Chapter 10

320
320 Three Dimensional Co-ordinate Geometry
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System of Co-ordinates
7.1 Co-ordinates of a Point in Space.
(1) Cartesian Co-ordinates : Let O be a fixed point, known as origin and let OX, OY and OZ be three mutually
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perpendicular lines, taken as x-axis, y-axis and z-axis respectively, in such a way that they form a right-handed system.
Z
C E
X
F
A
O
i
k
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j
D
P(x, y, z)
B
Y
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The planes XOY, YOZ and ZOX are known as xy-plane, yz-plane and zx-plane respectively.
Let P be a point in space and distances of P from yz, zx and xy-planes be x, y, z
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Z
respectively (with proper signs), then we say that co-ordinates of P are (x, y, z). Y
Also OA = x, OB = y, OC = z. O
X X
The three co-ordinate planes (XOY, YOZ and ZOX) divide space into eight parts and
these parts are called octants. Y Z
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Signs of co-ordinates of a point : The signs of the co-ordinates of a point in three dimension follow the convention
that all distances measured along or parallel to OX, OY, OZ will be positive and distances moved along or parallel to OX,
OY, OZ will be negative.
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The following table shows the signs of co-ordinates of points in various octants :
Octant OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ OXYZ
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co-ordinate
x + – + – + – + –
y + + – – + + – –
z + + + + – – – –
(2) Other methods of defining the position of any point P in space :

(i) Cylindrical co-ordinates : If the rectangular cartesian co-ordinates of P are (x, y, z), then those of N are (x, y, 0)
and we can easily have the following relations : x = u cos, y = u sin and z = z.
Hence, u 2  x 2  y 2 and   tan 1 (y / x ) . Z Y
Cylindrical co-ordinates of P  (u, , z)  P(x, y, z)
(u, , z)
r (r, , )

O  X
X
 
u

Three Dimensional Co-ordinate Geometry 321
(ii) Spherical polar co-ordinates : The measures of quantities r, ,  are known as spherical or three dimensional
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polar co-ordinates of the point P. If the rectangular cartesian co-ordinates of P are (x, y, z) then
z = r cos, u = r sin  x = u cos = r sin cos, y = u sin = r sin sin and z = r cos
u x 2  y2 y
Also r 2  x 2  y 2  z 2 and tan    ; tan  
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z z x
Note : The co-ordinates of a point on xy-plane is (x, y, 0), on yz-plane is (0, y, z) and on zx-plane is (x, 0,
z)
 The co-ordinates of a point on x-axis is (x, 0, 0), on y-axis is (0, y, 0) and on z-axis is (0, 0, z)
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 Position vector of a point : Let i , j, k be unit vectors along OX, OY and OZ respectively. Then position
vector of a point P(x, y, z) is OP  x i  y j  zk .
7.2 Distance Formula.
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(1) Distance formula : The distance between two points A(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and B(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) is given by
AB  [(x 2  x 1 )2  (y 2  y 1 )2  (z 2  z 1 )2 ]
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(2) Distance from origin : Let O be the origin and P(x, y, z) be any point, then OP  (x 2  y 2  z 2 ) .
(3) Distance of a point from co-ordinate axes : Let P(x, y, z) be any point in the space. Let PA, PB and PC
be the perpendiculars drawn from P to the axes OX, OY and OZ respectively.
Z
C
Then, PA  (y 2  z 2 ) P(x,y,z)
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PB  (z 2  x 2 ) O A
X
B
PC  (x  y )
2 2
Y N
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Example: 1 The distance of the point (4, 3, 5) from the y-axis is [MP PET 2003]
(a) 34 (b) 5 (c) 41 (d) 15

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Solution: (c) Distance  x 2  z 2  16  25  41

Example: 2 The points (5, –4, 2), (4, –3, 1), (7, –6, 4) and (8, –7, 5) are the vertices of [Rajasthan PET 2002]
(a) A rectangle (b) A square (c) A parallelogram (d) None of these
Solution: (c) Let the points be A(5, –4, 2), B(4, –3, 1), C(7, –6, 4) and D(8, –7, 5).
AB  1  1  1  3 , CD  1  1  1  3 , BC  9  9  9  3 3 , AD  9  9  9  3 3
Length of diagonals AC  4  4  4  2 3 , BD  16  16  16  4 3
i.e., AC  BD
Hence, A, B, C, D are vertices of a parallelogram
7.3 Section Formulas.
(1) Section formula for internal division : Let P(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and Q(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) be two points. Let R be a point
on the line segment joining P and Q such that it divides the join of P and Q internally Z P(x1,y1,z1)
m1
in the ratio m 1 : m 2. Then the co-ordinates of R are R(x,y,z)
m  2
r1
 m1 x 2  m 2 x 1 m1 y 2  m 2 y1 m1 z 2  m 2 z1   Q(x2,y2,z2)
r
 , ,  . r
2
 m1  m 2 m1  m 2 m1  m 2 Y
 X
O
(2) Section formula for external division : Let P(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and Q(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) be two points, and let R be a
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point on PQ produced, dividing it externally in the ratio m 1 : m 2 (m 1  m 2 ) . Then the co-ordinates of R are
 m1 x 2  m 2 x 1 m1 y 2  m 2 y1 m1 z 2  m 2 z1 
 , ,  .
 m1  m 2 m1  m 2 m1  m 2 
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Note : Co-ordinates of the midpoint : When division point is the mid-point of PQ then ratio will be
 x  x 2 y1  y 2 z1  z 2 
1 : 1, hence co-ordinates of the mid point of PQ are  1 , , .
 2 2 2 
ID
 Co-ordinates of the general point : The co-ordinates of any point lying on
 kx  x 1 ky 2  y 1 kz 2  z 1
P(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and Q(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) may be taken as  2
 k 1
,
k 1
,
k 1

the line joining points
 , which divides PQ in

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the ratio k : 1. This is called general point on the line PQ.
Example: 3 If the x-co-ordinate of a point P on the join of Q (2, 2, 1) and R (5, 1, –2) is 4, then its z-co-ordinate is
[Rajasthan PET 2003]
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(a) 2 (b) 1 (c) –1 (d) –2

 5 k  2 k  2 2k  1  5k  2 2(2)  1
Solution: (c) Let the point P be  , ,  . ∵ Given that  4  k  2  z-co-ordinate of P   1
 k 1 k 1 k 1  k 1 2 1
7.4 Triangle.
(1) Co-ordinates of the centroid
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(i) If (x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ), (x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) and (x 3 , y 3 , z 3 ) are the vertices of a triangle, then co-ordinates of its centroid are
 x 1  x 2  x 3 y1  y 2  y 3 z1  z 2  z 3 
 , , .
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 3 3 3 
(ii) If (x r , y r , z r ) ; r = 1, 2, 3, 4, are vertices of a tetrahedron, then co-ordinates of its centroid are
 x 1  x 2  x 3  x 4 y1  y 2  y 3  y 4 z1  z 2  z 3  z 4 
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 , , .
 4 4 4 
(iii) If G (, , ) is the centroid of ABC, where A is ( x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) , B is (x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) , then C is
(3  x 1  x 2 , 3   y 1  y 2 , 3  z 1  z 2 ) .
(2) Area of triangle : Let A(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) , B(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) and C(x 3 , y 3 , z 3 ) be the vertices of a triangle, then
y1 z1 1 x1 z1 1 x1 y1 1
1 1 1
x  y2 z2 1 , y  x2 z2 1 , z  x2 y2 1
2 2 2
y3 z3 1 x3 z3 1 x3 y3 1
Now, area of ABC is given by the relation   2x  2y  2z . A(x1,y1,z1)
B(x2,y2,z2) C(x3,y3,z3)
i j k
1 1
Also,   | AB  AC |  x 2  x1 y 2  y1 z 2  z1
2 2
x 3  x1 y 3  y1 z 3  z1
(3) Condition of collinearity : Points A(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ), B(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) and C(x 3 , y 3 , z 3 ) are collinear
x1  x 2 y  y2 z  z2
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If  1  1
x 2  x 3 y2  y3 z2  z3
7.5 Volume of Tetrahedron.
x1 y1 z1 1
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1 x2 y2 z2 1
Volume of tetrahedron with vertices (x r , y r , z r ) ; r = 1, 2, 3, 4, is V 
6 x3 y3 z3 1
x4 y4 z4 1
Example: 4 If centroid of tetrahedron OABC, where A, B, C are given by (a, 2, 3), (1, b, 2) and (2, 1, c) respectively be (1, 2, –1), then
Solution: (a)
distance of P(a, b, c) from origin is equal to
(a) 107
0  a 1  2
(b) 14
(1, 2, –1) is the centroid of the tetrahedron
0  2  b 1
ID 032c
(c) 107 / 14 (d) None of these
 1  a = 1, 2   b = 5,  1   c = – 9.
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4 4 4
 (a, b, c) = (1, 5, –9). Its distance from origin  1  25  81  107
Example: 5 If vertices of triangle are A(1,  1, 2) , B(2, 0,  1) and C(0, 2, 1) , then the area of triangle is [Rajasthan PET 2000]
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(a) 6 (b) 2 6 (c) 3 6 (d) 4 6

i j k i j k
1 1 1
Solution: (b)  (2  1) (0  1) (1  2)  1 1 3  | i(8 )  j(4 )  k(4 )|
2 2 2
(0  2) (2  0) (1  1) 2 2 2
| 4 i  2 j  2k |  16  4  4  24  2 6
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Example: 6 The points (5, 2, 4), (6, –1, 2) and (8, –7, k) are collinear, if k is equal to [Kurukshetra CEE 2000]
(a) –2 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) –1
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Solution: (a) If given points are collinear, then

x1  x 2 y  y2 z  z2 5 6 2 1 4 2 1 3 2 1 2
 1  1          k  2
x 2  x 3 y2  y3 z 2  z3 6  8 1  7 2  k 2 6 2k 2 2k
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7.6 Direction cosines and Direction ratio .

(1) Direction cosines
(i) The cosines of the angle made by a line in anticlockwise direction with positive direction of co-ordinate axes are
called the direction cosines of that line. Z B
If , ,  be the angles which a given directed line makes with the positive
A P
direction of the x, y, z co-ordinate axes respectively, then cos, cos, cos are called 
the direction cosines of the given line and are generally denoted by l, m, n O  Y
respectively. 
Thus, l  cos  , m  cos  and n  cos  . X
By definition, it follows that the direction cosine of the axis of x are respectively cos 0 o , cos 90 o , cos 90 o i.e. (1,
0, 0). Similarly direction cosines of the axes of y and z are respectively (0, 1, 0) and (0, 0, 1).
Relation between the direction cosines : Let OP be any line through the origin O which has direction cosines l, m,
n. Let P = (x, y, z) and OP = r. Then OP 2  x 2  y 2  z 2  r 2 .....(i)
From P draw PA, PB, PC perpendicular on the co-ordinate axes, so that
OA = x, OB = y, OC = z. Also, POA   , POB   and POC   .
x
From triangle AOP, l  cos    x  lr Z
r P(x,y,z)
C
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Similarly y  mr and z  nr . z


Hence from (i), r 2 (l 2  m 2  n 2 )  x 2  y 2  z 2  r 2  l 2  m 2  n 2  1 x
O
 y B Y
A
or, cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1 , or, sin 2   sin 2   sin 2   2 X
Note
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: If OP = r and the co-ordinates of point P be (x, y, z), then d.c.’s of line OP are x/r, y/r, z/r.
a b c
 Direction cosines of r  ai  b j  ck are , , .
| r| | r| | r|
 Since –1 ≤ cosx ≤ 1, x  R , hence values of l, m, n are such real numbers which are not less than – 1
and not greater than 1. Hence d.c.' s  [1, 1] . ID
 The direction cosines of a line parallel to any co-ordinate axis are equal to the direction cosines of the
co-ordinate axis.
 The number of lines which are equally inclined to the co-ordinate axes is 4.
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1
 If l, m, n are the d.c.’s of a line, then the maximum value of lmn  .
3 3
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Important Tips
 The angles , ,  are called the direction angles of line AB.
 The d.c.’s of line BA are cos ( – ), cos ( – ) and cos ( – ) i.e., –cos, –cos, –cos.
 Angles , ,  are not coplanar.
  +  +  is not equal to 360° as these angles do not lie in same plane.
 If P(x, y,z) be a point in space such that r  OP has d.c.’s l, m, n then x  l | r |, y  m | r |, z  n | r | .
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 Projection of a vector r on the co-ordinate axes are l | r |, m | r |, n | r | .

