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:
2λ₂+3λ₁+2-3 = λ₂-2λ₁-35 = 3λ₂-4λ₁-216$$\frac{2\lambda_{2}+3\lambda_{1}+2}{-3} = \frac{\lambda_{2}-2\lambda_{1}-3}{5} = \frac{3\lambda_{2}-4\lambda_{1}-2}{16}$$
Step 3: Solve for lambda values
From the first two expressions:
5(2λ₂+3λ₁+2) = -3(λ₂-2λ₁-3)$$5(2\lambda_{2}+3\lambda_{1}+2) = -3(\lambda_{2}-2\lambda_{1}-3)$$
10λ₂ + 15λ₁ + 10 = -3λ₂ + 6λ₁ + 9$$10\lambda_{2} + 15\lambda_{1} + 10 = -3\lambda_{2} + 6\lambda_{1} + 9$$
13λ₂ + 9λ₁ = -1$$13\lambda_{2} + 9\lambda_{1} = -1$$
From the last two expressions:
16(λ₂-2λ₁-3) = 5(3λ₂-4λ₁-2)$$16(\lambda_{2}-2\lambda_{1}-3) = 5(3\lambda_{2}-4\lambda_{1}-2)$$
16λ₂ - 32λ₁ - 48 = 15λ₂ - 20λ₁ - 10$$16\lambda_{2} - 32\lambda_{1} - 48 = 15\lambda_{2} - 20\lambda_{1} - 10$$
λ₂ - 12λ₁ = 38$$\lambda_{2} - 12\lambda_{1} = 38$$
Substitute λ₂ = 12λ₁ + 38$\lambda_{2} = 12\lambda_{1} + 38$ into the first equation:
13(12λ₁ + 38) + 9λ₁ = -1$$13(12\lambda_{1} + 38) + 9\lambda_{1} = -1$$
156λ₁ + 494 + 9λ₁ = -1$$156\lambda_{1} + 494 + 9\lambda_{1} = -1$$
165λ₁ = -495 λ₁ = -3$$165\lambda_{1} = -495 \implies \lambda_{1} = -3$$
λ₂ = 12(-3) + 38 = 2$$\lambda_{2} = 12(-3) + 38 = 2$$
Coordinates of C$C$: (11, 0, -5)$(11, 0, -5)$
Coordinates of D$D$: (8, 5, 11)$(8, 5, 11)$
Step 4: Calculate Magnitude squared
| CD|² = (8 - 11)² + (5 - 0)² + (11 - (-5))²$$\left|\overrightarrow{CD}\right|^{2} = (8 - 11)^2 + (5 - 0)^2 + (11 - (-5))^2$$
= (-3)² + 5² + 16²$$= (-3)^2 + 5^2 + 16^2$$
= 9 + 25 + 256 = 290$$= 9 + 25 + 256 = 290$$
Pattern Recognition
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