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Three Dimensional Geometry appeared 62 times across 3 years — 7.2% of Mathematics. This question is from Intersection of Lines in 3D Space.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 15 29 18 62

Let the line passing through the points (-1, 2, 1) and \parallel to the line (x - 1)/(2) = (y + 1)/(3) = (z)/(4) intersect the line (x + 2)/(3) = (y - 3)/(2) = (z - 4)/(1) at the point P. Then the distance of P from the point Q(4, -5, 1) is :

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

The line passing through a and \parallel to direction vector v = l i + m j + n k is written in symmetric form as:

(x - xₐ)/(l) = (y - yₐ)/(m) = (z - zₐ)/(n)
Core Logic

Formulate the equation of the line passing through (-1, 2, 1) with direction vector components (2, 3, 4):

L₁: (x + 1)/(2) = (y - 2)/(3) = (z - 1)/(4) = λ (1)

Intersection of Lines in 3D Space
Intersection of Lines in 3D Space

Any generic point on this line can be written as:

P = (2λ - 1, 3λ + 2, 4λ + 1)

The second given line equation is:

L₂: (x + 2)/(3) = (y - 3)/(2) = (z - 4)/(1) = μ (2)

Any generic point on line L₂ is:

P' = (3μ - 2, 2μ + 3, μ + 4)
Step 1: Compute the Point of Intersection

At the point of intersection P, equate the coordinates from both lines:

2λ - 1 = 3μ - 2 2λ - 3μ = -1 (3) 3λ + 2 = 2μ + 3 3λ - 2μ = 1 (4) 4λ + 1 = μ + 4 4λ - μ = 3 (5)

Solving equations (3) and (4) simultaneously gives:

λ = 1, μ = 1

Verify these values using equation (5):

4(1) - 1 = 3 (Satisfied)

Thus, substituting λ = 1 gives the coordinates of point P:

P = (2(1) - 1, 3(1) + 2, 4(1) + 1) = (1, 5, 5)
Step 2: Calculate Euclidean Distance PQ

Find the distance between P(1, 5, 5) and Q(4, -5, 1) using the 3D distance formula:

PQ = √((4 - 1)² + (-5 - 5)² + (1 - 5)²) PQ = √(3² + (-10)² + (-4)²) = √(9 + 100 + 16) PQ = √(125) = 5√(5)
Pattern Recognition

When finding the intersection point of two 3D lines, always use the third coordinate equation to verify the parameter values obtained from the first two equations to ensure consistency.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry

Reference Study Guides

More Three Dimensional Geometry Previous-Year Questions

Q14 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Foot of Perpendicular and Projection
Let (α, β, γ) 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) . Then the length of the projection of the vector α i+β j+γ k on the vector 6 i+2 j+3 k is :
  • A. (15)/(7)
  • B. 4
  • C. (18)/(7)
  • D. 3

Solution

Related Formula
Length of projection of u on w = | u · w|| w|
Core Logic

Given point A(5, 4, 2) and line (L):

r = (- i + 3 j + k) + λ(2 i + 3 j - k)

Any general point P on this line has coordinates: (-1 + 2λ, 3 + 3λ, 1 - λ)

Step 1: Finding the foot of the perpendicular

Vector AP = P - A = (-1 + 2λ - 5) i + (3 + 3λ - 4) j + (1 - λ - 2) k

AP = (2λ - 6) i + (3λ - 1) j + (-λ - 1) k

Since AP is perpendicular to line (L), the dot product of AP with the direction vector of the line (2 i + 3 j - k) must be zero:

AP · (2 i + 3 j - k) = 0 2(2λ - 6) + 3(3λ - 1) - 1(-λ - 1) = 0 4λ - 12 + 9λ - 3 + λ + 1 = 0 14λ - 14 = 0 ⇒ λ = 1

Foot of perpendicular 3D diagram for Q14 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Foot of perpendicular 3D diagram for Q14 - JEE Main 2026 Morning

Step 2: Coordinates of the foot

Substitute λ = 1 into general point P to get (α, β, γ): α = -1 + 2(1) = 1 β = 3 + 3(1) = 6 γ = 1 - 1 = 0 Foot of perpendicular is (1, 6, 0).

Step 3: Calculate the projection

Let u = α i + β j + γ k = i + 6 j + 0 k Let w = 6 i + 2 j + 3 k

Projection = | u · w|| w| = |1(6) + 6(2) + 0(3)|√(6² + 2² + 3²) = 6 + 12√(36 + 4 + 9) = 18√(49) = (18)/(7)
Pattern Recognition

Foot of perpendicular problems algorithm: 1) Frame general vector P(λ). 2) Construct distance vector AP. 3) Dot product with direction vector d = 0. 4) Solve for λ.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra

Q7 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Lines
Let the line L pass through the point (-3, 5, 2) and make equal angles with the positive coordinate axes. If the distance of L from the point (-2, r, 1) is √((14)/(3)), then the sum of all possible values of r is:
  • A. 12
  • B. 16
  • C. 6
  • D. 10

Solution

Related Formula
Equation of a line: (x - x₁)/(a) = (y - y₁)/(b) = (z - z₁)/(c) = λ Distance formula: d² = (x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)² + (z₂ - z₁)²
Core Logic

Distance from point to line in 3D diagram for Q7 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Distance from point to line in 3D diagram for Q7 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Line L makes equal angles with the positive axes, so its direction ratios are (1, 1, 1). Equation of line L is (x + 3)/(1) = (y - 5)/(1) = (z - 2)/(1) = λ. A general point R on the line is (λ - 3, λ + 5, λ + 2). Use the perpendicularity condition PR · d = 0 to find λ, then substitute back into the distance formula.

