CBSE 2025 · Region 1 · Set 1 · Q29 · 3 marks
Verify that lines given by $\displaystyle \vec{r}=(1-\lambda) \hat{\mathrm{i}}+(\lambda-2) \hat{\mathrm{j}}+(3-2 \lambda) \hat{k}$ and $\displaystyle \vec{r}=(\mu+1) \hat{\mathrm{i}}+(2 \mu-1) \hat{\mathrm{j}}-(2 \mu+1) \hat{k}$ are skew lines. Hence, find shortest distance between the lines.During a cricket match, the position of the bowler, the wicket keeper and the leg slip fielder are in a line given by $\displaystyle \overrightarrow{\mathrm{B}}=2 \hat{\mathrm{i}}+8 \hat{\mathrm{j}}$, $\displaystyle \overrightarrow{\mathrm{W}}=6 \hat{\mathrm{i}}+12 \hat{\mathrm{j}}$ and $\displaystyle \overrightarrow{\mathrm{F}}=12 \hat{\mathrm{i}}+18 \hat{\mathrm{j}}$ respectively. Calculate the ratio in which the wicketkeeper divides the line segment joining the bowler and the leg slip fielder.
Verify that lines given by $\displaystyle \vec{r}=(1-\lambda) \hat{\mathrm{i}}+(\lambda-2) \hat{\mathrm{j}}+(3-2 \lambda) \hat{k}$ and $\displaystyle \vec{r}=(\mu+1) \hat{\mathrm{i}}+(2 \mu-1) \hat{\mathrm{j}}-(2 \mu+1) \hat{k}$ are skew lines. Hence, find shortest distance between the lines.
During a cricket match, the position of the bowler, the wicket keeper and the leg slip fielder are in a line given by $\displaystyle \overrightarrow{\mathrm{B}}=2 \hat{\mathrm{i}}+8 \hat{\mathrm{j}}$, $\displaystyle \overrightarrow{\mathrm{W}}=6 \hat{\mathrm{i}}+12 \hat{\mathrm{j}}$ and $\displaystyle \overrightarrow{\mathrm{F}}=12 \hat{\mathrm{i}}+18 \hat{\mathrm{j}}$ respectively. Calculate the ratio in which the wicketkeeper divides the line segment joining the bowler and the leg slip fielder.
Marking-scheme solution
Rewriting the lines, we get
\[\vec{r}=(\hat{\mathrm{i}}-2 \hat{\mathrm{j}}+3 \hat{k})+\lambda(-\hat{\mathrm{i}}+\hat{\mathrm{j}}-2 \hat{k}) \text { and } \vec{r}=(\hat{\mathrm{i}}-\hat{\mathrm{j}}-\hat{k})+\mu(\hat{\mathrm{i}}+2 \hat{\mathrm{j}}-2 \hat{k})
\]
Let $\displaystyle \vec{a}_{1}=\hat{\mathrm{i}}-2 \hat{\mathrm{j}}+3 \hat{k}, \vec{a}_{2}=\hat{\mathrm{i}}-\hat{\mathrm{j}}-\hat{k}, \vec{b}_{1}=-\hat{\mathrm{i}}+\hat{\mathrm{j}}-2 \hat{k}, \vec{b}_{2}=\hat{\mathrm{i}}+2 \hat{\mathrm{j}}-2 \hat{k}$
Note that the dr's of given lines are not proportional so, they are not parallel lines.
The lines will be skew if they do not intersect each other also.
Here $\displaystyle \vec{a}_{2}-\vec{a}_{1}=\hat{\mathrm{j}}-4 \hat{k}, \vec{b}_{1} \times \vec{b}_{2}=\left|\begin{array}{ccc} \hat{\mathrm{i}} & \hat{\mathrm{j}} & \hat{k} \\ -1 & 1 & -2 \\ 1 & 2 & -2 \end{array}\right|=2 \hat{\mathrm{i}}-4 \hat{\mathrm{j}}-3 \hat{k}$
Consider $\displaystyle \left(\vec{a}_{2}-\vec{a}_{1}\right) \cdot\left(\vec{b}_{1} \times \vec{b}_{2}\right)$
\[=(\hat{\mathrm{j}}-4 \hat{k}) \cdot(2 \hat{\mathrm{i}}-4 \hat{\mathrm{j}}-3 \hat{k})=8 \neq 0
\]
Hence lines will not intersect. So the lines are skew.
Shortest Distance $\displaystyle =\frac{\left|\left(\vec{a}_{2}-\vec{a}_{1}\right) \cdot\left(\vec{b}_{1} \times \vec{b}_{2}\right)\right|}{\left|\vec{b}_{1} \times \vec{b}_{2}\right|}$
\[=\frac{8}{\sqrt{4+16+9}}=\frac{8}{\sqrt{29}}
\]
Let the wicket keeper divides the line segment in ratio $\displaystyle k: 1$
\[\begin{aligned}
& \therefore \vec{\mathrm{W}}=\frac{k \vec{\mathrm{F}}+1 . \vec{\mathrm{B}}}{k+1} \\
& \Rightarrow 6 \hat{\mathrm{i}}+12 \hat{\mathrm{j}}=\left(\frac{12 k+2}{k+1}\right) \hat{\mathrm{i}}+\left(\frac{18 k+8}{k+1}\right) \hat{\mathrm{j}} \\
& \Rightarrow k=\frac{2}{3}
\end{aligned}
\]
$\displaystyle \mathrm{B}(2,8,0) \quad \mathrm{W}(6,12,0) \quad \mathrm{F}(12,18,0)$
Hence, the required ratio is $\displaystyle 2: 3$
Three Dimensional GeometryShortest Distance between Two LinesApplyshort_answerhard
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CBSE Class 12 Mathematics past-paper question from the 2025board exam, with the answer as CBSE’s own marking scheme gives it. Where our answers come from.