1.
In the diagram at the right, OA and OB represent vectors, B
3a and 4b respectively, C, E and F are points such that 3
3 2 C
OC OB, AE AB and OF OA. Express OE E
4 5
in terms of a and b. Given that C, E and F are collinear,
D 2
CE
deduce the value of and of . If D is the midpoint F
CF A
of AC, determine whether ODE is a straight line. O
Solution:
AB OB OA 4b 3a
3 3
OC OB 4b 3b
4 4
2 AE 2
AE AB
5 AB 5
then, AE : EB 2: 3
2 4b 3 3a 9 8
so that, OE a b
23 5 5
9 8
CE OE OC a b 3b
5 5
9 7
a b
5 5
CF OF OC OA 3b
3a 3b
C, E and F are collinear CE kCF , where k is a scalar
9 7
a b 3 ka 3kb
5 5
9 7
we have 3 k and 3k
5 5
7 3 3 15 9
k and
15 5k 5 7 7
7 7
k CE CF
15 15
CE 7
hence,
CF 15
1
OD OA OC (D is the midpoint of AC)
2
3
a b
2
9 8 1
OE a b 9a 8b
5 5 5
Since OD is not parallel to OE , ODE is not a straight line.