Created by T.

Madas

VECTOR
APPLICATIONS

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

VECTOR
PROBLEMS
WITH
ACCELERATION

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 1 (**)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle, of mass 1.5 kg , is moving under the action of a constant force F N .

Initially the particle has velocity ( −2i + 3j) ms −1 and at time t = 3 s it has velocity
(10i − 3j) ms−1

a) Determine the acceleration of the particle, in vector form.

b) Find the magnitude of F .

c) Calculate the speed of the particle when t = 6 s .

a = 4i − 2 j , F = 45 ≈ 6.71 N , v = 565 ≈ 23.8 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 2 (**)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle, of mass 0.5 kg , is moving under the action of a single constant force F N
which produces an acceleration of (12i − 16 j) ms −2 .

a) Find, in degrees, the angle between the acceleration and the vector i .

b) Determine the magnitude of F .

The velocity of the particle at time t s is v ms −1 .

c) Given further that when t = 0 s v = ( −20i + 30 j) ms −1 , find the velocity of

the particle when t = 3 s .

53.13° , F = 10 N , v = 16i − 18 j

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 3 (**)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P , of mass 2 kg , is moving under the action of two constant forces

( 2i + 3j) N and ( 6i − j) N .

a) Determine, in degrees, the angle between the resultant of these two forces and
the vector j .

b) Find the acceleration of P , in vector form.

The initial velocity of P is −8i + 3 j .

c) Calculate the speed of P after 3 s .

76° , a = 4i + j , v = 52 ≈ 7.21 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 4 (**)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle is moving with constant acceleration ( 3i + 5 j) ms −2 .

At time t = 0 s the particle has speed u ms −1 and at time t = 4 s the particle has
velocity ( 4i + 5 j) ms −1 .

Determine the value of u .

u = 17

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 5 (**)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P is moving with constant acceleration ( 3i − j) ms −2 .

At time t s the velocity of P is v ms −1 .

When t = 0 , v = ( −2i + 3j) .

a) Find the value of t when P is travelling parallel to the vector i .

b) Determine the speed of P , when t = 5 .

c) Find, in degrees, the angle between the direction of motion of P when t = 5

and the vector j .

t = 3 s , v = 173 ≈ 13.15 ms −1 , ≈ 99°

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 6 (**+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P is moving with constant acceleration ( −i − 2 j) ms −2 .

At time t s the velocity of P is v ms −1 . When t = 0 , v = ( 5i + 3j) .

a) Find, in degrees, the angle between the direction of motion of P when t = 0

and the vector j .

b) Find an expression for v , in terms of t .

c) Determine the speed of P when t = 4 .

d) Calculate the value of t when P is moving parallel to the vector j .

≈ 59.0° , v = ( 5 − t ) i + ( 3 − 2t ) j , v = 26 ≈ 5.10 ms −1 , t = 5 s

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 7 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P , of mass 2 kg , is moving under the action of a single force F N .

At time t s the velocity of P is v ms −1 .

When t = 0 , v = ( −3i + j) and when t = 4 , v = ( 5i + 5 j) .

a) Find, in degrees, the bearing of the direction of motion of P , when t = 0 .

b) Calculate the magnitude of F .

c) Determine, in terms of t , an expression for the velocity of P .

d) Find the time when P is moving parallel to the vector 3i + 2 j .

288° , F = 20 ≈ 4.47 N , v = ( 2t − 3) i + ( t + 1) j , t = 9 s

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 8 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle, of mass 0.5 kg , is moving under the action of a single force F N .

Initially, the particle is at the point with position vector ( 7i − 2 j) m and moving with
velocity ( 3i − 5 j) ms −1 .

Three seconds later the velocity of the particle is ( −3i + 7 j) ms −1 and its position
vector is ( ai + bj) m , where a and b are constants.

a) Determine the magnitude of F .

b) Find the value of a and the value of b .

F = 5 ≈ 2.24 N , a = 7, b = 1

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 9 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle, of mass 0.6 kg , is moving under the action of a single force ( 4.5i − 6 j) N .

