Final answer:
Using the ratios provided and vector addition principles, the ratio of vectors AQ to QC can be found to be 3:1, based on the relationships among the vectors OA, OC, and AB.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about vector quantities and their relationships in a geometric context.
Given that vector OA equals a, vector OC equals c, and vector AB equals 2c, with points P and Q such that AP:PB=3:1 and line OQP is straight, we are looking to find the ratio AQ:QC using a vector method.
Based on the given ratios, we can express the position of P in terms of A and B, and since B is twice as far from O as C is (since AB = 2c), we can write vector AP as 3/4 of the whole vector AB, which is equivalent to 3/2 of vector AC, considering AB = 2*OC.
As a result, the vector equation OQ + QP = OP can be used to solve for the ratio AQ:QC. Using vector addition and scalar multiplication principles, we can find that the ratios of the vectors suggest AQ is 3/4 of OC, and since AB = 2c, we infer that vector QC is 1/4 of OC. Therefore, the ratio of AQ to QC is 3:1.