Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)

If the shortest distance between the lines fracx-lambda-2=fracy-21=fracz-11 and fracx-sqrt31=fracy-1-2=fracz-21 is 1, then the sum of all possible values of lambda is:

Solution & Explanation

### Related Formula The shortest distance between two skew lines vecr = veca_1 + svecb_1 and vecr = veca_2 + tvecb_2 is given by: d = frac|(veca_2 - veca_1) cdot (vecb_1 times vecb_2)||vecb_1 times vecb_2| ### Core Logic Identify the vectors from the equations of the lines: - Line 1 passes through veca_1 = lambdahati + 2hatj + hatk with direction vecb_1 = -2hati + hatj + hatk. - Line 2 passes through veca_2 = sqrt3hati + hatj + 2hatk with direction vecb_2 = hati - 2hatj + hatk. Calculate the coordinate difference vector: veca_2 - veca_1 = (sqrt3 - lambda)hati - hatj + hatk ### Step 1: Compute the Cross Product of the Direction Vectors Find the cross product matrix: vecb_1 times vecb_2 = beginvmatrix hati & hatj & hatk \\ -2 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & -2 & 1 endvmatrix vecb_1 times vecb_2 = hati(1 - (-2)) - hatj(-2 - 1) + hatk(4 - 1) = 3hati + 3hatj + 3hatk Compute its magnitude: |vecb_1 times vecb_2| = sqrt3^2 + 3^2 + 3^2 = sqrt27 = 3sqrt3
Shortest distance between skew lines vector representation for Q20 - JEE Main 2024 01 February Morning
The figure details the spatial arrangement of the two skew lines along with their common perpendicular normal vector representing the shortest path.
### Step 2: Solve the Absolute Distance Equation for lambda Substitute these values into the shortest distance formula: 1 = frac|((sqrt3 - lambda)hati - hatj + hatk) cdot (3hati + 3hatj + 3hatk)|3sqrt3 1 = frac|3(sqrt3 - lambda) - 3 + 3|3sqrt3 = frac3|sqrt3 - lambda|3sqrt3 = frac|sqrt3 - lambda|sqrt3 This gives: |sqrt3 - lambda| = sqrt3 Unfolding the absolute value gives two cases: - **Case A:** sqrt3 - lambda = sqrt3 implies lambda = 0 - **Case B:** sqrt3 - lambda = -sqrt3 implies lambda = 2sqrt3 ### Step 3: Calculate the Final Sum The sum of all possible values of lambda is: textSum = 0 + 2sqrt3 = 2sqrt3 ### Pattern Recognition Sees: Shortest distance setup between vector paths containing free variables. Shortcut: In equations like |c - lambda| = d, the sum of the roots is simply equal to 2c, because the roots are symmetrically balanced around the center point c. Thus, textSum = 2 times sqrt3 = 2sqrt3 holds instantly without calculating individual values. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry Class 12 Mathematics: Vector Algebra

Reference Study Guides

More Three Dimensional Geometry Previous-Year Questions — Page 8

Q9 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Circumcenter and Properties of Triangle
Let (5,fraca4) be the circumcenter of a triangle with vertices A(a,-2), B(a,6) and C(fraca4,-2). Let alpha denote the circumradius, beta denote the area and gamma denote the perimeter of the triangle. Then alpha+beta+gamma is
  • A. 60
  • B. 53
  • C. 62
  • D. 30

