_ )/ Shortest Distance between

i
I
Tw o Li ne s
CO PL AN AR UN ES Tw o lines lyi ng in the same pla
ne are called co pla na r lines.
Co pl an ar lin es ar e eit he r pa ra
lle l or in ter se cti ng .
SK EW UN ES Tw o lines
in space which are no t coplana
r are called sk ew lines.
Sk ew lines ar e ne ith er pa ral
lel no r int ers ec tin g.
LINE OF SH OR TE ST DIS TA
NC E BE TW EE N TW O SK EW
lin es th en th er e is a un iq ue lin LIN ES If L1 an d L2 ar e nvo skew
e wh ich is pe rp en di cu lar to
L2 . Th is lin e is ca lle d th e line bo th th e lin es L an d
of shortest distance be tw ee n L 1
1 an d L2•
S~ OR TE ST DIS TA NC E BE
TW EE N TW O SK EW LIN ES
Th e le ng th of th e lin e se gm
PQ ,in ter ce pt ed by tw o sk ew en t
lin es L 1 an d L2 on th e co m m
bo th th e lin es , is ca lle d th e sh on pe rp en di cu lar to
ortest distance (SD) be tw ee n
L1 an d L?.
 Q
--- -+T """ "-- --- t-- -L1
900

the n the sho rtest distance

REMARK If two lines in spa ce intersect at a poi nt
bet wee n the m is zer o.

en Tw o Skew Lin es
To Flnd the Sho rtes t Distance betwe

\~,-rto r Fonn ➔ ➔ ➔
. . s r➔= a➔ + '"A b
between two skew line ➔
and r = a + µ b
THEOREM Th e sho rtest d zstance · 1 1 2 2

is given by

ations are
PROOF Let L 1 and Lz be two ske w lines wh ose vector equ
respectiv~ly:
➔ ➔ ~

r = a1 + A b1 ... (i)
➔ ➔ ~

and r = a2 + µ b2 ... (ii)

➔

Then, L1 is par alle l to b1 and pas ses

thro ugh a poi nt A, wh ose pos itio n
• ➔
vector IS a1• n
And , L2 is par alle l to f½ and pas ses thro ugh a poi nt B, wh ose positio
.➔
vector 1s a2•
➔ n L1 and L2•
Let PQ be the sho rtest-distance vector bet wee
➔ ➔ - ➔ ➔
The n, PQ l. b1 and PQ 1- b2 •
➔ ➔ ➔
PQ II ( b1 X b2 ). ➔ ➔ ➔
PQ = I pro ject ion of AB alo ng ( b1 x b2) I

➔ ➔ ➔ ➔

( b1 x b2 ) ·( "2 - a1 )
= -:-+ ➔

I b1 X b2 I ➔ ➔ ➔

Sup pos e tha t the lines r = a1 + A b1

C0NDmoN FOR TWO GIVEN LINES TO INTERSECT them 1' s zero.
➔
-...a ➔g f½ ::-+ n, the sho rtes t dis tan ce bet wee n
auw r + µ b2 intersect. The
➔ ➔ ~~
/, (( a2 - a1 ) b1 b2 ] =0.
ance betw een them is .zero.
Two lines inte rsec t only wh en the shortest dist
EXAMPLE , Find the shortest distance between two lines whose vector equa
➔ I\
tions are
"
r = ( i + 2 j + k" ) + l ( "i - j"+ k" ) and r➔=(2 ':-r ... J~ - "k ) + µ (2
.. ':-':- I\
1 + J + 2 k ).
SOLUTION Com paring the given equations with the stan dard
equa tions
-+ ➔ ➔ .... ➔ ➔
r = al + Ab1 and r = a2+ µ b2, we have
~
,1 1 = ( ;/\ + 2 j" + k" ), b
4 " " "
1 = ( i - j + k)
..... I\ I\ " ➔ "
a:.= (2 i - i- k) and b2 = (2 i + j
I\ . "
+ 2 k ).
..... 4 """ "
t 11 2 - ,1, ) = (2; - _; - k ) - (
I\/\
i + 2 i + k ) = ( i - 3 j - 2 kI\ )
I\ I\

I\ I\ I\

4 ➔
t I k
..ind, l l1 1 '< l> 2 ) = 1 -1 l
2 1 2

/\ /\ /\ I\ /\
_ I (-3 i + 3 k) · ( i - 3 j - 2 k) I I (-3 - O- 6) I
- 3fi = 3-./2
1-91 9 31'2
= 3f2 = 31'2 = -2- unit s.

