A line with direction ratios 1, -1, 2 intersects the lines x 2 = y 3 = z+1 3 and x+1 -1 = y-2 1 = z 4 at the points P and Q, respectively. If the…
JEE Main 2026 — Mathematics Vectors & 3D Geometry
2026mcqmedium
A line with direction ratios 1,−1,2 intersects the lines 2x=3y=3z+1 and −1x+1=1y−2=4z at the points P and Q, respectively. If the length of the line segment PQ is α, then 225α2 is equal to:
Official previous-year question
Held on 4 Apr 2026 · Verified 6 Jul 2026.
Options
A
1024
B
1014
C
1104
D
1204
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Solution
Let the coordinates of P on the first line be (2λ,3λ,3λ−1).
Let the coordinates of Q on the second line be (−μ−1,μ+2,4μ).
The direction ratios of the line segment PQ are proportional to 1,−1,2. Thus, we can write:
1−μ−1−2λ=−1μ+2−3λ=24μ−3λ+1=k
This gives the system of equations:
−μ−2λ−1=k
μ−3λ+2=−k
4μ−3λ+1=2k
Adding the first two equations gives:
−5λ+1=0⇒λ=51
Substituting λ=51 into the first and third equations:
−μ−57=k⇒μ+k=−57
4μ+52=2k⇒2μ−k=−51
Adding these two equations gives:
3μ=−58⇒μ=−158
Substituting μ=−158 into μ+k=−57:
−158+k=−1521⇒k=−1513
The vector PQ is (k,−k,2k). The length of the line segment PQ is α=k2+(−k)2+(2k)2=6k2.
Thus, α2=6k2=6(−1513)2=6×225169=2251014.
Therefore, 225α2=1014.
Answer: 1014
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