Solution

### Related Formula For a right-angled triangle, the circumcenter is exactly the midpoint of the hypotenuse, and the circumradius is half the hypotenuse. textArea = frac12 times textbase times textheight textPerimeter = textsum of all side lengths ### Core Logic Observe the coordinates of the vertices: A = (a, -2) B = (a, 6) C = (a/4, -2) Vertices A and B share the same x-coordinate (x=a), meaning side AB is perfectly vertical. Vertices A and C share the same y-coordinate (y=-2), meaning side AC is perfectly horizontal. Since a vertical and horizontal line meet at a right angle, Delta ABC is a right-angled triangle, with the right angle residing at vertex A. In a right-angled triangle, the hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle, which is BC. The circumcenter O lies exactly at the midpoint of hypotenuse BC. ### Step 1: Evaluate parameter a The midpoint of BC is given by: M = left(fraca + a/42, frac6 - 22right) = left(frac5a8, 2right) We are given the circumcenter O is (5, fraca4). Equating M and O: For the x-coordinate: frac5a8 = 5 Rightarrow 5a = 40 Rightarrow a = 8 Let's verify with the y-coordinate: fraca4 = frac84 = 2 quad text(Consistent) So, the vertices are A(8, -2), B(8, 6), and C(2, -2). ### Step 2: Calculate Geometric Quantities Calculate the side lengths: AB = |6 - (-2)| = 8 AC = |8 - 2| = 6 BC = sqrt8^2 + 6^2 = sqrt64 + 36 = sqrt100 = 10 Calculate the requested parameters: 1. Circumradius alpha = fractextHypotenuse2 = fracBC2 = frac102 = 5 2. Area beta = frac12 cdot AB cdot AC = frac12 cdot 8 cdot 6 = 24 3. Perimeter gamma = AB + AC + BC = 8 + 6 + 10 = 24 ### Step 3: Final Calculation Sum the components: alpha + beta + gamma = 5 + 24 + 24 = 53 ### Pattern Recognition Whenever you see two coordinates sharing a common x-value and a common y-value amongst three vertices, immediately flag the triangle as right-angled. This skips the arduous circumcenter distance formulas and jumps straight to hypotenuse midpoint rules. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 11 Mathematics: Coordinate Geometry
Q16 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Centroid and Distance Formula
Let PQR be a triangle with R(-1,4,2). Suppose M(2,1,2) is the mid point of PQ. The distance of the centroid of Delta PQR from the point of intersection of the line fracx-20=fracy2=fracz+3-1 and fracx-11=fracy+3-3=fracz+11 is
  • A. 69
  • B. 9
  • C. sqrt69
  • D. sqrt99

Solution

### Related Formula The centroid G divides the median from any vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side in a 2:1 ratio. G = frac2 cdot M + 1 cdot R3 d = sqrt(x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2 + (z_2-z_1)^2 ### Core Logic Given R(-1,4,2) and the midpoint of the opposite side PQ is M(2,1,2). The centroid G lies on the median RM, dividing it internally in the ratio 2:1 from vertex R. G = left(frac2(2) + 1(-1)3, frac2(1) + 1(4)3, frac2(2) + 1(2)3right) G = left(frac4-13, frac2+43, frac4+23right) = (1, 2, 2) ### Step 1: Find Line Intersection Let the first line be L_1: fracx-20 = fracy2 = fracz+3-1 = t. Any general point on L_1 is A(2, 2t, -t-3). To find the intersection, substitute point A into the equation of the second line L_2: fracx-11 = fracy+3-3 = fracz+11. Using the x-coordinate: frac2-11 = 1 This means the ratio must equal 1 for all coordinates at the intersection. Checking the y-coordinate: frac2t+3-3 = 1 Rightarrow 2t+3 = -3 Rightarrow 2t = -6 Rightarrow t = -3 Checking the z-coordinate with t = -3 to verify intersection: frac-(-3)-3+11 = frac3-3+11 = 1. It matches perfectly. Substitute t = -3 back into the coordinates of A: A = (2, 2(-3), -(-3)-3) = (2, -6, 0). ### Step 2: Calculate Final Distance Now compute the distance between the centroid G(1,2,2) and the intersection point A(2,-6,0): AG = sqrt(1 - 2)^2 + (2 - (-6))^2 + (2 - 0)^2 AG = sqrt(-1)^2 + (8)^2 + (2)^2 AG = sqrt1 + 64 + 4 AG = sqrt69 ### Pattern Recognition When given a vertex and the midpoint of the opposite side, bypass the full coordinate sum (x_1+x_2+x_3)/3 and go straight to the section formula (2M + R)/3 . For line intersections, equating one fixed coordinate (like the x-component divided by 0) instantly locks the parametric variable. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry
Q30 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Shortest Distance Between Lines
A line with direction ratios 2, 1, 2 meets the lines x=y+2=z and x+2=2y=2z respectively at the point P and Q. if the length of the perpendicular from the point (1, 2, 12) to the line PQ is l, then l^2 is
Numerical Answer. Answer: 65 to 65

