NCERT Solutions for Exercise 11.2 Class 12 Maths Chapter 11- Three Dimensional Geometry

Question 2: Show that the line through the points (1, – 1, 2), (3, 4, – 2) is perpendicular to the line through the points (0, 3, 2) and (3, 5, 6).

Answer:

We have given points where the line is passing through it;

Consider the line joining the points (1, – 1, 2) and (3, 4, – 2) is AB and line joining the points (0, 3, 2) and (3, 5, 6).is CD.

So, we will find the direction ratios of the lines AB and CD;

Direction ratios of AB are $a_{1},b_{1}, c_{1}$

$(3-1),\ (4-(-1)),\ and\ (-2-2)$ or $2,\ 5,\ and\ -4$

Direction ratios of CD are $a_{2},b_{2}, c_{2}$

$(3-0),\ (5-3)),\ and\ (6-2)$ or $3,\ 2,\ and\ 4$ .

Now, lines AB and CD will be perpendicular to each other if $a_{1}a_{2}+b_{1}b_{2}+c_{1}c_{2} =0$

$a_{1}a_{2}+b_{1}b_{2}+c_{1}c_{2} =\left ( 2\times3 \right ) +\left ( 5\times2 \right )+ \left ( -4\times 4 \right )$

$= 6+10-16 = 0$

Therefore, AB and CD are perpendicular to each other.

Question 3: Show that the line through the points (4, 7, 8), (2, 3, 4) is parallel to the line through the points (– 1, – 2, 1), (1, 2, 5).

Answer:

We have given points where the line is passing through it;

Consider the line joining the points (4, 7, 8) and (2, 3, 4) is AB and line joining the points (– 1, – 2, 1) and (1, 2, 5)..is CD.

So, we will find the direction ratios of the lines AB and CD;

Direction ratios of AB are $a_{1},b_{1}, c_{1}$

$(2-4),\ (3-7),\ and\ (4-8)$ or $-2,\ -4,\ and\ -4$

Direction ratios of CD are $a_{2},b_{2}, c_{2}$

$(1-(-1)),\ (2-(-2)),\ and\ (5-1)$ or $2,\ 4,\ and\ 4$ .

Now, lines AB and CD will be parallel to each other if $\frac{a_{1}}{a_{2}} = \frac{b_{1}}{b_{2}} = \frac{c_{1}}{c_{2}}$

Therefore we have now;

$\frac{a_{1}}{a_{2}} = \frac{-2}{2}=-1$ $\frac{b_{1}}{b_{2}} = \frac{-4}{4}=-1$ $\frac{c_{1}}{c_{2}} = \frac{-4}{4}=-1$

$\therefore \frac{a_{1}}{a_{2}} = \frac{b_{1}}{b_{2}} = \frac{c_{1}}{c_{2}}$

Hence we can say that AB is parallel to CD.

Question 4: Find the equation of the line which passes through the point (1, 2, 3) and is parallel to the vector $3\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k}$ .

Answer:

It is given that the line is passing through A (1, 2, 3) and is parallel to the vector $\vec{b}=3\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k}$

We can easily find the equation of the line which passes through the point A and is parallel to the vector $\vec{b}$ by the known relation;

$\vec{r} = \vec{a} +\lambda\vec{b}$ , where $\lambda$ is a constant.

So, we have now,

$\\\mathrm{\Rightarrow \vec{r} = \widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k} + \lambda(3\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k})}$

Thus the required equation of the line.

Question 5: Find the equation of the line in vector and in cartesian form that passes through the point with position vector $2\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}+4\widehat{k}$ and is in the direction $\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-\widehat{k}$ .

Answer:

Given that the line is passing through the point with position vector $2\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}+4\widehat{k}$ and is in the direction of the line $\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-\widehat{k}$ .

And we know the equation of the line which passes through the point with the position vector $\vec{a}$ and parallel to the vector $\vec{b}$ is given by the equation,

$\vec{r} = \vec{a} +\lambda\vec{b}$

$\Rightarrow \vec{r} =2\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}+4\widehat{k} + \lambda(\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-\widehat{k})$

So, this is the required equation of the line in the vector form.

