MCQMediumJEE 2025Equation of Line in 3D

JEE Mathematics 2025 Question with Solution

Let the line LL pass through (1,1,1)(1, 1, 1) and intersect the lines x12=y+13=z14\frac{x - 1}{2} = \frac{y + 1}{3} = \frac{z - 1}{4} and x31=y42=z1\frac{x - 3}{1} = \frac{y - 4}{2} = \frac{z}{1}. Then, which of the following points lies on the line LL?

  • A

    (4,22,7)(4, 22, 7)

  • B

    (5,4,3)(5, 4, 3)

  • C

    (10,29,50)(10, -29, -50)

  • D

    (7,15,13)(7, 15, 13)

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The line LL passes through C(1,1,1)C(1,1,1) and intersects the two given lines.

Find: Which given point lies on the line LL.

Take a point on the second line as A(μ+3,2μ+4,μ)A(\mu+3,\, 2\mu+4,\, \mu) and a point on the first line as B(2λ+1,3λ1,4λ+1)B(2\lambda+1,\, 3\lambda-1,\, 4\lambda+1).

Since A,B,CA, B, C lie on the required line LL, the direction ratios of ACAC and BCBC must be proportional.

D.R. of AC=(μ+2,2μ+3,μ1)\text{D.R. of } AC = (\mu+2,\, 2\mu+3,\, \mu-1)D.R. of BC=(2λ,3λ2,4λ)\text{D.R. of } BC = (2\lambda,\, 3\lambda-2,\, 4\lambda)

For collinearity,

μ+22λ=2μ+33λ2=μ14λ\frac{\mu+2}{2\lambda} = \frac{2\mu+3}{3\lambda-2} = \frac{\mu-1}{4\lambda}

Using the first and third ratios,

μ+22λ=μ14λ\frac{\mu+2}{2\lambda} = \frac{\mu-1}{4\lambda}2(μ+2)=μ12(\mu+2) = \mu-1μ=5\mu = -5

Substituting μ=5\mu=-5 in the direction ratios of ACAC,

(μ+2,2μ+3,μ1)=(3,7,6)(\mu+2,\, 2\mu+3,\, \mu-1) = (-3,\, -7,\, -6)

So a direction ratio of line LL is (3,7,6)(3,7,6).

Hence the equation of the required line is

x13=y17=z16\frac{x-1}{3} = \frac{y-1}{7} = \frac{z-1}{6}

Now check option DD, (7,15,13)(7,15,13):

713=2,1517=2,1316=2\frac{7-1}{3} = 2, \qquad \frac{15-1}{7} = 2, \qquad \frac{13-1}{6} = 2

All three ratios are equal, so the point lies on LL.

Therefore, the point lying on the line LL is (7,15,13)(7,15,13). The correct option is D.

Using Parametric Forms of the Given Lines

Given: LL passes through (1,1,1)(1,1,1) and intersects both given lines.

Find: The point among the options that lies on LL.

Write the given lines in parametric form:

For x12=y+13=z14=λ\frac{x - 1}{2} = \frac{y + 1}{3} = \frac{z - 1}{4} = \lambda,

x=1+2λ,y=1+3λ,z=1+4λx = 1 + 2\lambda, \quad y = -1 + 3\lambda, \quad z = 1 + 4\lambda

For x31=y42=z1=μ\frac{x - 3}{1} = \frac{y - 4}{2} = \frac{z}{1} = \mu,

x=3+μ,y=4+2μ,z=μx = 3 + \mu, \quad y = 4 + 2\mu, \quad z = \mu

So two general points on the lines are

B(2λ+1,3λ1,4λ+1)B(2\lambda+1,\, 3\lambda-1,\, 4\lambda+1)

and

A(μ+3,2μ+4,μ)A(\mu+3,\, 2\mu+4,\, \mu)

Since A,B,C(1,1,1)A, B, C(1,1,1) are collinear, their connecting direction ratios must be proportional:

AC=(μ+2,2μ+3,μ1)AC = (\mu+2,\, 2\mu+3,\, \mu-1)BC=(2λ,3λ2,4λ)BC = (2\lambda,\, 3\lambda-2,\, 4\lambda)

Thus,

μ+22λ=2μ+33λ2=μ14λ\frac{\mu+2}{2\lambda} = \frac{2\mu+3}{3\lambda-2} = \frac{\mu-1}{4\lambda}

From

μ+22λ=μ14λ\frac{\mu+2}{2\lambda} = \frac{\mu-1}{4\lambda}

we get

2(μ+2)=μ12(\mu+2) = \mu-1μ=5\mu = -5

Therefore,

AC=(3,7,6)AC = (-3,-7,-6)

So the required line has direction ratios proportional to (3,7,6)(3,7,6) and passes through (1,1,1)(1,1,1).

Hence,

x13=y17=z16\frac{x-1}{3} = \frac{y-1}{7} = \frac{z-1}{6}

Testing the options, only (7,15,13)(7,15,13) satisfies

x13=y17=z16\frac{x-1}{3} = \frac{y-1}{7} = \frac{z-1}{6}

Therefore, the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the required line LL has the same direction ratios as one of the given lines is incorrect because LL only intersects those lines; it is not stated to be parallel to either. First form points on the two given lines and then use collinearity with (1,1,1)(1,1,1).

  • Using a wrong point from the second line is a common error. From x31=y42=z1=μ\frac{x-3}{1}=\frac{y-4}{2}=\frac{z}{1}=\mu, the coordinates are (3+μ,4+2μ,μ)(3+\mu,\, 4+2\mu,\, \mu), not (3+μ,2,4+μ)(3+\mu,\, 2,\, 4+\mu). Always convert symmetric form carefully.

  • Checking only one coordinate or two ratios while testing an option can lead to a wrong choice. A point lies on the line only when all three ratios in x13=y17=z16\frac{x-1}{3}=\frac{y-1}{7}=\frac{z-1}{6} are equal.

Practice more Equation of Line in 3D questions

Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step — free to start.

Related questions