Solution

### Related Formula textDot Product for Orthogonality: vecA cdot vecB = 0 implies a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 + a_3b_3 = 0 textDistance between 3D points: d = sqrt(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2+(z_2-z_1)^2 ### Core Logic Let the first line be L_1: x = y+2 = z = t. Any point P on L_1 has coordinates (t, t-2, t). Let the second line be L_2: fracx+22 = y = z = s. Any point Q on L_2 has coordinates (2s-2, s, s). The line segment PQ has direction ratios given by the difference of coordinates: DR_PQ = (2s-2-t, s-(t-2), s-t) = (2s-t-2, s-t+2, s-t) We are given the fixed direction ratios of PQ as (2, 1, 2). Because direction ratios are proportional, we set up equivalence ratios: frac2s-t-22 = fracs-t+21 = fracs-t2 ### Step 1: Solve for Line PQ Using the 2nd and 3rd parts of the proportion: fracs-t+21 = fracs-t2 2s - 2t + 4 = s - t Rightarrow s - t = -4 Rightarrow t = s + 4 Using the 1st and 3rd parts of the proportion: frac2s-t-22 = fracs-t2 Rightarrow 2s-t-2 = s-t Rightarrow s = 2 Substitute s=2 to find t: t = 2 + 4 = 6 Now, substitute these parameters back to find points P and Q: P = (6, 6-2, 6) = (6, 4, 6) Q = (2(2)-2, 2, 2) = (2, 2, 2) The equation of line PQ passing through Q(2,2,2) with direction ratios (2,1,2) is: fracx-22 = fracy-21 = fracz-22 = lambda
Shortest Distance Between Lines
Shortest Distance Between Lines
### Step 2: Find Perpendicular Foot F Let F be the foot of the perpendicular from point A(1, 2, 12) to the line PQ. Any general point on line PQ is F(2lambda+2, lambda+2, 2lambda+2). The direction ratios of vector vecAF are: (2lambda+2-1, lambda+2-2, 2lambda+2-12) = (2lambda+1, lambda, 2lambda-10) Since vecAF is perpendicular to line PQ (which has direction ratios 2, 1, 2), their dot product must be zero: 2(2lambda+1) + 1(lambda) + 2(2lambda-10) = 0 4lambda + 2 + lambda + 4lambda - 20 = 0 9lambda = 18 Rightarrow lambda = 2 Substitute lambda=2 to find the exact coordinates of foot F: F = (2(2)+2, 2+2, 2(2)+2) = (6, 4, 6) ### Step 3: Compute Final Distance Squared Calculate the squared distance l^2 between A(1, 2, 12) and F(6, 4, 6): l^2 = (6-1)^2 + (4-2)^2 + (6-12)^2 l^2 = 5^2 + 2^2 + (-6)^2 l^2 = 25 + 4 + 36 = 65 ### Pattern Recognition Whenever you must link two skew lines with a third intersecting line given constant direction ratios, immediately construct generic parametric points on each skew line. Subtraction yields a vector that is directly proportional to the given constants, instantly solving the system. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry
Q13 jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Lines in Space
Let L_1:vecr = (hati -hatj +2hatk) + lambda (hati -hatj +2hatk),lambda in mathbbR L_2:vecr = (hatj -hatk) + mu (3hati +hatj +phatk),mu in mathbbR and L_3:vecr = delta (ell hati + mhatj + nhatk) delta in mathbbR Be three lines such that L_1 is perpendicular to L_2 and L_3 is perpendicular to both L_1 and L_2 . Then the point which lies on L_3 is
  • A. (-1, 7, 4)
  • B. (-1, -7, 4)
  • C. (1, 7, -4)
  • D. (1, -7, 4)

Solution

### Related Formula textTwo lines are perpendicular if their direction vectors' dot product is 0: vecd_1 cdot vecd_2 = 0 textDirection of a line perpendicular to two lines is their cross product: vecd_3 = vecd_1 times vecd_2 ### Core Logic Direction vectors of L_1 and L_2: vecd_1 = hati - hatj + 2hatk vecd_2 = 3hati + hatj + phatk Since L_1 perp L_2: vecd_1 cdot vecd_2 = (1)(3) + (-1)(1) + (2)(p) = 0 3 - 1 + 2p = 0 Rightarrow 2p = -2 Rightarrow p = -1 So, vecd_2 = 3hati + hatj - hatk. ### Step 1: Finding Direction of L3 Line L_3 is perpendicular to both L_1 and L_2, so its direction vector vecd_3 is parallel to vecd_1 times vecd_2: vecd_3 = beginvmatrix hati & hatj & hatk \\ 1 & -1 & 2 \\ 3 & 1 & -1 endvmatrix = hati(1 - 2) - hatj(-1 - 6) + hatk(1 + 3) = -hati + 7hatj + 4hatk The given equation of L_3 is vecr = delta (ell hati + m hatj + n hatk), which means it passes through the origin with direction proportional to vecd_3. Therefore, points on L_3 are of the form (-delta, 7delta, 4delta). ### Step 2: Checking Options Substitute delta = 1 into our generalized point (-delta, 7delta, 4delta): Point = (-1, 7, 4) This perfectly matches option (1). ### Pattern Recognition A line orthogonal to two known lines always carries a direction vector equivalent to the cross product of the two known direction vectors. Here, the cross product directly generated the required scalar multiple form. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra
Q22 jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Lines in Space
Let a line passing through the point (-1, 2, 3) intersect the lines L_1: fracx - 13 = fracy - 22 = fracz + 1-2 at M(alpha, beta, gamma) and L_2: fracx + 2-3 = fracy - 2-2 = fracz - 14 at N(a, b, c). Then the value of frac(alpha + beta + gamma)^2(a + b + c)^2 equals
Numerical Answer. Answer: 196 to 196

