. Obtain the unit vector in the direction of [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{AB}[/tex].
 
omicron said:
One more question.
a) The vector [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA}[/tex] has magnitude 100 and has the same direction as [tex]\displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}7\\24\end{array}\right)[/tex]. Express [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA}[/tex] as a column vector.
b) The vector [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OB}[/tex] is [tex]\displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}24\\99\end{array}\right)[/tex]. Obtain the unit vector in the direction of [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{AB}[/tex].

You need to show evidence of some work. Do you know what unit vectors are?
 
Yes I do know.
 
Then you should be able to solve both of those problems..
 
  • #10
If I did, I wouldn't have posted them. :bugeye:
 
Last edited:
  • #11
omicron said:
One more question.
a) The vector [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA}[/tex] has magnitude 100 and has the same direction as [tex]\displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}7\\24\end{array}\right)[/tex]. Express [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA}[/tex] as a column vector.

First of all, find the magnitude of the vector [tex]\displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}7\\24\end{array}\right)[/tex]. What is it?

b) The vector [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{OB}[/tex] is [tex]\displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}24\\99\end{array}\right)[/tex]. Obtain the unit vector in the direction of [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{AB}[/tex].

Do you know how to calculate the vector [tex]\displaystyle \overrightarrow{AB}[/tex]? (Hint: use information from a)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 63 ·
3
Replies
63
Views
7K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
2K