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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 — Page 7

Q jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Intersection of Lines
Let a line passing through the point (4,1,0) intersect the line L₁:(x-1)/(2)=(y-2)/(3)=(z-3)/(4) at the point A(α, β, γ) and the line L₂:x-6=y=-z+4 at the point B(a, b, c). Then the value of the determinant vmatrix 1 & 0 & 1 α & β & γ a & b & c vmatrix is equal to:
  • A. 8
  • B. 16
  • C. 12
  • D. 4

Solution

Related Formula

For three points P, A, and B to be collinear, their direction vectors must be proportional:

PA ∥ PB (xA - xP)/(xB - xP) = (yA - yP)/(yB - yP) = (zA - zP)/(zB - zP)

Intersection of Lines diagram for Q52 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Intersection of Lines diagram for Q52 - JEE Main 2025 Morning

Core Logic

Express general coordinates for A on L₁ and B on L₂:

L₁: (x-1)/(2) = (y-2)/(3) = (z-3)/(4) = p A(2p+1, 3p+2, 4p+3) L₂: (x-6)/(1) = (y)/(1) = (z-4)/(-1) = q B(q+6, q, 4-q)

Direction ratios (D.R.) from P(4, 1, 0):

D.R. of PA = (2p-3, 3p+1, 4p+3) D.R. of PB = (q+2, q-1, 4-q)

Since P, A, B lie on the same line:

(2p-3)/(q+2) = (3p+1)/(q-1) = (4p+3)/(4-q)
Step 1: Solving the System of Equations

Equating the first two ratios:

2pq - 2p - 3q + 3 = 3pq + 6p + q + 2 pq + 8p + 4q - 1 = 0 --- (1)

Equating the second and third ratios:

12p - 3pq + 4 - q = 4pq + 3q - 4p - 3 7pq - 16p + 4q - 7 = 0 --- (2)

Subtracting (1) from (2) yields:

6pq - 24p - 6 = 0 pq = 4p + 1

Substituting pq = 4p + 1 into (1) gives:

12p + 4q = 0 q = -3p

Solving simultaneously yields:

p = -1, q = 3

Substituting the parameters back yields the points:

A(-1, -1, -1), B(9, 3, 1)
Step 2: Evaluating the Determinant

Substitute coordinates of A and B into the determinant:

vmatrix 1 & 0 & 1 -1 & -1 & -1 9 & 3 & 1 vmatrix

Applying the column operation C₃ arrow C₃ - C₁:

vmatrix 1 & 0 & 0 -1 & -1 & 0 9 & 3 & -8 vmatrix = 1((-1)(-8) - 0) = 8
Pattern Recognition

Shortcut: For collinearity across two skew lines with a known external point, express coordinates parametrically and equate direction ratios. Solving the linear relation between parameters rapidly leads to coordinates of A and B.

Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer

8

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry Class 12 Mathematics: Determinants

Q70 jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Shortest Distance between Skew Lines
Line L₁ passes through the point (1, 2, 3) and is parallel to z-axis[cite: 685]. Line L₂ passes through the point (lambda, 5, 6) and is parallel to y-axis[cite: 686]. Let for λ = λ₁, λ₂, λ₂ < λ₁ the shortest distance between the two lines be 3[cite: 698]. Then the square of the distance of the point (lambda₁, λ₂, 7) from the line L₁ is[cite: 698, 700]:
  • A. 40
  • B. 32
  • C. 25
  • D. 37

Solution

Related Formula

Shortest distance between perpendicular axes vectors:

S.D. = |( a₂ - a₁) · ( b₁ × b₂)|| b₁ × b₂|
Core Logic

Represent equations of straight lines symmetrically using vector directions [cite: 1418]: L₁: (x-1)/(0) = (y-2)/(0) = (z-3)/(1) [cite: 1418] L₂: (x-λ)/(0) = (y-5)/(1) = (z-6)/(0) [cite: 1418]

Evaluating the standard shortest distance configuration formula[cite: 1419, 1420]: S.D. = |λ - 1| = 3 λ - 1 = ± 3 [cite: 1420] λ = 4 or λ = -2 [cite: 1420]

Given the condition λ₂ < λ₁ [cite: 698]: λ₁ = 4, λ₂ = -2 [cite: 1421, 1422]

Step 1: Distance calculation from line

We need to find the square of distance from point P(4, -2, 7) to line L₁ [cite: 1424]. Any general matching point coordinates tracking along path L₁ look like Q(1, 2, t+3) [cite: 1424].

