# Vectors [Solved!]

### My question

In the diagram

AB = p

CA = q

and DC = 4 AB

E is the point such that BE = kq

d) Given that D, A and E lie on a straight line find the value of k.????

### Relevant page

3. Vectors in 2 Dimensions

### What I've done so far

a) DC+CA=DA

Hence DA = 4p + q

b) Again CB = CA+AB

Hence CB = q + p

c) Again AE = AB + BE

Therefore AE= p + kq

X

<img src="/forum/uploads/imf-triangle.jpg" width="427" height="340" alt="vectors" />

In the diagram

AB = p

CA = q

and DC = 4 AB

E is the point such that BE = kq

d) Given that D, A and E lie on a straight line find the value of k.????
Relevant page

<a href="/vectors/3-vectors-2-dimensions.php">3. Vectors in 2 Dimensions</a>

What I've done so far

a)	DC+CA=DA

Hence DA = 4p + q

b)	Again CB = CA+AB

Hence CB = q + p

c)	Again AE = AB + BE

Therefore AE= p + kq

## Re: Vectors

@Swalay: What can you tell me about the lines AB and DC?

How about the lines CA and BE?

What can we conclude about the 2 triangles ?DCA and ?ABE?

X

@Swalay: What can you tell me about the lines AB and DC?

How about the lines CA and BE?

What can we conclude about the 2 triangles ?DCA and ?ABE?

## Re: Vectors

AB and DC are parallel

CA and BE are parallel

Triangles DCA and ABE are congruents

Thank you for your help so far

AB/BE=DA/CA

(P+kq)/kq = (4p+q)/q

k=1/4

X

AB and DC are parallel

CA and BE are parallel

Triangles DCA and ABE are congruents

Thank you for your help so far

AB/BE=DA/CA

(P+kq)/kq = (4p+q)/q

k=1/4

## Re: Vectors

Actually, the triangles aren't congruent (which means same size, same shape), but similar (same shape, different size).

Actually, the triangles aren't <b>congruent</b> (which means same size, same shape), but <b>similar</b> (same shape, different size).
Your final answer is correct!
{"found_math": true, "script_math_tex": 0, "script_math_asciimath": 0, "math_annotations": 0, "math_alttext": 0, "mathml": 0, "mathjax_tag": 0, "mathjax_inline_tex": 0, "mathjax_display_tex": 0, "mathjax_asciimath": 1, "img_math": 0, "codecogs_latex": 0, "wp_latex": 0, "mimetex.cgi": 0, "/images/math/codecogs": 0, "mathtex.cgi": 0, "katex": 0, "math-container": 0, "wp-katex-eq": 0, "align": 0, "equation": 0, "x-ck12": 0, "texerror": 0}