Solution
Related Formula
Shortest distance = |( a₂ - a₁) · ( b₁ × b₂)|| b₁ × b₂|Core Logic
From the given lines:
Point on line 1: a₁ = - i + 2 j + 4 k Direction vector: b₁ = α i - j - α k
Point on line 2: a₂ = 0 i + 1 j + 1 k Direction vector: b₂ = α i + 2 j + 2α k
Difference in points:
a₂ - a₁ = (0 - (-1)) i + (1 - 2) j + (1 - 4) k = i - j - 3 kStep 1: Cross Product and Determinant
The numerator of the distance formula is the scalar triple product [ a₂- a₁ b₁ b₂]:
Numerator = | arrayccc 1 & -1 & -3 α & -1 & -α α & 2 & 2α array | (Note: The official solution uses a₁- a₂, leading to [-1 1 3] in the first row. We will follow that sign convention below).
Numerator = -1(-2α + 2α) - 1(2α² + α²) + 3(2α + α)
= 0 - 3α² + 9α = -3α² + 9αDenominator = | b₁ × b₂| = | arrayccc i & j & k α & -1 & -α α & 2 & 2α array |
= i(-2α + 2α) - j(2α² + α²) + k(2α + α) = 0 i - 3α² j + 3α kMagnitude of denominator = √((-3α²)² + (3α)²) = √(9α⁴ + 9α²)
Step 2: Equating to Distance
Distance = |-3α² + 9α|√(9α⁴ + 9α²) = √(2)Divide numerator and denominator by 3α (assuming α ≠ 0):
√(2) = |-α + 3|√(α² + 1)Square both sides:
2 = (α² - 6α + 9)/(α² + 1) 2α² + 2 = α² - 6α + 9 α² + 6α - 7 = 0Step 3: Solving the Quadratic
Factorizing the quadratic equation:
(α + 7)(α - 1) = 0 α = -7, α = 1The sum of all possible values of α is -7 + 1 = -6.
Pattern Recognition
When expanding scalar triple products with repeated scalar variables α, zero terms consistently appear via parallel vector components. Factoring α out of the determinant speeds up calculation drastically.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Maths: Three Dimensional Geometry