Form a perpendicular projection vector condition [cite: 1425]: PQ = (-3, 4, t-4) [cite: 1425] Since PQ · k = 0 t-4 = 0 t=4 [cite: 1425, 1426].

Thus, the foot of perpendicular is Q(1, 2, 7) [cite: 1427].

Evaluate the squared distance component magnitude [cite: 1427]: PQ² = (4-1)² + (-2-2)² + (7-7)² = 3² + (-4)² + 0 = 9 + 16 = 25 [cite: 1427, 1428]

Pattern Recognition

For lines parallel directly to independent Cartesian coordinate grid lines, the shortest paths are simply direct plane projections.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry

Q56 jee_main_2025_04_april_evening Shortest Distance Between Two Lines
Let the values of p, for which the shortest distance between the lines (x + 1)/(3) = (y)/(4) = (z)/(5) and r = (p i + 2 j + hatk) + λ (2hati + 3hatj + 4hatk) is 1sqrt6, be a, b, (a < b). Then the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse (x²)/(a²) + (y²)/(b²) = 1 is:
  • A. 9
  • B. (3)/(2)
  • C. (2)/(3)
  • D. 18

Solution

Related Formula

The shortest distance between two lines r = a₁ + λ b₁ and r = a₂ + μ b₂ is given by:

d = |( a₂ - a₁) · ( b₁ × b₂)|| b₁ × b₂|
Core Logic

From the given line equations: Line 1 passes through a₁ = - i + 0 j + 0 k along vector b₁ = 3 i + 4 j + 5 k. Line 2 passes through a₂ = p i + 2 j + k along vector b₂ = 2 i + 3 j + 4 k.

Vector difference:

a₂ - a₁ = (p + 1) i + 2 j + k

Computing the cross product b₁ × b₂:

b₁ × b₂ = vmatrix i & j & k 3 & 4 & 5 2 & 3 & 4 vmatrix = i(16-15) - j(12-10) + k(9-8) = i - 2 j + k

Magnitude | b₁ × b₂| = √(1² + (-2)² + 1²) = √(6).

Step 1: Applying the Shortest Distance Value

Substitute these into the distance equation:

d = |((p + 1) i + 2 j + k) · ( i - 2 j + k)|√(6) = 1√(6) |(p + 1)(1) + 2(-2) + 1(1)| = 1 |p + 1 - 4 + 1| = 1 |p - 2| = 1

This yields two values for p:

  • p - 2 = 1 p = 3
  • p - 2 = -1 p = 1
  • Given that a, b are the parameters with a < b, we assign a = 1 and b = 3.

Step 2: Computing Latus Rectum of the Ellipse

The ellipse equation is:

(x²)/(1²) + (y²)/(3²) = 1

Since b > a, the formula for the length of the latus rectum is:

Latus Rectum = (2a²)/(b) = (2(1)²)/(3) = (2)/(3)
Pattern Recognition

Be careful with coordinate geometry variables; when an ellipse satisfies b > a, the major axis is along the y-axis, making the latus rectum equal to (2a²)/(b) instead of (2b²)/(a).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

Q69 jee_main_2025_04_april_evening Angle Between Two Lines
Let A be the point of intersection of the lines L _ 1: (x - 7)/(1) = (y - 5)/(0) = (z - 3)/(- 1) and L₂: x - 13 = y + 34 = z + 75. Let B and C be the point on the lines L₁ and L₂ respectively such that AB = AC = √(15). Then the square of the area of the triangle ABC is :
  • A. 54
  • B. 63
  • C. 57
  • D. 60

Solution

Core Logic

First, find the point of intersection A by solving the lines. Any point on L₁ can be written as (λ + 7, 5, -λ + 3). Substituting this point into the equation for L₂:

((λ + 7) - 1)/(3) = (5 + 3)/(4) (λ + 6)/(3) = 2 λ = 0

Thus, the intersection point is A = (7, 5, 3).