$\vec{r} =x\widehat{i}+y\widehat{j}+z\widehat{k} = (\lambda+2)\widehat{i}+(2\lambda-1)\widehat{j}+(-\lambda+4)\widehat{k}$

Eliminating $\lambda$ , from the above equation we obtain the equation in the Cartesian form :

$\frac{x-2}{1}= \frac{y+1}{2} =\frac{z-4}{-1}$

Hence this is the required equation of the line in Cartesian form.

Question 6: Find the cartesian equation of the line which passes through the point (– 2, 4, – 5) and parallel to the line given by $\frac{x+3}{3}=\frac{y-4}{5}=\frac{z+8}{6}$ .

Answer:

Given a line which passes through the point (– 2, 4, – 5) and is parallel to the line given by the $\frac{x+3}{3}=\frac{y-4}{5}=\frac{z+8}{6}$ ;

The direction ratios of the line, $\frac{x+3}{3}=\frac{y-4}{5}=\frac{z+8}{6}$ are 3,5 and 6 .

So, the required line is parallel to the above line.

Therefore we can take direction ratios of the required line as 3k , 5k , and 6k , where k is a non-zero constant.

And we know that the equation of line passing through the point $(x_{1},y_{1},z_{1})$ and with direction ratios a, b, c is written by: $\frac{x-x_{1}}{a} = \frac{y-y_{1}}{b} = \frac{z-z_{1}}{c}$ .

Therefore we have the equation of the required line:

$\frac{x+2}{3k} = \frac{y-4}{5k} = \frac{z+5}{6k}$

or $\frac{x+2}{3} = \frac{y-4}{5} = \frac{z+5}{6} = k$

The required line equation.

Question 7: The cartesian equation of a line is $\frac{x-5}{3}=\frac{y+4}{7}=\frac{z-6}{7}$ . Write its vector form .

Answer:

Given the Cartesian equation of the line;

$\frac{x-5}{3}=\frac{y+4}{7}=\frac{z-6}{7}$

Here the given line is passing through the point $(5,-4,6)$ .

So, we can write the position vector of this point as;

$\vec{a} = 5\widehat{i}-4\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k}$

And the direction ratios of the line are 3 , 7 , and 2.

This implies that the given line is in the direction of the vector, $\vec{b} = 3\widehat{i}+7\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k}$ .

Now, we can easily find the required equation of line:

As we know that the line passing through the position vector $\vec{a}$ and in the direction of the vector $\vec{b}$ is given by the relation,

$\vec{r} = \vec{a} + \lambda \vec{b},\ \lambda \epsilon R$

So, we get the equation.

$\vec{r} = 5\widehat{i}-4\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k} + \lambda(3\widehat{i}+7\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k}),\ \lambda \epsilon R$

This is the required equation of the line in the vector form.

Question 8: Find the angle between the following pairs of lines:

(i) $\overrightarrow{r}=2\widehat{i}-5\widehat{j}+\widehat{k}+\lambda (3\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k})$ and $\overrightarrow{r}=7\widehat{i}-6\widehat{k}+\mu (\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k})$

Answer:

To find the angle A between the pair of lines $\vec{b_{1}}\ and\ \vec{b_{2}}$ we have the formula;

$\cos A = \left | \frac{\vec{b_{1}}.\vec{b_{2}}}{|\vec{b_{1}}||\vec{b_{2}}|} \right |$

We have two lines :

$\overrightarrow{r}=2\widehat{i}-5\widehat{j}+\widehat{k}+\lambda (3\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k})$ and

$\overrightarrow{r}=7\widehat{i}-6\widehat{k}+\mu (\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k})$

The given lines are parallel to the vectors $\vec{b_{1}}\ and\ \vec{b_{2}}$ ;

where $\vec{b_{1}}= 3\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k}$ and $\vec{b_{2}}= \widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k}$ respectively,

Then we have

$\vec{b_{1}}.\vec{b_{2}} =(3\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k}).(\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k})$

$=3+4+12 = 19$

and $|\vec{b_{1}}| = \sqrt{3^2+2^2+6^2} = 7$

$|\vec{b_{2}}| = \sqrt{1^2+2^2+2^2} = 3$

Therefore we have;

