PastPaper.question 1 · Structured
10.7 PastPaper.marksThe lines \( l_1 \) and \( l_2 \) have vector equations:
\[ l_1: \mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -1 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} \]
\[ l_2: \mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 0 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} \]
(i) Find the shortest distance between \( l_1 \) and \( l_2 \).
(ii) Find the vector equation of the line of shortest distance between \( l_1 \) and \( l_2 \).
\[ l_1: \mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -1 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} \]
\[ l_2: \mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 0 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} \]
(i) Find the shortest distance between \( l_1 \) and \( l_2 \).
(ii) Find the vector equation of the line of shortest distance between \( l_1 \) and \( l_2 \).
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PastPaper.workedSolution
(i) To find the direction of the common perpendicular to both lines, we compute the cross product of their direction vectors:
\[ \mathbf{n} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -1 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} \times \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{i} & \mathbf{j} & \mathbf{k} \\ 2 & -1 & 3 \\ 1 & 1 & -2 \end{vmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 7 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} \]
The magnitude of \( \mathbf{n} \) is:
\[ |\mathbf{n}| = \sqrt{(-1)^2 + 7^2 + 3^2} = \sqrt{59} \]
Let \( A(1, 2, -1) \) be a point on \( l_1 \) and \( B(3, 0, 4) \) be a point on \( l_2 \). Then:
\[ \vec{AB} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 - 1 \\ 0 - 2 \\ 4 - (-1) \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -2 \\ 5 \end{pmatrix} \]
The shortest distance \( d \) is the projection of \( \vec{AB} \) onto \( \mathbf{n} \):
\[ d = \frac{|\vec{AB} \cdot \mathbf{n}|}{|\mathbf{n}|} = \frac{|2(-1) + (-2)(7) + 5(3)|}{\sqrt{59}} = \frac{|-2 - 14 + 15|}{\sqrt{59}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{59}} \]
(ii) Let \( P \) and \( Q \) be points on \( l_1 \) and \( l_2 \) respectively such that \( \vec{PQ} \) is perpendicular to both lines.
\[ P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 + 2\lambda \\ 2 - \lambda \\ -1 + 3\lambda \end{pmatrix}, \quad Q = \begin{pmatrix} 3 + \mu \\ \mu \\ 4 - 2\mu \end{pmatrix} \]
\[ \vec{PQ} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 + \mu - 2\lambda \\ -2 + \mu + \lambda \\ 5 - 2\mu - 3\lambda \end{pmatrix} \]
Since \( \vec{PQ} \cdot \mathbf{d}_1 = 0 \):
\[ 2(2 + \mu - 2\lambda) - 1(-2 + \mu + \lambda) + 3(5 - 2\mu - 3\lambda) = 0 \implies 14\lambda + 5\mu = 21 \]
Since \( \vec{PQ} \cdot \mathbf{d}_2 = 0 \):
\[ 1(2 + \mu - 2\lambda) + 1(-2 + \mu + \lambda) - 2(5 - 2\mu - 3\lambda) = 0 \implies 5\lambda + 6\mu = 10 \]
Solving these simultaneous equations yields:
\[ \lambda = \frac{76}{59}, \quad \mu = \frac{35}{59} \]
Substituting \( \lambda = \frac{76}{59} \) into the expression for \( P \):
\[ P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 + \frac{152}{59} \\ 2 - \frac{76}{59} \\ -1 + \frac{228}{59} \end{pmatrix} = \frac{1}{59}\begin{pmatrix} 211 \\ 42 \\ 169 \end{pmatrix} \]
Hence, the equation of the line of shortest distance is:
\[ \mathbf{r} = \frac{1}{59}\begin{pmatrix} 211 \\ 42 \\ 169 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 7 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} \]
\[ \mathbf{n} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -1 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} \times \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{i} & \mathbf{j} & \mathbf{k} \\ 2 & -1 & 3 \\ 1 & 1 & -2 \end{vmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 7 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} \]
The magnitude of \( \mathbf{n} \) is:
\[ |\mathbf{n}| = \sqrt{(-1)^2 + 7^2 + 3^2} = \sqrt{59} \]
Let \( A(1, 2, -1) \) be a point on \( l_1 \) and \( B(3, 0, 4) \) be a point on \( l_2 \). Then:
\[ \vec{AB} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 - 1 \\ 0 - 2 \\ 4 - (-1) \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -2 \\ 5 \end{pmatrix} \]
The shortest distance \( d \) is the projection of \( \vec{AB} \) onto \( \mathbf{n} \):
\[ d = \frac{|\vec{AB} \cdot \mathbf{n}|}{|\mathbf{n}|} = \frac{|2(-1) + (-2)(7) + 5(3)|}{\sqrt{59}} = \frac{|-2 - 14 + 15|}{\sqrt{59}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{59}} \]
(ii) Let \( P \) and \( Q \) be points on \( l_1 \) and \( l_2 \) respectively such that \( \vec{PQ} \) is perpendicular to both lines.
