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

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The discussion focuses on determining the value of p for which the points A, B, and C, represented by the position vectors -i + pj, 5i + 9j, and 6i + 8j respectively, are collinear. It is established that collinearity requires the gradients between any two points to be equal. Additionally, the discussion includes tasks related to vector magnitudes and unit vectors, specifically expressing the vector \(\overrightarrow{OA}\) with a magnitude of 100 in the direction of \(\begin{pmatrix} 7 \\ 24 \end{pmatrix}\) and obtaining the unit vector in the direction of \(\overrightarrow{AB}\).

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omicron
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The position vectors of A, B and C relative to an origin O are -I+pj, 5i+9j & 6i+8j respectively. Determine the value of p for which A, B & C are collinear.
 
Last edited:
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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 \displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA} has magnitude 100 and has the same direction as \displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}7\\24\end{array}\right). Express \displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA} as a column vector.
b) The vector \displaystyle \overrightarrow{OB} is \displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}24\\99\end{array}\right). Obtain the unit vector in the direction of \displaystyle \overrightarrow{AB}.
 
omicron said:
One more question.
a) The vector \displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA} has magnitude 100 and has the same direction as \displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}7\\24\end{array}\right). Express \displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA} as a column vector.
b) The vector \displaystyle \overrightarrow{OB} is \displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}24\\99\end{array}\right). Obtain the unit vector in the direction of \displaystyle \overrightarrow{AB}.

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 \displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA} has magnitude 100 and has the same direction as \displaystyle \left(\begin{array}{cc}7\\24\end{array}\right). Express \displaystyle \overrightarrow{OA} as a column vector.

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

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

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

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