Initially, the particle is at the point with position vector ( −40i + 40 j) m and moving
with velocity ( 3i + 2 j) ms −1 .

a) Determine the magnitude of the acceleration of the particle.

b) Find the velocity of the particle, after 6 seconds.

c) Calculate the distance of the particle from the origin O , after 4 seconds.

a = 12.5 ms −2 , v = 48i − 58 j , d = 32 2 ≈ 45.25 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 10 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P , of mass 1.5 kg , is moving under the action of a single constant force
F N.

When t = 0 , the velocity of P is ( −6i + 4 j) ms −1 .

When t = 2 , the velocity of P is ( 6i + 20 j) ms −1 .

a) Find the acceleration of P , in vector form.

b) Determine the magnitude of F .

When t = 4 , P is at the point with position vector −6 j m . At that instant F is

removed and the particle continues to move freely.

c) Calculate the distance of P from the origin 1 s after F was removed.

a = 6i + 8 j , F = 15 N , d ≈ 35.0 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 11 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P , of mass 2 kg , is moving under the action of a single constant force

F N . When t = 0 s , the velocity of P is ( 3i − 5 j) ms −1 and when t = 4 the velocity
of P is (11i + 7 j) ms −1 .

a) Calculate the speed of the particle when t = 0 .

b) Determine the vector F .

c) Find the value of t when the particle is moving in an eastward direction.

MMS-A , speed = 34 ≈ 5.83 ms −1 , F = 4i + 6 j , t = 5

3

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 12 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P is moving with constant acceleration of ( −i + j) ms −2 .

It is initially observed passing through the point with position vector −2 j m with
velocity of 2i ms −1 .

a) Find the speed of P , 8 s after it was first observed.

b) Calculate the distance of P from the origin, 8 s after it was first observed.

MMS-Q , v = 10 ms −1 , d = 34 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 13 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

At time t = 0 , particle A is at the point with position vector ( 7i − 2 j) m , moving

with velocity ( 2i + 3j) ms −1 .

At time t = 0 , particle B is moving with velocity ( 3i + 5 j) ms −1 .

The constant accelerations of the two particles, A and B , are ( 0.1i + 0.2 j) ms −2 and
( −0.2 i + 0.3 j) ms−2 , respectively.

Determine the position vector of B when t = 0 , given further that A and B collide
when t = 10 .

MMS-O , rA = (12i − 27 j) m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 14 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

The velocity of a particle, v ms −1 , at time t s after a given instant is

v = ( 3 − 2t ) i + ( 3t − 6 ) j .

a) Find the speed of the particle when t = 0 .

b) Determine the bearing on which the particle is moving when t = 4 .

c) Calculate the value of t when the particle is moving …

i. … parallel to i .

ii. … parallel to 5i − 7 j .

MMS-G , speed = 45 ≈ 6.71 ms −1 , 320° , t = 2 , t = 9

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 15 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P is moving with constant acceleration of (101 i − 15 j) ms −2

.

(
It is initially observed passing through the point with position vector −20i − 15 j m
2 )
with velocity of ( 4i + 2 j) ms −1 .

a) Find an expression for the position vector of P , t s after it was first observed.

b) Calculate the times when P is due east of the origin O .

c) Determine the speed of P when it is travelling in a south-eastern direction.

MMS-D , r =  −20 + 4t + 1 t 2 i + − 15 + 2t − 1 t 2 j m , t = 5 s, 15 s ,
( ) ( )
 20 2 10 
v = 10 2 ≈ 14.14 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 16 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

Two particles are moving with constant acceleration on a horizontal surface where O
is contained.

At time t = 0 s , one of the particles is at the point with position vector ( −2i + 3j) m ,

( )
moving with velocity ( 4i + 3j) ms −1 and constant acceleration 1 i − 1 j ms −2 .
5 10

At time t = 0 s , the other particle is at the point with position vector ( ki + 8 j) m ,

where k is a scalar constant, moving with velocity ( 2i + j) ms −1 and constant
acceleration (101 i + 15 j) ms −2
.

If the two particles first collide at time t = T s , determine the exact value of k .

47
X , k=
9

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 17 (****+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

Two particles are moving with constant acceleration on a horizontal surface where O
is contained.

