Parallel lines, a parallelogram and a midplane

The points A,BA,B have position vectors 3i+j3\mathbf i+\mathbf j and 3i+3j3\mathbf i+3\mathbf j respectively. The line l1l_1 and the planes Π1,Π2\Pi_1,\Pi_2 have equations as follows:

l1:r=OA→+α(2,1,−1)l_1:\mathbf r=\overrightarrow{OA}+\alpha(2,1,-1), Π1:x+2z=3\Pi_1:x+2z=3, Π2:r=λ(1,1,0)+μ(0,1,1)\Pi_2:\mathbf r=\lambda(1,1,0)+\mu(0,1,1), where α,λ,μ∈R\alpha,\lambda,\mu\in\mathbb R.

It is given that the planes Π1,Π2\Pi_1,\Pi_2 intersect in the line l2l_2.

(i) Find a vector equation of the line l2l_2 and show that the line l2l_2 is parallel to the line l1l_1. Hence find the shortest distance between the lines l1,l2l_1,l_2.

(ii) The points C,DC,D are on the lines l1,l2l_1,l_2 respectively such that ∠ABC=90∘\angle ABC=90^\circ and ABDCABDC is a parallelogram. Find the position vectors of C,DC,D. Hence find the area of the parallelogram ABDCABDC.

(iii) The plane Π3\Pi_3 is parallel to the plane Π2\Pi_2 and is equidistant to both point AA and the plane Π2\Pi_2. Show that the equation of the plane Π3\Pi_3 is given by r⋅(i−j+k)=1\mathbf r\cdot(\mathbf i-\mathbf j+\mathbf k)=1.

(iv) Find the position vector of the foot of the perpendicular from the point AA to the plane Π3\Pi_3.

Source wording note: In the first sentence of part (iii), the question PDF prints Π2\Pi_2 where the subsequent reference to Π3\Pi_3 identifies the intended plane. This transcription uses Π3\Pi_3 there; the original wording is recorded as a source typo.

2025 TJC H2 Maths (9758) JC2 MSM · original exercise attribution retained on source pages

Solution

(i)

Parallel lines

Find l2=Π1∩Π2l_2=\Pi_1\cap\Pi_2, show l2∥l1=A+α(2,1,−1)l_2\parallel l_1=A+\alpha(2,1,-1) and find the distance between them.

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Hint

  1. Substitute Π2\Pi_2's parametric form into Π1\Pi_1.

  2. Distance =∣AB→×d∣∣d∣=\frac{|\overrightarrow{AB}\times\mathbf d|}{|\mathbf d|} with B∈l2B\in l_2.

Answer · (i)

l2:r=(3,3,0)+t(−2,−1,1)l_2:r=(3,3,0)+t(-2,-1,1); parallel to l1l_1, distance 30/3\sqrt{30}/3.

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Two parallel lines

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(ii)

Parallelogram

C∈l1C\in l_1, D∈l2D\in l_2 with ∠ABC=90∘\angle ABC=90^\circ and ABDCABDC a parallelogram. Find CC, DD and the area.

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Hint

  1. BA→⋅BC→=0\overrightarrow{BA}\cdot\overrightarrow{BC}=0.

  2. CD→=AB→\overrightarrow{CD}=\overrightarrow{AB}.

Answer · (ii)

C=(7,3,−2)C=(7,3,-2), D=(7,5,−2)D=(7,5,-2); area 454\sqrt5.

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The parallelogram ABDC

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(iii)

Midplane

Π3\Pi_3 is parallel to Π2\Pi_2 and equidistant from AA and Π2\Pi_2. Show Π3:r⋅(1,−1,1)=1\Pi_3:\mathbf r\cdot(1,-1,1)=1.

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Hint

  1. Π2\Pi_2 has normal (1,1,0)×(0,1,1)=(1,−1,1)(1,1,0)\times(0,1,1)=(1,-1,1) and passes through OO.

  2. AA's value of r⋅n\mathbf r\cdot\mathbf n is 2.

Answer · (iii)

Π3:x−y+z=1\Pi_3:x-y+z=1.

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A plane midway between Π₂ and A

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(iv)

Foot of a perpendicular

Find the foot of the perpendicular from AA to Π3\Pi_3.

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Hint

  1. Move from AA along −n-\mathbf n by the signed distance.

Answer · (iv)

Foot (8,4,−1)/3(8,4,-1)/3.

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Move A and drop a perpendicular to Π₃

The plane x − y + z = 1 stays fixed while A moves. Watch F remain on the plane and AF stay parallel to its normal. Reset restores the question's A = (3, 1, 0).

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