THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Class-12 THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Practice Question & worksheet for chapter 11

1. If A, B, C are points (1, 0, 4), (0, –1, 5) and (2, –3, 1) respectively, then the coordinates of
foot of the perpendicular drawn from A to the line BC are
(a) çæ , - , ÷ö
1 1 9
(b) (1, –2, 3)
è2 2 2 ø
(c) çæ , - , ö÷
3 3 5
(d) None of these
è2 2 2ø
Ans. (d)
Let M be the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point A to the line BC. Since the
point M lies on the line BC, it must divide BC in some ratio, say . Then coordinates of M
are given by
æ 0 + l 2 -1 + l.(-3) 5 + l.1 ö æ 2l -3l - 1 l + 5 ö
ç , , ÷ , i.e. ç , , ÷ ...(1)
è l +1 l +1 l +1 ø è l +1 l +1 l +1 ø
Now d.rs of line BC are 2 – 0, –3 –(–1), 1–5,
i.e., 2, –2, –4 i.e., 1, –1, –2.
Also d.rs. of perpendicular line AM are
2l -3l - 1 l+5 l - 1 -3l - 1 1 - 3l
- 1, - 0, - 4 i.e., , , .
l +1 l +1 l +1 l +1 l +1 l +1
Now AM is ^ to BC. Using the condition of perpendicularity, we get
æ l -1 ö æ -3l - 1 ö æ 1 - 3l ö
1´ ç ÷ + (-1) ´ ç ÷ + (-2) ´ ç ÷=0.
è l + 1 ø è l + 1 ø è l +1 ø
1
Þ (l - 1) + (3l + 1) - 2(1 - 3l) = 0 Þ l =
5

Putting this value of l in (1), we get the desired foot M of the perpendicular from A as
æ 1 1 1 ö
ç 2. 5 -3. 5 - 1 5
+5÷
æ 1 -4 13 ö
ç , , ÷ i.e., ç , , ÷.
çç 1 + 1 1 + 1 1
+ 1 ÷÷ è3 3 3 ø
è5 5 5 ø

2. The angle between the following pairs of lines

x - 2 y +1 x -1 y + 3 z + 5
= , z = 2 and = = is
3 -2 1 3 5
 p
(b) cos -1 æç ö÷ (d) p - cos -1 æç ö÷
2 3 2
(a) (c) cos -1
2 è3ø 455 è3ø
Ans. (c)
Writing the first equation in standard form.
x - 2 y +1 z - 2
= = , thus a1 = 3, b1 = -2, c1 = 0
3 -2 0
Also from the second equation, a 2 = 1, b2 = 3, c2 = 5
Angle between the lines, q is given by
a1a 2 + b1b2 + c1c2
cos q = ±
a12 + b12 + c12 a 22 + b22 + c22
3-6+ 0 -3 3
=± =± =±
9 + 4 + 0 1 + 9 + 25 13 35 455
æ 3 ö -1 æ 3 ö
Þ q = cos -1 ç ÷ or p - cos ç ÷
è 455 ø è 455 ø

3. The vertices of a triangle ABC are A (–1, 2, –3), B (5, 0, –6) and C (0, 4, –1). The direction
cosines of the bisector of the angle BAC are
1 1 1 5 4 1
(a) ,- , (b) , ,
3 3 3 42 42 42
2 5 2 25 8 5
(c) , , (d) , ,
33 33 33 714 714 714
Ans. (d)
AB = (5 + 1)2 + (0 - 2)2 + (-6 + 3)2 = 49 = 7
AC = (0 + 1)2 + (4 - 2)2 + (-1 + 3)2 = 9 = 3.
By geometry, the bisector of ÐBAC will divide the side BC in the ratio AB : AC i.e., in the
ratio 7 : 3 internally. Let the bisector of ÐBAC meets the side BC at point D. Therefore, D
divides BC in the ratio 7 : 3.
7 ´ 0 + 3 ´ 5 7 ´ 4 + 3 ´ 0 7 ´ (-1) + 3 ´ ( -6) ö
Coordinates of D are æç æ 3 14 5ö
, , ÷ i.e., ç , , - ÷ .
è 7+3
7+3 ø è2 5 7+3
2ø
3 14 -5 5 4 1
Therefore, direction ratios of the bisector AD are - (-1), - 2, + 3 i.e., , , .
2 5 2 2 5 2
5 4
Hence, direction cosines of the bisector AD are 2 , 5 ,
2 2 2 2 2 2
æ5ö æ4ö æ1ö æ5ö æ4ö æ1ö
ç ÷ +ç ÷ +ç ÷ ç ÷ +ç ÷ +ç ÷
è2ø è5ø è 2ø è2ø è5ø è 2ø