At time t = 0 s , one of the particles is at the point with position vector ( 7i + 2 j) m ,

( )
moving with velocity ( i + 2 j) ms −1 and constant acceleration 1 i − 1 j ms −2 .
4 2

At time t = 0 s , the other particle is at the point with position vector ( i − j) m ,

( )
moving with velocity ( 2i − 2 j) ms −1 and constant acceleration 1 i − 1 j ms −2 .
2 4

Calculate the distance between the two particles, at the instant when they are moving
in parallel directions to one another.

[You may ignore any motion taking place prior to time t = 0 s ]

X , d = 829 ≈ 28.79 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 18 (****+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P is moving from point A to point B , with constant acceleration of

( pi + qj) ms−2 , where p and q are constants. The velocity of P at A is
(10i − 13j) ms−1 and the velocity of P at B is ( 22i + 22 j) ms −1 .

Given that the magnitude of the acceleration is 3.7 ms −2 , find the value of p and the
value of q .

MMS-S , p = 1.2 , q = 3.5

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 19 (****+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle P is moving with constant acceleration of ( 0.25i − 0.5 j) ms−2 .

It is initially observed passing through the point with position vector ( 2i − 3j) m with
velocity of ( i + 3.5 j) ms −1 .

a) Find an expression for the velocity of P , t s after it was first observed.

b) Determine an expression for the position vector of P , t s after it was first

observed.

c) Calculate the distance of P from the origin O , when P is moving in a south-

eastern direction.

v = (1 + 0.25t ) i + ( 3.5 − 0.5t ) j ms −1 , r =  2 + t + 1 t 2 i + −3 + 3.5t − 1 t 2 j m ,

( ) ( )
 8 4 
d ≈ 64.04 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 20 (****+)
The unit vectors i and j are oriented due east and due north, respectively.

At time t = 0 s , a particle of mass 4 kg , is sighted at the point A with position vector

( −17i − 50 j) m and moving with constant velocity ( −2i + 2 j) ms −1 .

At time t = 10 s , two constant forces F1 and F2 each of magnitude 50 N , begin to

act on the particle until it passes through the point B , after a further period of 10 s .

It is further given that

• F1 is acting in the direction ( 3i − 4 j) .

• F2 is acting in the direction ( −7i + 24 j) .

Determine, correct to the nearest m , the distance between A and B .

MMS-U , d ≈ 213 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 21 (****+)
The unit vectors i and j are oriented due east and due north, respectively.

A particle moves with constant acceleration between two points A and B .

The particle is passing through A with velocity ( 3i − j) ms −1 and 10 seconds later is

passing through B with velocity ( 9i + 11j) ms −1 .

Find the distance AB , and hence determine the average speed of the particle as it
travels from A to B .

MMS-Z , d ≈ 78.10 m , average speed ≈ 7.81 ms −1

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

VECTOR
PROBLEMS
WITHOUT
ACCELERATION

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 1 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle is moving with constant velocity ( 4i − 2 j) ms −1 .

At time t = 7 s the particle is at the point with position vector (19i + 2 j) m .

Determine the distance of the particle from the origin O , when t = 3 .

d = 109 ≈ 10.44 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 2 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

Two ships, P and Q , are sailing in a channel, with constant velocities.

Initially, P is at the point with position vector ( 6i − 2 j) km and Q is at the point

with position vector −5i km . The velocity P is 12 j km h −1 and the velocity of Q is
( 8i − 6 j) km h −1 .

a) Determine the speed of Q .

The respective position vectors of P and Q , at time t hours, are p and q .

b) Find expressions for p and q .

c) Calculate the distance between P and Q when t = 2 .

d) Determine the value of t when P is north of Q .

MMS-M , speed = 10 km h −1 , p = 6i + (12t − 2 ) j km, q = ( 8t − 5 ) i − 6tj km ,

PQ = 1181 ≈ 34.4 km , t = 11 = 82.5 minutes

8

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 3 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

At time t = 0 s a particle P is observed to be passing through the point with position

vector ( −24i + 17 j) m and moving with constant velocity ( 3i − 2 j) ms −1 .

a) Calculate the speed of P .

b) Find the direction of motion of P , giving the answer as a bearing.

