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Date November 2019 Marks available 6 Reference code 19N.1.AHL.TZ0.H_8
Level Additional Higher Level Paper Paper 1 (without calculator) Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Show that Question number H_8 Adapted from N/A

Question

A straight line,  L θ , has vector equation r  = ( 5 0 0 ) + λ ( 5 sin θ cos θ ) λ θ R .

The plane Πp, has equation x = p p R .

Show that the angle between  L θ and Πp is independent of both  θ and  p .

Markscheme

a vector normal to Πp is  ( 1 0 0 )        (A1)

Note: Allow any scalar multiple of  ( 1 0 0 ) , including  ( p 0 0 )

attempt to find scalar product (or vector product) of direction vector of line with any scalar multiple of  ( 1 0 0 )         M1

( 1 0 0 ) ( 5 sin θ cos θ ) = 5   (or  ( 1 0 0 ) × ( 5 sin θ cos θ ) = ( 0 cos θ sin θ ) )       A1

(if  α  is the angle between the line and the normal to the plane)

cos α = 5 1 × 25 + si n 2 θ + co s 2 θ (or  sin α = 1 1 × 25 + si n 2 θ + co s 2 θ )       A1

cos α = 5 26 or  sin α = 1 26        A1

this is independent of  p and  θ , hence the angle between the line and the plane,  ( 90 α ) , is also independent of  p and  θ        R1

Note: The final R mark is independent, but is conditional on the candidate obtaining a value independent of p and  θ .

[6 marks]

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Topic 3— Geometry and trigonometry » AHL 3.14—Vector equation of line
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Topic 3— Geometry and trigonometry » AHL 3.18—Intersections of lines & planes
Topic 3— Geometry and trigonometry

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