Step 1: Calculating the Angle between lines

The directional vectors of lines L₁ and L₂ are u = i - k and v = 3hati + 4hatj + 5hatk respectively.

θ = | u · v|| u|| v| = |1(3) + 0(4) - 1(5)|√(1²+(-1)²) √(3²+4²+5²) = |3 - 5|√(2)√(50) = (2)/(10) = (1)/(5)

Now, find θ:

θ = √(1 - ²θ) = √(1 - (1)/(25)) = √(24)5

Three dimensional geometry diagram for Q69 - JEE Main 2025 Evening
Three dimensional geometry diagram for Q69 - JEE Main 2025 Evening

Step 2: Finding Area of the Triangle

The area of ABC given two sides and their included angle is:

Area = (1)/(2) · AB · AC · θ

Given AB = AC = √(15):

Area = (1)/(2) · √(15) · √(15) · √(24)5 = 15√(24)10 = 3√(24)2

Squaring the area:

Area² = ( 3√(24)2)² = (9 × 24)/(4) = 9 × 6 = 54
Pattern Recognition

Since B and C lie on lines intersecting at A, you don't need to determine their exact coordinates to find the area of the triangle. The standard side-angle-side area formula works perfectly using just the directional angle.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry Class 11 Mathematics: Properties of Triangles

Q jee_main_2025_04_april_morning Line and Point Relations
Let A and B be two distinct points on the line L: (x - 6)/(3) = (y - 7)/(2) = (z - 7)/(-2). Both A and B are at a distance 2√(17) from the foot of perpendicular drawn from the point (1,2,3) on the line L. If O is the origin, then OA· OB is equal to:
  • A. 49
  • B. 47
  • C. 21
  • D. 62

Solution

Related Formula

Dot product of two vectors:

OA · OB = xA xB + yA yB + zA zB

Condition for perpendicularity of two vectors:

u · v = 0
Core Logic

The symmetric equation of line L is:

(x - 6)/(3) = (y - 7)/(2) = (z - 7)/(-2) = λ

Any general point Q on line L can be expressed as:

Q(3λ + 6, 2λ + 7, -2λ + 7)

The vector from P(1, 2, 3) to Q is:

PQ = (3λ + 5) i + (2λ + 5) j + (-2λ + 4) k

Since Q is the foot of the perpendicular dropped from P onto L, the vector PQ is orthogonal to the line's direction vector b = 3 i + 2 j - 2 k:

PQ · b = 0 3(3λ + 5) + 2(2λ + 5) - 2(-2λ + 4) = 0 9λ + 15 + 4λ + 10 + 4λ - 8 = 0 17λ = -17 λ = -1

Substituting λ = -1 gives the foot of perpendicular: Q(3, 5, 9)

Step 1: Locate Points A and B

Points A and B lie on line L at a distance d = 2√(17) on either side of Q.

Let the coordinates of points on L relative to Q be (3μ + 3, 2μ + 5, -2μ + 9). The distance squared from Q is:

(3μ)² + (2μ)² + (-2μ)² = (2√(17))² 17μ² = 68 μ² = 4 μ = ± 2
  • For μ = 2:
A = (3(2) + 3, 2(2) + 5, -2(2) + 9) = (9, 9, 5)
  • For μ = -2:
B = (3(-2) + 3, 2(-2) + 5, -2(-2) + 9) = (-3, 1, 13)

Line and Point Relations diagram for Q59 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Line and Point Relations diagram for Q59 - JEE Main 2025 Morning

Step 2: Vector Dot Product Evaluation

Position vectors of A and B from origin O(0, 0, 0):

OA = 9 i + 9 j + 5 k OB = -3 i + j + 13 k

Compute their scalar dot product:

OA · OB = (9)(-3) + (9)(1) + (5)(13) = -27 + 9 + 65 = 47
Pattern Recognition

Points lying symmetrically at equal distances along a 3D line from a known central point can be found directly using parametric displacement along the unit direction vector (r = rQ ± d b).

Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer

Option B: 47

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry

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