M4 June 2010 Q1

EdexcelOld spec7 marksVectors

1. [In this question \(\mathbf{i}\) and \(\mathbf{j}\) are unit vectors due east and due north respectively]

A man cycles at a constant speed \(u\) m s\(^{-1}\) on level ground and finds that when his velocity is \(u\mathbf{j}\) m s\(^{-1}\) the velocity of the wind appears to be \(v(3\mathbf{i} - 4\mathbf{j})\) m s\(^{-1}\), where \(v\) is a positive constant.

When the man cycles with velocity \(\frac{1}{5}u(-3\mathbf{i} + 4\mathbf{j})\) m s\(^{-1}\), the velocity of the wind appears to be \(w\mathbf{i}\) m s\(^{-1}\), where \(w\) is a positive constant.

Find, in terms of \(u\), the true velocity of the wind. (7)