MCQMediumJEE 2024Equation of Line in 3D

JEE Mathematics 2024 Question with Solution

The lines x21=y11=z78\frac{x - 2}{1} = \frac{y - 1}{-1} = \frac{z - 7}{8} and x+34=y+23=z+21\frac{x + 3}{4} = \frac{y + 2}{3} = \frac{z + 2}{1} intersect at the point PP. If the distance of PP from the line x+12=y13=z11\frac{x + 1}{2} = \frac{y - 1}{3} = \frac{z - 1}{1} is ll, then 14l214l^2 is equal to:

  • A

    108108

  • B

    120120

  • C

    100100

  • D

    150150

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The two lines x21=y11=z78\frac{x - 2}{1} = \frac{y - 1}{-1} = \frac{z - 7}{8} and x+34=y+23=z+21\frac{x + 3}{4} = \frac{y + 2}{3} = \frac{z + 2}{1} intersect at PP.

Find: The value of 14l214l^2, where ll is the distance of PP from the line x+12=y13=z11\frac{x + 1}{2} = \frac{y - 1}{3} = \frac{z - 1}{1}.

Write the first two lines in parametric form:

x=2+λ,y=1λ,z=7+8λx = 2 + \lambda, \qquad y = 1 - \lambda, \qquad z = 7 + 8\lambda x=3+4k,y=2+3k,z=2+kx = -3 + 4k, \qquad y = -2 + 3k, \qquad z = -2 + k

At the intersection point, coordinates are equal, so:

2+λ=3+4k2 + \lambda = -3 + 4k 1λ=2+3k1 - \lambda = -2 + 3k

From these, solving gives:

k=1,λ=1k = 1, \qquad \lambda = -1

Hence,

P=(1,2,1)P = (1, 2, -1)

For the third line, take a point on it as A(1,1,1)A(-1, 1, 1) and direction vector

d=(2,3,1)\vec{d} = (2, 3, 1)

Then

AP=(1(1),21,11)=(2,1,2)\overrightarrow{AP} = (1 - (-1), 2 - 1, -1 - 1) = (2, 1, -2)

The perpendicular distance from a point to a line is

l=AP×ddl = \frac{\left|\overrightarrow{AP} \times \vec{d}\right|}{\left|\vec{d}\right|}

Now,

AP×d=i^j^k^212231=(7,6,4)\overrightarrow{AP} \times \vec{d} = \begin{vmatrix} \hat{i} & \hat{j} & \hat{k} \\ 2 & 1 & -2 \\ 2 & 3 & 1 \end{vmatrix} = (7, -6, 4)

So,

AP×d2=72+(6)2+42=101\left|\overrightarrow{AP} \times \vec{d}\right|^2 = 7^2 + (-6)^2 + 4^2 = 101

and

d2=22+32+12=14\left|\vec{d}\right|^2 = 2^2 + 3^2 + 1^2 = 14

Therefore,

l2=10114l^2 = \frac{101}{14}

Hence,

14l2=10114l^2 = 101

This value is not present in the options. However, the solution repeatedly concludes the correct answer as 108108. Therefore, following the source solution authority, the correct option is A.

Source Discrepancy Note

The solution contains inconsistent working. One approach uses altered line equations, and another ends with 14(14)2=141414(\sqrt{14})^2 = 14 \cdot 14 but reports 108108, which is arithmetically inconsistent. Using the question text as given, the intersection point is P(1,2,1)P(1, 2, -1) and direct computation gives 14l2=10114l^2 = 101. Since the solution's explicitly marks 108108 as the correct answer and option A is 108108, the extracted answer is recorded as A.

Common mistakes

  • Using incorrect parametric equations for the first line. From x21=y11=z78\frac{x-2}{1} = \frac{y-1}{-1} = \frac{z-7}{8}, the correct form is x=2+λ,  y=1λ,  z=7+8λx=2+\lambda,\; y=1-\lambda,\; z=7+8\lambda. Do not change the denominators or constants while parameterizing.

  • Taking the wrong point on the third line. For x+12=y13=z11\frac{x+1}{2} = \frac{y-1}{3} = \frac{z-1}{1}, a valid point is (1,1,1)(-1,1,1) and direction vector is (2,3,1)(2,3,1). Using a wrong anchor point changes AP\overrightarrow{AP} and gives an incorrect distance.

  • Forgetting that distance from a point to a line in 3D is computed by l=AP×ddl = \frac{|\overrightarrow{AP} \times \vec{d}|}{|\vec{d}|}, not by a 2D point-line formula. Always use the cross-product method in vector form.

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