Q.

Let Q and R be the feet of perpendiculars from the point P(a, a, a) on the lines x = y, z = 1 and x = –y, z = –1 respectively. If QPR is a right angle, then 12a2 is equal to __________.          [2024]


Ans.

(12)

Line L1 is given by y = x, z = 1 can be expressed as

L1 : x1=y1=z10=α

 x=α,y=α,z=1

Let the coordinate of Q on L1 be (α, α, 1)

Line L2 given by y = –x, z = –1 can be expressed as

L2 : x1=y1=z+10=β (say)

 x=β,y=β,z=1

Let the coordinates of R on L2 be (β, β, 1)

Direction ratios of PQ are (aα, aα, a1).

Now PQL1

  1(aα)+1(aα)+0(a1)=0  a=α

Hence Q(a, a, 1)

Direction ratios of PR are aβ, a+β, a+1

Now PRL2

  1(aβ)+(1)(a+β)+0(a+1)=0  β=0

Hence R(0, 0, —1)

Now, as QPR=90°

(aa)(a – 0) + (aa)(a – 0) + (a – 1)(a + 1) = 0

(a –1)(a + 1) = 0 a = 1 or a = –1

    a = 1, rejected as P and Q are different points

a = –1, then 12a2=12×(1)2=12.