 r | r | (li  m j  nk) and ˆr  li  m j  nk
(2) Direction ratio

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(i) Three numbers which are proportional to the direction cosines of a line are called the direction ratio of that line.
If a, b, c are three numbers proportional to direction cosines l, m, n of a line, then a, b, c are called its direction ratios.
They are also called direction numbers or direction components.
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l m n
Hence by definition, we have    k (say)  l = ak, m = bk, n = ck
a b c
1
 l 2  m 2  n 2  (a 2  b 2  c 2 )  k 2  k  
a2  b 2  c2
a b c
l , m , n
a2  b 2  c 2 a2  b 2  c2 a2  b 2  c2
where the sign should be taken all positive or all negative.
Note :  Direction ratios are not uniques, whereas d.c.’s are unique. i.e., a 2  b 2  c 2  1
(ii) Let r  ai  b j  ck be a vector. Then its d.r.’s are a, b, c
| r|
If a vector r has d.r.’s a, b, c then r  (ai  b j  ck )
a  b2  c2
2
(iii) D.c.’s and d.r.’s of a line joining two points : The direction ratios of line PQ joining P(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and
Q(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) are x 2  x 1  a , y 2  y 1  b and z 2  z 1  c (say).
Z Q(x2,y2,z2)
Then direction cosines are,
(x 2  x 1 ) (y 2  y 1 ) (z 2  z 1 )
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P(x1,y1,z1)
l ,m  ,n  Y
(x 2  x 1 )2 (x 2  x 1 )2 (x 2  x 1 ) 2
x 2  x1 y  y1 z  z1 X
i.e., l  ,m  2 ,n  2 .
PQ PQ PQ
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Example: 7 A line makes the same angle  with each of the x and z-axis. If the angle , which it makes with y-axis, is such that
sin 2   3 sin 2  , then cos 2  equals [AIEEE 2004]
2 3 1 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
5 5 5 3
Solution: (b)
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We know that, cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1 . Since line makes angle  with x and z-axis and angle  with y-axis.
 cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1   (2 cos 2   1)  cos 2  ……(i)
Given that sin 2   3 sin 2  ……(ii)

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From (i) and (ii), 1  3 sin2   2 cos 2   1  0  3(1  cos 2  )  2 cos 2   5 cos 2   3  cos 2   3 / 5
Example: 8 Direction cosines of the line that makes equal angles with the three axes in a space are [Kurukshetra CEE 1995]
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1 1 1 6 2 3 1 1 1 1 3 1
(a)  , , (b)  , , (c)  , , (d)  , ,
3 3 3 7 3 7 3 3 3 7 14 14
Solution: (c) ∵ l  m  n  1  cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1

2 2 2
Now,     
 3 cos 2   1  cos   1 / 3 i.e., l  m  n  1 / 3 .

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1 1 1
Hence required d.c.’s are  , , .
3 3 3
Example: 9 A line which makes angle 60° with y-axis and z-axis, then the angle which it makes with x-axis is
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[Rajasthan PET 2002; DCE 1996]

(a) 45° (b) 60° (c) 75° (d) 30°
Solution: (a) Given that     60  i.e. m  cos   cos 60   1 / 2 , n  cos   cos 60   1 / 2
ST
1 1 1 1 1
∵ l2  m 2  n2  1  l2  1     l  cos      45 
4 4 2 2 2
Example: 10 A line passes through the points (6, –7, –1) and (2, –3, 1). The direction cosines of line, so directed that the angle made by it with
the positive direction of x-axis is acute, are
2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1
(a) , , (b) , , (c) , , (d) , ,
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Solution: (a) Let l, m, n be the d.c.’s of a given line.
Then, as it makes an acute angle with x-axis, therefore l>0.
2 2 1
Direction ratios = 4, –4, –2 or 2, –2, –1 and Direction cosines = , , .
3 3 3
1 1 1
Example: 11 If the direction cosines of a line are  , ,  , then [DCE 2000; Pb. CET 1996, 98]
c c c
(a) c > 0 (b) c   3 (c) 0 < c < 1 (d) c > 2

1 1 1 3
Solution: (b) We know that l 2  m 2  n 2  1  2  2  2  1  2  1  c   3 .
c c c c
Example: 12 If r is a vector of magnitude 21 and has d.r.’s 2, –3, 6. Then r is equal to
(a) 6 i  9 j  18 k (b) 6 i  9 j  18 k (c) 6 i  9 j  18 k (d) 6 i  9 j  18 k
2 3 6
Solution: (a) D.r.’s of r are 2, –3, 6. Therefore, its d.c.’s are l  , m  ,n 
7 7 7
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2 3 6 
 r  | r | (li  m j  n k)  21  i  j  k   6 i  9 j  18 k .
7 7 7 
7.7 Projection.
(1) Projection of a point on a line : The projection of a point P on a line AB is the foot N of the perpendicular
PN from P on the line AB.
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P
N is also the same point where the line AB meets the plane through P and
perpendicular to AB.
A B
N
(2) Projection of a segment of a line on another line and its lengthID

: The projection of the segment AB of a given line on another line CD is the segment
AB of CD where A and B are the projections of the points A and B on the line CD. B

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The length of the projection A B. A N
C D
AB  AN  AB cos  A B
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(3) Projection of a line joining the points P(x1, y1, z1) and Q(x2, y2, z2) on another line whose
direction cosines are l, m and n : Let PQ be a line segment where P  (x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and Q  (x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) and AB be a
given line with d.c.’s as l, m, n. If the line segment PQ makes angle  with the line AB, then
Z Q
K M
D
N Q P 
P
N
M K
O X
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Y A P Q B
Projection of PQ is PQ = PQ cos  (x 2  x 1 ) cos   (y 2  y 1 ) cos   (z 2  z 1 ) cos 

ST
 (x 2  x 1 )l  (y 2  y 1 )m  (z 2  z 1 )n
Important Tips
 For x-axis, l = 1, m =0, n=0.
Hence, projection of PQ on x-axis = x2 – x1, Projection of PQ on y-axis = y2 – y1 and Projection of PQ on z-axis = z2 – z1
 If P is a point (x1, y1, z1), then projection of OP on a line whose direction cosines are l, m, n, is l 1x1 + m1y1 + n1z1, where O is the origin.
 If l1, m1, n1 and l2, m2, n2 are the d.c.’s of two concurrent lines, then the d.c.’s of the lines bisecting the angles between them are proportional to
l1  l2, m1  m2, n1  n2.
Example: 13 If A, B, C, D are the points (3, 4, 5) (4, 6, 3), (–1, 2, 4) and (1, 0, 5), then the projection of CD on AB is
[Orissa JEE 2002; Rajasthan PET 2002]
3 4 3
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
4 3 5
Solution: (b) Let l, m, n be the direction cosines of AB
4 3 1 64 2 2
Then l   , m  . Similarly n 
(4  3)  (6  4 )  (3  5)
2 2 2 3 3 3 3
  1  2  2 2 4  2 4
 The projection of CD on AB  1  (1)   [0  2]   [5  4 ]          
  3  3  3 3 3  3 3
60
Example: 14 The projection of a line on co-ordinate axes are 2, 3, 6. Then the length of the line is [Orissa JEE 2002]
(a) 7 (b) 5 (c) 1 (d) 11
Solution: (b) Let AB be the line and its direction cosines be cos , cos, cos. Then the projection of line AB on the co-ordinate axes are
ABcos, ABcos, ABcos.  AB cos = 2, AB cos = 3, AB cos = 6
E3
 AB 2 (cos 2   cos 2   cos 2  )  2 2  3 2  6 2  49  AB 2 (1)  49  AB = 7
7.8 Angle between Two lines.

(1) Cartesian form : Let  be the angle between two straight lines AB and AC whose direction cosines are
l1 , m1 , n1 and l2 , m 2 , n2 respectively, is given by cos   l1l2  m1m 2  n1n 2 . C
between two lines is given by cos  

ID
If direction ratios of two lines a1 , b1 , c1 and a 2 , b 2 , c 2 are given, then angle
a1 a 2  b1 b 2  c1 c 2
a12  b12  c12 . a 22  b 22  c 22
.
A

B
U
Particular results : We have, sin 2   1  cos 2   (l12  m 12  n12 )(l 22  m 22  n 22 )  (l1 l 2  m 1 m 2  n1 n 2 )2
YG
 (l1 m 2  l 2 m 1 )2  (m 1 n 2  m 2 n1 )2  (n1 l 2  n 2 l1 )2
 sin    (l1 m 2  l 2 m 1 )2 , which is known as Lagrange’s identity.

2 2 2
l1 m1 m n1 n l1
The value of sin can easily be obtained by the following form. sin    1  1
l2 m2 n2 n2 n2 l2
D
When d.r.’s of the lines are given if a1 , b 1 , c 1 and a 2 , b 2 , c 2 are d.r.’s of given two lines, then angle  between them
(a1 b 2  a 2 b1 ) 2
is given by sin  
U
a12  b12  c12 a 22  b 22  c 22

Condition of perpendicularity : If the given lines are perpendicular, then   90  i.e. cos = 0
ST
 l1 l 2  m 1 m 2  n1 n 2  0 or a1 a 2  b1 b 2  c1 c 2  0
Condition of parallelism : If the given lines are parallel, then   0 o i.e. sin = 0
 (l1 m 2  l 2 m 1 ) 2  (m 1 n 2  m 2 n1 ) 2  (n1 l 2  n 2 l1 ) 2  0 , which is true, only when
l1 m 2  l 2 m 1  0 , m 1 n 2  m 2 n1  0 and n1 l 2  n 2 l1  0
l1 m 1 n1
   .
l2 m 2 n 2
a1 b1 c1
Similarly,   .
a2 b 2 c 2
Note :
1
The angle between any two diagonals of a cube is cos 1   .
3
 2
 The angle between a diagonal of a cube and the diagonal of a faces of the cube is cos 1  .

 3
 If a straight line makes angles , , ,  with the diagonals of a cube, then
4
60
cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   cos 2  
3
 If the edges of a rectangular parallelopiped be a, b, c, then the angles between the two diagonals are
 a2  b 2  c2 
cos 1  2 2 
 a b c 
2
E3
(2) Vector form : Let the vector equations of two lines be r  a 1  b 1 and r  a 2  b 2
As the lines are parallel to the vectors b 1 and b 2 respectively, therefore angle between the lines is same as the
b 1 .b 2
angle between the vectors b 1 and b 2 . Thus if  is the angle between the given lines, then cos   .
| b 1 || b 2 |
Note :  If the lines are perpendicular, then b 1 .b 2  0 .

