A line with direction ratios 2, 1, 2 meets the lines x=y+2=z$x=y+2=z$ and x+2=2y=2z$x+2=2y=2z$ respectively at the point P and Q. if the length of the perpendicular from the point (1, 2, 12)$(1, 2, 12)$ to the line PQ is l$l$, then l²$l^2$ is
Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical valueAnswer: 65 to 65+4 marks
Solution & Explanation
Related Formula
Dot Product for Orthogonality: A · B = 0 a₁b₁ + a₂b₂ + a₃b₃ = 0$$\text{Dot Product for Orthogonality: } \vec{A} \cdot \vec{B} = 0 \implies a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 + a_3b_3 = 0$$Distance between 3D points: d = √((x₂-x₁)²+(y₂-y₁)²+(z₂-z₁)²)$$\text{Distance between 3D points: } d = \sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2+(z_2-z_1)^2}$$
Core Logic
Let the first line be L₁: x = y+2 = z = t$L_1: x = y+2 = z = t$.
Any point P$P$ on L₁$L_1$ has coordinates (t, t-2, t)$(t, t-2, t)$.
Let the second line be L₂: (x+2)/(2) = y = z = s$L_2: \frac{x+2}{2} = y = z = s$.
Any point Q$Q$ on L₂$L_2$ has coordinates (2s-2, s, s)$(2s-2, s, s)$.
The line segment PQ$PQ$ has direction ratios given by the difference of coordinates:
(s-t+2)/(1) = (s-t)/(2)$$\frac{s-t+2}{1} = \frac{s-t}{2}$$2s - 2t + 4 = s - t ⇒ s - t = -4 ⇒ t = s + 4$$2s - 2t + 4 = s - t \Rightarrow s - t = -4 \Rightarrow t = s + 4$$
Let F$F$ be the foot of the perpendicular from point A(1, 2, 12)$A(1, 2, 12)$ to the line PQ$PQ$.
Any general point on line PQ$PQ$ is F(2λ+2, λ+2, 2λ+2)$F(2\lambda+2, \lambda+2, 2\lambda+2)$.
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.
Keywords:#length of the perpendicular#JEE Main 2024 Morning Q30#Three Dimensional Geometry JEE Main 2024#Shortest Distance Between Lines JEE Main 2024
More Three Dimensional Geometry Previous-Year Questions
Q14jee_main_2026_21_jan_morningFoot of Perpendicular and Projection
Let (α, β, γ)$(\alpha, \beta, \gamma)$ be the co-ordinates of the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point (5, 4, 2) on the line r = (- i + 3 j + k) + λ(2 i + 3 j - k)$\vec{r} = (-\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} + \hat{k}) + \lambda(2\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} - \hat{k})$ .
Then the length of the projection of the vector α i+β j+γ k$\alpha\hat{i}+\beta\hat{j}+\gamma\hat{k}$ on the vector 6 i+2 j+3 k$6\hat{i}+2\hat{j}+3\hat{k}$ is :
A.(15)/(7)$\frac{15}{7}$
B. 4
C.(18)/(7)$\frac{18}{7}$
D. 3
Solution
Related Formula
Length of projection of u on w = | u · w|| w|$$\text{Length of projection of } \vec{u} \text{ on } \vec{w} = \frac{|\vec{u} \cdot \vec{w}|}{|\vec{w}|}$$
Core Logic
Given point A(5, 4, 2)$A(5, 4, 2)$ and line (L)$(L)$:
r = (- i + 3 j + k) + λ(2 i + 3 j - k)$$\vec{r} = (-\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} + \hat{k}) + \lambda(2\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} - \hat{k})$$
Any general point P$P$ on this line has coordinates:
(-1 + 2λ, 3 + 3λ, 1 - λ)$(-1 + 2\lambda, 3 + 3\lambda, 1 - \lambda)$
Since AP$AP$ is perpendicular to line (L)$(L)$, the dot product of AP$\vec{AP}$ with the direction vector of the line (2 i + 3 j - k)$(2\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} - \hat{k})$ must be zero:
Foot of perpendicular problems algorithm: 1) Frame general vector P(λ)$P(\lambda)$. 2) Construct distance vector AP$\vec{AP}$. 3) Dot product with direction vector d = 0$\vec{d} = 0$. 4) Solve for λ$\lambda$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry
Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra
Q7jee_main_2026_21_jan_eveningLines
Let the line L$L$ pass through the point (-3, 5, 2)$(-3, 5, 2)$ and make equal angles with the positive coordinate axes. If the distance of L$L$ from the point (-2, r, 1)$(-2, r, 1)$ is √((14)/(3))$\sqrt{\frac{14}{3}}$, then the sum of all possible values of r$r$ is:
Distance from point to line in 3D diagram for Q7 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Line L$L$ makes equal angles with the positive axes, so its direction ratios are (1, 1, 1)$(1, 1, 1)$.