EXPJY'.PLE 2 Find the shortest distance between the lines L and L whos
1 2 e vector
equations are given below:
➔" /\
L1 : r = i + j + 'A. (2 i/\ - j/\ + k/\ )
/\ /\ /\
➔

Li : r = 2 i + j - k + µ (3 i/\ - 5 j/\ + 2 k" )

[CBSE 2008C J
SOLUTION Com parin g the given equa tions with the stan dard
➔➔ ➔
equations
➔ ➔
r = a1 + A b1 and r =a2 + µ ➔
b2 , w e have
-, I\/\ ➔ /\/\ /\
a1 = ( i + j ), b1 = (2 i - j + k)
-, ': ':'" ➔ /\ /\ /\
a2 = (2 1 + J - k ) an d b2 = (3 i - 5 j + 2 k )
-, -,. I\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\
< a2 - a1 ) : (2 i + j - k )- ( i+j )= ( ;- k )
1, /\ /\

- ? ➔ i j k
and, ( b1 x b2 ) = 2 - 1 1
3 -5 2
';
= (- 2 + 5), - (4 - 3) j" + (- 10 + 3) kI\
= (3 i/\ - j"- 7 k" ).
 I\ I\ I\ I\ "
_ I (3 i - j - 7 k ) · ( i - k ) I 13 x 1 - 1 x O- 7 x (-1) I
- ✓59 = ~

13 - 0 + 71 10✓59
= ✓59 = 59 units.

EXAMPLE 3· Find the shortest distance between the lines whose vector equations are
➔ I\ I\ "
r = (l - t) i + (t - 2) j + (3 - 2t) k, and
➔ I\ " "
r = (s + 1) i + (2s - 1) j - (2s + 1) k. [CBSE 2002]

SOLUTION The given equations can be written as

➔ " I\
r = ( i - 2 j + 3 k ) + t (- i + j
" " I\
- 2 k" ), and
➔ " " " I\ " I\
r = ( i - j - k ) + s( i + 2 j - 2 k ).
Comparing the given equations with the standard equations
➔➔ ➔ ➔➔ ➔
r = a1 + t b1 and r = a2 + s b2, we get
➔ I\ I\ I\ ➔ /\I\"

a1 = ( i - 2 j + 3 k ), b1 = (- i + j - 2 k)
➔ /\/\/\ ➔ I\ I\ I\

a2 = ( i - j - k ) and b2 = ( i + 2 j - 2 k ).
➔ ➔ I\ I\ " I\ I\ I\ I\ I\

( a2 - a1 ) = ( i - j - k ) - ( i - 2 j + 3 k ) = ( j - 4 k )
. I\. kI\
I\

➔ ➔ l }
and, ( b1 x b2 ) = -1 1 -2
1 2 -2
" I\ "
= (-2 + 4) i - (2 + 2) j + (-2-1) k
= (2 i - 4 j -
I\ "
3 k ).
"

2
I~ x z;; I = ✓22 +(-4)2 +(-3) ="129
➔ ➔ ➔ ➔
( b1 x b2 ) · ( ai - a1 )
SD= ➔ ::-t
I b1 X b2 I
I\ I\ I\ I\ I\
I (2 i - 4 j - 3 k ) · ( j - 4 k ) I _ 12 x O- 4 x 1 - 3 x (- 4) I
= ✓29 - 129
I O- 4 + 12 I 8.../29 ·ts
= ✓29 = zguni ·

EXAMPLE 4 Show tha.t the lines

➔
r➔=( i" + jI\ - k" ) + A (3 iI\ - j" ) and r =(4 i - k ) + µ(2 t +
'> " '> 3k )
intersect. Find their point of intersection. ·
 . IS ~..,,. .nth
.
equatiOJ .. the stan dar d equations
SOLUTION Com pari ng the give n
➔➔ uet
➔- ➔ 'lb➔ and r= a2+µ.~.:_
, weo
r - a1 + I\, 1 " "
➔ 3 · ')
~ =( i + j - k ), b1=(
I\ I\ I\

': 1 ' "

