Find the position vector of P

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 3K views
karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
The vector equations of two lines are given below

$r_1=\pmatrix {5 \\ 1}+2\pmatrix {3 \\ -2}$, $r_2=\pmatrix {-2 \\ 2}+t\pmatrix {4 \\ 1}$

The lines intersect at the point $$P$$.
Find the position vector of $$P$$

this being in form of $$r=a+tb$$
where $$a$$ is the the position vector
and b is the direction vector.
but not sure if these needs to be converted to line equations (of which not sure how to do) or just use what is given.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello, karush!

Part of your problem makes little sense.

The vector equations of two lines are given below:

. . [tex]r_1\:=\:\pmatrix {5 \\ 1}+2\pmatrix{3 \\ \text{-}2} \quad r_2\:=\:\pmatrix {\text{-}2 \\ 2}+t\pmatrix {4 \\ 1}[/tex]

The lines intersect at the point [tex]P.[/tex]
Find the position vector of [tex]P.[/tex]

this being in form of [tex]r\:=\:a+tb[/tex] . ??
where [tex]a[/tex] is the the position vector
and [tex]b[/tex] is the direction vector. P is a point, not a line!
[tex]r_1 \cap r_2:\;{5\choose1} + s{3\choose\text{-}2} \;=\;{\text{-}2\choose2} + t{4\choose1}[/tex]

. . . . . . . . .[tex]\begin{pmatrix}5 + 3s \\ 1-2s \end{pmatrix} \;=\;\begin{pmatrix}\text{-}2 + 4t \\ 2 + t\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

. . . . . . . . . [tex]\begin{Bmatrix}5 + 3s &=& \text{-}2+4t \\ 1-2s &=& 2 + t \end{Bmatrix}[/tex]

Solve the system of equations: .[tex]\begin{Bmatrix}s &-& \text{-}1 \\ t &=& 1 \end{Bmatrix}[/tex]

Therefore: .[tex]P \:=\:{2\choose3}[/tex]
 
See what you mean, however that was the way it was worded from the book. Thanks for help I am new to this topic