Equation of the line of the shortest distance between the lines x ⁡ 1 = y ⁡ - 1 = z ⁡ 1…

Equation of the line of the shortest distance between the lines x 1 = y - 1 = z 1  and x - 1 0 = y + 1 - 2 = z 1  is
  1. x - 2 = y 1 = z 2
  2. x 1 = y - 1 = z - 2
  3. x - 1 1 = y + 1 - 1 = z - 2
  4. x - 1 1 = y + 1 - 1 = z 1

Solution

The equation of a line of the shortest distance between the given lines will be along the perpendicular to both the lines.

A line perpendicular to L1x1=y-1=z1 and L2x-10=y+1-2=z1 is,

i^j^k^1-110-21=i^-1+2-j^1-0+k^-2+0

=i^j^2k^

Let, x1=y-1=z1=α

x=α, y=-α, z=α

Thus, a point on the line L1 is P(α, α, α)

Similarly, let x-10=y+1-2=z1=λ

x=1, y=-2λ-1, z=λ

Thus, a point on the line L2 is Q(1, 12λ, λ)

Now, a vector joining the points P & Q is (α1)i^+(2λα+1)j^+(αλ)k^

Let, the vector joining the points P & Q is along perpendicular to the two lines.

Hence, (α1)i^+(2λα+1)j^+(αλ)k^ and i^j^2k^ are 

proportional and hence on comparing, α-11=α-2λ-11=λ-α2

α-1=α-2λ-1

λ=0

Hence, point Q is 1, -1, 0

The equation of a line passing through a point x1, y1, z1 and parallel to a vector ai^+bj^+ck^ is x-x1a=y-y1b=z-z1c

So, the equation of required line is x11=y+11=z2.

Asked in: JEE Main 2014 (19 Apr Online)

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