-;! = (4 i - k)and ~ == <2 i + 3 k ). " "
2 /\
➔ (4 ~ - k)--( i + j - k ) == (3 t - J') .
/\
➔ . "
( a2 - a1 ) -- t
I\ I\ I\
i J k
And ( "f? x "f? ) = 3 - 1 O
' 1 2 3
2 0 /\
= (- 3 - 0) i - (9 - 0) j + (O + 2) k
I\
= (- 3 i - 9 jI\+ 2 k" ).
I~ x~ I = ✓(-3) 2 +(-9) 2 +2 2 ='V9'f.
~ ➔ ➔ ➔
( b1 x b2 ) · ( iii - a1 )
· SD= ➔ ➔
I b1X b2 I
I\ I\ I\ I\ I\
(-3 i - 9 j + 2 k ) · (3 i - j )
=
-.J94
_ 1-9+ 9+0 1 - 0
- ~ - .
Thu s, the shor test dista nce betw een the give n line
s is 0.
Hence, the give n lines intersect.
Thu s, for som e part icul ar valu es of A and µ, we hav
I\ I\ I\ I\ I\
e
I\ I\ I\ I\
( i + j - k ) + A (3 i - j ) = (4 i - k ) + µ (2 i + 3 k )
I\ I\ I\ I\
⇒ (1 + 3A) i + (1 - A) j - k = (4 + 2µ) .i + (3µ I\
- 1) k
⇒ 1 + 3A = 4 + 2µ, 1 - A= 0 and 3µ - 1 = -
1
⇒ A= 1 and µ = 0.
Thu s, the posi tion vector of the poin t of inte rsec
tion of the given
lines is give n by
➔ I\ I\ I\ I\ I\
I\
r = ( i + j - k ) + (3 i - j ) [put ting A= 1], i.e., I\

i7= (4 i - k ).
Hence, the poin t of intersection of the give n line s is
P(4, 0, - 1).
EXAMPLE 5 Show that the lines
➔ ~~ ':-" ➔
r = ( i - J ) + A(2 i + k ) and r = (2 i,..,.. 1\/\/\
- j ) + 1,1 ( ; + j - k )
do not intersect.
SOLUTION Com pari ng the give n equa tion s with · ns
➔➔ ~ ➔ ➔
the stan dard equabO
➔
r = a1 + A b1 and r = '½ + µ "2, Wf get ,
➔ I\/\ ➔ ,..,..
a1 = ( i - j ), b1_= (2 i + k )
 a➔2
=-+ =( " j -"k ).
i +"
=(2 i" - j" ) and "2 I\
➔ ➔ 1\1\ 1\1\

:. ( a2- a1 ) = (2i -j ) - (i .;.. j) = i .

I\ I\ I\

➔ ➔
' 1· k
An d, ( b1 x b2 ) = 2 0 1
1 1 -1
I\ "
I\
= (0 - 1) i - (- 2 - 1) j + (2 - 0) k
I\ " I\
= (- i + 3 j + 2 k ).
2
= ✓(-1) 2 +3 +2 =fi4.
2
I~ xf½ I

➔ =-+
I b1 Xb2 I

= /+2k>-~-,
<-i+3{f4 1-11
fM
1 xi ll ill
= 14 =14 ;,t:O .
en lines is not zero, the
Since the sho rtes t dist anc e bet wee n the giv
given lines do not intersect.
DtSTANCE BETWEEN PARALLEL LINES
Let L1 and L2 be two parallel lines. Then,
these lines are clearly cop lan ar.
Let the equ atio ns of thes e lines be
➔ ➔ ~ ... (i)
r = a1 + Ab
➔ ➔ ~ ... (ii)
r =a2 + µ b
and let B be a point on L2 wit h
Let A be a poi nt on L1 wit h pos itio n vec tor ~
. . ➔
position vector f½.
Draw BM J_ L 1. Then,
➔
distance bet wee n L1 and Li = I BM I .
Let 0 be the ang le bet wee n Ml
and "t Then, a 1
(t x ~) ={ I I I t I • sin Ml
8} ~, ____ A.L(_: M_ _ __
a 1L) --1-1. L

pla ne of L1 and Li-

wh ere ~ is a uni t vector, per pen dic ular to the
➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ . I\