ID
 If the lines are parallel, then b 1 and b 2 are parallel, therefore b 1  b 2 for some scalar .
U
Example: 15 If d.c.’s of two lines are proportional to (2, 3, –6) and (3, –4,5), then the acute angle between them is [MP PET 2003]
 49   18 2   18 
(a) cos 1   (b) cos 1   (c) 90° (d) cos 1  
 36   35   35 
YG
 
Solution: (b) D.c.’s of two lines are proportional to (2, 3, –6) and (3, – 4, 5)
i.e. d.r.’s are (2, 3, –6) and (3, –4, 5)
2(3)  3(4 )  (6)5 6  12  30 36  18 2
 cos      cos  
2  3  (6)
2 2 2
3  (4 )  5
2 2 2 49 . 50 7 .5 2 35
 18 2 
Taking acute angle,   cos 1  
D
 35 
 
Example: 16 If the direction ratio of two lines are given by 3lm  4ln  mn  0 and l  2m  3n  0 , then the angle between the lines is
[EAMCET 2003]
U
   
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 3 4 6
Solution: (a) We have, l  2m  3n  0 ……(i)
ST
3lm  4ln  mn  0 ……(ii)

From equation (i), l  (2m  3n)
Putting the value of l in equation (ii)
 3(2m  3n)m  mn  4 (2m  3n)n  0   6 m 2  9 mn  mn  8 mn  12 n 2  0  6 m 2  12 n 2  0
 m 2  2n 2  0  m  2 n  0 or m  2 n  0
l  2m  3n  0 ……(i) 0.l  m  2 n  0 ……(iii) 0.l  m  2n  0 ……(iv)
l m n
From equation (i) and equation (iii),  
2 2 3  2 1
l m n
From equation (i) and equation (iv),  
2 2 3 2 1
Thus, the direction ratios of two lines are 2 2  3,  2 , 1 and  2 2  3, 2 , 1
(l1 , m1 , n1 )  (2 2  3,  2 , 1) , (l2 , m 2 , n2 )  (2 2  3, 2 , 1) , l1l2  m1m2  n1n2  0 .Hence, the angle between them /2.
Example: 17 If a line makes angles , , ,  with four diagonals of a cube, then the value of sin 2   sin 2   sin 2   sin 2  is
4 8 7
(a) (b) 1 (c) (d)
3 3 3
Solution: (c) Let side of the cube = a
Y (0,a,0)
Then OG, BE and AD, CF will be four diagonals. C a B(a,a,0)
d.r.’s of OG = a, a, a = 1, 1, 1 (a,a,a)
(0,a,a) G a
d.r.’s of BE = –a, –a, a = 1, 1, –1 D (0,0,0)
60
X a X
d.r.’s of AD = –a, a, a = –1, 1, 1 O A
(a,0,0)
d.r.’s of CF = a, –a, a = 1, –1, 1 (0,0,a)
E F
Z (a,0,a)
Let d.r.’s of line be l, m, n. Therefore angle between line and diagonal
lm n lm n l  m  n l m n
cos   , cos   , cos   , cos  
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3 3 3 3
1 4
 cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   [(l  m  n)2  (l  m  n)2  (l  m  n)2  (l  m  n)2 ] 
3 3
8
 sin 2   sin 2   sin 2   sin 2  
3
If l1, m1, n1 and l2 , m 2 , n2 are d.c.’s of two lines inclined to each other at an angle , then the d.c.’s of the internal bisectors of
Example: 18
angle between these lines are
(a)
l1  l2 m  m2
, 1
n  n2
, 1
2 sin  / 2 2 sin  / 2 2 sin  / 2
ID (b)
l1  l2 m  m2
, 1 , 1
n  n2
2 cos  / 2 2 cos  / 2 2 cos  / 2
U
l1  l2 m  m2 n  n2 l1  l2 m  m2 n  n2
(c) , 1 , 1 (d) , 1 , 1
2 sin  / 2 2 sin  / 2 2 sin  / 2 2 cos  / 2 2 cos  / 2 2 cos  / 2
Solution: (b) Let OA and OB be two lines.
P(l1,m1,n1)
YG
D.c.’s of OA is (l1 , m1 , n1 ) and OB is (l2 , m 2 , n2 ) . A

C
Let OA = OB = 1. r1 /2 B
Then the co-ordinates of A and B are (l1 , m1 , n1 ) and (l2 , m 2 , n2 ) . /2 (l2,m2,n2)

Let OC be the bisector of AOB. 0
(0,0,0)
 l  l m  m 2 n1  n2 
Then C is the mid-point of AB and so its co-ordinates are  1 2 , 1 .
D
,
 2 2 2 
 l  l m  m 2 n1  n2 
 D.r.’s of line OC are  1 2 , 1 , 
 2 2 2 
U
2 2 2
 l  l   m  m 2   n1  n2  1 2
We have, OC   1 2    1     l1  m12  n12  l22  m 22  n22  2(l1l2  m1m 2  n1n2 )
 2   2   2  2
ST
1 1
 1  1  2 cos   2(2 . cos 2  / 2)  cos  / 2 .
2 2
l1  l2 m  m2 n  n2
D.r.’s of line OC are , 1 , 1 .
2 cos  / 2 2 cos  / 2 2 cos  / 2
Example: 19 The angle between the lines r  (4 i  j)  s(2i  j  3 k) and r  (i  j  2 k )  t(i  3 j  2 k) is [Tamilnadu (Engg.) 2002]
3  2 
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 3 3 6
Solution: (b) We have, r  (4 i  j)  s(2i  j  3 k) and r  (i  j  2 k )  t(i  3 j  2 k)
b 1 .b 2 (2i  j  3 k).(i  3 j  2 k) 2  3  6 7 1
We know that, cos   , cos     , cos   
| b 1 || b 2 | 4 1  9 1  9  4 14 . 14 14 2
1 
Hence, acute angle   cos 1   i.e.  
 
2 3
The Straight Line

7.9 Straight line in Space.
Every equation of the first degree represents a plane. Two equations of the first degree are satisfied by the co-
ordinates of every point on the line of intersection of the planes represented by them. Therefore, the two equations together
represent that line. Therefore ax  by  cz  d  0 and a x  b y  c z  d   0 together represent a straight line.
(1) Equation of a line passing through a given point
60
(i) Cartesian form or symmetrical form : Cartesian equation of a straight line passing through a fixed point
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
( x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and having direction ratios a, b, c is   .
a b c
(ii) Vector form : Vector equation of a straight line passing through a fixed point with position vector a and parallel
E3
to a given vector b is r  a  b .
Z b
A(a) P(r)
X
O
ID
Important Tips
Y
U
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z 1
 The parametric equations of the line   are x  x1  a, y  y1  b, z  z1  c , where  is the parameter.
a b c
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z 1
YG
 The co-ordinates of any point on the line   are (x1  a, y1  b, z1  c) , where   R.
a b c
 Since the direction cosines of a line are also direction ratios, therefore equation of a line passing through (x 1, y1, z1) and having direction
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z 1
cosines l, m, n is   .
l m n
 Since x, y and z-axes pass through the origin and have direction cosines 1, 0, 0; 0, 1, 0 and 0, 0, 1 respectively. Therefore, the equations are x-
x 0 y 0 z 0
D
axis :   or y = 0 and z = 0.
1 0 0
x 0 y 0 z 0 x 0 y 0 z 0
y-axis :   or x = 0 and z = 0; z-axis :   or x = 0 and y = 0.
U
0 1 0 0 0 1
 In the symmetrical form of equation of a line, the coefficients of x, y, z are unity.
7.10 Equation of Line passing through Two given points.

ST
(i) Cartesian form : If A(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ), B(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) be two given points, the equations to the line AB are
x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
 
x 2  x1 y 2  y1 z 2  z1
The co-ordinates of a variable point on AB can be expressed in terms of a parameter  in the form
x 2  x1 y  y1 z  z
x ,y  2 ,z  2 1
 1  1  1
 being any real number different from –1. In fact, (x, y, z) are the co-ordinates of the point which divides the join
of A and B in the ratio  : 1.
(ii) Vector form : The vector equation of a line passing through two points with position vectors a and b is
r  a  (b  a ) Z
A(a) B(b) P(r)
O Y
60
7.11 Changing Unsymmetrical form to Symmetrical form.
The unsymmetrical form of a line ax  by  cz  d  0, a x  b y  c z  d   0
b d   b d d a   d a
x y
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Can be changed to symmetrical form as follows : ab   a b  ab   a b  z
b c   b c ca   c a ab   a b
Example: 20 The equation to the straight line passing through the points (4, –5, –2) and (–1, 5, 3) is [MP PET 2003]
x 4 y 5 z 2 x 1 y  5 z  3 x y z x y z
(a)   (b)   (c)   (d)  
1 2 1 1 2 1 1 5 3 4 5 2
Solution: (a) We know that equation of a straight line is of the form ID

x  x 1 y  y1 z  z 1
l

m
D.r.’s of the line = (1  4, 5  5, 3  2) i.e., (5, 10, 5) or (1, 2, 1) .
x 4 y 5 z 2 x 4 y 5 z 2

n
   
U
Hence the equation is i.e.,
1 2 1 1 2 1
Example: 21 The d.c.’s of the line 6 x  2  3 y  1  2 z  2 are
1 1 1 1 2 3
(a) , , (b) , , (c) 1, 2, 3 (d) None of these
YG
3 3 3 14 14 14
6 x  (2 / 6) 3 y  (1 / 3) 2(z  1)
Solution: (b) We have 6 x  2  3 y  1  2 z  2   
1 1 1
x  (1 / 3) y  (1 / 3) z  1 x  (1 / 3) y  (1 / 3) z  1
     
1/6 1/3 1/2 1 2 3
d.r.’s of line are (1, 2, 3). Hence d.c.’s of line are (1 / 14 , 2 / 14 , 3 / 14 )
D
Example: 22 The vector equation of line through the point A(3, 4, –7) and B(1, –1, 6) is [Pb. CET 1999]
(a) r  (3 i  4 j  7 k)  (i  j  6 k) (b) r  (i  j  6 k)  (3 i  4 j  7 k)
(c) r  (3 i  4 j  7 k )  (2i  5 j  13 k ) (d) r  (i  j  6 k )  (4 i  3 j  k )
U
Solution: (c) Position vector of A is a  3 i  4 j  7 k and that of B is b  i  j  6 k

We know that equation of line in vector form, r  a  (b  a ) , r  (3 i  4 j  7 k )  (2i  5 j  13 k) .
7.12 Angle between Two lines.
ST
Let the cartesian equations of the two lines be

x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1 x  x 2 y  y2 z  z2
  .....(i) and   .....(ii)
a1 b1 c1 a2 b2 c2
a1 a 2  b1 b 2  c1 c 2
cos  
a12  b12  c12 a 22  b 22  c 22
Condition of perpendicularity : If the lines are perpendicular, then a1 a 2  b1 b 2  c1 c 2  0
a1 b1 c1
Condition of parallelism : If the lines are parallel, then   .
a2 b 2 c 2
x 1 y  2 z  3 x 1 y  5 z  6
Example: 23 If the lines   and   are at right angles, then k =
3 2k 2 3k 1 5
[MP PET 1997, 2001; DCE 1997, 99]
(a) –10 (b) 10/7 (c) –10/7 (d) –7/10
x 1 y  2 z  3 x 1 y  5 z  6
Solution: (a) We have   and  
3 2k 2 3k 1 5
Since lines are  to each other. So, a1a2  b1b2  c1c2  0
60
(3)(3 k )  (2k )(1)  (2)(5)  0  9k  2k  10  0  7 k  10  k  10 / 7 .
Example: 24 The lines x  ay  b , z  cy  d and x  ay  b  , z  cy  d  are perpendicular to each other, if [IIT 1984; AIEEE 2003]
(a) aa  cc  1 (b) aa  cc  1 (c) ac  ac  1 (d) ac  ac  1
Solution: (b) We have, x  ay  b , z  cy  d
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x b z d x b y 0 z d
y, y    ……(i)
a c a 1 c
and x  ay  b  , z  cy  d 
x  b z  d x  b y  0 z  d 
y, y    ……(ii)
a c a 1 c
Example: 25
∵ Given, lines (i) and (ii) are perpendicular
 a(a)  1(1)  c(c)  0 , aa  cc  1
ID
The direction ratio of the line which is perpendicular to the lines
x  7 y  17 z  6
  and
x 5 y 3 z 4
  are
3 2
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2 1 1 2
[Pb. CET 1999]
(a) < 4, 5, 7 > (b) < 4, –5, 7 > (c) < 4, –5, –7 > (d) < –4, 5, 7 >
Solution: (a) Let d.r.’s of line be l, m, n.
YG
∵ line is perpendicular to given line

 2l  3m  n  0 ……(i)
l  2m  2n  0 ……(ii)
From equation (i) and (ii)
l m n l m n
  or   . Hence, d.r.’s of line (< 4, 5, 7 >)
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6 2 14 4 3 4 5 7
7.13 Reduction of Cartesian form of the Equation of a line to Vector form and Vice versa .
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
  ……(i)
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Cartesian to vector : Let the Cartesian equation of a line be

a b c
This is the equation of a line passing through the point A(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and having direction ratios a, b, c. In vector
ST
form this means that the line passes through point having position vector a  x 1 i  y 1 j  z 1 k and is parallel to the vector
m  ai  b j  ck . Thus, the vector form of (i) is r  a  m or r  (x 1 i  y 1 j  z 1 k)  (ai  b j  ck) , where  is a
parameter.
Vector to cartesian : Let the vector equation of a line be r  a  m ……(ii)
Where a  x 1 i  y 1 j  z 1 k, m  ai  b j  ck and  is a parameter.
To reduce (ii) to Cartesian form we put r  x i  y j  zk and equate the coefficients of i, j and k as discussed below.
Putting r  x i  y j  zk, a  x 1 i  y 1 j  z 1 k and m  ai  b j  ck in (ii), we obtain
x i  y j  zk  (x 1 i  y 1 j  z 1 k )  (ai  b j  ck )
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
Equating coefficients of i, j and k, we get x  x 1  a, y  y 1  b , z  z 1  c or   
a b c
Example: 26 The cartesian equations of a line are 6 x  2  3 y  1  2 z  2 . The vector equation of the line is
1 1 
(a) r   i  j  k   (i  2 j  3 k ) (b) r  (3 i  3 j  k )  (i  2 j  3 k )
3 3 
(c) r  (i  j  k )  (i  2 j  3 k ) (d) None of these
x 1/3 y 1/3 z 1
Solution: (a) The given line is 6 x  2  3 y  1  2 z  2   
1 2 3
This show that the given line passes through (1/3, –1/3) and has direction ratio 1, 2, 3.
60
1 1 1 1 
Position vector a  i  j  k and is parallel to vector b  i  2 j  3 k . Hence, r   i  j  k   (i  2 j  3 k ) .
3 3 3 3 
7.14 Intersection of Two lines.
Determine whether two lines intersect or not. In case they intersect, the following algorithm is used to find their
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point of intersection.
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
Algorithm for cartesian form : Let the two lines be   ……(i)
a1 b1 c1
x  x2 y  y2 z  z2
 
