SPM 2017 Add Maths Paper 1, Question 4Vectors

Solved on video in English and Bahasa Melayu · 3 marks · Form 4, Vectors · 3:58 video

The question

Diagram 4 shows a trapezium ABCD. Given p = column vector (3, 4) and q = column vector (k - 1, 2), where k is a constant, find the value of k.

[3 marks]

Step 1

Since AD is parallel to BC in the trapezium, p = m*q for some scalar m.

Why this step

Parallel sides mean p is a scaled copy of q. Equating p and q directly is the common mistake and gives nonsense equations.

4 more steps, each with the reason for it, in the full solution

Final answer

k = 5/2

Where students lose marks

Watch out: AD and BC are parallel, so write p = mq. Don't equate the components of p and q directly.

Watch every step of this question solved on video (3:58), with the reason behind each step and a box that checks your own answer.

No card. Every past-year question on video, in English and BM.