Step 1: Apply Perpendicularity Condition

Let point P = (-2, r, 1). The vector PR = λ - 1, λ + 5 - r, λ + 1. Since PR · 1, 1, 1 = 0:

(λ - 1)(1) + (λ + 5 - r)(1) + (λ + 1)(1) = 0 3λ - r + 5 = 0 λ = (r - 5)/(3)
Step 2: Calculate Distance

Substitute λ back into point R:

R ≡ ( (r - 14)/(3), (r + 10)/(3), (r + 1)/(3) )

We are given PR = √((14)/(3)) PR² = (14)/(3). PR² = ( (r - 14)/(3) + 2 )² + ( (r + 10)/(3) - r )² + ( (r + 1)/(3) - 1 )² = (14)/(3)

((r - 8)²)/(9) + ((10 - 2r)²)/(9) + ((r - 2)²)/(9) = (14)/(3) (r² - 16r + 64) + (100 + 4r² - 40r) + (r² - 4r + 4) = 42 6r² - 60r + 168 = 42 6r² - 60r + 126 = 0

Dividing by 6:

r² - 10r + 21 = 0
Step 3: Solve for r
(r - 7)(r - 3) = 0 r = 3, 7

The sum of all possible values of r is 3 + 7 = 10.

Pattern Recognition

When a line makes equal angles with coordinate axes, its direction cosines are (1/√(3), 1/√(3), 1/√(3)), making its simpler direction ratios (1, 1, 1). Use projection vector methods or direct dot product to find perpendicular foot.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry

Q8 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Shortest Distance
Let the line L₁ be parallel to the vector -3 i + 2 j + 4 k and pass through the point (2, 6, 7) and the line L₂ be parallel to the vector 2 i + j + 3 k and pass through the point (4, 3, 5). If the line L₃ is parallel to the vector -3 i + 5 j + 16 k and intersects the lines L₁ and L₂ at the points C and D, respectively, then | CD|² is equal to:
  • A. 171
  • B. 290
  • C. 312
  • D. 89

Solution

Related Formula
Equation of a line: r = a + λ b | CD|² = (x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)² + (z₂ - z₁)²
Core Logic

Write general points on L₁ and L₂ representing points C and D. The vector CD must be parallel to the given direction vector of L₃. This yields proportional equations to solve for the line parameters.

Step 1: Write Line Equations

Line L₁: (x-2)/(-3) = (y-6)/(2) = (z-7)/(4) = λ₁ Point C on L₁: (-3λ₁+2, 2λ₁+6, 4λ₁+7) Line L₂: (x-4)/(2) = (y-3)/(1) = (z-5)/(3) = λ₂ Point D on L₂: (2λ₂+4, λ₂+3, 3λ₂+5)

Step 2: Proportionality of Vector CD

The vector CD = 2λ₂+3λ₁+2, λ₂-2λ₁-3, 3λ₂-4λ₁-2. Since L₃ is parallel to -3 i + 5 j + 16 k, the components are proportional:

2λ₂+3λ₁+2-3 = λ₂-2λ₁-35 = 3λ₂-4λ₁-216
Step 3: Solve for lambda values

From the first two expressions:

5(2λ₂+3λ₁+2) = -3(λ₂-2λ₁-3) 10λ₂ + 15λ₁ + 10 = -3λ₂ + 6λ₁ + 9 13λ₂ + 9λ₁ = -1

From the last two expressions:

16(λ₂-2λ₁-3) = 5(3λ₂-4λ₁-2) 16λ₂ - 32λ₁ - 48 = 15λ₂ - 20λ₁ - 10 λ₂ - 12λ₁ = 38

Substitute λ₂ = 12λ₁ + 38 into the first equation:

13(12λ₁ + 38) + 9λ₁ = -1 156λ₁ + 494 + 9λ₁ = -1 165λ₁ = -495 λ₁ = -3 λ₂ = 12(-3) + 38 = 2

Coordinates of C: (11, 0, -5) Coordinates of D: (8, 5, 11)

Step 4: Calculate Magnitude squared
| CD|² = (8 - 11)² + (5 - 0)² + (11 - (-5))² = (-3)² + 5² + 16² = 9 + 25 + 256 = 290
Pattern Recognition

For intersecting lines via a transversal of known direction, represent intersection points generally using independent parameters λ and μ. The difference vector MUST be proportional to the given direction ratio.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry Class 12 Maths: Vector Algebra

Q6 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Shortest Distance Between Two Lines
Let P(α, β, γ) be the point on the line (x - 1)/(2) = (y + 1)/(-3) = z at a distance 4√(14) from the point (1, -1, 0) and nearer to the origin. Then the shortest distance, between the lines (x - α)/(1) = (y - β)/(2) = (z - γ)/(3) and (x + 5)/(2) = (y - 10)/(1) = (z - 3)/(1), is equal to
  • A. 7√((5)/(4))
  • B. 4√((7)/(5))
  • C. 4√((5)/(7))
  • D. 2√((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| |
Core Logic

Let any point on the first line (x - 1)/(2) = (y + 1)/(-3) = (z)/(1) = λ be given by P(2λ + 1, -3λ - 1, λ).