And
given by     and
x  x 2 y  y2 z  z2
 
a2 ID
b2 c2
Step I : Write the co-ordinates of general points on (i) and (ii). The co-ordinates of general points on (i) and (ii) are
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
  respectively.
……(ii)
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a1 b1 c1 a2 b2 c2
i.e., (a1   x 1 , b 1   y 1  c 1   z 1 ) and (a 2   x 2 , b 2   y 2 , c 2   z 2 )
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Step II : If the lines (i) and (ii) intersect, then they have a common point.
a1   x 1  a 2   x 2 , b 1   y 1  b 2   y 2 and c 1   z 1  c 2   z 2 .
Step III : Solve any two of the equations in  and  obtained in step II. If the values of  and  satisfy the third
equation, then the lines (i) and (ii) intersect, otherwise they do not intersect.
Step IV : To obtain the co-ordinates of the point of intersection, substitute the value of  (or ) in the co-ordinates
of general point (s) obtained in step I.
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x 1 y 1 z 1 x 3 y k z
Example: 27 If the line   and   intersect, then k = [IIT Screening 2004]
2 3 4 1 2 1
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(a) 2/9 (b) 9/2 (c) 0 (d) –1

x 1 y 1 z 1
Solution: (b) We have,    r1 (Let)
2 3 4
ST
x 3 y k z
x  2r1  1, y  3r1  1, z  4 r1  1 i.e. point is (2r1  1, 3r1  1, 4 r1  1) and    r2 (Let)
1 2 1
i.e. point is (r2  3, 2r2  k, r2 ) .
If the lines are intersecting, then they have a common point.
 2r1  1  r2  3, 3r1  1  2r2  k, 4 r1  1  r2
On solving, r1  3 / 2, r2  5
Hence, k = 9/2.
Example: 28 A line with direction cosines proportional to 2, 1, 2 meets each of the lines x  y  a  z and x  a  2 y  2 z . The co-
ordinates of each of the points of intersection are given by [AIEEE 2004]
(a) (2a, 3a, 3a) (2a, a, a) (b) (3a, 2a, 3a) (a, a, a) (c) (3a, 2a, 3a) (a, a, 2a) (d) (3a, 3a, 3a) (a, a, a)
x ya z
Solution: (b) Given lines are     (say)  Point is P(, – a, )
1 1 1
x a y z x a y z P
and   i.e.     (say) A B
1 1/2 1/2 2 1 1
C
 Point Q(2 – a, , ) Q
D
Since d.r.’s of given lines are 2, 1, 2 and d.r.’s of PQ = (2 – a – ,  –  + a,  – ) Q

2  a     a  
 
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According to question,
2 1 2
Then   3 a ,  = a. Therefore, points of intersection are P(3a, 2a, 3a) and Q(a, a, a).
Alternative method : Check by option x  y  a  z i.e. 3a  2a  a  3a
 a = a = a and x  a  2 y  2 z i.e. a  a  2a  2a  a = a = a. Hence (b) is correct.
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x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
7.15 Foot of perpendicular from a point A(,  , ) to the line   .
l m n
(1) Cartesian form
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z 1
Foot of perpendicular from a point A(, , ) to the line
ID l
perpendicular, then P is (lr  x 1 , mr  y 1 , nr  z 1 ) . Find the direction ratios of
AP and apply the condition of perpendicularity of AP and the given line. This

m

n
: If P be the foot of
A(, , )
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will give the value of r and hence the point P which is foot of perpendicular.
Length and equation of perpendicular : The length of the
perpendicular is the distance AP and its equation is the line joining two known
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P x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
points A and P.  
l m n
Note :  The length of the perpendicular is the perpendicular
distance of given point from that line.

Reflection or image of a point in a straight line : If the perpendicular PL from point P on the given line be
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produced to Q such that PL = QL, then Q is known as the image or reflection of P in P

the given line. Also, L is the foot of the perpendicular or the projection of P on the line.
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A B
L
(2) Vector form

ST
Q(image)
Perpendicular distance of a point from a line : Let L is the foot of

perpendicular drawn from P( ) on the line r  a  b . Since r denotes the position vector of any P(point

) on the line
r  a  b . So, let the position vector of L be a  b .

   (a  α)b 
Then PL  a  α  b  (a  α)   2 
b
 | b|  A B
r = a+b L = (a+b)
The length PL, is the magnitude of PL , and required length of perpendicular.


Image of a point in a straight line : Let Q( ) is the image of P in r  a  b

  2(a  α ).b 
Then, β  2a   2
b .α

 | b|  
P( )
A B
r=(a+b) L(a+b)
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
Q()(image)
Example: 29 The co-ordinates of the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point A(1, 0, 3) to the join of the points B(4, 7, 1) and C(3, 5, 3)
are [Rajasthan PET 2001]
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(a) (5/3, 7/3, 17/3) (b) (5, 7, 17) (c) (5/3, –7/3, 17/3) (d) (–5/3, 7/3, –17/3)
x  4 y 7 z 1
Solution: (a) Equation of BC,  
1 2 2
A(1, 0,3)
x  4 y 7 z 1
i.e.    r (say)
1 2 2
ID
Any point on the given line is D(r  4, 2r  7,  2r  1)
Then, d.r.’s of AD = (r  4  1, 2r  7  0,  2r  1  3)
i.e. d.r.’s of AD  (r  3, 2r  7,  2r  2) and d.r.’s of BC = (–1, –2, 2)

B
(4, 7, 1) D
90o
C
(3, 5, 3)
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Since AD is  to given line,
 (1)(r  3)  (2r  7)(2)  (2)(2r  2)  0  r  3  4r  14  4r  4  0  9r  21  0  r  7 / 3
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 D is {4 – (7/3), 7– (14/3), (14/3)+1} i.e. D is (5/3, 7/3, 17/3).

x y 1 z  2
Example: 30 The image of the point (1, 6, 3) in the line   is
1 2 3
(a) (1, 0, 7) (b) (–1, 0, 7) (c) (1, 0, –7) (d) None of these
Solution: (a) Let P(1, 6, 3) be the given point, and let L be the foot of the perpendicular from P to the given line. The co-ordinates of a general
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x  0 y 1 z  2
point on the given line are given by   
1 2 3 P(1, 6, 3)
i.e. x  , y  2  1, z  3  2 .
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Let the co-ordinates of L be (, 2 + 1, 3 + 2) ……(i) A B

L
So, direction ratios of PL are   1, 2  1  6, 3  2  3 i.e.   1, 2  5, 3  1 .
ST
Direction ratios of the given line are 1, 2, 3 which is perpendicular to PL. Q
 (  1).1  (2  5)2  (3   1)3  0  14   14  0    1
So, co-ordinates of L are (1, 3, 5). Let Q(x1 , y1 , z1 ) be the image of P(1, 6, 3) in the given line.
Then L is the mid-point of PQ.

x1  1 y 6 z 3
  1, 1  3 and 1  5  x1  1, y1  0 and z1  7 .
2 2 2
Hence the image of P(1, 6, 3) in the given line is (1, 0, 7).
Example: 31 The length of the perpendicular from the origin to line r  (4 i  2 j  4 k )  (3 i  4 j  5 k) is [AMU 1992]
(a) 2 5 (b) 2 (c) 5 2 (d) 6
Solution: (d) α  0.i  0.j  0.k 

P(  )
 (a  α ).b 
PL  (a  α )   b
 | b| 2 
 
60
A B
r=a+b L
 (4 i  2 j  4 k ).(3 i  4 j  5 k )   12  8  20 
PL  (4 i  2 j  4 k )    (3 i  4 j  5 k )  4 i  2 j  4 k   .(3 i  4 j  5 k )
 9  16  25   50 
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PL  4 i  2 j  4 k
The length of PL is magnitude of PL i.e., Length of perpendicular | PL |  16  4  16  6 .

Example: 32 The image of point (1, 2, 3) in the line r  (6 i  7 j  7 k )  (3 i  2 j  2 k ) is
(a) (5, –8, 15) (b) (5, 8, –15) (c) (–5, –8, –15) (d) (5, 8, 15) 
P(  )
Given that, a  6 i  7 j  7 k , b  3 i  2 j  2 k and α  i  2 j  3 k
Solution: (d)
 2(a  α ).b 
Then, β  2 a  
 | b| 2 

b α

ID
 2(5 i  5 j  4 k ).(3 i  2 j  2 k ) 
A
L (a+b)
B
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 2(6 i  7 j  7 k )  
944
 (3 i  2 j  2 k )  (i  2 j  3 k ) 
  Q(  ) image
On solving,   5 i  8 j  15 k . Thus  is the position vector of Q, which is the image of P in given line.
YG
Hence image of point (1, 2, 3) in the given line is (5, 8, 15).

7.16 Shortest distance between two straight lines.
(1) Skew lines : Two straight lines in space which are neither parallel nor intersecting are called skew lines.
Thus, the skew lines are those lines which do not lie in the same plane. Q
l2 Line of shortest
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distance
l1 P
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(2) Line of shortest distance : If l1 and l2 are two skew lines, then the straight line which is perpendicular to
each of these two non-intersecting lines is called the “line of shortest distance.”
Note
ST
:  There is one and only one line perpendicular to each of lines l1 and l2 .
(3) Shortest distance between two skew lines
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1 x  x 2 y  y2 z  z2
(i) Cartesian form : Let two skew lines be   and  
l1 m1 n1 l2 m2 n2
Therefore, the shortest distance between the lines is given by
x 2  x 1 y 2  y1 z 2  z1
l1 m1 n1
l2 m2 n2
d
(m1n2  m 2n1 )2  (n1l2  l1n2 )2  (l1m 2  l2m1 )2
(ii) Vector form : Let l1 and l 2 be two lines whose equations are l1 : r  a 1  b 1 and l2 : r  a 2  b 2
(b 1  b 2 ).(a 2  a 1 ) | [b 1 b 2 (a 2  a 1 )]
respectively. Then, Shortest distance PQ  
| b1  b 2 | | b1  b 2 |
(4) Shortest distance between two parallel lines : The shortest distance between the parallel lines
| (a 2  a 1 )  b |
r  a 1  b and r  a 2  b is given by d  .
| b|
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(5) Condition for two lines to be intersecting i.e. coplanar
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1 x  x2 y  y2 z  z2
(i) Cartesian form : If the lines   and   intersect, then
l1 m1 n1 l2 m2 n2
x 2  x1 y 2  y1 z 2  z1
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l1 m1 n1 0.
l2 m2 n2
(ii) Vector form : If the lines r  a 1  b 1 and r  a 2  b 2 intersect, then the shortest distance between them is
 Skew lines are non-coplanar lines.