:. b x ( tii - a1 ) = { I b I I AB I · sin OJ n
(": (AB ) sin 8 • BM)
I\
[·: ln l • l)
EXAMPLES Find lht slltnust dislllnce bttaJttn tM Ii~ Lt and Li, giom by
-41\J\ 1\1\/1. ➔ "'"'"' I\" "'
r =-: i + j + A (2 i - j + k ) and r = 2 ; + j - k + µ (4 i - 2 j + 2 k ).
SOLUTION The giv-e-n lines are
L1 : r➔= ( ;"+"j ) + A(2 ;" - i"+"k ) ... (i)
➔ " "
L2 : r = (2 i + ; - k ) + 2Jl (2 i -
I\ "
I+k )
" I\
... (ii)
TI,ese l'yuations are of the form :
~~-+ ➔ ) ➔➔ __,.
r - a1 + A. b and 1 -= a 2 + 2JJ. b ::.. a 2 + µ' h, where
.-+ \ '-+ 1\1\I\ ~ I ; I\

,1 1 = ( i +; ), 11 1 = (2 i + J - k ), b =- (2 , J +It ) and µ · = 2µ
Ch., arly, the given lines are paralleL
➔ """ "" " "
Now, ( J-)2 - .11 ) = (2 ; + j - k) - ( i + j ) = ( i - k )
" I\ I\

➔ , ➔ l J k
fbx ( a2 - a1 )l = 2 - 1 1
1 0 -1
I\ " "
= (1 - 0) i - (-2 - 1) j + (0 + l) k
" " I\
= (i+3j+k)
➔ ➔ ➔ ~

⇒ I b x ( a 2 - a1 ) I = 'v 12 + 32 + 12 = ✓lf

and I b I = v 22 + (- 1)2 + 12 = -16

⇒ shortest distance between L1 and L2
= distance between L1 and L2
➔ ➔ --+
= I b x ( a~ - n1 ) I = ill =("11 x {6 ) - -[60 umts.
Ib I '✓6 ✓6 V6 6

EXERCISE 2D

In problem s 1- 5, find the shortest distance between the given lines.

J +"k ),
i-"
1. r- ,= ( i"+ 'J ) -+ A (2 "
-, " /\ I\ I\ I\ - "
r :: (2 ; + j k) + µ. (3 i - 5 j + 2 k ).
--, J'\ AJ'\ 1\/\/\

2. r = (- 4 , + 4 j -t k ) + A ( 1 + j - k ),
-+ I\ A I\ A A /\

r = (- 3 i - 8 j -- 3 k ) + µ (2 i + 3 j + 3 k ).
-+ I\ A I\ A I'. A

3. r == ( i + 2 j + 3 k ) + A (i - 3 j + 2 k >i
➔ J\ A A ~ ~A f
r = (4 i + 5 j + 6 k ) + µ (2 1 + 3 J+ k ). (CISE -
.... ~~ '!-"'"
4. r • ( , + J ) + 1 (2 i - j + k ),
-+ /\All. A A A
r == (2 ; + i - k >+ ti (3 , - sI + 2 t ).
 " "
s. r = ( i" + 2 j" - 4 k ) + A. (2 i + 3 j + 6 k ),
-t " "

"
r = (3 "i + 3 j" - 5 k)
-t + µ (-2 i" + 3 j" + 3 k" ).
-t " " " /\ /\
6. r = (6 i + 3 k) + A. (2 i - j + 4 k ),
-t " /\ /\ /\ /\ "
r = (-9 i + j - l O k ) + µ (4 i + j + 6 k ).
-t /\ /\ "
7. r = (3 - t) i + (4 + 2t) j + (t - 2) k,
-t /\ /\ /\
r = (l + s) i + (3s - 7) j + (2s - 2) k.
-t /\ /\ /\
8. r = (A - 1) i +(A+ 1) j - (A.+ 1) k,
-t /\ /\ /\
r = (l - µ) i + (2µ - 1) j + (µ + 2) k.
9. Show that the lines
/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ ➔ /\ /\ " " /\ "
-t
r =(2 i - 3 k ) + A. ( i + 2 j + 3 k ) and r = (2 i + 6 j + 3 k ) + µ (2 i + 3 j + 4 k )
intersect.
Also, find their point of intersec tion.
10. Show that the lines
➔ I\" I\ I\ I\ I\ ➔ "" "/\/\
r = ( i + 2 j + 3 k) + A. (2 i + 3 j + 4 k) and r = (4 i + j) + µ (5 i + 2 j + k)
intersect.
Also, find their point of intersect ion.
11. Show that the lines
➔ /\ I\ /\ I\ I\ I\

