NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –

Three Dimensional Geometry

Miscellaneous EXERCISE PAGE NO: 497

1. Show that the line joining the origin to the point (2, 1, 1) is perpendicular to the
line determined by the points (3, 5, –1), (4, 3, –1).
Solution:
Let us consider OA be the line joining the origin (0, 0, 0) and the point A (2, 1, 1).
And let BC be the line joining the points B (3, 5, −1) and C (4, 3, −1)
So the direction ratios of OA = (a1, b1, c1) ≡ [(2 - 0), (1 - 0), (1 - 0)] ≡ (2, 1, 1)
And the direction ratios of BC = (a2, b2, c2) ≡ [(4 - 3), (3 - 5), (-1 + 1)] ≡ (1, -2, 0)
Given:
OA is ⊥ to BC
Now we have to prove that:
a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0
Let us consider LHS: a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2
a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 2 × 1 + 1 × (−2) + 1 × 0
=2-2
=0
We know that R.H.S is 0
So LHS = RHS
∴ OA is ⊥ to BC
Hence proved.

2. If l1, m1, n1 and l2, m2, n2 are the direction cosines of two mutually perpendicular
lines, show that the direction cosines of the line perpendicular to both of these are
(m1n2 - m2n1), (n1l2 - n2l1), (l1m2 - l2m1)
Solution:
Let us consider l, m, n be the direction cosines of the line perpendicular to each of the
given lines.
Then, ll1 + mm1 + nn1 = 0 … (1)
And ll2 + mm2 + nn2 = 0 … (2)
Upon solving (1) and (2) by using cross - multiplication, we get

Thus, the direction cosines of the given line are proportional to

(m1n2 - m2n1), (n1l2 - n2l1), (l1m2 - l2m1)
So, its direction cosines are
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

We know that
(l12 + m12 + n12) (l22 + m22 + n22) - (l1l2 + m1m2 + n1n2)2
= (m1n2 - m2n1)2 + (n1l2 - n2l1)2 + (l1m2 - l2m1)2 … (3)
It is given that the given lines are perpendicular to each other.
So, l1l2 + m1m2 + n1n2 = 0
Also, we have
l12 + m12 + n12 = 1
And, l22 + m22 + n22 = 1
Substituting these values in equation (3), we get
(m1n2 - m2n1)2 + (n1l2 - n2l1)2 + (l1m2 - l2m1)2 = 1
λ=1
Hence, the direction cosines of the given line are (m1n2 - m2n1), (n1l2 - n2l1), (l1m2 - l2m1)

3. Find the angle between the lines whose direction ratios are a, b, c and b – c, c – a,
a – b.
Solution:
Angle between the lines with direction ratios a1, b1, c1 and a2, b2, c2 is given by

Given:
a1 = a, b1 = b, c1 = c
a2 = b - c, b2 = c - a, c2 = a - b
Let us substitute the values in the above equation we get,

=0
Cos θ = 0
So, θ = 90° [Since, cos 90 = 0]
Hence, Angle between the given pair of lines is 90°.

4. Find the equation of a line parallel to x - axis and passing through the origin.
Solution:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

We know that, equation of a line passing through (x1, y1, z1) and parallel to a line with
direction ratios a, b, c is

Given: the line passes through origin i.e. (0, 0, 0)

x1 = 0, y1 = 0, z1 = 0
Since line is parallel to x - axis,
a = 1, b = 0, c = 0
∴ Equation of Line is given by

5. If the coordinates of the points A, B, C, D be (1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 7), (–4, 3, –6) and (2, 9,
2) respectively, then find the angle between the lines AB and CD.
Solution:
We know that the angle between the lines with direction ratios a 1, b1, c1 and a2, b2, c2 is
given by

So now, a line passing through A (x1, y1, z1) and B (x2, y2, z2) has direction ratios (x1 -
x2), (y1 - y2), (z1 - z2)
The direction ratios of line joining the points A (1, 2, 3) and B (4, 5, 7)
= (4 - 1), (5 - 2), (7 - 3)
= (3, 3, 4)
∴ a1 = 3, b1 = 3, c1 = 4
The direction ratios of line joining the points C (-4, 3, -6) and B (2, 9, 2)
= (2 - (-4)), (9 - 3), (2-(-6))
= (6, 6, 8)
∴ a2 = 6, b2 = 6, c2 = 8
Now let us substitute the values in the above equation we get,
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

6. If the lines

and are perpendicular, find the value

of k.
Solution:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

We get -
x2 = 1, y2 = 2, z2 = 3
And a2 = 3k, b2 = 1, c2 = -5

Since the two lines are perpendicular,

a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0
(-3) × 3k + 2k × 1 + 2 × (-5) = 0
-9k + 2k - 10 = 0
-7k = 10
k = -10/7
7
∴ The value of k is -10/7.

