MCQMediumJEE 2023Equation of Line in 3D

JEE Mathematics 2023 Question with Solution

Let a line ll pass through the origin and be perpendicular to the lines l1:r1=i+j+7k+λ(i+2j+3k),λRl_1: \vec{r}_1 = i + j + 7k + \lambda(i + 2j + 3k), \quad \lambda \in \mathbb{R} l2:r2=i+j+2k+μ(i+2j+k),μRl_2: \vec{r}_2 = -i + j + 2k + \mu(i + 2j + k), \quad \mu \in \mathbb{R} If PP is the point of intersection of l1l_1 and l2l_2, and Q(a,b,γ)Q (a, b, \gamma) is the foot of perpendicular from PP on ll, then (a+b+γ)(a + b + \gamma) is equal to:

  • A

    55

  • B

    77

  • C

    66

  • D

    99

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The lines are

l1:r=(1,1,7)+λ(1,2,3)l_1: \vec{r} = (1,1,7) + \lambda(1,2,3)

and

l2:r=(1,1,2)+μ(1,2,1)l_2: \vec{r} = (-1,1,2) + \mu(1,2,1)

A line ll passes through the origin and is perpendicular to both these lines. Point PP is the intersection of l1l_1 and l2l_2, and Q(a,b,γ)Q(a,b,\gamma) is the foot of the perpendicular from PP on ll.

Find: The value of (a+b+γ)(a+b+\gamma).

From the solution, the intersection point is obtained first and then the foot of the perpendicular is found on the required line. The extracted working concludes that

a+b+γ=5a+b+\gamma = 5

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that the line ll has the same direction ratios as one of the given lines is incorrect, because ll must be perpendicular to both given direction vectors. Instead, its direction should be obtained from a vector perpendicular to both lines.

  • Making an error while finding the intersection point of l1l_1 and l2l_2 leads to a wrong point PP. Solve the coordinate equations carefully by equating the parametric forms of both lines.

  • Using the coordinates of PP directly as the foot QQ is wrong, because QQ lies on line ll and is the projection of PP on ll. Use the projection relation to locate the foot correctly.

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