$\cos A = \left | \frac{19}{7\times3} \right | = \frac{19}{21}$

or $A = \cos^{-1} \left ( \frac{19}{21} \right )$

Question 8: Find the angle between the following pairs of lines:

(ii) $\overrightarrow{r}= 3\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k}+\lambda (\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k})$ and $\overrightarrow{r}= 2\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}-56\widehat{k}+\mu (3\widehat{i}-5\widehat{j}-4\widehat{k})$

Answer:

To find the angle A between the pair of lines $\vec{b_{1}}\ and\ \vec{b_{2}}$ we have the formula;

$\cos A = \left | \frac{\vec{b_{1}}.\vec{b_{2}}}{|\vec{b_{1}}||\vec{b_{2}}|} \right |$

We have two lines :

Question 9: Find the angle between the following pair of lines:

(i) $\frac{x-2}{2}= \frac{y-1}{5}= \frac{z+3}{-3}$ and $\frac{x+2}{-1}= \frac{y-4}{8}= \frac{z-5}{4}$

Answer:

Given lines are;

$\frac{x-2}{2}= \frac{y-1}{5}= \frac{z+3}{-3}$ and $\frac{x+2}{-1}= \frac{y-4}{8}= \frac{z-5}{4}$

So, we two vectors $\vec{b_{1}}\ and\ \vec{b_{2}}$ which are parallel to the pair of above lines respectively.

$\vec{b_{1}}\ =2\widehat{i}+5\widehat{j}-3\widehat{k}$ and $\vec{b_{2}}\ =-\widehat{i}+8\widehat{j}+4\widehat{k}$

To find the angle A between the pair of lines $\vec{b_{1}}\ and\ \vec{b_{2}}$ we have the formula;

$\cos A = \left | \frac{\vec{b_{1}}.\vec{b_{2}}}{|\vec{b_{1}}||\vec{b_{2}}|} \right |$

Then we have

$\vec{b_{1}}.\vec{b_{2}} =(2\widehat{i}+5\widehat{j}-3\widehat{k}).(-\widehat{i}+8\widehat{j}+4\widehat{k})$

$=-2+40-12 = 26$

and $|\vec{b_{1}}| = \sqrt{2^2+5^2+(-3)^2} = \sqrt{38}$

$|\vec{b_{2}}| = \sqrt{(-1)^2+(8)^2+(4)^2} = \sqrt{81} = 9$

Therefore we have;

$\cos A = \left | \frac{26}{\sqrt{38} \times9} \right | = \frac{26}{9\sqrt{38}}$

or $A = \cos^{-1} \left ( \frac{26}{9\sqrt{38}} \right )$

Question 9: Find the angle between the following pair of lines:

(ii) $\frac{x}{2}= \frac{y}{2}=\frac{z}{1}$ and $\frac{x -5}{4}= \frac{y-2}{1}=\frac{z-3}{8}$

Answer:

Given lines are;

$\frac{x}{2}= \frac{y}{2}=\frac{z}{1}$ and $\frac{x -5}{4}= \frac{y-2}{1}=\frac{z-3}{8}$

So, we two vectors $\vec{b_{1}}\ and\ \vec{b_{2}}$ which are parallel to the pair of above lines respectively.

$\vec{b_{1}}\ =2\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\widehat{k}$ and $\vec{b_{2}}\ =4\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}+8\widehat{k}$

To find the angle A between the pair of lines $\vec{b_{1}}\ and\ \vec{b_{2}}$ we have the formula;

$\cos A = \left | \frac{\vec{b_{1}}.\vec{b_{2}}}{|\vec{b_{1}}||\vec{b_{2}}|} \right |$

Then we have

$\vec{b_{1}}.\vec{b_{2}} =(2\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\widehat{k}).(4\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}+8\widehat{k})$

$=8+2+8 = 18$

and $|\vec{b_{1}}| = \sqrt{2^2+2^2+1^2} = \sqrt{9} = 3$

$|\vec{b_{2}}| = \sqrt{(4)^2+(1)^2+(8)^2} = \sqrt{81} = 9$

Therefore we have;

$\cos A = \left | \frac{18}{ 3\times9} \right | = \frac{2}{3}$

or $A = \cos^{-1} \left ( \frac{2}{3} \right )$

Question 10: Find the values of p so that the lines $\frac{1-x}{3}=\frac{7y-14}{2p}= \frac{z-3}{2}$ and $\frac{7-7x}{3p}=\frac{y-5}{1}= \frac{6-z}{5}$ are at right angles.