7. Find the vector equation of the line passing through (1, 2, 3) and perpendicular to
the plane

Solution:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

8. Find the equation of the plane passing through (a, b, c) and parallel to the plane

Solution:
The equation of a plane passing through (x1, y1, z1) and perpendicular to a line with
direction ratios A, B, C is given as
A (x - x1) + B (y - y1) + C (z - z1) = 0
It is given that, the plane passes through (a, b, c)
So, x1 = a, y1 = b, z1 = c
Since both planes are parallel to each other, their normal will be parallel

Direction ratios of normal = (1, 1, 1)

So, A = 1, B =1, C = 1
The Equation of plane in Cartesian form is given as
A (x - x1) + B (y - y1) + C (z - z1) = 0
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

1(x - a) + 1(y - b) + 1(z - c) = 0

x + y + z - (a + b + c) = 0
x+y+z=a+b+c
∴ The required equation of plane is x + y + z = a + b + c

9. Find the shortest distance between lines

and
Solution:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

10. Find the coordinates of the point where the line through (5, 1, 6) and (3, 4,1)
crosses the YZ - plane.
Solution:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

We know that, two vectors are equal if their corresponding components are equal
So,
0 = 5 - 2λ
5 = 2λ
λ = 5/2
y = 1 + 3λ … (5)
And,
z = 6 - 5λ … (6)
Substitute the value of λ in equation (5) and (6), we get -
y = 1 + 3λ
= 1 + 3 × (5/2)
= 1 + (15/2)
= 17/2
And
z = 6 - 5λ
= 6 - 5 × (5/2)
= 6 - (25/2)
= - 13/2
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

∴ The coordinates of the required point is (0, 17/2, -13/2).

11. Find the coordinates of the point where the line through (5, 1, 6) and (3, 4, 1)
crosses the ZX - plane.
Solution:

We know that, two vectors are equal if their corresponding components are equal
So,
x = 5 - 2λ … (5)
0 = 1 + 3λ
-1 = 3λ
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

λ = -1/3
And,
z = 6 - 5λ … (6)
Substitute the value of λ in equation (5) and (6), we get -
x = 5 - 2λ
= 5 - 2 × (-1/3)
= 5 + (2/3)
= 17/3
And
z = 6 - 5λ
= 6 - 5 × (-1/3)
= 6 + (5/3)
= 23/3
∴ The coordinates of the required point is (17/3, 0, 23/3).

12. Find the coordinates of the point where the line through (3, –4, –5) and (2, –3, 1)
crosses the plane 2x + y + z = 7.
Solution:
We know that the equation of a line passing through two points A (x1, y1, z1) and B (x2,
y2, z2) is given as

It is given that the line passes through the points A (3, –4, –5) and B (2, –3, 1)
So, x1 = 3, y1 = -4, z1 = -5
And, x2 = 2, y2 = -3, z2 = 1
Then the equation of line is

So, x = -k + 3 |, y = k - 4 |, z = 6k - 5 … (1)
Now let (x, y, z) be the coordinates of the point where the line crosses the given plane 2x
+y+z+7=0
By substituting the value of x, y, z in equation (1) in the equation of plane, we get
2x + y + z + 7 = 0
2(-k + 3) + (k - 4) + (6k - 5) = 7
5k - 3 = 7
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

5k = 10
k=2
Now substitute the value of k in x, y, z we get,
x=-k+3=-2+3=1
y=k-4=2-4=-2
z = 6k - 5 = 12 - 5 = 7
∴ The coordinates of the required point are (1, -2, 7).

13. Find the equation of the plane passing through the point (–1, 3, 2) and
perpendicular to each of the planes x + 2y + 3z = 5 and 3x + 3y + z = 0.
Solution:
We know that the equation of a plane passing through (x1, y1, z1) is given by
A (x - x1) + B (y - y1) + C (z - z1) = 0
Where, A, B, C are the direction ratios of normal to the plane.
It is given that the plane passes through (-1, 3, 2)
So, equation of plane is given by
A (x + 1) + B (y - 3) + C (z - 2) = 0 ……… (1)
Since this plane is perpendicular to the given two planes. So, their normal to the plane
would be perpendicular to normal of both planes.
We know that

So, required normal is cross product of normal of planes

x + 2y + 3z = 5 and 3x + 3y + z = 0

Hence, the direction ratios are = -7, 8, -3

∴ A = -7, B = 8, C = -3
Substituting the obtained values in equation (1), we get
A (x + 1) + B (y - 3) + C (z - 2) = 0
-7(x + 1) + 8(y - 3) + (-3) (z - 2) = 0
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

-7x - 7 + 8y - 24 - 3z + 6 = 0
-7x + 8y - 3z - 25 = 0
7x - 8y + 3z + 25 = 0
∴ The equation of the required plane is 7x - 8y + 3z + 25 = 0.

