Q.

If d1 is the shortest distance between the lines x + 1 = 2y = –12z, x = y + 2 = 6z – 6 and d2 is the shortest distance between the lines x12=y+87=z45,x12=y21=z63, then the value of 323d1d2 is ___________. [2024]


Ans.

(16)

We have, l1 : x + 1 = 2y = –12z and l2 : x = y + 2 = 6z – 6

So, l1 : x(1)1=y012=z0112 and l2 : x01=y(2)1=z116

These lines can be written in vector form as

r1=(i^+0j^+0k^)+λ(i^+j^2k^12) and r2=(0i^+2j^+k^)+λ(i^+j^+16k^)

For, r1=a1+λb1 and r2=a2+λb2

Shortest distance between l1 and l2 is given by

d1=|(a2a1)·(b1×b2)|b1×b2||=|(i^+2j^+k^)·|i^j^k^11/21/12111/6||b1×b2||

=|(i^+2j^+k^)·(16i^+14j^+12k^)136+116+14|=|16+12+1249144|=76×127=2

Similarly, l3x12=y+87=z45 and l4x12=y21=z63

These lines can be written in vector form as

r1=(i^8j^+4k^)+λ(2i^7j^+5k^)

r2=(i^+2j^+6k^)+λ(2i^+j^3k^)

Shortest distance between l3 and l4 is given as

d2=|(10j^+2k^)·|i^j^k^275213|||i^j^k^275213|||

=|(10j^+2k^)·(16i^+16j^+16k^)162+162+162|=160+32163=123=43

Now, 323d1d2=323×243=16.