r = (3 i - 15 j + 9 k ) + A. (2 i - 7 j + 5 k ), and
➔ /\/\I\ /\/\ I\

r = (- i + j + 9 k ) + µ (2 i + j - 3 k )
do not intersect.
12. Find the shortest distance between the lines L 1 and L 2 whose vector
equation s are
➔ " /\ I\ I\ I\

r = ( i + 2 j ) + A. (2 i + 3 j + 6 k ), and
➔ /\ I\ I\ I\ " /\

r = (3 i + 3 j - 5 k ) + µ (2 i + 3 j + 6 k ).
HINT: The given lines are parallel.

13. Find the distance between the parallel lines L1 and L2 whose vector
equation s are
➔ /\I\ I\ /\/\/\

r=( i + 2 j + 3 k ) + A ( i - j + k ), and
➔ /\/\/\ /\/\/\
r = (2 i - j - k ) + µ ( i - j + k ).

ANSWER S (EXERCISE 2D)

3 . 10
10 ../59 units
1. ~ units 2. -162 units 3 . . 117: uruts
'-119
4.
 ·1.i s-..ff .
5. - -- wuts 6. ✓38 units 7. .../35 units 8. 2wuts
✓241
✓293 ·t 13. ~ units
9. (2, 6, 3) 10. (- 1, - 1, -1) 12. - -un1s
7

Shortest Distance between Two Skew Lines in the Cartesian Form

The shortest dista1Ke between the skew lines

X- Xi y - yl z - z 1 X-X2 y - yi Z - Z2
::::: and ::::: = b2 C2
n1 b1 C1 02

is gin:-n by
X2 - X1 Y2-Y1 Z2 -Z1

tl1 b1 C1

a2 b2 C2
SD= ,
ro

CONDITION FOR TWO GIVEN LINES TO INTERSECT Let½ and L2 be the given lines
'"-hose equations are
X - X1 y - Y1 Z - Z1 X - X2 y - Y2 Z - Z2
- - - - - - - - and - - -~--=-- -
a1 - b1 - C1 Oz - b2 C2 ·

1. L1 and L2 intersect <=> SD between them is 0

X2-X1 Y2-Y1 .zi-z1
<=> a1 b1 c1 = 0.
a2 b2 c2

2. L1 and L2 do not intersect <=> they are skew lines

X2 - X1 Y2-Y1
a1 b1
a2 bi

SOLVED EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1 Find the shortest distance between the fines

x+3_~ _ z nd x+2 y z-7
- 4 - 3 - 2 a -=T = 1 =-1- ·

SOLUTION Comparing the given equations with

X - X1 - y - Yl - z - Z1 X - X2 y - .'h z - 22
- - - - - - and-- = -_;;_=- -, we get
a1 b1 C1 "2 b2 c2

( X1 = - 3, Y1 = 6, Z1 = 0), (X2 = - 2, Y2 = 0, Z2 = 7),

(a 1 =- 4, b1 =3, c1 =2) and (a2 =- 4, b2 = I, c2 = 1).
 - a2 b1):: + (b1c2 - b2c1) 2 + (c 1n2 - r 2a i ) 2
l\"o w , D = (a1b2
+ (3 - 2) + (- 8 + 4) 2
2 2
= (- 4 + 12)
== (64 + 1 + 16) = 81.
X.2 -x 1 Y2 -y l 22 - z,
1
SD==- · al bl C1
~ c,.,
n1 b2
1 -{, 7
1 -2 + 3 0 - 6 7 -0 1 2
2 == 9 . - 4 3
- 4 3
- ~181 . -4 l 1
- 4 1 1
un its
7- (- 4 + 12)} = ~l = 9
~
= · /1 · (3 - 2) + 6 · (- 4+ 8) +
its .
te st di st an ce be tw ee n th e gi ve n lin es is 9 un
H en ce, th e sh or