ID
zero. Therefore, [b 1 b 2 (a 2  a 1 )]  0  [(a 2  a 1 ) b 1 b 2 ]  0  (a 2  a 1 ).(b 1  b 2 )  0
Important Tips
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 Parallel lines are not skew lines.
 If two lines intersect, the shortest distance (SD) between them is zero.
 Length of shortest distance between two lines is always taken to be positive.
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 Shortest distance between two skew lines is perpendicular to both the lines.
(6) To determine the equation of line of shortest distance : To find the equation of line of shortest
distance, we use the following procedure :
(i) From the given equations of the straight lines,
x  a1 y  b1 z  c1
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i.e.     (say) ……(i)

l1 m1 n1
x  a2 y  b 2 z  c 2
and     (say) ……(ii)
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l2 m2 n2
Find the co-ordinates of general points on straight lines (i) and (ii) as
(a1  l1 , b1  m 1 , c1  n1 ) and (a 2  l 2 , b 2  m 2 , c 2  n 2 ) .
ST
(ii) Let these be the co-ordinates of P and Q, the two extremities of the length of shortest distance. Hence, find the
direction ratios of PQ as (a2  l2  )  (a1  l1 ), (b 2  m 2  )  (b1  m1 ), (c 2  m 2  )  (c1  n1 ) .
(iii) Apply the condition of PQ being perpendicular to straight lines (i) and (ii) in succession and get two equations
connecting  and . Solve these equations to get the values of  and .
(iv) Put these values of  and  in the co-ordinates of P and Q to determine points P and Q.
(v) Find out the equation of the line passing through P and Q, which will be the line of shortest distance.
Note : The same algorithm may be observed to find out the position vector of P and Q, the two
extremities of the shortest distance, in case of vector equations of straight lines. Hence, the line of
shortest distance, which passes through P and Q, can be obtained.
x 1 y  2 z  3 x 2 y 4 z 5
Example: 33 The shortest distance between the lines   and   is [Kerala (Engg.)2001; DCE 1993]
2 3 4 3 4 5
1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
6 6 3 3
2 1 4  2 5  3 1 2 2
2 3 4 2 3 4
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3 4 5 3 4 5 1
Solution: (b) S.D.    .
(15  16 )  (12  10 )  (8  9)
2 2 2 1 1  4 6
Example: 34 The shortest distance between the lines r  (i  j  k)  (3 i  j) and r  (4 i  k)  (2i  3 k) is [Pb. CET 1995]
(a) 6 (b) 0 (c) 2 (d) 4
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(b 1  b 2 ).(a 2  a 1 ) [(3 i  j)  (2i  3 k)].(3 i  j) (3 i  9 j  2 k).(3 i  j)  9  9  0
Solution: (b) S.D.     .
| b1  b 2 | | (3 i  j)  (2i  3 k)| 9  81  4 94
Hence, S.D. = 0
x 2 y3 z 4 x 1 y  4 z  5
   
Example: 35
Solution: (c)
The line
(a) k = 0 or –1
1 1
Lines are coplanar, if

k
and
k 2 1
(b) k = 0 or 1
ID
are coplanar, if
(c) k = 0 or –3 (d) k = 3 or –3
[AIEEE 2003]
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x 2  x1 y 2  y1 z 2  z1 12 4 3 5 4
l1 m1 n1 0  1 1  k  0  k 2  3k  0  k (k  3)  0  k  0 , k  3
l2 m2 n2 k 2 1
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Example: 36 The lines r  a  (b  c ) and r  b  (c  a ) will intersect if
(a) a c  b c (b) a.c  b.c (c) b a  c a (d) None of these

Solution: (b) If lines are intersecting, then
(a 2  a 1 ).(b 1  b 2 )  0  b (a  b).[(b  c )  (c  a)]  0
 (a  b ).[(b  c .a )c  (b  c .c )a ]  0  (a  b )[(b  c .a )c ]  0
D
 [(a  b ).c ]abc  0  (a .c  b .c )(abc )  0  a.c  bc  0  a.c  b.c
t
U
Example: 37 If the straight lines x  1  s, y  3  s, z  1  s and x  , y  1  t, z  2  t , with parameters s and t respectively, are co-
2
planar, then  equals [AIEEE 2004]
ST
1
(a) 0 (b) –1 (c)  (d) –2
2
x 1 y  3 z 1 2x y 1 z  2
Solution: (d) We have    s and   t
1   1 1 1
x  0 y 1 z  2 t
i.e.   
1 2 2 2
Since, lines are co-planar,
x 2  x1 y 2  y1 z 2  z1 1 4 1
Then, l1 m1 n1 0  1   0
l2 m2 n2 1 2 2
On solving,   2 .
The Plane
7.17 Definition of plane and its equations.
If point P(x, y, z) moves according to certain rule, then it may lie in a 3-D region on a surface or on a line or it may
simply be a point. Whatever we get, as the region of P after applying the rule, is called locus of P. Let us discuss about the
plane or curved surface. If Q be any other point on it’s locus and all points of the straight line PQ lie on it, it is a plane. In
other words if the straight line PQ, however small and in whatever direction it may be, lies completely on the locus, it is a
60
plane, otherwise any curved surface.
(1) General equation of plane : Every equation of first degree of the form Ax  By  Cz  D  0 represents
the equation of a plane. The coefficients of x, y and z i.e. A, B, C are the direction ratios of the normal to the plane.
(2) Equation of co-ordinate planes Y
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XOY-plane : z = 0 YOZ-plane
XOY-plane
YOZ -plane : x = 0 X
ZOX-plane : y = 0 ZOX-plane
(3) Vector equation of plane Z
r.n  a .n
Note
ID
(i) Vector equation of a plane through the point A(a ) and perpendicular to the vector n is (r  a ).n  0 or
:  The above equation can also be written as r.n  d , where P(r)

N
A(a)
a
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d  a.n . This is known as the scalar product form of a plane. n
r
YG
(4) Normal form : Vector equation of a plane normal to unit vector n̂ and at a distance d from the origin is
ˆ d.
r.n
Note :  If n is not a unit vector, then to reduce the equation r.n  d to

N P(r)
D
n d d n
normal form we divide both sides by |n| to obtain r   ˆ 
or r.n . d r
| n| | n| | n| O
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(5) Equation of a plane passing through a given point and parallel to two given vectors : The
equation of the plane passing through a point having position vector a and parallel to
ST
C
b and c is r  a  b  c , where  and  are scalars. c
M P(r)
P(a) L B
b
(6) Equation of plane in various forms
(i) Intercept form : If the plane cuts the intercepts of length a, b, c on co-ordinate axes, then its equation is
x y z
   1.
a b c
(ii) Normal form : Normal form of the equation of plane is lx  my  nz  p ,
where l, m, n are the d.c.’s of the normal to the plane and p is the length of perpendicular from the origin.
(7) Equation of plane in particular cases
(i) Equation of plane through the origin is given by Ax  By  Cz  0 .
i.e. if D = 0, then the plane passes through the origin.
(8) Equation of plane parallel to co-ordinate planes or perpendicular to co-ordinate axes
(i) Equation of plane parallel to YOZ-plane (or perpendicular to x-axis) and at a distance ‘a’ from it is x = a.
(ii) Equation of plane parallel to ZOX-plane (or perpendicular to y-axis) and at a distance ‘b’ from it is y = b.
60
(iii) Equation of plane parallel to XOY-plane (or perpendicular to z-axis) and at a distance ‘c’ from it is z = c.
Important Tips
 Any plane perpendicular to co-ordinate axis is evidently parallel to co-ordinate plane and vice versa.
E3
AB  AC
 A unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing three points A, B, C is .
| AB  AC |
(9) Equation of plane perpendicular to co-ordinate planes or parallel to co-ordinate axes

(i) Equation of plane perpendicular to YOZ-plane or parallel to x-axis is By  Cz  D  0 .
ID
(ii) Equation of plane perpendicular to ZOX-plane or parallel to y axis is Ax  Cz  D  0 .
(iii) Equation of plane perpendicular to XOY-plane or parallel to z-axis is Ax  By  D  0 .
(10) Equation of plane passing through the intersection of two planes
(i) Cartesian form : Equation of plane through the intersection of two planes
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P  a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 1  0 and Q  a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d 2  0 is P  Q  0 , where  is the parameter.
(ii) Vector form : The equation of any plane through the intersection of planes r.n 1  d 1 and r.n 2  d 2 is
YG
r.(n 1  n 2 )  d 1  d 2 , where  is an arbitrary constant.

(11) Equation of plane parallel to a given plane
(i) Cartesian form : Plane parallel to a given plane ax  by  cz  d  0 is ax  by  cz  d   0 , i.e. only
constant term is changed.
(ii) Vector form : Since parallel planes have the common normal, therefore equation of plane parallel to plane
r.n  d 1 is r.n  d 2 , where d 2 is a constant determined by the given condition.
D
7.18 Equation of plane passing through the given point.

(1) Equation of plane passing through a given point : Equation of plane passing through the point
U
(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) is A(x  x 1 )  B(y  y 1 )  C(z  z 1 )  0 , where A, B and C are d.r.’s of normal to the plane.
(2) Equation of plane through three points : The equation of plane passing through three non-collinear
ST
x y z 1
x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
x 1 y1 z1 1
points (x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) , (x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) and (x 3 , y 3 , z 3 ) is  0 or x 2  x 1 y 2  y 1 z 2  z 1  0 .
x 2 y2 z2 1
x 3  x 1 y 3  y1 z 3  z1
x 3 y3 z3 1
7.19 Foot of perpendicular from a point A(,  , ) to a given plane ax + by + cz + d = 0.
If AP be the perpendicular from A to the given plane, then it is parallel to the normal, so that its equation is
x  y   z  
  r (say)
a b c
Any point P on it is (ar   , br   , cr   ) . It lies on the given plane and we find the value of r and hence the point
P.
(1) Perpendicular distance

(i) Cartesian form : The length of the perpendicular from the point P(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) to the plane ax  by  cz  d  0
ax1  by 1  cz1  d
is .
a2  b 2  c 2
Note :  The distance between two parallel planes is the algebraic difference of perpendicular distances on the
60
planes from origin.
 Distance between two parallel planes Ax  By  Cz  D1  0 and Ax  By  Cz  D2  0 is
D2 ~ D1
.
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A2  B2  C2
(ii) Vector form : The perpendicular distance of a point having position vector a from the plane r.n  d is given
| a .n  d |
by p 
| n|
ID
(2) Position of two points w.r.t. a plane : Two points P(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and Q(x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) lie on the same or
opposite sides of a plane ax  by  cz  d  0 according to ax 1  by 1  cz 1  d and ax 2  by 2  cz 2  d are of same or
opposite signs. The plane divides the line joining the points P and Q externally or internally according to P and Q are
lying on same or opposite sides of the plane.
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7.20 Angle between two planes.
(1) Cartesian form : Angle between the planes is defined as angle between normals to the planes drawn from any
YG
point. Angle between the planes a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 1  0 and a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d 2  0 is

 a1 a 2  b1 b 2  c1 c 2 
cos 1  
 2 
 (a1  b1  c1 )(a 2  b 2  c 2 ) 
2 2 2 2 2
Note :  If a1 a 2  b1 b 2  c1 c 2  0 , then the planes are perpendicular to each other.

D
a1 b1 c1
 If   , then the planes are parallel to each other.
a2 b 2 c 2
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n 1 .n 2
(2) Vector form : An angle  between the planes r1 .n 1  d 1 and r2 .n 2  d 2 is given by cos    .
| n 1 || n 2 |
ST
7.21 Equation of planes bisecting angle between two given planes .

(1) Cartesian form : Equations of planes bisecting angles between the planes a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 1  0 and
a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 1 a2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d 2
a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d  0 are  .
(a12  b12  c12 ) (a 22  b 22  c 22 )
Note :  If angle between bisector plane and one of the plane is less than 45 o, then it is acute angle
bisector, otherwise it is obtuse angle bisector.

 If a1 a 2  b1 b 2  c1 c 2 is negative, then origin lies in the acute angle between the given planes provided
d1 and d2 are of same sign and if a1 a 2  b1 b 2  c1 c 2 is positive, then origin lies in the obtuse angle
between the given planes.
(2) Vector form : The equation of the planes bisecting the angles between the planes r1 .n 1  d 1 and r2 .n 2  d 2
| r.n 1  d 1 | | r.n 2  d 2 | r.n 1  d 1 r.n 2  d 2 d d
are  or  ˆ1 n
or r.(n ˆ 2)  1  2 .
| n1 | | n2 | | n1 | | n2 | | n1 | | n 2 |
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7.22 Image of a point in a plane.
Let P and Q be two points and let  be a plane such that
(i) Line PQ is perpendicular to the plane , and
E3
(ii) Mid-point of PQ lies on the plane .
Then either of the point is the image of the other in the plane .
To find the image of a point in a given plane, we proceed as follows
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
a

b

c
.
ID
(i) Write the equations of the line passing through P and normal to the given plane as
P(x1,y1,z1)
ax+by+cz+d=0
(ii) Write the co-ordinates of image Q as (x 1  ar, y 1 ,  br , z 1  cr) .