2
 1
2 25 8 5
i.e., , ,
2
æ5ö æ4ö æ1ö
2 2 714 714 714
ç ÷ +ç ÷ +ç ÷
è2ø è5ø è 2ø
4. The equations of the line passing through the point (1, 2, –4) and perpendicular to the two
x - 8 y + 9 z - 10 x - 15 y - 2 z - 8
lines = = and = = are
3 -16 7 3 8 -5
x -1 y - 2 z + 4 x -1 y - 2 z + 4
(a) = = (b) = =
2 3 6 3 2 6
x -1 y - 2 z + 4 x -1 y - 2 z + 4
(c) = = (d) = =
2 6 3 3 6 2
Ans. (a)
Equations of the given lines are
x - 8 y + 9 z - 10
= = ....(1)
3 -16 7
x - 15 y - 2 z - 8
and = = ....(2)
3 8 -5
x -1 y - 2 z + 4
Let the equations of the line through the point (1, 2, –4) be = = .....(3)
a b c
where a, b, c are its direction ratios.
Since (3) is perpendicular to (1) and (2), we have
3a - 16b + 7c = 0 .....(4)
and 3a + 8b - 5c = 0 .....(5)
Solving (4) and (5) for a, b, c by the method of cross multiplication, we get
a b c a b c
= = Þ = =
80 - 56 21 + 15 24 + 48 24 36 72
a b c
or = = .....(6)
2 3 6
x -1 y - 2 z + 4
From (3) and (6), we obtain the required line as = = .
2 3 6

5. The projection of the line segment joining the points (–1, 0, 3) and (2, 5, 1) on the line
whose direction ratios are (6, 2, 3) is
(a) 6 (b) 7
22
(c) (d) 3
7
Ans. (c)
Direction cosines of the line are

3
 6 2 3 6 2 3
, , i.e., , ,
2
{(6) + (2) + (3) } 2 2 2 2
{(6) + (2) + (3) } 2 2 2 2
{(6) + (2) + (3) } 7 7 7
\ Projection of the line segment joining the points on the given line
6 2 3 22
= (2 + 1) + (5 - 0) + (1 - 3) = .
7 7 7 7
[l (x 2 - x1 ) + m(y2 - y1) + n(z2 - z1)]

x -3 y-5 z -7
6. The length of the shortest distance between the lines = = and
1 -2 1
x +1 y +1 z +1
= = is
7 -6 -1
(a) 0 (b) 144
(c) 6 3 (d) 12 3
Ans. (c)
x -3 y-5 z -7
The given lines are = = .....(1)
1 -2 1
x +1 y +1 z +1
and = = .....(2)
7 -6 -1
Point A (3, 5, 7) is a point on line (1) and B (–1, –1, –1) is a point on line (2). Also direction
ratios of line (1) are 1, –2, 1 and those of the line (2) are 7, –6, –1.
We use the Cartesian formula for the shortest distance.
x 2 - x1 y2 - y1 z 2 - z1
l1 m1 n1
l2 m2 n2
S.D. =
(m1n 2 - m2 n1 )2 + (n1l2 - n 2l1 ) 2 + (l1m 2 - l2 m1 ) 2
Here, (x1, y1, z1) = (3, 5, 7), (x 2 , y2 , z2 ) = (-1, -1, -1), .
l1 : m1 : n1 = 1: -2 :1 and l2 : m2 : n 2 = 7 : -6 : -1
\ (m1n 2 - m2 n1 )2 + (n1l2 - n 2l1 ) 2 + (l1m2 - l2 m1 ) 2 = (2 + 6)2 + (7 + 1)2 + (-6 + 14)2 = 8 3
x 2 - x1 y 2 - y1 z 2 - z1 -1 - 3 -1 - 5 -1 - 7
Also, l1 m1 n1 = 1 -2 1
l2 m2 n2 7 -6 -1
-4 -6 -8
= 1 -2 1 = | (-4)(2 + 6) + 6(-1 - 7) - 8(-6 + 14) | = | -144 | = 144
7 -6 -1
144 18
Hence, the shortest distance = = =6 3
8 3 3

