Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / Paper 2 / 11 / c / Solution

The straight line consists of $\mathbf{y}+s(\mathbf{z}-\mathbf{y})$, with $s\in \mathbb{R}$. Since the endpoints are distinct, the direction vector can be normalized. ChoosePutting $t=s|\mathbf{z}-\mathbf{y}|$ gives the required parametric equation of a straight line $\mathbf{r}=\mathbf{p}+t\hat{\mathbf{q}}$. Other choices of $\mathbf{p}$ on the same straight line, or the opposite direction for $\hat{\mathbf{q}}$, give equivalent descriptions.