Answer:

First we have to write the given equation of lines in the standard form;

$\frac{x-1}{-3}=\frac{y-2}{\frac{2p}{7}}= \frac{z-3}{2}$ and $\frac{x-1}{\frac{-3p}{7}}=\frac{y-5}{1}= \frac{z-6}{-5}$

Then we have the direction ratios of the above lines as;

$-3,\ \frac{2p}{7},\ 2$ and $\frac{-3p}{7},\ 1,\ -5$ respectively..

Two lines with direction ratios $a_{1},b_{1},c_{1}$ and $a_{2},b_{2},c_{2}$ are perpendicular to each other if, $a_{1}a_{2}+b_{1}b_{2}+c_{1}c_{2}= 0$

$\therefore (-3).\left ( \frac{-3p}{7} \right )+(\frac{2p}{7}).(1) + 2.(-5) = 0$

$\Rightarrow \frac{9p}{7}+ \frac{2p}{7} =10$

$\Rightarrow 11p =70$

$\Rightarrow p =\frac{70}{11}$

Thus, the value of p is $\frac{70}{11}$ .

Question 11: Show that the lines $\frac{x-5}{7}=\frac{y+2}{-3}=\frac{z}{1}$ and $\frac{x}{1}=\frac{y}{2}=\frac{z}{3}$ are perpendicular to each other.

Answer:

First, we have to write the given equation of lines in the standard form;

$\frac{x-5}{7}=\frac{y+2}{-5}=\frac{z}{1}$ and $\frac{x}{1}=\frac{y}{2}=\frac{z}{3}$

Then we have the direction ratios of the above lines as;

$7,\ -5,\ 1$ and $1,\ 2,\ 3$ respectively..

Two lines with direction ratios $a_{1},b_{1},c_{1}$ and $a_{2},b_{2},c_{2}$ are perpendicular to each other if, $a_{1}a_{2}+b_{1}b_{2}+c_{1}c_{2}= 0$

$\therefore 7(1) + (-5)(2)+1(3) = 7-10+3 = 0$

Therefore the two lines are perpendicular to each other.

Question 12: Find the shortest distance between the lines

$\overrightarrow{r}=(\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\widehat{k})+\lambda (\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}+\widehat{k})$ and $\overrightarrow{r}=(2\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}-\widehat{k})+\mu (2\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k})$

Answer:

So given equation of lines;

$\overrightarrow{r}=(\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\widehat{k})+\lambda (\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}+\widehat{k})$ and $\overrightarrow{r}=(2\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}-\widehat{k})+\mu (2\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k})$ in the vector form.

Now, we can find the shortest distance between the lines $\vec{r} = \vec{a_{1}}+\lambda\vec{b_{1}}$ and $\vec{r} = \vec{a_{2}}+\mu \vec{b_{2}}$ , is given by the formula,

$d= \left | \frac{\left ( \vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} \right ).\left ( \vec{a_{2}}-\vec{a_{1}} \right )}{\left | \vec{b_{1}}\times \vec{b_{2}} \right |} \right |$

Now comparing the values from the equation, we obtain

$\vec{a_{1}} = \widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\widehat{k}$ $\vec{b_{1}} = \widehat{i}-\widehat{j}+\widehat{k}$

$\vec{a_{2}} = 2\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}-\widehat{k}$ $\vec{b_{2}} = 2\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k}$

$\vec{a_{2}} -\vec{a_{1}} =\left ( 2\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}-\widehat{k} \right ) - \left ( \widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+\widehat{k} \right ) = \widehat{i}-3\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k}$