4
7. The plane ax + by = 0 is rotated about its line of intersection with the plane z = 0 through
an angle a . The equation of the plane in its new position is
(a) ax + by ± (a 2 + b2 tan 2 a)z = 0
(b) ax + by ± ( a 2 + b2 tan a)z = 0

(
(c) ax + by ± a 2 tan 2 a + b2 z = 0 )
(d) None of these
Ans. (b)
Any plane through the line of intersection of the planes
ax + by = 0 ....(i) and z = 0 ....(ii)
2 2
is l(ax + by) + µz = 0, l + µ ¹ 0 ....(iii)
Since this plane makes an angle with the plane (i), we have
| l.a.a + l.b.b + µ.0 | | l | a 2 + b2
cos a = =
l 2 a 2 + l 2 b2 + µ 2 a 2 + b2 l 2 (a 2 + b 2 ) + µ 2
l 2 (a 2 + b2 ) + µ 2 æ pö
Þ sec2 a = çè a ¹ ÷
l 2 (a 2 + b2 ) 2ø
µ2 µ2
Þ sec2 a = 1 + Þ tan 2 a =
l 2 (a 2 + b2 ) l 2 (a 2 + b2 )
Þ µ = ±( a 2 + b2 tan a)l
Substituting this value of in (iii), we get
l(ax + by) ± ( a 2 + b2 tan a)lz = 0, l ¹ 0
or ax + by ± ( a 2 + b2 tan a)z = 0 .

8. A plane meets the coordinate axes in points A, B, C and the centroid of the triangle ABC is
(a, b, g ) . The equation of the plane is
x y z
(a) + + =3 (b) ax + by + gz = 3abg
a b g
x y z 1
(c) + + = (d) None of these
a b g 2
Ans. (a)
x y z
Let the equation of the required plane be + + = 1 ...(i)
a b c
It meets co-ordinate axes in points
A (a, 0, 0), B(0, b, 0), C(0, 0, c).

5
 The centroid of DABC is æç , , ö÷
a b c
è 3 3 3ø
a b c
Þ = a, = b, = g Þ a = 3a, b = 3b, c = 3g
3 3 3
Hence the required plane is
x y z x y z
+ + = 1 i.e., + + = 3
3a 3b 3g a b g

9. A variable plane is at a constant distance p from the origin and meets the axes in points A,
B, C. Through A, B and C, planes are drawn parallel to the coordinate planes. The locus of
their point of intersection is
(a) x + y + z = p (b) x 2 + y2 + z2 = p2
x y z 1
(c) x -2 + y-2 + z-2 = p-2 (d) + + =
y z x p
Ans. (c)
x y z
Let the variable plane be + + =1 ....(i)
a b c
then OA = a, OB = b, OC = c.
Since plane (i) is at a constant distance p from O (0, 0, 0), we have
| 0 + 0 + 0 - 1| 1 1 1 1
p= Þ
2
+
2
+
2
= ....(ii)
1 1 1 a b c p2
+ 2+ 2
a2 b b
Let the planes through A, B, C and parallel to the co-ordinate planes meet in points P
then co-ordinates of P are (a, b, c). To obtain the locus of P, replace a, b, c by x, y, z
1 1 1 1
respectively in (ii), therefore, the required locus is 2
+
2
+
2
= or
x y z p2
x -2 + y-2 + z-2 = p-2 .