U
R
(iii) Find the co-ordinates of the mid-point R of PQ. 
(x1+ar,y1+br,z1+cr) Q
(iv) Obtain the value of r by putting the co-ordinates of R in the equation of
YG
the plane.
(v) Put the value of r in the co-ordinates of Q.
7.23 Coplanar lines.
Lines are said to be coplanar if they lie in the same plane or a plane can be made to pass through them.
D
(1) Condition for the lines to be coplanar

x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1 x  x2 y  y2 z  z2
(i) Cartesian form : If the lines   and   are coplanar
l1 m1 n1 l2 m2 n2
U
x 2  x1 y 2  y1 z 2  z1
Then l1 m1 n1 0.
ST
l2 m2 n2
x  x1 y  y1 z  z1 x  x2 y  y2 z  z2
The equation of the plane containing them is l1 m1 n1  0 or l1 m1 n1 0.
l2 m2 n2 l2 m2 n2
(ii) Vector form : If the lines r  a 1  b 1 and r  a 2  b 2 are coplanar, then [a 1 b 1 b 2 ]  [a 2 b 1 b 2 ] and the
equation of the plane containing them is [r b 1 b 2 ]  [a 1 b 1 b 2 ] or [r b 1 b 2 ]  [a 2 b 1 b 2 ] .
Note :  Every pair of parallel lines is coplanar.

 Two coplanar lines are either parallel or intersecting.

 The three sides of a triangle are coplanar.
Important Tips
 Division by plane : The ratio in which the line segment PQ, joining P(x1, y1, z1) and Q(x2, y2, z2), is divided by plane ax  by  cz  d  0 is
60
 ax  by 1  cz 1  d 
  1 .

 ax 2  by 2  cz 2  d 
 Division by co-ordinate planes : The ratio in which the line segment PQ, joining P(x1, y1, z1) and Q(x2, y2, z2) is divided by co-ordinate planes
are as follows :
(i) By yz-plane : –x1/x2 (ii) By zx-plane : –y1/y2 (ii) By xy-plane : –z1/z2
E3
Example: 38 The xy-plane divides the line joining the points (–1, 3, 4) and (2, –5, 6) [Rajasthan PET 2000]
(a) Internally in the ratio 2 : 3 (b) Internally in the ratio 3 : 2
(c) Externally in the ratio 2 : 3 (d) Externally in the ratio 3 : 2
4
Solution: (c)
Example: 39
Required ratio  
z1
z2
    
 
6
2
3
 xy-plane divide externally in the ratio 2 : 3.
ID
The ratio in which the plane x  2 y  3 z  17 divides the line joining the point (–2, 4, 7) and (3, –5, 8) is [AISSE 1988]
U
(a) 10 : 3 (b) 3 : 1 (c) 3 : 10 (d) 10 : 1
 ax  by 1  cz 1  d   2  8  21  17 
  
6 3
Solution: (c) Required ratio   1    .
 ax 2  by 2  cz 2  d   3  10  24  17  20 10
YG
Example: 40 The equation of the plane, which makes with co-ordinate axes a triangle with its centroid (, , ), is [MP PET 2004]
x y z x y z
(a) x  y  z  3 (b)   1 (c) x  y  z  1 (d)   3
     
x y z
Solution: (d) We know that   1 ……(i)
a b c
D
a b c
Centroid  , ,  i.e.   a / 3,   b / 3,   c / 3  a  3, b  3  , c  3
3 3 3
x y z
From equation (i),   1
U
3 3  3
x y z
   3.
  
ST
Example: 41 The equation of plane passing through the points (2, 2, 1) and (9, 3, 6) and perpendicular to the plane 2 x  6 y  6 z  1 is
[AISSE 1984; Tamilnadu (Engg.) 2002]
(a) 3x  4y  5z  9 (b) 3x  4y  5z  0 (c) 3x  4y  5z  9 (d) None of these
Solution: (c) We know that, equation of plane is a(x  x1 )  b(y  y1 )  c(z  z1 )  0
It passes through (2, 2, 1)
 a(x  2)  b(y  2)  c(z  1)  0 ……(i)
Plane (i) also passes through (9, 3, 6) and is perpendicular to the plane 2 x  6 y  6 z  1
 7a  b  5c  0 ……(ii)
and 2a  6b  6c  0 ……(iii)
a b c a b c
  or  
6  30 10  42 42  2  24  32 40
a b c
or    k (say)
3 4 5
From equation (i), 3k (x  2)  4 k (y  2)  (5)k (z  1)  0
Hence, 3 x  4 y  5 z  9 .
Example: 42 The equation of the plane containing the line r  a  kb and perpendicular to the plane r.n  q is
(a) (r  b ).(n  a )  0 (b) (r  a ).(n  (a  b ))  0 (c) (r  a ).(n  b )  0 (d) (r  b ).(n  (a  b ))  0
Solution: (c) Since the required plane contains the line r  a  kb and is perpendicular to the plane r.n  q .
60
 It passes through the point a and parallel to vectors b and n. Hence, it is perpendicular to the vector N  n  b .
 Equation of the required plane is (r  a ).N  0  (r  a ).(n  b )  0 .
Example: 43 The equation of the plane through the intersection of the planes x  2 y  3 z  4  0 , 4 x  3 y  2 z  1  0 and passing through
the origin will be [MP PET 1997; Kerala (Engg.) 2001; AISSE 1983]
(a) x  y  z  0 (b) 17 x  14 y  11 z  0 (c) 7 x  4 y  z  0 (d) 17 x  14 y  z  0
E3
Solution: (b) Any plane through the given planes is (x  2 y  3 z  4 )  k (4 x  3 y  2 z  1)  0
It passes through (0, 0, 0)
 4 k  0 = k = 4
 Required plane is (x  2 y  3 z  4 )  4 (4 x  3 y  2 z  1)  0  17 x  14 y  11 z  0 .
Example: 44 The vector equation of the plane passing through the origin and the line of intersection of plane r.a   and r.b   is
Solution: (b)
(a) r.(a  b )  0 (b) r.(b  a )  0
ID
(c) r.(a  b )  0 (d) r.(b  a )  0
The equation of a plane through the line of intersection of plane r.a   and r.b   can be written as r.(a  k b )    k 
……(i)
This passes through the origin, therefore putting the value of k in (i),
r(a  b )  0  r.(b  a )  0 .
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Example: 45 Angle between two planes x  2 y  2 z  3 and 5 x  3 y  4 z  9 is [IIT Screening 2004]
3 2 19 2 9 2 3 2
(a) cos 1 (b) cos 1 (c) cos 1 (d) cos 1
10 30 20 5
YG
a1a2  b1b 2  c1c 2 1(5)  2(3)  2(4 ) 9 3 2

Solution: (a) We know that, cos     
a12  b12  c12 a22  b 22  c 22 1  4  4 25  9  16 3 .5 2 10
3 2 
i.e.   cos 1  .
 10 
 
Example: 46 Distance between two parallel planes 2 x  y  2 z  8 and 4 x  2 y  4 z  5  0 is [AIEEE 2004]
D
9 5 7 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 2 2 2
Solution: (c) We have 2 x  y  2 z  8  0 ……(i)
U
and 4 x  2 y  4 z  5  0 or 2 x  y  2 z  5 / 2  0 ……(ii)
(5 / 2)  8
21 7
Distance between the planes    .
4 1  4 2 .3 2
ST
Example: 47 A tetrahedron has vertices at O(0, 0, 0), A(1, 2, 1), B(2, 1, 3) and C(–1, 1, 2). Then the angle between the faces OAB and ABC
will be [MNR 1994; UPSEAT 2000; AIEEE 2003]
 19   17 
(a) cos 1   (b) cos 1   (c) 30° (d) 90°
 35   31 
Solution: (a) Angle between two plane faces is equal to the angle between the normals n1 and n2 to the planes. n1 , the normal to the face
i j k
OAB is given by OA  OB  1 2 1  5 i  j  3 k ……(i)
2 1 3
n 2 , the normal to the face ABC, is given by AB  AC .

i j k
n 2  1  1 2  i  5 j  3k ……(ii)
 2 1 1
n 1 .n 2 5.1  5  9
If  be the angle between n1 and n 2 , Then cos   
| n 1 || n 2 | 35 35
19  19 
cos      cos 1  .
35  35 
Example: 48 The distance of the point (2, 1, –1) from the plane x  2 y  4 z  9 is [Kerala (Engg.) 2001]
13 13 13 13
(a) (b) (c) (d)
21 21 21 21
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2  2(1)  4 (1)  9 13
Solution: (c) Distance of the plane from (2, 1, –1)   .
1  4  16 21
Example: 49 A unit vector perpendicular to plane determined by the points P(1, –1, 2), Q(2, 0, –1) and R(0, 2, 1) is [IIT 1994]
2i  j  k 2i  j  k 2i  j  k 2i  j  k
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(a) (b) (c) (d)
6 6 6 6
PQ  PR
Solution: (b) We know that,
| PQ  PR |
PQ  i  j  3 k , PR  i  3 j  k
i j k
PQ  PR  1 1  3  8 i  4 j  4 k and| PQ  PR |  4 6
1 3 1
ID
4 (2 i  j  k ) 2i  j  k
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Hence, the unit vector is i.e. .
4 6 6
Example: 50 The perpendicular distance from origin to the plane through the point (2, 3, –1) and perpendicular to vector 3 i  4 j  7 k is
YG
13 13
(a) (b)  (c) 13 (d) None of these
74 74
Solution: (a) We know, the equation of the plane is (r  a ).n  0
or (r  (2i  3 j  k)).(3 i  4 j  7 k )  0  (x i  y j  zk  2i  3 j  k ).(3 i  4 j  7 k )  0  3 x  4 y  7 z  13  0
13 13
Hence, perpendicular distance of the plane from origin   .
3  (4 )  7
2 2 2 74
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Example: 51 If P = (0, 1, 0), Q =(0, 0, 1), then projection of PQ on the plane x  y  z  3 is [EAMCET 2002]
(a) 3 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 2

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Solution: (c) Given plane is x  y  z  3  0 . From point P and Q draw PM and QN perpendicular on the given plane and QR  MP.
0 1  0  3 2
| MP |   P(0, 1, 0)
1 1 1
2 2 2 3
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2
| NQ |  (0,0,1) Q R
3
| PQ |  (0  0)2  (0  1)2  (1  0)2  2

| RP | | MP |  | MR | | MP |  | NQ |  0 (i.e. R and P are the same point) N M
 | NM | | QR |  PQ  RP 2 2
 ( 2)  0  2
2
Example: 52 The reflection of the point (2, –1, 3) in the plane 3 x  2 y  z  9 is [AMU 1995]
 26 15 17   26 15 17   15 26 17   26 17 15 

(a)  , ,  (b)  , ,  (c)  , ,  (d)  , , 
 7 7 7   7 7 7   7 7 7   7 7 7 
Solution: (b) Let P be the point (2, –1, 3) and Q be its reflection in the given plane.
Then, PQ is perpendicular to the given plane
x  2 y 1 z  3
Hence, d.r.’s of PQ are 3, –2, 1 and consequently, equations of PQ are  
3 2 1
Any point on this line is (3r  2,  2r  1,  r  3)
 3 r  2  2 2r  1  1 r  3  3   3 r  4 r  6 
Let this point be Q. Then midpoint of PQ   , ,  ,  r  1, 
 2 2 2   2 2 
 3r  4   r  6  4
This point lies in given plane i.e. 3   2(r  1)     9  9r  12  4r  4  r  6  9  14 r  8  r 
 2   2  7
60
 4 4 4   26  15 17 
Hence, the required point Q is  3   2,  2   1,  3    , , .
 7  7  7   7 7 7 
Example: 53 A non-zero vector a is parallel to the line of intersection of the plane determined by the vectors i, i + j and the plane determined
by the vectors i – j, i + k. The angle between a and the vector i – 2j + 2k is [IIT 1996]
E3
 3 2 3  3
(a) or (b) or (c) or (d) None of these
4 4 4 4 2 2
Solution: (a) Equation of plane containing i and i + j is
[r  i, i, i  j]  0  (r  i).[i  (i  j)]  0  [(x  1) i  yj  zk].k  0  z = 0 ……(i)
Equation of plane containing i – j and i + k is
 [r  (i  j) i  j i  k]  0  (r  i  j)[(i  j)  (i  k)]  0  x  y  z  0 …… (ii)
Let
a3  0 , a1  a2  a3  0  a1  a2 , a3  0
ID
a  a1 i  a 2 j  a 3 k . Since a is parallel to (i) and (ii)
Thus a vector in the direction of a is u  i  j . If  is the angle between a and i  2 j  2 k .