Then calculating

$\vec{b_{1}}\times \vec{b_{2}} = \begin{vmatrix} \widehat{i} &\widehat{j} &\widehat{k} \\ 1 & -1 &1 \\ 2& 1 &2 \end{vmatrix}$

$\vec{b_{1}}\times \vec{b_{2}} = (-2-1)\widehat{i} - (2-2) \widehat{j} +(1+2) \widehat{k} = -3\widehat{i}+3\widehat{k}$

$\Rightarrow \left | \vec{b_{1}}\times \vec{b_{2}} \right | = \sqrt{(-3)^2+(3)^2} = \sqrt{9+9} =\sqrt{18} =3\sqrt2$

So, substituting the values now in the formula above we get;

$d =\left | \frac{\left ( -3\widehat{i}+3\widehat{k} \right ).(\widehat{i}-3\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k})}{3\sqrt2} \right |$

$\Rightarrow d = \left | \frac{-3.1+3(-2)}{3\sqrt2} \right |$

$d = \left | \frac{-9}{3\sqrt2} \right | = \frac{3}{\sqrt2} = \frac{3\sqrt2}{2}$

Therefore, the shortest distance between the two lines is $\frac{3\sqrt2}{2}$ units.

Question 13: Find the shortest distance between the lines

$\frac{x+1}{7}=\frac{y+1}{-6}=\frac{z+1}{1}$ and $\frac{x-3}{1}=\frac{y-5}{-2}=\frac{z-7}{1}$

Answer:

We have given two lines:

$\frac{x+1}{7}=\frac{y+1}{-6}=\frac{z+1}{1}$ and $\frac{x-3}{1}=\frac{y-5}{-2}=\frac{z-7}{1}$

Calculating the shortest distance between the two lines,

$\frac{x-x_{1}}{a_{1}}=\frac{y-y_{1}}{b_{1}}=\frac{z-z_{1}}{c_{1}}$ and $\frac{x-x_{2}}{a_{2}}=\frac{y-y_{2}}{b_{2}}=\frac{z-z_{2}}{c_{2}}$

by the formula

$d = \frac{\begin{vmatrix} x_{2}-x_{1} &y_{2}-y_{1} &z_{2}-z_{1} \\ a_{1} &b_{1} &c_{1} \\ a_{2}&b_{2} &c_{2} \end{vmatrix}}{\sqrt{(b_{1}c_{2}-b_{2}c_{1})^2+(c_{1}a_{2}-c_{2}a_{1})^2+(a_{1}b_{2}-a_{2}b_{1})^2}}$

Now, comparing the given equations, we obtain

$x_{1} = -1,\ y_{1} =-1,\ z_{1} =-1$

$a_{1} = 7,\ b_{1} =-6,\ c_{1} =1$

$x_{2} = 3,\ y_{2} =5,\ z_{2} =7$

$a_{2} = 1,\ b_{2} =-2,\ c_{2} =1$

Then calculating determinant

$\begin{vmatrix} x_{2}-x_{1} &y_{2}-y_{1} &z_{2}-z_{1} \\ a_{1} &b_{1} &c_{1} \\ a_{2}&b_{2} &c_{2} \end{vmatrix} = \begin{vmatrix} 4 &6 &8 \\ 7& -6& 1\\ 1& -2& 1 \end{vmatrix}$

$= 4(-6+2)-6(7-1)+8(-14+6)$

$= -16-36-64$

$=-116$

Now calculating the denominator,

$\sqrt{(b_{1}c_{2}-b_{2}c_{1})^2+(c_{1}a_{2}-c_{2}a_{1})^2+(a_{1}b_{2}-a_{2}b_{1})^2} = \sqrt{(-6+2)^2+(1+7)^2+(-14+6)^2}$ $= \sqrt{16+36+64}$

$= \sqrt{116} = 2\sqrt{29}$

So, we will substitute all the values in the formula above to obtain,

$d = \frac{-116}{2\sqrt{29}} = \frac{-58}{\sqrt{29}} = \frac{-2\times29}{\sqrt{29}} = -2\sqrt{29}$

Since distance is always non-negative, the distance between the given lines is

$2\sqrt{29}$ units.