10. The length of projection of the segment joining P(–1, 2, 0) and Q (1, –1, 2) on the plane
2x - y - 2z = 4 is
(a) 3 (b) 4
(c) 5 (d) 3 3
Ans. (b)
Given plane is 2x - y - 2z - 4 = 0 .

6
 From points P and Q draw PM and QN perpendiculars on the given plane and QR ^ MP .
| 2(-1) - 2 - 0 - 4 |
8
| MP |= = ,
2 2
2 + (-1) + (-2) 3 2

| 2.1 - (-1) - 2.2 - 4 | 5

| NQ |= =
22 + (-1) 2 + (-2)2 3
8 5
\| RP |=| MP | - | MR |=| MP | - | NQ |= - = 1
3 3
Also | PQ |= (1 + 1)2 + (-1 - 2)2 + (2 - 0)2 = 17
\| NM |=| QR |= PQ2 - RP2 = 17 - 1 = 4 .

11. The equation of the line 3x + 2y – z – 4 = 0 = 4x + y – 2z + 3 in symmetrical form is

(a) x + 2 = y - 5 = z (b) x - 2 = y + 5 = z
-3 2 -5 3 -2 5
x -3 y-2 z
(c) = = (d) None of these
4 1 -2
Ans. (a)
The equations of the given line in general form are
3x + 2y - z - 4 = 0 = 4x + y - 2z + 3 ...(1)
Let l, m, n be the direction cosines of the line. Since the line is common to both the
planes, it is perpendicular to the normals to both the planes.
Direction ratios of the normals to the planes are 3, 2, –1 and 4, 1, –2.
\ 3l + 2m - n = 0 ...(2)
4l + m - 2n = 0 ....(3)
Solving (2) and (3), we get
l m n l m n
= = or = =
-4 + 1 -4 + 6 3 - 8 -3 2 -5
\ l : m : n = -3 : 2 : -5 . ....(4)

7
 Now to find the coordinates of a point on the line given by (1), let us find the point
where it meets the plane z = 0. Putting z = 0 in (1), we have 3x + 2y – 4 =0 and 4x + y +
3 = 0.
Solving these equations, we get
x y 1
= = Þ x = -2, y = 5 .
10 -25 -5
The point (–2, 5, 0) is a point on the line (1). Hence, the equations of the given line in
x + 2 y -5 z
symmetrical form are = = .
-3 2 -5
[Note that we may choose a number of other points as well on the line. However the
options given contain all 0 value for z, hence we choose z = 0].

12. The equation of the plane containing the lines x - 1 = y - 2 = z - 3 and x - 2 = y - 3 = z - 4 is

2 3 4 3 4 5
(a) 2x + 3y + 4z = 0 (b) 3x + 4y + 5z = 0
(c) 2 x + 3 y + 4 z = 1 (d) None of these
3 4 5
Ans. (d)
Equation of any plane containing the line
x -1 y - 2 z - 3
= = ....(i)
2 3 4
is A(x -1) + B(y - 2) + C(z - 3) = 0 ....(ii)
where 2A + 3B + 4C = 0 ....(iii)
Now the line x - 2 = y - 3 = z - 4 ....(iv)
3 4 5
will lie in plane (ii) iff the point (2, 3, 4) of line (iv) lies on plane (ii) i.e. A + B + C = 0 ....(v)
and normal to plane (ii) is perpendicular to line (iv)
i.e. 3A + 4B + 5C = 0 ....(vi)
Solving (iii) and (v), we get A : B : C = -1: 2 : -1 .
These values of A, B, C satisfy (vi) and hence the given lines are coplanar.
Moreover, the given lines are non-parallel, for, direction numbers of given lines are <
2, 3, 4 >, < 3, 4, 5 > and these are not proportional. Therefore, the given lines intersect.
Substituting for A, B, C in (ii), we get (-1)(x -1) + 2(y - 2) + (-1)(z - 3) = 0
or x - 2y + z = 0 which is the required plane.