A ltern at iv e M et ho d
equations of the line of shortest distance between
EXAM PLE 2 Fi nd the leng th and th e
the lines

ar e
SOLUTION Th e gi ve n eq ua ti on s
.. . (i)
x -3 u -8 =-z -3 = A. (say)
-3- = ~
-1 1
7 z -6 ... (ii)
x+ 3 __u+ ,_ _: __ =- =µ (s ay )
-- =, ;z _; 2 4
-3
.
P(3)., + 3, -A + 8, ).,
+ 3) is an y po in t on (i)
).
+ 6) is an y po in t on (ii
Q (- 3µ - 3, 2 µ - 7, 4µ - A+ 3).
s of PQ ar e (- 3µ - 3A. - 6, 2µ + "A-15, 4 µ
Th e di re ct io n ra tio r to
sh or te st di st an ce th en PQ is pe rp en di cu la
If PQ is th e lin e of
ea ch of (i) an d (ii) .
+ A -1 5) + 1 · (4 µ- A + 3)
= 0,
. - 3A - 6 )- 1 · (2 µ
3(-3 µ
an d
· µ- A + 3) = 0
{ -3 (- 3 µ -3 A - 6) + 2 · (2µ + A -1 5) + 4 · (4
.. . (iii)
.. . (iv )
⇒ { -l lA -7 µ = 0
7 A + 29 µ = 0
⇒ A=O an d µ= 0. he n A= 0 an d µ = O.
sh or te st di st an ce w
line of
T hu s, PQ w ill be th e re sp ec tively, w e ge t the
d µ= 0 in p an d Q
Su bs tit ut in g A = 0 an
(- 3, - 7, 6).
po in ts P(3, 8, 3) an d Q
 2 2
SD= PQ = \J (-3- 3) 2 + (-7 - BJ + (6- 3J

= <36 + 225 + 9 = •✓270 = 3✓30 units.

Equations of the line of shortest distance means equations of PQ,
given by
x-3 _ y-8 _z-3
-3 - 3 - -7 - 8 - 6 - 3
x-3 !l..:!
z-3
~ ~= -15 =-3-
x-3 y_=! z-3
~ -2-= 5 = ~ -

EXAMPLE 3 Find the length and the equations of the line of shortest distance between
the lines
x-1 L.l:._ z-3 x-2 Li z-5
-2-= 3 =-4- and -3-= 4 = s ·

SOLUTION The given lines are

x-1 u-2 z-3
-2- = ~ =- = A (say) ... (i)
3 4
x-2 u-4 z-5
-- = ~ =- =µ(say ) ... (ii)
3 4 5
P(2A + 1, 311. + 2, 4A + 3) is any point on (i).
Q(3µ + 2, 4µ + 4, 5µ + 5) is any point on (ii).
➔
The direction ratios of PQ are (3µ - 2i-.. + 1, 4µ - 3A + 2, 5µ - 4)., + 2).

If PQis the line of shortest distance then PQ is perpendicular to

each of (i) and (ii).
2(3µ - 2A + 1) + 3(4µ -311. + 2) + 4(5µ-4). + 2) = 0,
and
13(3µ - 211. + 1) + 4(4µ -311. + 2) + 5(5µ -4A + 2) = O
⇒ { 38µ - 29).. + 16 = 0

( ⇒
50µ - 38A. + 21 = 0
µ
(- 609 + 608)
= A
(800 - 798)
= 1
(-1444 + 1450)
[by cross multiplication]
 dis tance w hen A=.!.. and
Thus PQ wil l be the line of sho rtes t
1 _1 3
-1 .
µ = -6 · Put ting A -- -3 and µ = · p vely, we get
6 m and Q resp ecti
the poi nts P(~, 3,¥) and (¾, ~, ¥)· Q

:. SD =P Q= ✓ (¾ -~ r +(
1
3° - 3 )\ (~ _ ~r
= ✓ .l +!+ .l _...!_ 't -16 .
36 9 36 - -,[(; um s= 6u rut s.