At time t = 0 s , another particle Q , is observed to be passing through the point with

position vector ( −2i + 28 j) m .

c) Given that Q is moving with constant velocity ( i − 3j) ms −1 , show that P

and Q will collide at some point A , further determining the position vector of
A.

d) Given instead that Q has constant velocity ( i − 4 j) ms −1 , determine the

distance between P and Q , when t = 11 s .

speed = 13 ≈ 3.61 ms −1 , 124° , a = ( 9i − 5 j) m , d = 11 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 4 (***)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A ship P is sailing with constant velocity ( 2i − 6 j) km h −1 .

a) Calculate the speed of P .

At noon P is at the point with position vector ( 4i + 2 j) km .

At time t hours after noon the position vector of P is p km .

b) Determine an expression for p , in terms of t .

The position vector of another ship Q , q km t hours after noon, is given by

q = 7i − 4 j + ( −4i − 2 j) t .

c) Calculate the value of t when Q is west of P .

d) Find the distance between the two ships when Q is west of P .

speed = 40 ≈ 6.32 km h −1 , p = ( 2t + 4 ) i + ( 2 − 6t ) j km , t = 1.5 , d = 6 km

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 5 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

Two helicopters, P and Q , are flying with constant velocities in the same horizontal
plane. At noon, P is at the point with position vector ( 20i + 35 j) km . The position
vector of P at time t hours after noon is p .

a) Given that when t = 1 hours, p = ( 65i + 59 j) km , determine the velocity of P .

2

b) Find an expression for p , in terms of t .

At noon, Q is at the point with position vector 200 j km .

The speed of Q is 125 km h −1 , in the direction ( 24i − 7 j) .

The position vector of Q , at time t hours after noon, is q .

c) Find an expression for q , in terms of t .

d) Calculate the distance between P and Q when t = 2 .

MMS-B , v = ( 90i + 48 j) km h −1 , p = ( 90t + 20 ) i + ( 48t + 35 ) j km ,

q = 120ti + ( 200 − 35t ) j km , PQ = 1601 ≈ 40.0 km

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 6 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A coastguard station, located at O , monitors the movement of ships in a sea region.

At noon the radar of the station picks two ships in danger of collision.

At that instant ship A is at the point with position vector 8i km and moving with
constant velocity (12i − 4 j) km h −1 . At the same instant ship B is at the point with
position vector ( 20i − 12 j) km and moving with constant velocity ( 4i + 4 j) km h −1 .

a) Show that if the two ships maintain their velocities, they will eventually
collide, further determining the position vector of their collision point.

The coastguard immediately orders ship B to change its velocity to ( 2i + 2 j) km h −1 .

b) Given that ship B obeys the order, calculate the distance between the two
ships at 13.30 hours.

c) Determine if there is a time after noon when B is north of A .

( 26i − 6 j) m , AB = 18 ≈ 4.24 km

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 7 (***+)
A model ship A is moving in a straight line with constant velocity, on the calm water
of a pond. Relative to a fixed origin O the horizontal unit vectors i and j are
pointing due east and due north, respectively.

At time t = 0 s its position vector of A is ( −2i + 3j) m and when t = 5 s its position
vector is (13i − 7 j) m .

a) Find an expression for the position vector of A at time t s .

When t = 10 another model ship B passes through the point with position vector
( 8i + 3j) m and travels with constant velocity V ms −1 .

b) Given that the two model ships collide when t = 30 , determine an expression
for V in the form ui + vj .

MMS-P , rA = ( 3t − 2 ) i + ( 3 − 2t ) j m , V = 4i − 3 j

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 8 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A ship A is moving with constant velocity.

At noon A is at the point with position vector (12i + 12 j) km and at 2 p.m. it has
sailed to the point with position vector ( 8i + 20 j) km .

a) Determine the velocity of A .

b) Write down an expression for the position vector of A , t hours after noon.

A ship B is also moving with constant velocity and its position vector, r km , t hours
after noon is given by

r = ( 2t + k ) i + ( 2t + 33) j ,

where k is a scalar constant.

c) Given that A intercepts B determine the value of k .