13. The equation of a plane through the points (2, 2, 1), (1, –2, 3) and parallel to the x-axis is
(a) x + y + 2z = 4 (b) x + y = 4
(c) y + 2z = 4 (d) x + 2z = 4

8
Ans. (c)
Any plane passing through the point (2, 2, 1) is
a(x - 2) + b(y - 2) + c(z -1) = 0 .....(1)
The plane also passes through the point (1, –2, 3).
\ a(1 - 2) + b(-2 - 2) + c(3 - 1) = 0 Þ a + 4b - 2c = 0 .....(2)
The plane is parallel to the x-axis (d.c.'s of the x-axis are (1, 0, 0)).
The normal to the plane is perpendicular to x-axis.
\ a.1 + b(0) + c(0) = 0 Þ a + 0.b + 0.c = 0 .....(3)
a b c
From (2) and (3), we get = =
0 - 0 -2 - 0 0 - 4
a b c a b c
or = = Þ = =
0 -2 -4 0 1 2
Putting the values of a, b, c in (1) we get
0(x - 2) + 1(y - 2) + 2(z -1) = 0 or y + 2z = 4 .

14. P, Q, R, S are the points (–2, 3, 4), (–4, 4, 6), (4, 3, 5) and (0, 1, 2). Then projection of PQ on
RS is
(a) 0 (b) 29
16
(c) (d) none
29
Ans. (a)
P

R S
The four points are P (–2, 3, 4), Q (–4, 4, 6), R (4, 3, 5), S (0, 1, 2).
Direction ratios of RS are 0 – 4, 1 – 3, 2 – 5, i.e., 4, 2, 3.
Dividing each by (4)2 + (2)2 + (3)2 ,
4 2 3
i.e., 29 , the actual direction cosines' of RS are , , .
29 29 29
Projection of PQ on RS
4 2 3 1
= (-4 + 2) + (4 - 3) + (6 - 4) = (-8 + 2 + 6) = 0
29 29
29 29
Which implies that PQ ^ RS .

9
15. The angle between the lines whose direction cosines are given by the equations
3l + m + 5n = 0 , 6nm - 2nl + 5lm = 0 is
(a) cos -1 æç ö÷ (b) cos -1 æç - ö÷
1 1
è6ø è 6ø
(c) cos -1 æç ö÷ (d) cos -1 æç - ö÷
2 5
è3ø è 6ø
Ans. (b)
The given equations are 3l + m + 5n = 0 ....(i)
and 6mn - 2nl + 5lm = 0 ...(ii)
From (i), we have m = –3l – 5n. Putting m = –3l – 5n in (ii), we get
6(-3l - 5n)n - 2nl + 5l (-3l - 5n) = 0
Þ 2n 2 + 3ln + l 2 = 0 Þ (n + l )(2n + l ) = 0
Þ either l = –n or l = –2n.
If l = –n, then putting l = –n in (i), we obtain m = –2n. If l = –2n, then putting l = –2n in
(i), we obtain m = n.
Thus, the direction ratios of two lines are –n, –2n, n and –2n, n, n i.e., 1, 2, –1 and –2, 1, 1.
1 2 -1 -2 1 1
Hence, the direction cosines are , , or , , .
6 6 6 6 6 6
1 -2 2 1 -1 1 -1
The angle q between the lines is given by cos q = ´ + ´ + ´ =
6 6 6 6 6 6 6
æ -1 ö
Þ q = cos -1 ç ÷ .
è 6 ø

16. The Cartesian equation of a line is 6x - 2 = 3y + 1 = 2z - 2 . The equation of a line parallel to

this line and passing through (2, –1, –1) is
(a) 6x – 12 = 3y + 3 = 2z + 2 (b) 6x + 2 = 3y + 1 = 2z + 2
(c) 6x + 2 = 3y + 3 = 2z – 2 (d) none of these
Ans. (a)
The given line is 6 æç x - ö÷ = 3 æç y + ö÷ = 2(z - 1)
1 1
è 3ø è 3ø
Divide by 6, we get the equation in standard form
1 1
x- y+
3= 3 = z -1
1 2 3
1 2 3
\ direction ratios are 1, 2, 3. Therefore directions cosines are ± ,± ,±
14 14 14