14. If the points (1, 1, p) and (–3, 0, 1) be equidistant from the plane

, then find the value of p.

Solution:

20 - 12p = ± 8
20 - 12p = 8 or, 20 - 12p = -8
12p = 12 or, 12p = 28
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

p = 1 or, p = 7/3
∴ The possible values of p are 1 and 7/3.

15. Find the equation of the plane passing through the line of intersection of the

planes and and parallel to x-axis.

Solution:

Since this plane is parallel to x-axis.

So, the normal vector of the plane (1) will be perpendicular to x-axis.
The direction ratios of Normal (a1, b1, c1) ≡ [(1 - 2λ), (1 - 3λ), (1 +)]
The direction ratios of x–axis (a2, b2, c2) ≡ (1, 0, 0)

Since the two lines are perpendicular,

a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0
(1 - 2λ) × 1 + (1 - 3λ) × 0 + (1 + λ) × 0 = 0
(1 - 2λ) = 0
λ = 1/2
Substituting the value of λ in equation (1), we get
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

16. If O be the origin and the coordinates of P be (1, 2, –3), then find the equation of
the plane passing through P and perpendicular to OP.
Solution:
We know that the equation of a plane passing through (x1, y1, z1) and perpendicular to a
line with direction ratios A, B, C is given as
A(x - x1) + B(y - y1) + C (z - z1) = 0
It is given that the plane passes through P (1, 2, 3)
So, x1 = 1, y1 = 2, z1 = - 3
Normal vector to plane is =
Where O (0, 0, 0), P (1, 2, -3)
So, direction ratios of is = (1 - 0), (2 - 0), (-3 - 0)
= (1, 2, - 3)
Where, A = 1, B = 2, C = -3
Equation of plane in Cartesian form is given as
1(x - 1) + 2(y - 2) - 3(z - (-3)) = 0
x - 1 + 2y - 4 - 3z - 9 = 0
x + 2y - 3z - 14 = 0
∴ The equation of the required plane is x + 2y - 3z - 14 = 0

Solution:

Since this plane is perpendicular to the plane

 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

So, the normal vector of the plane (1) will be perpendicular to the normal vector of plane
(2).
Direction ratios of Normal of plane (1) = (a 1, b1, c1) ≡ [(1 - 2λ), (2 - λ), (3 + λ)]
Direction ratios of Normal of plane (2) = (a 2, b2, c2) ≡ (-5, -3, 6)

Since the two lines are perpendicular,

a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0
(1 - 2λ) × (-5) + (2 - λ) × (-3) + (3 + λ) × 6 = 0
-5 + 10λ - 6 + 3λ + 18 + 6λ = 0
19λ + 7 = 0
λ = -7/19
By substituting the value of λ in equation (1), we get

18. Find the distance of the point (–1, –5, –10) from the point of intersection of the
line

Solution:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

Where,
x = 2, y = -1, z = 2
So, the point of intersection is (2, -1, 2).

Now, the distance between points (x1, y1, z1) and (x2, y2, z2) is given by
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

∴ The distance is 13 units.

 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

20. Find the vector equation of the line passing through the point (1, 2, – 4) and
perpendicular to the two lines:

and .
Solution:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

21. Prove that if a plane has the intercepts a, b, c and is at a distance of p units from
the origin, then

Solution:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

22. Distance between the two planes: 2x + 3y + 4z = 4 and 4x + 6y + 8z = 12 is

A. 2 units
B. 4 units
C. 8 units
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

D. 2/√29 units
Solution:
We know that the distance between two parallel planes Ax + By + Cz = d 1 and Ax + By +
Cz = d2 is given as

It is given that:
First Plane:
2x + 3y + 4z = 4
Let us compare with Ax + By + Cz = d1, we get
A = 2, B = 3, C = 4, d1 = 4

Second Plane:
4x + 6y + 8z = 12 [Divide the equation by 2]
We get,
2x + 3y + 4z = 6
Now comparing with Ax + By + Cz = d1, we get
A = 2, B = 3, C = 4, d2 = 6

So,
Distance between two planes is given as

= 2/√29
∴ Option (D) is the correct option.

23. The planes: 2x – y + 4z = 5 and 5x – 2.5y + 10z = 6 are

A. Perpendicular
B. Parallel
C. intersect y–axis
D. passes through
Solution:
It is given that:
First Plane:
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11 –
Three Dimensional Geometry

2x – y + 4z = 5 [Multiply both sides by 2.5]

We get,
5x - 2.5y + 10z = 12.5 … (1)

Given second Plane:

5x – 2.5y + 10z = 6 … (2)
So,

It is clear that the direction ratios of normal of both the plane (1) and (2) are same.
∴ Both the given planes are parallel.