The distance of P from the point A(1, -1, 0) is 4√(14).

(2λ + 1 - 1)² + (-3λ - 1 + 1)² + (λ - 0)² = (4√(14))² 4λ² + 9λ² + λ² = 16 × 14 14λ² = 224 λ² = 16 λ = ± 4
Step 1: Finding Point P

For λ = 4, point is P₁(9, -13, 4). Distance from origin: √(81 + 169 + 16) = √(266) For λ = -4, point is P₂(-7, 11, -4). Distance from origin: √(49 + 121 + 16) = √(186)

Since P is nearer to the origin, we choose λ = -4. Therefore, P(α, β, γ) = (-7, 11, -4).

Step 2: Shortest Distance Calculation

We need the shortest distance between Line 1: (x + 7)/(1) = (y - 11)/(2) = (z + 4)/(3) and Line 2: (x + 5)/(2) = (y - 10)/(1) = (z - 3)/(1).

Here, a₁ = -7 i + 11 j - 4 k and b₁ = i + 2 j + 3 k. a₂ = -5 i + 10 j + 3 k and b₂ = 2 i + j + k.

( a₂ - a₁) = 2 i - j + 7 k

Shortest distance d is given by the determinant form:

d = | matrix 2 & -1 & 7 1 & 2 & 3 2 & 1 & 1 matrix || b₁ × b₂|

Evaluate the determinant:

= 2(2 - 3) - (-1)(1 - 6) + 7(1 - 4) = 2(-1) + 1(-5) + 7(-3) = -2 - 5 - 21 = -28

Now find | b₁ × b₂| = | matrix i & j & k 1 & 2 & 3 2 & 1 & 1 matrix | = i(2-3) - j(1-6) + k(1-4) = - i + 5 j - 3 k

Magnitude is √((-1)² + 5² + (-3)²) = √(1 + 25 + 9) = √(35).

d = |-28|√(35) = 28√(35) = 4 × 7√(5 × 7) = 4√(7)√(5) = 4√((7)/(5))
Pattern Recognition

To find points on a line at a given distance from a fixed point on the line itself, the algebraic distance parameter λ translates to d² = λ²(a²+b²+c²), meaning 14λ² equates instantly to the squared given distance. Bypasses the complex distance formula.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry

Q11 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Image 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) is Q(5, b, c), then a² + b² + c² is equal to
  • A. 293
  • B. 264
  • C. 298
  • D. 283

Solution

Related Formula
Midpoint M = ((x₁ + x₂)/(2), (y₁ + y₂)/(2), (z₁ + z₂)/(2)) lies on the given line. Direction ratio of PQ is perpendicular to line's direction vector b, so PQ · b = 0.
Core Logic

Given line L: (x - 6)/(3) = (y - 7)/(2) = (z - 7)/(-2). Notice the standard form requires (z-7)/(-2).

Point P = (1, 2, a) and its image is Q = (5, b, c). The midpoint M of PQ must lie exactly on the line L.

M = ((1 + 5)/(2), (2 + b)/(2), (a + c)/(2)) = (3, (b + 2)/(2), (c + a)/(2))
Step 1: Using the Midpoint on the Line

Substitute M into the line equation:

(3 - 6)/(3) = ((b + 2)/(2) - 7)/(2) = ((c + a)/(2) - 7)/(-2) -1 = (b - 12)/(4) = (c + a - 14)/(-4)

From -1 = (b - 12)/(4), we get -4 = b - 12 b = 8.

From -1 = (c + a - 14)/(-4), we get 4 = c + a - 14 c + a = 18.

Step 2: Using the Orthogonality Condition

The vector PQ must be perpendicular to the line's direction vector v = 3 i + 2 j - 2 k.

PQ = (5 - 1) i + (b - 2) j + (c - a) k = 4 i + 6 j + (c - a) k (since b = 8)

Now set the dot product to zero:

4(3) + 6(2) + (c - a)(-2) = 0 12 + 12 - 2(c - a) = 0 24 = 2(c - a) c - a = 12
Step 3: Solving for variables

We have a system of linear equations:

  • c + a = 18
  • c - a = 12
  • Adding both: 2c = 30 c = 15. Substituting c: 15 + a = 18 a = 3.

    Therefore, a = 3, b = 8, c = 15.

    Calculate a² + b² + c²:

a² + b² + c² = 3² + 8² + 15² = 9 + 64 + 225 = 298

Image of a Point in a Line diagram for Q11 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
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

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