Question 14: Find the shortest distance between the lines whose vector equations are $\overrightarrow{r}=(\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k})+ \lambda (\widehat{i}-3\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k})$ and

$\overrightarrow{r}=(4\widehat{i}+5\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k})+ \mu (2\widehat{i}+3\widehat{j}+\widehat{k})$

Answer:

Given two equations of line

$\overrightarrow{r}=(\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k})+ \lambda (\widehat{i}-3\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k})$ $\overrightarrow{r}=(4\widehat{i}+5\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k})+ \mu (2\widehat{i}+3\widehat{j}+\widehat{k})$ in the vector form.

So, we will apply the distance formula for knowing the distance between two lines $\vec{r} =\vec{a_{1}}+\lambda{b_{1}}$ and $\vec{r} =\vec{a_{2}}+\lambda{b_{2}}$

$d= \left | \frac{\left ( \vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} \right ).\left ( \vec{a_{2}}-\vec{a_{1}} \right )}{\left | \vec{b_{1}}\times \vec{b_{2}} \right |} \right |$

After comparing the given equations, we obtain

$\vec{a_{1}} = \widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k}$ $\vec{b_{1}} = \widehat{i}-3\widehat{j}+2\widehat{k}$

$\vec{a_{2}} = 4\widehat{i}+5\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k}$ $\vec{b_{2}} = 2\widehat{i}+3\widehat{j}+\widehat{k}$

$\vec{a_{2}}-\vec{a_{1}} = (4\widehat{i}+5\widehat{j}+6\widehat{k}) - (\widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k})$

$= 3\widehat{i}+3\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k}$

Then calculating the determinant value numerator.

$\vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} = \begin{vmatrix} \widehat{i} &\widehat{j} &\widehat{k} \\ 1& -3 &2 \\ 2& 3& 1 \end{vmatrix}$

$= (-3-6)\widehat{i}-(1-4)\widehat{j}+(3+6)\widehat{k} = -9\widehat{i}+3\widehat{j}+9\widehat{k}$

That implies, $\left | \vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} \right | = \sqrt{(-9)^2+(3)^2+(9)^2}$

$= \sqrt{81+9+81} = \sqrt{171} =3\sqrt{19}$

$\left ( \vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} \right ).\left ( \vec{a_{2}}-\vec{a_{1}} \right )=(-9\widehat{i}+3\widehat{j}+9\widehat{k})(3\widehat{i}+3\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k})$

$= (-9\times3)+(3\times3)+(9\times3) = 9$

Now, after substituting the value in the above formula we get,

$d= \left | \frac{9}{3\sqrt{19}} \right | = \frac{3}{\sqrt{19}}$

Therefore, $\frac{3}{\sqrt{19}}$ is the shortest distance between the two given lines.

Question 15: Find the shortest distance between the lines whose vector equations are

$\overrightarrow{r}=(1-t)\widehat{i}+(t-2)\widehat{j}+(3-2t)\widehat{k}$ and $\overrightarrow{r}=(s+1)\widehat{i}+(2s-1)\widehat{j}-(2s+1)\widehat{k}$

Answer:

Given two equations of the line

$\overrightarrow{r}=(1-t)\widehat{i}+(t-2)\widehat{j}+(3-2t)\widehat{k}$ $\overrightarrow{r}=(s+1)\widehat{i}+(2s-1)\widehat{j}-(2s+1)\widehat{k}$ in the vector form.

So, we will apply the distance formula for knowing the distance between two lines $\vec{r} =\vec{a_{1}}+\lambda{b_{1}}$ and $\vec{r} =\vec{a_{2}}+\lambda{b_{2}}$

$d= \left | \frac{\left ( \vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} \right ).\left ( \vec{a_{2}}-\vec{a_{1}} \right )}{\left | \vec{b_{1}}\times \vec{b_{2}} \right |} \right |$

After comparing the given equations, we obtain

$\vec{a_{1}} = \widehat{i}-2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k}$ $\vec{b_{1}} = -\widehat{i}+\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k}$

$\vec{a_{2}} = \widehat{i}-\widehat{j}-\widehat{k}$ $\vec{b_{2}} = \widehat{i}+2\widehat{j}-2\widehat{k}$

$\vec{a_{2}}-\vec{a_{1}} = (\widehat{i}-\widehat{j}-\widehat{k}) - (\widehat{i}-2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k}) = \widehat{j}-4\widehat{k}$

Then calculating the determinant value numerator.