MMS-C , v = ( −2i + 4 j) km h −1 , rA = (12 − 2t ) i + ( 4t + 12 ) j km , k = −30

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 9 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A ship P is sailing with constant velocity ( −7i − 5 j) km h −1 .

a) Calculate the speed of P .

b) Find the direction in which P is moving, giving the answer as a bearing.

At 12.00 hours, P is observed passing through the point with position vector
( 40i + 28 j) km .

A lighthouse L is located at the point with position vector ( −12i + j) km .

c) Find the distance between P and L at 16.00 hours.

d) Determine the time, using 24 hour clock notation, when P is east of L .

MMS-H , speed = 74 ≈ 8.60 km h −1 , 234° , d = 25 km , 17 : 24

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 10 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors where i and j are pointing
due east and due north, respectively.

At time t = 0 , a ship A moving with constant velocity ( i + 7 j) km h −1 is observed to

be passing through the point with position vector ( 8i + 7 j) km .

a) Calculate the speed of A and the bearing at which is moving.

b) Find an expression for the position vector of A , at time t hours.

At time t = 0 , another ship B moving with constant velocity ( 2i + cj) km h −1 , where

c is a constant, is passing through the point with position vector ( 4i + 3j) km .

The two ships meet at the point P .

c) Determine the value of c .

d) Calculate the distance OP .

008° , speed = 50 ≈ 7.07 km h −1 , rA = ( t + 8 ) i + ( 7t + 7 ) j km , c = 8 ,

OP = 37 km

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 11 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A particle is moving with constant velocity ( 3i + j) ms −1 .

a) Calculate the speed of the particle.

b) Find the direction of motion of the particle, giving the answer as a bearing.

At time t = 0 s , the particle is observed to be passing through the point A with

position vector ( −5i + 2 j) m .

At time t = 5 s the particle changes its velocity from ( 3i + j) ms −1 to ( ai + bj) ms −1 .

When t = 9 s the particle is observed to be passing through the point with position
vector ( 4i + 15 j) m .

c) Find the value of a and the value of b .

d) Determine the total time it took the particle to travel from A to a point which
is north from A .

speed = 10 ≈ 3.16 ms −1 , 072° , a = −1.5 & b = 2 , t = 15 s

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 12 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A ship is moving with constant velocity ( 4i + 7.5 j) km h −1 .

At noon the ship is at the point with position vector ( −4i − 19 j) km .

a) Calculate the speed of the ship.

b) Determine the bearing on which the ship is moving.

If the ship continues on this course it will collide with an oil drilling platform at 16.00 .

c) Find the position vector of the oil drilling platform.

The ship continues sailing with the same velocity until 14.00 when the ship changes
course and begins to sail due north with speed 6 km h −1 .

d) Determine the time when the ship will be due west of the oil drilling platform.

e) Calculate the distance of the ship from the platform at 18.00 .

speed = 8.5 km h −1 , 028° , (12i + 11j) km , 16 : 30 , d = 145 ≈ 12.0 km

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 13 (***+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

Two cars, A and B , are moving on straight horizontal roads with constant velocities.

Initially A is at O and B is at the point with position vector 240i m . The velocity of
A is 12 ms −1 due east and the velocity of B is ( 8i + 8 j) ms −1 .

a) Find an expression, in terms of t , for the position vector of B relative to A .

b) Hence, calculate the value of t when the bearing of B from A is 045° .

c) Determine the value of t when the two cars are again 240 m apart.

( 240 − 4t ) i + 8tj m , t = 20 , t = 24

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 14 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

Two dogs, Archie and Betty, are running in a field.

At time t = 0 , Archie is at the point with position vector ( 7i + 8 j) m and running with
constant velocity ( 2i − 3j) ms −1 .

a) Determine the position vector of Archie at time t s , giving the answer in the
form f ( t ) i + g ( t ) j where f and g are functions to be found.

At time t = 0 , Betty is at the point with position vector ( −11i − 17 j) m and running
with constant velocity towards the point with position vector ( −2i + j) m .

b) Given that Betty’s speed is 2 5 ms −1 , show clearly that Betty’s velocity is

( 2i + 4 j) ms−1 .

c) Assuming that the two dogs continue to run with constant velocities, find the
distance between them when t = 4 .

r = ( 2t + 7 ) i + ( 8 − 3t ) j , d = 333 ≈ 18.25 m

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 15 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A small, unmanned boat is drifting in the sea with constant velocity.