Solution

### Related Formula textParametric form of a line: vecr = veca + lambdavecb ### Core Logic Let the given point be P(-1, 2, 3). A line passing through P intersects L_1 at M and L_2 at N. Write general coordinates for M on L_1 and N on L_2: L_1: fracx-13 = fracy-22 = fracz+1-2 = lambda Rightarrow M(3lambda + 1, 2lambda + 2, -2lambda - 1) L_2: fracx+2-3 = fracy-2-2 = fracz-14 = mu Rightarrow N(-3mu - 2, -2mu + 2, 4mu + 1) ### Step 1: Collinearity Condition Since P, M, N lie on the same straight line, the direction vectors vecPM and vecPN must be proportional. vecPM = (3lambda + 1 - (-1))hati + (2lambda + 2 - 2)hatj + (-2lambda - 1 - 3)hatk = (3lambda + 2)hati + (2lambda)hatj + (-2lambda - 4)hatk vecPN = (-3mu - 2 - (-1))hati + (-2mu + 2 - 2)hatj + (4mu + 1 - 3)hatk = (-3mu - 1)hati + (-2mu)hatj + (4mu - 2)hatk Proportionality yields: frac3lambda + 2-3mu - 1 = frac2lambda-2mu = frac-2lambda - 44mu - 2 ### Step 2: Solving for Lambda and Mu
Lines in Space diagram for Q22 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
Lines in Space diagram for Q22 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
From the first pair: frac3lambda + 2-3mu - 1 = frac-lambdamu mu(3lambda + 2) = -lambda(-3mu - 1) 3lambdamu + 2mu = 3lambdamu + lambda Rightarrow 2mu = lambda From the second pair (using 2mu = lambda): frac-lambdamu = frac-lambda - 22mu - 1 -2mu = frac-2mu - 22mu - 1 -2mu(2mu - 1) = -2mu - 2 -4mu^2 + 2mu = -2mu - 2 -4mu^2 + 4mu + 2 = 0 quad text(Wait, alternative grouping): Re-checking the second pair with 2mu = lambda: frac2lambda-2mu = frac-lambdamu frac-lambdamu = frac-2lambda - 44mu - 2 Substitute lambda = 2mu: frac-2mumu = frac-4mu - 44mu - 2 -2(4mu - 2) = -4mu - 4 -8mu + 4 = -4mu - 4 8 = 4mu Rightarrow mu = 2 Then lambda = 2(2) = 4. ### Step 3: Finalizing Target Coordinates For lambda = 4: alpha + beta + gamma = (3(4)+1) + (2(4)+2) + (-2(4)-1) = 13 + 10 - 9 = 14 For mu = 2: a + b + c = (-3(2)-2) + (-2(2)+2) + (4(2)+1) = -8 - 2 + 9 = -1 Finally, compute the target fraction: frac(alpha + beta + gamma)^2(a + b + c)^2 = frac(14)^2(-1)^2 = frac1961 = 196 ### Pattern Recognition A line crossing two given lines acts as a transversal holding 3 collinear points. Setting vecPM = k cdot vecPN rapidly locks the parametric constants lambda and mu. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry

More Three Dimensional Geometry Questions — jee_main_2024_01_february_morning

Practice all Three Dimensional Geometry previous-year questions →

YOUR FIRST PREP STEP STARTS HERE

We Map Every Repeating Question in Competitive Exams.

Say goodbye to generic mock test fatigue. RankBit uses smart analysis to group past exam questions into their foundational Repeating Question Types. Find chapter weightage, track repeating questions, and score higher with targeted practice.

Select Your Target Exam

Choose an exam track below to find formulas per chapter and patterns.

Syncing Exam Intelligence

Mapping formulas and patterns across all tracks…

PATH A — FULL LENGTH PRACTICE

Full Mock Test Hub

Simulate real NTA exam conditions with fully tracked mocks. Time yourself against past papers.

Under Development
PATH B — TARGETED PRACTICE

Topic-wise Practice Hub

Practice past-year questions one chapter at a time. Pick an exam → subject → chapter and get every PYQ for that topic — pulled together from all past papers — with the chapter's key formulas alongside.

Loading Questions... Browse Topics
Latest from the Blog
View all →

Loading articles...