Equation of line L$L$ is (x + 3)/(1) = (y - 5)/(1) = (z - 2)/(1) = λ$\frac{x + 3}{1} = \frac{y - 5}{1} = \frac{z - 2}{1} = \lambda$.
A general point R$R$ on the line is (λ - 3, λ + 5, λ + 2)$(\lambda - 3, \lambda + 5, \lambda + 2)$.
Use the perpendicularity condition PR · d = 0$\overrightarrow{PR} \cdot \vec{d} = 0$ to find λ$\lambda$, then substitute back into the distance formula.
The sum of all possible values of r$r$ is 3 + 7 = 10$3 + 7 = 10$.
Pattern Recognition
When a line makes equal angles with coordinate axes, its direction cosines are (1/√(3), 1/√(3), 1/√(3))$(1/\sqrt{3}, 1/\sqrt{3}, 1/\sqrt{3})$, making its simpler direction ratios (1, 1, 1)$(1, 1, 1)$. Use projection vector methods or direct dot product to find perpendicular foot.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry
Q8jee_main_2026_21_jan_eveningShortest Distance
Let the line L₁$L_{1}$ be parallel to the vector -3 i + 2 j + 4 k$-3\hat{i} + 2\hat{j} + 4\hat{k}$ and pass through the point (2, 6, 7) and the line L₂$L_{2}$ be parallel to the vector 2 i + j + 3 k$2\hat{i} + \hat{j} + 3\hat{k}$ and pass through the point (4, 3, 5). If the line L₃$L_{3}$ is parallel to the vector -3 i + 5 j + 16 k$-3\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 16\hat{k}$ and intersects the linesL₁$L_{1}$ and L₂$L_{2}$ at the points C and D, respectively, then | CD|²$\left|\overrightarrow{CD}\right|^{2}$ is equal to:
A.171$171$
B.290$290$
C.312$312$
D.89$89$
Solution
Related Formula
Equation of a line: r = a + λ b$$\text{Equation of a line: } \vec{r} = \vec{a} + \lambda\vec{b}$$| CD|² = (x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)² + (z₂ - z₁)²$$|\overrightarrow{CD}|^2 = (x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2 + (z_2 - z_1)^2$$
Core Logic
Write general points on L₁$L_1$ and L₂$L_2$ representing points C$C$ and D$D$. The vector CD$\overrightarrow{CD}$ must be parallel to the given direction vector of L₃$L_3$. This yields proportional equations to solve for the line parameters.
Step 1: Write Line Equations
Line L₁$L_{1}$: (x-2)/(-3) = (y-6)/(2) = (z-7)/(4) = λ₁$\frac{x-2}{-3} = \frac{y-6}{2} = \frac{z-7}{4} = \lambda_{1}$
Point C$C$ on L₁$L_{1}$: (-3λ₁+2, 2λ₁+6, 4λ₁+7)$(-3\lambda_{1}+2, 2\lambda_{1}+6, 4\lambda_{1}+7)$
Line L₂$L_{2}$: (x-4)/(2) = (y-3)/(1) = (z-5)/(3) = λ₂$\frac{x-4}{2} = \frac{y-3}{1} = \frac{z-5}{3} = \lambda_{2}$
Point D$D$ on L₂$L_{2}$: (2λ₂+4, λ₂+3, 3λ₂+5)$(2\lambda_{2}+4, \lambda_{2}+3, 3\lambda_{2}+5)$
Step 2: Proportionality of Vector CD
The vector CD = 2λ₂+3λ₁+2, λ₂-2λ₁-3, 3λ₂-4λ₁-2$\overrightarrow{CD} = \langle 2\lambda_{2}+3\lambda_{1}+2, \lambda_{2}-2\lambda_{1}-3, 3\lambda_{2}-4\lambda_{1}-2 \rangle$.