10
 1 2 3
Hence, the direction cosines of the line parallel to this line are ± ,± ,± .
14 14 14
That is direction ratios are 1, 2, 3.
The equation of the required line is x - 2 = y + 1 = z + 1 Þ 6x - 12 = 3y + 3 = 2z + 2
1 2 3

17. The angle between any two diagonals of a cube is

p p
(a) (b)
3 4

(c) cos -1 æç ö÷ (d) cos -1 æç ö÷

1 2
è3ø è3ø
Ans. (c)
Let O, one vertex of a cube, be the origin and three edges through O be the coordinate
axes. The four diagonals are OP, AA', BB' and CC'. Let a be the length of each edge. Then
the coordinates of P, A, A' are (a, a, a), (a, 0, 0),(0, a, a).
The direction ratios of OP are a, a, a.
a a a
The direction cosines of OP are , ,
a 3 a 3 a 3
1 1 1
i.e., , , .
3 3 3
æ 1 1 1 ö
Similarly direction cosines of AA' are ç - , , ÷.
è 3 3 3ø
Let q be the angle between the diagonals OP and AA'. Then
1 æ 1 ö 1 æ 1 ö 1 æ 1 ö 1 1 1 1
cos q = ç- ÷+ ç ÷+ ç ÷ =- + + =
3è 3ø 3è 3ø 3è 3ø 3 3 3 3
æ1ö
\q = cos -1 ç ÷
è3ø

18. The direction cosines of a line equally inclined to the axes are
-1 -1 -1 1 1 1
(a) , , (b) , ,
3 3 3 3 3 3
-1 -1 -1
(c) , , (d) Both 'b' and 'c'
3 3 3
Ans. (d)
If a line makes angles a, b, g
with the axes, we have a = b = g
cos a = cos b = cos g Þ ! = m = n
\ !2 + m2 + n 2 = 1

11
 !2 + !2 + !2 = 1, Þ 3!2 = 1
1 1
\ ! 2 = or ! = ±
3 3
æ 1 1 1 ö
\ The d.c’s of the line are ç ± ,± ,± ÷.
è 3 3 3ø

x -1 y - 2 z - 3 x -2 y -4 z -5
19. The shortest distance between the line = = and = = is
2 3 4 3 4 5
1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
6 6 3 3
Ans. (a)
Any Pt. on the first line is
P(2r + 1, 3r + 2, 4r + 3).
Any Pt. on the second line is
Q(3s + 2, 4s + 4, 5s + 5),
Direction ratios of PQ are < 2r – 3s – 1, 3r – 4s – 2, 4r – 5s – 2,
If PQ is short distance between the given line then PQ is perpendicular to both lines.
2(2r – 3s – 1) + 3(3r – 4s – 2) + 4(4r – 5s – 2) = 0 and 3(2r – 3s – 1) + 4(3r – 4s – 2) +
5(4r – 5s – 2) = 0
i.e., 29r – 38s – 16 = 0 and 38r – 50s – 21 = 0
\ r = 1/3, s = – 1/6.

P is æç , 3, ö÷ and Q is æç , , ö÷
5 13 3 10 25
3è 3 ø 2 3 6 è ø
S, D = PQ
2 2 2
æ 5 3 ö æ 10 ö æ 13 25 ö 1
= ç 3 - 2 ÷ + ç3- 3 ÷ + ç 3 - 6 ÷ = 1/ 6 =
è ø è ø è ø 6

20. The locus of x2 + y2 + z2 = 0 is

(a) a circle (b) sphere
(c) (0, 0, 0) (d) none.
Ans. (c)
x = 0, y = 0, z = 0.

