Let Q be the cube with the set of vertices x 1 ,   x 2 ,   x 3 ∈ ℝ 3   :   x…

Let Q be the cube with the set of vertices x1, x2, x33 : x1, x2, x30, 1. Let F be the set of all twelve lines containing the diagonals of the six faces of the cube Q. Let S be the set of all four lines containing the main diagonals of the cube Q; for instance, the line passing through the vertices 0, 0, 0 and 1, 1, 1 is in S. For lines 1 and 2, let d1, 2 denote the shortest distance between them. Then the maximum value of d1, 2, as 1 varies over F and 2 varies over S, is
  1. 16
  2. 18
  3. 13
  4. 112

Solution

Plotting the diagram of cube we get,

Now equation of OD line will be,

r=0+λi^+j^

And equation of diagonal BE will be,

r1=j^+μi^-j^+k^

Now finding the shortest distance between line OD & BE we get,

S.D=j^-0·i^+j^×i^-j^+k^12+12+02·12+12+12

S.D=j^·i^-j^-2k^6=16

Now in other case shortest distance will be zero.

Asked in: JEE Advanced 2023 (Paper 1)

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