D.R. 's of a1=(−1,0,3)
D.R. 's of a2=(0,−1,2)
D.R. 's of b1=(1,−a,0)
D.R. 's of b2=(1,−1,1)
Now, a2−a1=i^−j^−k^
and b1×b2=∣i^11j^−a−1k^01∣
b1×b2=i^(−a)−j^+k^(a−1)
i.e. ∣b1×b2∣=a2+1+(a−1)2
So, (a2−a1)⋅(b1×b2)=2−2a
Shortest distance between the lines, a2+1+(a−1)22(1−a)=32
Squaring on both the sides, we get,
3(1−a)2=a2−a+1
i.e. a=2,21