$\vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} = \begin{vmatrix} \widehat{i} &\widehat{j} &\widehat{k} \\ -1& 1 &-2 \\ 1& 2& -2 \end{vmatrix}$

$= (-2+4)\widehat{i}-(2+2)\widehat{j}+(-2-1)\widehat{k} = 2\widehat{i}-4\widehat{j}-3\widehat{k}$

That implies,

$\left | \vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} \right | = \sqrt{(2)^2+(-4)^2+(-3)^2}$

$= \sqrt{4+16+9} = \sqrt{29}$

$\left ( \vec{b_{1}}\times\vec{b_{2}} \right ).\left ( \vec{a_{2}}-\vec{a_{1}} \right )=(2\widehat{i}-4\widehat{j}-3\widehat{k})(\widehat{j}-4\widehat{k}) = -4+12 = 8$

Now, after substituting the value in the above formula we get,

$d= \left | \frac{8}{\sqrt{29}} \right | = \frac{8}{\sqrt{29}}$

Therefore, $\frac{8}{\sqrt{29}}$ units are the shortest distance between the two given lines.

Question 1: Find the vector and the cartesian equations of the lines that passes through the origin and (5, – 2, 3).

Answer:

Given that the line is passing through the $(0,0,0)$ and $(5,-2,3)$

Thus the required line passes through the origin.

$\therefore$ its position vector is given by,

$\vec{a} = \vec{0}$

So, the direction ratios of the line through $(0,0,0)$ and $(5,-2,3)$ are,

$(5-0) = 5, (-2-0) = -2, (3-0) = 3$

The line is parallel to the vector given by the equation, $\vec{b} = 5\widehat{i}-2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k}$

Therefore the equation of the line passing through the point with position vector $\vec{a}$ and parallel to $\vec{b}$ is given by;

$\vec{r} = \vec{a}+\lambda\vec{b},\ where\ \lambda \epsilon R$

$\Rightarrow\vec{r} = 0+\lambda (5\widehat{i}-2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k})$

$\Rightarrow\vec{r} = \lambda (5\widehat{i}-2\widehat{j}+3\widehat{k})$

Now, the equation of the line through the point $(x_{1},y_{1},z_{1})$ and the direction ratios a, b, c is given by;

$\frac{x-x_{1}}{a} = \frac{y-y_{1}}{b} =\frac{z-z_{1}}{c}$

Therefore the equation of the required line in the Cartesian form will be;

$\frac{x-0}{5} = \frac{y-0}{-2} =\frac{z-0}{3}$

OR $\frac{x}{5} = \frac{y}{-2} =\frac{z}{3}$

Question 2: Find the vector and the cartesian equations of the line that passes through the points (3, – 2, – 5), (3, – 2, 6).

Answer:

Let the line passing through the points $A(3,-2,-5)$ and $B(3,-2,6)$ is AB;

Then as AB passes through through A so, we can write its position vector as;

$\vec{a} =3\widehat{i}-2\widehat{j}-5\widehat{k}$

Then direction ratios of PQ are given by,

$(3-3)= 0,\ (-2+2) = 0,\ (6+5)=11$

Therefore the equation of the vector in the direction of AB is given by,

$\vec{b} =0\widehat{i}-0\widehat{j}+11\widehat{k} = 11\widehat{k}$

We have then the equation of line AB in vector form is given by,

$\vec{r} =\vec{a}+\lambda\vec{b},\ where\ \lambda \epsilon R$

$\Rightarrow \vec{r} = (3\widehat{i}-2\widehat{j}-5\widehat{k}) + 11\lambda\widehat{k}$

So, the equation of AB in Cartesian form is;

$\frac{x-x_{1}}{a} =\frac{y-y_{1}}{b} =\frac{z-z_{1}}{c}$

or $\frac{x-3}{0} =\frac{y+2}{0} =\frac{z+5}{11}$