At 10.00 a.m. it is observed at the point with position vector ( −2i + 3j) km and at
10.45 a.m. it has drifted to the point with position vector ( −5i + 3.75 j) km .

The position vector of the boat, t hours after 10.00 a.m. , is b km .

a) Find an expression for b in terms of t .

At 11.30 a.m. a patrol boat leaves from the point with position vector ( 2i + j) km and
intercepts the small unmanned boat at 11.45 a.m. The patrol boat is moving with
constant velocity, V km h −1 .

b) Find V , giving the answer in the form ai + bj , where a and b are constants
to be found .

MMS-I , b = ( −4t − 2 ) i + ( t + 3) j , V = −44i + 15 j

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 16 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

At time t = 0 s a footballer A kicks the ball from the point with position vector
( 4i + 2 j ) m giving it a constant speed of 10 ms −1 in the direction ( 4i + 3j) .

The ball is modelled as a particle moving with constant velocity.

a) Show that the position vector of the ball, t s after it was kicked, is given by

( 8t + 4 ) i + ( 6t + 2 ) j .

At time t = 0 s , another footballer B is observed to be running through the point with

position vector (11i + 23j) m .

Footballer B is modelled as a particle running due East with constant speed U ms −1 .

b) Given that B intercepts the ball determine the value of U .

MMS-E , v = 8i + 6 j , U = 6

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 17 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A ship S is sailing with constant velocity.

At 12.00 hours, S is passing through the point with position vector (18i − 5 j) km and
half an hour later S is passing through the point with position vector (16i − 2 j) km .

a) Calculate the speed of S .

The position vector of S , s km , t hours after noon, is given by

s = f (t ) i + g (t ) j .

b) Determine an expression for f ( t ) and an expression for g ( t ) .

At 14.00 , to an observer on S , a lighthouse L appears due north of S .

At 15.30 , to an observer on S , the same lighthouse L appears north-east of S .

c) Find the position vector of L .

MMS-J , speed = 52 ≈ 7.21 km h −1 , r = (18 − 4t ) i + ( 6t − 5) j km , 10i + 22 j

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 18 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

A boat is sailing with constant velocity. At time t hours after noon the position vector
of the boat is r km .

When t = 0 , r = ( −5i + 10 j) km and when t = 3 , r = ( 4i − 2 j) km .

a) Calculate the speed of the boat.

b) Find the direction in which the boat is moving, giving the answer as a bearing.

c) Determine an expression for r , in terms of t .

A beacon is located at the point with position vector (10i − 10 j) km .

When t = T , the boat is at a distance of 15 km from the beacon.

d) Determine the two possible values of T .

MMS-R , speed = 5 km h −1 , 143° , r = ( 3t − 5) i + (10 − 4t ) j m , T = 2, 8

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 19 (****)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

At noon a ship A is at the point with position vector ( 5i − 7 j) km , travelling with

constant velocity ( 3i − 4 j) km h −1 .

a) Determine the bearing at which A is travelling.

At noon ship B is at the point with position vector ( 3i + 5 j) km and travelling with
constant velocity ( −2i + 8 j) km h −1 .

b) Find the speed of B .

The distance between the two ships, t hours after noon is d km .

c) Show clearly that

d = 169t 2 + 308t + 148 , t ≥ 0 .

d) Show further that the two ships do not collide in the subsequent motion.

e) Calculate the time when the two ships are 25 km apart.

MMS-F , 143° , speed = 68 ≈ 8.25 km h −1 , 13.00

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 20 (****+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

At midnight a ship P is at the point with position vector ( −11i − 24 j) km and 4

hours later is at the point with position vector ( 9i + 20 j) km .

a) Find the velocity of P , in vector form.

At midnight another ship Q is at the point with position vector ( 5i − 10 j) km and

travelling with constant velocity 8 j km h −1 .

The distance between the two ships, t hours after midnight is d km .

b) Show clearly that

d 2 = 34t 2 − 244t + 452 , t ≥ 0 .

