Variation 2 · answer guide

Vectors — Parallel components

Question

Find if is parallel to .

This practice question was inspired by Question 8 in the 2025 NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 examination, © NESA. It is an original TestMum variation that practises the same mathematical idea, not an official NESA question.

Set up the solution: write the vector relationship component by component, then use a dot product, magnitude or scalar multiple as required.Parallel vectors have the same component ratio.
Simplify the previous line carefully, keeping exact values where possible.
Finish the calculation, then check that the result meets the question’s conditions.
Match the result to the choices and state the correct option.Therefore option B is correct:

Common mistake: changing so many features that the new example no longer tests the same mathematical idea.

Verification: .

Any mark labels are a TestMum study aid, not an official NESA marking allocation.