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1(1)  (1)(2) 3 1
Then cos      cos        / 4 or 3 / 4
1 1 1  4  4 2. 3 2
Example: 54 The d.r.’s of normal to the plane through (1, 0, 0) and (0, 1, 0) which makes an angle  / 4 with plane x  y  3 , are
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[AIEEE 2002]
(a) 1, 2 , 1 (b) 1, 1, 2 (c) 1, 1, 2 (d) 2 , 1, 1
Solution: (b) Let d.r.’s of normal to plane (a, b, c)
a(x  1)  b(y  0)  c(z  0)  0 ……(i)
It is passes through (0, 1, 0).  a  b  0  b  a . D.r.’s of normal is (a, a, c) and d.r.’s of given plane is (1, 1, 0)
aa0
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 cos  / 4   4 a 2  2a 2  c 2  2 a  c
a  a2  c 2 2
2
Then, d.r.’s of normal (a, a, 2a) or (1, 1, 2 ) .

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Line and plane

ST
7.24 Equation of plane through a given line.

x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
(1) If equation of the line is given in symmetrical form as   , then equation of plane is
l m n
a(x  x 1 )  b(y  y 1 )  c(z  z 1 )  0 …… (i)
where a, b, c are given by al  bm  cn  0 ……(ii)
(2) If equation of line is given in general form as a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 1  0  a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d 2 , then the
equation of plane passing through this line is (a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 1 )  (a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d 2 )  0 .
(3) Equation of plane through a given line parallel to another line : Let the d.c.’s of the other line be l 2 , m 2 , n 2 .
Then, since the plane is parallel to the given line, normal is perpendicular.
 al 2  bm 2  cn 2  0 ……(iii)
x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
Hence, the plane from (i), (ii) and (iii) is l1 m1 n1 0.
l2 m2 n2
7.25 Transformation from unsymmetric form of the equation of line to the symmetric form.
If P  a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 1  0 and Q  a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d 2  0 are equations of two non-parallel planes, then
these two equations taken together represent a line. Thus the equation of straight line can be written as P  0  Q . This
60
form is called unsymmetrical form of a line.
To transform the equations to symmetrical form, we have to find the d.r.’s of line and co-ordinates of a point on the
line.
7.26 Intersection point of a line and plane.
E3
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
To find the point of intersection of the line   and the plane ax  by  cz  d  0 .
l m n
The co-ordinates of any point on the line
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
  are given by
l
l
m
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1

m

n
n
ID
 r (say) or (x 1  lr, y 1  mr , z 1  nr )
If it lies on the plane ax  by  cz  d  0 , then

.....(i) ax+by+cz+d=0
P
(x1+lr, y1+mr, z1+nr)
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a(x1  lr)  b(y1  mr )  c(z1  n r)  d  0  (ax 1  by 1  cz 1  d )  r(al  bm  cn)  0
(ax 1  by 1  cz1  d )
 r
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.
al  bm  cn
Substituting the value of r in (i), we obtain the co-ordinates of the required point of intersection.
Algorithm for finding the point of intersection of a line and a plane
Step I : Write the co-ordinates of any point on the line in terms of some parameters r (say).
Step II : Substitute these co-ordinates in the equation of the plane to obtain the value of r.
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Step III : Put the value of r in the co-ordinates of the point in step I.
7.27 Angle between line and plane.
x  y   z 
(1) Cartesian form : The angle  between the line  
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, and the plane

l m n
al  bm  cn
ax  by  cz  d  0 , is given by sin   .
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(a 2  b 2  c 2 ) (l 2  m 2  n 2 )
a b c
(i) The line is perpendicular to the plane if and only if   .
l m n
(ii) The line is parallel to the plane if and only if al  bm  cn  0 .
(iii) The line lies in the plane if and only if al  bm  cn  0 and a  b   c  d  0 .
b.n
(2) Vector form : If  is the angle between a line r  (a  b ) and the plane r.n  d , then sin   .
| b || n |
(i) Condition of perpendicularity : If the line is perpendicular to the plane, then it is parallel to the normal to the
plane. Therefore b and n are parallel.
n (/2) –
So, b  n  0 or b = n for some scalar .
r=a+b

r.n.=d
(ii) Condition of parallelism : If the line is parallel to the plane, then it is perpendicular to the normal to the plane.
Therefore b and n are perpendicular. So, b.n = 0.
(iii) If the line r  a  b lies in the plane r.n = d, then (i) b.n = 0 and (ii) a.n = d.
7.28 Projection of a line on a plane.
60
If P be the point of intersection of given line and plane and Q be the foot of the perpendicular from any point on the
line to the plane then PQ is called the projection of given line on the given plane.
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z1
Image of line about a plane : Let line is   , plane is a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d  0 .
a1 b1 c1
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Find point of intersection (say P) of line and plane. Find image (say Q) of point ( x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) about the plane. Line
PQ is the reflected line.
x 2 y3 z 4
Example: 55 The sine of angle between the straight line   and the plane 2 x  2 y  z  5 is
3 4 5
Solution: (b)
(a)
2 3
5
We know that sin  

(b)
2
10
al  bm  cn
ID (c)
4
5 2
[Kurukshetra CEE 1995, 2001; DCE 2000]
(d)
10
6 5
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a2  b 2  c 2 l2  m 2  n2
3(2)  4 (2)  5(1) 3
sin   
9  16  25 4  4  1 5 2 .3
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2
Hence, sin  
10
x 1 y 1 z  k
Example: 56 Value of k such that the line   is perpendicular to normal to the plane r(2i  3 j  4 k )  0 is
2 3 k
[Pb. CET 2001]
13 17
(a)  (b)  (c) 4 (d) None of these
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4 4
x 1 y 1 z  k
Solution: (a) We have,  
2 3 k
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or vector form of equation of line is r  (i  j  k k )  (2i  3 j  k k ) i.e. b  2i  3 j  k k and normal to the plane,
n  2i  3 j  4 k .
Given that, b.n  0
ST
 (2i  3 j  k k).(2i  3 j  4 k)  0
 4  9  4k  0  k  13 / 4 .
Example: 57 The equation of line of intersection of the planes 4 x  4 y  5 z  12 , 8 x  12 y  13 z  32 can be written as [MP PET 2004]
x y 1 z  2 x y z2 x 1 y  2 z x 1 y  2 z
(a)   (b)   (c)   (d)  
2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4
x  x 1 y  y1 z  z 1
Solution: (c) Let equation of line   ……(i)
l m n
We have 4 x  4 y  5 z  12 ……(ii) and 8 x  12 y  13 z  32 ……(iii)
Let z = 0. Now putting z = 0 in (ii) and (iii),
we get, 4 x  4 y  12 , 8 x  12 y  32 , on solving these equations, we get x  1, y  2 .
x 1 y  2 z  0
Equation of line passing through (1, 2, 0) is  
l m n
From equation (i) and (ii),
4l  4m  5n  0 and 8l  12m  13n  0

l m n l m n x 1 y  2 z
   i.e.   . Hence, equation of line is   .
8 12 16 2 3 4 2 3 4
x 1 y 1 z x y  2 z 1
Example: 58 The equation of the plane containing the two lines   and   is [MP PET 2000]
2 1 3 2 1 3
(a) 8 x  y  5 z  7  0 (b) 8 x  y  5 z  7  0 (c) 8 x  y  5 z  7  0 (d) None of these
Solution: (a) Any plane through the first line may be written as
a(x  1)  b(y  1)  c(z )  0 ……(i)
60
where, 2a  b  3c  0 ……(ii)
It will pass through the second line, if the point (0, 2, –1) on the second line also lies on (i)
i.e. if a(0  1)  b(2  1)  c(1)  0 , i.e., a  3b  c  0 ……(iii)
a b c a b c
Solving (ii) and (iii), we get   i.e.  
 8 1 5 8 1 5
E3
 Required plane is 8(x  1)  1(y  1)  5(z )  0  8 x  y  5 z  7  0 .
x 3 y 6 z 4
Example: 59 The plane which passes through the point (3, 2, 0) and the line   is [AIEEE 2002]
1 5 4
(a) x y z 1 (b) x yz 5 (c) x  2 y  z  1 (d) 2x  y  z  5
x 3 y 6 z 4
Solution: (a) Any plane through the line
1
a(x  3)  b(y  6)  c(z  4 )  0
where, a  5b  4 c  0

Plane (i) passes through (3, 2, 0), if

5

4
is
ID ……(i)
……(ii)
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a(3  3)  b(2  6)  c(0  4 )  0
4b  4 c  0 i.e. b  c  0 ……(iii)
From equation (ii) and (iii), a  b  0 .  a  b  c .
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 Required plane is a(x  3)  a(y  6)  a(z  4 )  0 i.e. x  y  z  3  6  4  0 i.e. x  y  z  1 .

x 3 y 6 z 4 x 3 y 6 z 4
Trick : 3  3 2  6 0  4  0 4 4  x y z 1.
1 5 4 1 5 4
x  2 y 1 z  2
Example: 60 The distance of point (–1, –5, –10) from the point of intersection of the line   and plane x  y  z  5 is[MP PET 20
3 4 12
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(a) 10 (b) 8 (c) 21 (d) 13

x  2 y 1 z  2
Solution: (d) Any point on the line    r is (3r  2, 4 r  1, 12r  2)
3 4 12
This lies on x  y  z  5 , then 3r  2  4r  1  12r  2  5 i.e. r = 0.
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 Point is (2, –1, 2). Its distance from (–1, –5, –10) is 9  16  144  13 .
x 4 y 2 z k
Example: 61 The value of k such that   lies in the plane 2 x  4 y  z  7 is [IIT Screening 2003]
ST
1 1 2
(a) 7 (b) –7 (c) No real value (d) 4
Solution: (a) Given, point (4, 2, k) is on the line and it also passes through the plane 2 x  4 y  z  7  2(4 )  4 (2)  k  7  k  7 .
Example: 62 The distance between the line r  (i  j  2 k )  (2i  5 j  3 k ) and the plane r.(2i  j  3 k )  5 is
[Kurukshetra CEE 1996]
5 6 7 8
(a) (b) (c) (d)
14 14 14 14
Solution: (d) The given line is r  (i  j  2 k)  (2i  5 j  3 k)
a  i  j  2 k , b  2i  5 j  3 k
Given plane, r.(2i  j  3 k )  5  r.n  p
Since b.n  4  5  9  0
 The line is parallel to plane. Thus the distance between line and plane is equal to length of perpendicular from a point
a  i  j  2 k on line to given plane.
(i  j  2 k).(2i  j  3 k)  5 2 1  6  5 8
Hence, required distance    .
4 1  9 14 14
Sphere
A sphere is the locus of a point which moves in space in such a way that its distance from a fixed point always
remains constant.
The fixed point is called the centre and the constant distance is called the radius of the sphere.
60
P(r)
C(a)
E3
7.29 General equation of sphere.
The general equation of a sphere is x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0 with centre (–u, –v, –w)
ID
i.e. (–(1/2) coeff. of x, –(1/2) coeff. of y, –(1/2) coeff. of z) and, radius  u 2  v 2  w 2  d
From the above equation, we note the following characteristics of the equation of a sphere :
(i) It is a second degree equation in x, y, z;
(ii) The coefficients of x 2 , y 2 , z 2 are all equal;
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(iii) The terms containing the products xy, yz and zx are absent.
Note :  The equation x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0 represents,

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(i) A real sphere, if u 2  v 2  w 2  d  0 .

(ii) A point sphere, if u 2  v 2  w 2  d  0 .
(iii) An imaginary sphere, if u 2  v 2  w 2  d  0 .
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Important Tips
 If u 2  v 2  w 2  d  0 , then the radius of sphere is imaginary, whereas the centre is real. Such a sphere is called “pseudo-sphere” or a
“virtual sphere.
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 The equation of the sphere contains four unknown constants u, v, w and d and therefore a sphere can be found to satisfy four conditions.
7.30 Equation in sphere in various forms.