21. The distance between the line r = 2i – 2j + 3k + l(i - j + 4k) and the plane r.(i + 5j + k) = 5 is
10 10
(a) (b)
9 3 3

12
 10
(c) (d) none.
3
Ans. (b)
The given line is r = a + tb
where a = 2iˆ - 2jˆ + 3k,
ˆ b = ˆi - ˆj + 4kˆ and given plane is r.n = P, where n = ˆi + 5jˆ + kˆ , P = 5
Since, b.n = 1 – 5 + 4 = 0.
\ Given line is parallel to the given plane
\ The distance between the line and the plane is equal to length of the perpendicular
from point a = 2iˆ - 2jˆ + 3kˆ = 0on the line to the given place.
(2iˆ - 2jˆ + 3k)(i
ˆ ˆ + 5jˆ + k)
ˆ -5
Required distance =
1 + 25 + 1
2 - 10 + 3 - 5 10
= = units
27 3 3

!
22. The ratio in which the plane r . (iˆ - 2jˆ + 2k) ˆ = 17 divides the line joining the points
-2iˆ + 4jˆ + 7kˆ and 3iˆ - 5jˆ + 8kˆ is
(a) 3 : 5 (b) 1 : 10
(c) 3 : 10 (d) 1 : 5.
Ans. (a)
Let the plane r̂(iˆ - 2jˆ + 2k) ˆ = 17 divide the line joining the points – 2i + 4j + 7k and 3i–
5j+8k in the ratio
t : 1 at the point P.
3t - 2 -5t + 4 8t + 7
\ Position vector of point P = i+ j+ k
t +1 t +1 t +1
This lies on the given Plane,
æ 3t - 2 -5t + 4 8t + 7 ö ˆ ˆ ˆ
\ ç .i + j+ k÷ (i - 2j + 3k) = 17
è t +1 t +1 t +1 ø
æ 3t - 2 ö æ -5t + 4 ö æ 8t + 7 ö
Þç ÷ ´1 + ç ÷ ´ (-2) + ç ÷ ´ 3 = 17
è t + 1 ø è t + 1 ø è t +1 ø
3
Þt=
5
Required ratio is 3 : 5.

23. The equation of straight line passing the point (a, b, c) and parallel z-axis is
x -a y-b z-c x -a y-b z-c
(a) = = (b) = =
1 1 0 0 1 1

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 (c) x - a = y - b = z - c (d) x -a y-b z-c
= =
1 0 0 0 0 1
Ans. (d)
Direction cosines of a line parallel to z-axis are (cos 90°, cos 90°, cos 0) = (0, 0, 1).
Hence the line through (a, b, c) having direction cosines 0, 0, 1 is
x -a y-b z-c
= = .
0 0 1

24. The equation of thee plane containing the line r. ˆi + ˆj + l (2iˆ + ˆj + 4k)
ˆ is
(a) r.(- ˆi - 2jˆ + k)
ˆ =3 (b) r.( ˆi + 2jˆ - k)
ˆ =0
(c) r.( ˆi + 2jˆ - k)
ˆ =3 (d) none.
Ans. (c)
Any point on the given line is
i + j + l (2i + j + 4k)
i.e. (1 + 2 l )i + (1 + l )i + 4 l k
which lies on the plane r.(i + 2j – k) =3
Hence the plane r.(i + 2j – k) = 3 contains the given line.

x -1 y - 2 z + 3
25. The angle between the line = = and the plane x + y + 4 = 0
2 1 -2
(a) 0° (b) 30°
(c) 45° (d) 90°
Ans. (c)
Direction ratios of the line and the normal to the plane are 2, 1, –2 and 1, 1, 0
respectively.
\Their d.c’s are 2/3, 1/3, –2/3 and 1/ 2, 1/ 2,0. If q is the angle between the line and
the plane, then
2 1 1 1 æ -2 ö
cos(90 - q) = . + . + ç ÷ .0.
3 2 3 2 è 3 ø
1
Þ sin q = , Þ q = 45°.
2

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