Hence, SD = J units.

i.e .,
Dir ecti on rati os of
1 1 -1
6 ,
- , , i.e. -1, 2, -1.
6 3
dist anc e are
:. the equ atio ns of the line of sho rtes t
5)
X_ (z _13)
-'-- ~3 _ Y.::1 _
( 3
-1 - 2 - -1

EXAMPLE 4 Show that the lines

x - l = ~ = z - 3 and x - 4 = Y.=__!_ = z
2 3 4 5 2
. [CBSE 2004 ]
intersect each other. Find their point of intersection

SOLUTION The giv en line s are

x- l u- 2 -z-3 = A (say) .. . (1)
- - = ;i___::3:::_ = 4
2
x-4 u- l z ... (2)
- - = ..i___=_ = - =µ( say )
5 2 1
P(2A + 1, 3A + 2, 4A + 3) is any poi nt on (1).
Q(Sµ + 4, 2µ + 1, µ) is any poi nt on (2).
Q mu st coincide for
If the line s (1) and (2) inte rsec t the n P and
som e par ticu lar val ues of A and µ.
Thi s giv es
2A + 1 = 5µ + 4, 3A + 2 = 2µ + 1 and 4A + 3
=µ
4A - µ = - 3 ... (iii).
~ 2A - 5µ = 3 ... (i), 3A - 2µ = -1 ... (ii), and
1.
Sol vin g (i) and (ii), we get A =-1 and µ = -
.
An d, the se val ues of A and µ also satisfy (iii)
Hence, the given line s inte rsec t.
 The point of intersection of the given lines is (-1, -1, -1), which is
obtained by putting 'A,= - 1 in P or µ = -1 in Q.
EXAMPLE 5 Show that the lines
x - l = 1/ + 1 = z - 1 and x - 2 = Y=-!.. = z + 1
3 2 5 4 3 -2
do not intersect each other. [CBSE 2002)

SOLUTION The given lines are

x-l u+l z-1
- = :z........:.... = - = A (say) ... (1)
3 2 5
x -2 u-1 z+l
-=~=-=µ(say) ... (2)
4 3 -2
P(3 A+ 1, 2 A-1, 5 A+ 1) is any point on (1).
Q(4 µ + 2, 3 µ + 1, -2 µ - 1) is any point on (2).
If the lines (1) and (2) intersect then P and Q must coincide for
some particular values of A and µ.
This gives
3 A+ 1 = 4 µ + 2, 2 'A, - 1 = 3 µ + 1, 5 'A,+ 1 =-2 µ - 1
~ 3 A- 4 µ = 1 ... (i), 2 A- 3 µ = 2 ... (ii),
and 5 A+ 2 µ = -2 ... (iii).
Solving (i) and (ii), we get A = -5 and µ = - 4.
But, the values A= -5 and µ = - 4 do not satisfy (iii).
Hence, the given lines do not intersect each other.

Find the length and the equations of the line of shortest distance between the
lines given by
x - 3 _ ~ _ z - 7 and x + l _ Y±...!.. _z + 1
(CBSE 2008]
1. 1 -2 1 7 - 6 1

2 _ x - 8 = ~ = z - 10 and x - 15 = y - 29 =z - 5
3 -16 7 3 8 -5

3
x - 3 =Y.=_i =z + 2 and x - 1 = lJ...22 == z + 2
· -1 2 1 1 3 2

4·
x + 1 == !l=-!.. = z~-9 and x - 3 = y + 15 = z - 9
2 1 -3 2 -7 5

5·
x -12 Y=-!.. = z - 5 and x - 23 = y - 19 == z - 25
-9 4 2 - 6 - 4 3
 x- 6 =y - 7 = z - 4 and ~ = y + 9 =z - 2
6· 3 -1 1 -3 2 4
7. Show that the lines
x-l_y-2_z-3 x-4_y-1_
2 - 3 - 4 and 5 - 2 -Z
intersect each other. Find the point of their intersection. [CBSE 2004]

8. Show that the lines

x_y-2_z+3 x-2_y-6_z-3
1- 2 - 3 and 2 - 3 - 4
intersect and find their point of intersection.
9. Show that the lines
x - l = y + l = z and x + l = y - 2 , z = 2
2 3 1 5 1
do not intersect each other.

ANSWERS (EXERCISE 2E)

. x-5_y-7_z-3
1. 2✓29 uruts,
. x - l =y - 2 = z - 3
2 3 4
2. 14 uruts,
2
-
3
-
6
✓
3. 35 u .n,ix-4_y-2_z+3
ts--------
-1 -3 5
4. 4--../3 units, X = y = Z
.
5. 26 uruts,
x-3_y-5_z-7
- -
-~ . X - 3 =y- 8 =Z - 3
6. 3"\'.:)U
30 uruts,
2 S -l
4 3 12
7. (-1, -1, -1) 8. (2, 6, 3)