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(1) Equation of sphere with given centre and radius

(i) Cartesian form : The equation of a sphere with centre (a, b, c) and radius R is
(x  a)2  (y  b)2  (z  c)2  R 2 ……(i)
If the centre is at the origin, then equation (i) takes the form x 2  y 2  z 2  R 2 ,
which is known as the standard form of the equation of the sphere.
(ii) Vector form : The equation of sphere with centre at C(c) and radius ‘a’ is | r  c |  a .
(2) Diameter form of the equation of a sphere
(i) Cartesian form : If ( x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and (x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) are the co-ordinates of the extremities of a diameter of a sphere,
then its equation is (x  x 1 )(x  x 2 )  (y  y 1 )(y  y 2 )  (z  z 1 )(z  z 2 )  0 .
(ii) Vector form : If the position vectors of the extremities of a diameter of a sphere are a and b, then its equation is
(r  a ).(r  b)  0 or | r | 2 r.(a  b )  a.b  0 .
7.31 Section of a sphere by a plane.
Consider a sphere intersected by a plane. The set of points common to both sphere and plane is called a plane
section of a sphere. The plane section of a sphere is always a circle. The equations of
the sphere and the plane taken together represent the plane section.
60
C
Let C be the centre of the sphere and M be the foot of the perpendicular from C
on the plane. Then M is the centre of the circle and radius of the circle is given by
P M Q
PM  CP 2  CM 2
M
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The centre M of the circle is the point of intersection of the plane and line CM
which passes through C and is perpendicular to the given plane.
Centre : The foot of the perpendicular from the centre of the sphere to the plane is the centre of the circle.
(radius of circle)2 = (radius of sphere)2 – (perpendicular from centre of spheres on the plane)2
Great circle : The section of a sphere by a plane through the centre of the sphere is a great circle. Its centre and
radius are the same as those of the given sphere.
7.32 Condition of tangency of a plane to a sphere.
ID
A plane touches a given sphere if the perpendicular distance from the centre of the sphere to the plane is equal to the
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radius of the sphere.
(1) Cartesian form : The plane lx  my  nz  p touches the sphere x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0 , if
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(ul  vm  wn  p)2  (l 2  m 2  n 2 )(u 2  v 2  w 2  d )

| a .n  d |
(2) Vector form : The plane r.n  d touches the sphere | r  a |  R if  R.
| n|
Important Tips
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 Two spheres S 1 and S 2 with centres C1 and C2 and radii r1 and r2 respectively
(i) Do not meet and lies farther apart iff | C1C2 |  r1  r2

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(ii) Touch internally iff | C1C2 | | r1  r2 |
(iii) Touch externally iff | C1C2 |  r1  r2

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(iv) Cut in a circle iff | r1  r2 | | C1C2 |  r1  r2
(v) One lies within the other if | C1C2 | | r1  r2 | .
When two spheres touch each other the common tangent plane is S1  S 2  0 and when they cut in a circle, the plane of the circle is
S1  S 2  0 ; coefficients of x 2 , y 2 , z 2 being unity in both the cases.
 Let p be the length of perpendicular drawn from the centre of the sphere x 2  y 2  z 2  r 2 to the plane Ax  By  Cz  D  0 , then
(i) The plane cuts the sphere in a circle iff p < r and in this case, the radius of circle is r2  p 2 .
(ii) The plane touches the sphere iff p  r .

(iii) The plane does not meet the sphere iff p > r.
 Equation of concentric sphere : Any sphere concentric with the sphere x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0 is
x  y  z  2ux  2vy  2wz    0 , where  is some real which makes it a sphere.
2 2 2
7.33 Intersection of straight line and a sphere.

Let the equations of the sphere and the straight line be x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0 .....(i)
x  y   z  
  r
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And (say) .....(ii)
l m n
Any point on the line (ii) is (  lr,   mr ,   nr ) .
If this point lies on the sphere (i) then we have,
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(  lr)2  (  mr )2  (  nr)2  2u(  lr)  2v(  mr )  2w(  nr)  d  0
or, r 2 [l   m 2  n 2 ]  2r[l(u   )  m(v   )]  n(w   )]  ( 2   2   2  2u  2v   2w  d )  0 ....(iii)

This is a quadratic equation in r and so gives two values of r and therefore the line (ii) meets the sphere (i) in two
points which may be real, coincident and imaginary, according as root of (iii) are so.
Note ID
:  If l, m, n are the actual d.c.’s of the line, then l 2  m 2  n 2  1 and then the equation (iii) can be
simplified.
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7.34 Angle of intersection of two spheres.
The angle of intersection of two spheres is the angle between the tangent planes to them at their point of
intersection. As the radii of the spheres at this common point are normal to the tangent planes so this angle is also equal to
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the angle between the radii of the spheres at their point of intersection.
If the angle of intersection of two spheres is a right angle, the spheres are said to be orthogonal.
Condition for orthogonality of two spheres
Let the equation of the two spheres be
x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0 .....(i)
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and x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2v y  2wz  d   0 .....(ii)

If the sphere (i) and (ii) cut orthogonally, then 2uu   2v v   2ww   d  d , which is the required condition.
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Note :  If the spheres x 2  y 2  z 2  a2 and x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0 cut

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orthogonally, then d  a 2 .
r1 r2
 Two spheres of radii r1 and r2 cut orthogonally, then the radius of the common circle is .
r12  r22
Example: 63 The centre of sphere passing through four points (0, 0, 0), (0, 2, 0), (1, 0, 0) and (0, 0, 4) is [MP PET 2002]
1   1  1   1 
(a)  , 1, 2  (b)   , 1, 2  (c)  , 1,  2  (d)  1, , 2 
2   2  2   2 
Solution: (a) Let the equation of sphere be x 2  y 2  z 2  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0

 It passes through (0, 0, 0),  d  0
Also, It passes through (0, 2, 0) i.e., v  1
Also, It passes through (1, 0, 0) i.e., u  1 / 2

Also, it passes through (0, 0, 4) i.e., w  2
 Centre (–u, –v, –w) = (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Example: 64 The equation | r | 2  r.(2i  4 j  2 k )  10  0 represents a [DCE 1998]
(a) Plane (b) Sphere of radius 4 (c) Sphere of radius 3 (d) None of these
Solution: (b) The given equation is | r | 2  r(2i  4 j  2 k)  10  0
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 x 2  y 2  z 2  2 x  4 y  2 z  10  0 ,
which is the equation of sphere, whose centre is (1, 2 –1) and radius  1  4  1  10  4 .
Example: 65 The intersection of the spheres x 2  y 2  z 2  7 x  2y  z  13 and x 2  y 2  z 2  3 x  3 y  4 z  8 is the same as the
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intersection of one of the sphere and the plane [AIEEE 2004]
(a) 2x  y  z  1 (b) x  2y  z  1 (c) x  y  2z  1 (d) x y z 1
Solution: (a) We have the spheres x 2  y 2  z 2  7 x  2y  z  13  0 and x 2  y 2  z 2  3 x  3 y  4 z  8  0

Required plane is S1  S 2  0
 (7 x  3 x )  (2 y  3 y )  (z  4 z )  5  0
Example: 66
i.e. 10 x  5 y  (5 z )  5  0  2 x  y  z  1 . ID
The radius of the circle in which the sphere x 2  y 2  z 2  2 x  2y  4 z  19  0 is cut by the plane x  2 y  2 z  7  0 is
[AIEEE 2003]
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(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
Solution: (c) For sphere x 2  y 2  z 2  2 x  2y  4 z  19  0 , Centre O is (–1, 1, 2) and radius  1  1  4  19  5 ,
Now, OL = length of perpendicular from O to plane x  2 y  2 z  7  0 is
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1  2  4  7 12
   4 , i.e. OL  4 .
14 4 3 O (–1, 1, 2)
5
In OLB , LB  OB  OL  25  16  3 .
2 2
A B
L
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Example: 67 The radius of circular section of the sphere | r|  5 by the plane r. (i  j  k)  4 3 is [DCE 1999; AMU 1991]
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 6

Solution: (b) Radius of the sphere =5
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Given plane is x  y  z  4 3  0
4 3
Length of the perpendicular from the centre (0, 0, 0) of the sphere to the plane = 4
1 1 1
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Hence, radius of circular section  25  16  3 .

Example: 68 The shortest distance from the plane 12 x  4 y  3 z  327 to the sphere x 2  y 2  z 2  4 x  2y  6 z  155 is [AIEEE 2003]
4
(a) 26 (b) 11 (c) 13 (d) 39
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Solution: (c) Centre of sphere is (–2, 1, 3)
Radius of sphere is 4  1  9  155  13
24  4  9  327 338
Distance of centre from plane  
144  16  9 13
338 169
 Plane cuts the sphere and hence S .D. .   13   13 .
13 13
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ID
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320

320 Three Dimensional Co-ordinate Geometry

(2) Other methods of defining the position of any point P in space :

(a) 34 (b) 5 (c) 41 (d) 15

Solution: (c) Distance  x 2  z 2  16  25  41

(a) 2 (b) 1 (c) –1 (d) –2

(a) 6 (b) 2 6 (c) 3 6 (d) 4 6

Solution: (a) If given points are collinear, then

7.6 Direction cosines and Direction ratio .

 Projection of a vector r on the co-ordinate axes are l | r |, m | r |, n | r | .

(2) Direction ratio

 cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1   (2 cos 2   1)  cos 2  ……(i)

Given that sin 2   3 sin 2  ……(ii)

Solution: (c) ∵ l  m  n  1  cos 2   cos 2   cos 2   1

 3 cos 2   1  cos   1 / 3 i.e., l  m  n  1 / 3 .

[Rajasthan PET 2002; DCE 1996]

(a) c > 0 (b) c   3 (c) 0 < c < 1 (d) c > 2

(2) Projection of a segment of a line on another line and its lengthID

Projection of PQ is PQ = PQ cos  (x 2  x 1 ) cos   (y 2  y 1 ) cos   (z 2  z 1 ) cos 

7.8 Angle between Two lines.

between two lines is given by cos  

 sin    (l1 m 2  l 2 m 1 )2 , which is known as Lagrange’s identity.

a12  b12  c12 a 22  b 22  c 22

Note :  If the lines are perpendicular, then b 1 .b 2  0 .

3lm  4ln  mn  0 ……(ii)

D.c.’s of OA is (l1 , m1 , n1 ) and OB is (l2 , m 2 , n2 ) . A

The Straight Line

7.10 Equation of Line passing through Two given points.

A(a) B(b) P(r)

Solution: (a) We know that equation of a straight line is of the form ID

Solution: (c) Position vector of A is a  3 i  4 j  7 k and that of B is b  i  j  6 k

Let the cartesian equations of the two lines be

∵ line is perpendicular to given line

Cartesian to vector : Let the Cartesian equation of a line be

(a) 2/9 (b) 9/2 (c) 0 (d) –1

Since d.r.’s of given lines are 2, 1, 2 and d.r.’s of PQ = (2 – a – ,  –  + a,  – ) Q

Note :  The length of the perpendicular is the perpendicular

distance of given point from that line.

produced to Q such that PL = QL, then Q is known as the image or reflection of P in P

(2) Vector form

The length PL, is the magnitude of PL , and required length of perpendicular.

i.e. d.r.’s of AD  (r  3, 2r  7,  2r  2) and d.r.’s of BC = (–1, –2, 2)

 D is {4 – (7/3), 7– (14/3), (14/3)+1} i.e. D is (5/3, 7/3, 17/3).

Let the co-ordinates of L be (, 2 + 1, 3 + 2) ……(i) A B

Direction ratios of the given line are 1, 2, 3 which is perpendicular to PL. Q

 (  1).1  (2  5)2  (3   1)3  0  14   14  0    1

Then L is the mid-point of PQ.

(a) 2 5 (b) 2 (c) 5 2 (d) 6

Solution: (d) α  0.i  0.j  0.k 

The length of PL is magnitude of PL i.e., Length of perpendicular | PL |  16  4  16  6 .

Hence image of point (1, 2, 3) in the given line is (5, 8, 15).

 Skew lines are non-coplanar lines.

i.e.     (say) ……(i)

(a) 6 (b) 0 (c) 2 (d) 4

Lines are coplanar, if

Example: 36 The lines r  a  (b  c ) and r  b  (c  a ) will intersect if

(a) a c  b c (b) a.c  b.c (c) b a  c a (d) None of these

 [(a  b ).c ]abc  0  (a .c  b .c )(abc )  0  a.c  bc  0  a.c  b.c

:  The above equation can also be written as r.n  d , where P(r)

Note :  If n is not a unit vector, then to reduce the equation r.n  d to

(9) Equation of plane perpendicular to co-ordinate planes or parallel to co-ordinate axes

r.(n 1  n 2 )  d 1  d 2 , where  is an arbitrary constant.

7.18 Equation of plane passing through the given point.

(1) Perpendicular distance