Since L₃$L_3$ is parallel to -3 i + 5 j + 16 k$-3\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 16\hat{k}$, the components are proportional:
For intersecting lines via a transversal of known direction, represent intersection points generally using independent parameters λ$\lambda$ and μ$\mu$. The difference vector MUST be proportional to the given direction ratio.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry
Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra
Q6jee_main_2026_22_january_morningShortest Distance Between Two Lines
Let P(α, β, γ)$P(\alpha, \beta, \gamma)$ be the point on the line (x - 1)/(2) = (y + 1)/(-3) = z$\frac{x - 1}{2} = \frac{y + 1}{-3} = z$ at a distance 4√(14)$4\sqrt{14}$ from the point (1, -1, 0)$(1, -1, 0)$ and nearer to the origin. Then the shortest distance, between the lines (x - α)/(1) = (y - β)/(2) = (z - γ)/(3)$\frac{x - \alpha}{1} = \frac{y - \beta}{2} = \frac{z - \gamma}{3}$ and (x + 5)/(2) = (y - 10)/(1) = (z - 3)/(1)$\frac{x + 5}{2} = \frac{y - 10}{1} = \frac{z - 3}{1}$, is equal to
A.7√((5)/(4))$7\sqrt{\frac{5}{4}}$
B.4√((7)/(5))$4\sqrt{\frac{7}{5}}$
C.4√((5)/(7))$4\sqrt{\frac{5}{7}}$
D.2√((7)/(4))$2\sqrt{\frac{7}{4}}$
Solution
Related Formula
Shortest distance between two skew lines r = a₁ + λ b₁ and r = a₂ + μ b₂ is d = | ( a₂ - a₁) · ( b₁ × b₂)| b₁ × b₂| |$$\text{Shortest distance between two skew lines } \vec{r} = \vec{a_1} + \lambda\vec{b_1} \text{ and } \vec{r} = \vec{a_2} + \mu\vec{b_2} \text{ is } d = \left| \frac{(\vec{a_2} - \vec{a_1}) \cdot (\vec{b_1} \times \vec{b_2})}{|\vec{b_1} \times \vec{b_2}|} \right|$$
Core Logic
Let any point on the first line (x - 1)/(2) = (y + 1)/(-3) = (z)/(1) = λ$\frac{x - 1}{2} = \frac{y + 1}{-3} = \frac{z}{1} = \lambda$ be given by P(2λ + 1, -3λ - 1, λ)$P(2\lambda + 1, -3\lambda - 1, \lambda)$.
The distance of P$P$ from the point A(1, -1, 0)$A(1, -1, 0)$ is 4√(14)$4\sqrt{14}$.
To find points on a line at a given distance from a fixed point on the line itself, the algebraic distance parameter λ$\lambda$ translates to d² = λ²(a²+b²+c²)$d^2 = \lambda^2(a^2+b^2+c^2)$, meaning 14λ²$14\lambda^2$ equates instantly to the squared given distance. Bypasses the complex distance formula.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry
Q11jee_main_2026_22_january_morningImage of a Point in a Line
If the image of the point P (1, 2, a) in the line (x - 6)/(3) = (y - 7)/(2) = (7 - z)/(2)$\frac{x - 6}{3} = \frac{y - 7}{2} = \frac{7 - z}{2}$ is Q(5, b, c), then a² + b² + c²$a^2 + b^2 + c^2$ is equal to
A.293$293$
B.264$264$
C.298$298$
D.283$283$
Solution
Related Formula
Midpoint M = ((x₁ + x₂)/(2), (y₁ + y₂)/(2), (z₁ + z₂)/(2)) lies on the given line.$$\text{Midpoint } M = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}, \frac{z_1 + z_2}{2}\right) \text{ lies on the given line.}$$Direction ratio of PQ is perpendicular to line's direction vector b, so PQ · b = 0.$$\text{Direction ratio of } PQ \text{ is perpendicular to line's direction vector } \vec{b}, \text{ so } \overrightarrow{PQ} \cdot \vec{b} = 0.$$
Core Logic
Given line L$L$: (x - 6)/(3) = (y - 7)/(2) = (z - 7)/(-2)$\frac{x - 6}{3} = \frac{y - 7}{2} = \frac{z - 7}{-2}$. Notice the standard form requires (z-7)/(-2)$(z-7)/(-2)$.
Point P = (1, 2, a)$P = (1, 2, a)$ and its image is Q = (5, b, c)$Q = (5, b, c)$.
The midpoint M$M$ of PQ$PQ$ must lie exactly on the line L$L$.
Image of a Point in a Line diagram for Q11 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Pattern Recognition
Any 'image of a point' problem revolves around two strict constraints: 1) The line bisects the segment joining the point and its image (Midpoint lies on the line), and 2) The segment is orthogonal to the line (Dot product = 0). Directly imposing these generates decoupled simple linear equations.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry
More Three Dimensional Geometry Questions — jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning
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.