An observer on P can only see the lights of Q when d is 10 km or less.

c) Given that an observer on P sees the lights of Q for the first time at 2 a.m.
find the time when the lights of Q move out of the sight of the observer on P .

MMS-L , v = 5i + 11j , p = ( 5t − 11) i + (11t − 24 ) j , q = 5i + ( 8t − 10 ) j , 05 :11

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 21 (****+)
Relative to a fixed origin O , the horizontal unit vectors i and j are pointing due east
and due north, respectively.

At noon a ship A is at the point with position vector ( −2i + j) km and travelling with
constant velocity ( 4i − 7 j) km h −1 .

a) Calculate the speed of A .

At noon ship B is at the point with position vector (10i − 3j) km and travelling with
constant velocity ( −2i + 5 j) km h −1 .

b) Determine the bearing at which B is travelling.

c) Find an expression for the position vector of A relative to B .

The distance between the two ships, t hours after noon is d km .

d) Show clearly that

d 2 = 180t 2 − 240t + 160 , t ≥ 0 .

e) Calculate the times when the two ships are 10 km apart.

f) Determine the shortest distance between the two ships.

speed = 65 ≈ 8.06 km h −1 , 338° , A rB = ( 6t − 12 ) i + ( 4 − 12t ) j , 12.20 /13.00 ,

MMS-W , d min = 80 ≈ 8.94 km

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 22 (****+)
The unit vectors i and j are oriented due east and due north, respectively.

Two boats, A and B , are moving in the open sea with constant velocities given in
vector form as ( 7i + 3j) km h −1 and ( −3i + 9 j) km h −1 , respectively.

At noon, B is on a bearing of 120° from A , 12 km away.

a) Determine, correct to the nearest m , the distance between A and B when B

is due east of A .

b) Find the time when the two boats are at the closest distance.

MMS-W , d ≈ 392 m , 13 : 02

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 23 (****+)
The unit vectors i and j are oriented due east and due north, respectively.

Two boats, A and B , are moving in the open sea with constant velocities.

• At noon, A is at the point with position vector ( i + 2 j) km and half an hour

later is at the point with position vector ( 7i − 2 j) km .

• At noon, B is at the point with position vector ( −i − j) km and half an hour

later is at the point with position vector ( 9i + j) km .

Calculate the closest distance between A and B , and the time when this closest
distance occurs.

MMS-X , d min ≈ 2.846 km , 12 :14

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

VARIOUS
VECTOR
PROBLEMS

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 1 (****)
At time t = 0 , relative to a fixed origin O , two particles, A and B , have position
vectors ( i − 2 j + 4k ) m and ( −2i + aj + 6k ) m , respectively, where a is a constant.

It is further given that A and B , are travelling with constant velocities of

( 2i + 3j + 6k ) ms −1 and ( 3i + 12 j + 4k ) ms−1 , respectively.

The distance between A and B is least when t = 5s .

Determine the value of a .

MMS-V , a = −49

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 2 (****)
Two forces F1 = ( 2i + 7 j) N and F2 = ( 4i + kj) N , where k is a constant, act on a
particle of mass m kg .

Find the value of m , given that the particle accelerates in the direction 3i − 2 j with
magnitude 5 13 ms −2 .

MMS-Q , m = 2
5

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 3 (****)
The vectors i and j are mutually perpendicular unit vectors.

The resultant of two forces F1 and F2 is given by R = ( −i + 6 j) N .

a) Calculate the magnitude of R .

b) Find the size of the angle between the direction of R and the vector j .

The line of action of F1 is parallel to the vector ( i − 3j) .

The line of action of F2 is parallel to the vector ( −2i + 7 j) .

c) Determine F1 and F2 , in terms of i and j .

R = 37 ≈ 6.08 N , ≈ 9.46° , F1 = ( 5i − 9 j) N , F2 = ( −6i + 21j) N

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 4 (****)
Two forces F1 = ( 3i + 4 j) N and F2 = ( ai + bj) N , where a and b are constants, act
on a particle of mass 1.5 kg .

Find the value of a and the value of b , given that the particle accelerates in the
direction i − j with magnitude 4 2 ms −2 .

MMS-Y , a = 3 , b = −10

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Created by T. Madas