\[ P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 + 2\lambda \\ 2 - \lambda \\ -1 + 3\lambda \end{pmatrix}, \quad Q = \begin{pmatrix} 3 + \mu \\ \mu \\ 4 - 2\mu \end{pmatrix} \]
\[ \vec{PQ} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 + \mu - 2\lambda \\ -2 + \mu + \lambda \\ 5 - 2\mu - 3\lambda \end{pmatrix} \]
Since \( \vec{PQ} \cdot \mathbf{d}_1 = 0 \):
\[ 2(2 + \mu - 2\lambda) - 1(-2 + \mu + \lambda) + 3(5 - 2\mu - 3\lambda) = 0 \implies 14\lambda + 5\mu = 21 \]
Since \( \vec{PQ} \cdot \mathbf{d}_2 = 0 \):
\[ 1(2 + \mu - 2\lambda) + 1(-2 + \mu + \lambda) - 2(5 - 2\mu - 3\lambda) = 0 \implies 5\lambda + 6\mu = 10 \]
Solving these simultaneous equations yields:
\[ \lambda = \frac{76}{59}, \quad \mu = \frac{35}{59} \]
Substituting \( \lambda = \frac{76}{59} \) into the expression for \( P \):
\[ P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 + \frac{152}{59} \\ 2 - \frac{76}{59} \\ -1 + \frac{228}{59} \end{pmatrix} = \frac{1}{59}\begin{pmatrix} 211 \\ 42 \\ 169 \end{pmatrix} \]
Hence, the equation of the line of shortest distance is:
\[ \mathbf{r} = \frac{1}{59}\begin{pmatrix} 211 \\ 42 \\ 169 \end{pmatrix} + t \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 7 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} \]
PastPaper.markingScheme
M1: For calculating the cross product of the direction vectors.
A1: For correct normal vector \( \mathbf{n} = -\mathbf{i} + 7\mathbf{j} + 3\mathbf{k} \).
M1: For using the projection formula \( \frac{|\vec{AB} \cdot \mathbf{n}|}{|\mathbf{n}|} \).
A1: For obtaining the correct shortest distance \( \frac{1}{\sqrt{59}} \).
M1: For setting up the general vector \( \vec{PQ} \) and applying dot products with direction vectors.
A1: For the two correct linear equations in \( \lambda \) and \( \mu \).
M1: For solving the simultaneous equations.
A1: For correct parameter values \( \lambda = \frac{76}{59} \) and \( \mu = \frac{35}{59} \).
M1: For finding a point on the common perpendicular.
A1.7: For the correct vector equation of the line.
A1: For correct normal vector \( \mathbf{n} = -\mathbf{i} + 7\mathbf{j} + 3\mathbf{k} \).
M1: For using the projection formula \( \frac{|\vec{AB} \cdot \mathbf{n}|}{|\mathbf{n}|} \).
A1: For obtaining the correct shortest distance \( \frac{1}{\sqrt{59}} \).
M1: For setting up the general vector \( \vec{PQ} \) and applying dot products with direction vectors.
A1: For the two correct linear equations in \( \lambda \) and \( \mu \).
M1: For solving the simultaneous equations.
A1: For correct parameter values \( \lambda = \frac{76}{59} \) and \( \mu = \frac{35}{59} \).
M1: For finding a point on the common perpendicular.
A1.7: For the correct vector equation of the line.