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 is a right angle, then is equal to __________. [2024]
(12)
Line is given by y = x, z = 1 can be expressed as
Let the coordinate of Q on be
Line given by y = –x, z = –1 can be expressed as
(say)
Let the coordinates of R on be
Direction ratios of PQ are .
Now
Hence Q(a, a, 1)
Direction ratios of PR are
Now
Hence R(0, 0, —1)
Now, as
(a – a)(a – 0) + (a – a)(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 .