CHAPTER 11

Three Dimensional Geometry

• Lines:
Direction Cosines and Lines  Equation of the line which passes through two
• Direction Cosines: given points:
These are the cosines of the angles made by the Assume that the position vectors of A(x1, y1, z1)
line with the positive directions of the coordinate →
→
axes. and B(x2, y2, z2) are a and b respectively.
Z Z )
y 2, z 2
L (x 2,
B
, z)
(x, y
P ) P
, z1
, y1
(x 1 A
r
b
z a
r
γ Y
O
β
α y Y
O X
x Then, the vector equation of the line is
→ → ⎛ → →⎞
X r = a + k ⎜ b − a⎟ , k ∈ 
The direction cosines of line joining the points A(x1, ⎝ ⎠
y1, z1 and B(x2, y2, z2) are The equation of the line in Cartesian form is
x − x1 y − y1 z − z1 x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
± 2 ,± 2 ,± 2 where = =
AB AB AB x2 − x1 y2 − y1 z2 − z1
 Equation of the line which passes through a given
AB = ( x2 − x1 )2 + ( y2 − y1 )2 + ( z2 − z1 )2 point having a given direction
Assume the direction cosines of the line are l, m Z b
and n and that the line is passing through the point
A(x1, y1, z1), then the equation of the line is l
P
x − x1 y − y1 z − z1 A
= =
l m n
Also, l2 + m2 + n2 = 1 a r
• Direction Cosines:
Y
Direction ratios are any three numbers which are O
proportional to the direction cosines.
Let the direction ratios be a, b and c, then X
→ → →
a b The vector equation of the line is r = a + λ b
l=± ,m = ± and
a2 + b2 + c2 a2 + b2 + c2 The equation of the line in Cartesian form
when it passes through A(x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) is
c x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
n=± = = where the direction
a + b2 + c2
2
a b c
ratios are a, b and c.
  ^ ^ ^ The equation of a plane through a point whose
The angle between the lines r  a1 i  b1 j  c1 k 
position vector is a and perpendicular to the vector
 ^ ^ ^
and r  a2 i  b2 j  c2 k is given by
    
N is  r  a   N  0
 
a1 a2  b1 b2  c1 c2 Equation of a plane perpendicular to a given
cos   vector and passing through a given point is
a12  b12  c12 a22  b22  c22 A(x – x1) + B(y – y1) + C(z – z1) = 0
The shortest distance between the lines  Equation of a plane passing through three
      non collinear points
r  a1   b1 and r  a2   b2 is given by Let the non collinear points be R(x 1, y1, z 1),

      S(x1, y2, z2), T(x3, y3, z3) and r be the position
 b1  b2    a2  a1  vector.
 
b1  b2

The shortest distance between the lines

x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
 
a1 b1 c1 and

x  x2 y  y2 z  z2
 
a2 b2 c2 is given by

x2  x1 y2  y1 z2  z1
a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c2
Equation of a plane passing through three non
 b1c2  b2 c1 2   c1a2  c2 a1 2   a1b2  a2b1 2 collinear points is
            
 r  a    b  a    c  a    0
 
Plane In Cartesian plane,
 Plane
x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
A surface so that when the two points are taken on
it, the line segment lies joining the two points lies x2  x1 y2  y1 z2  z1  0
on the surface is called a plane. x3  x1 y3  y1 z3  z1
 ^ ^ The equation of the plane in the intercept form is
The equation of the plane is r  n  d where n
is the unit vector normal to plane of origin. x y z
   1 where a, b, c are x, y, z intercepts
The equation of the plane in normal form is a b c
lx + my + nz = d where l, m, n are direction respectively.
cosines.  The plane passing through intersection of two
 Equation of a plane perpendicular to a given given lines
vector It has the equation
Z   
r   n1   n2   d1   d2
 
In Cartesian system,
(A1x + B1y + C1z – d1) + l(A2x + B2y + C2z – d2)
A
a =0
r P(x,y,z)  Angle between two planes
O The angle between the planes is given by the angle
Y
between their normals.
X
 angle between the normals
Plane 1 = [90 – (90 –θ)] A1 A2 + B1 B2 + C1C2
n2 cos θ =
θ n1 A12 + B12 + C 2
A22 + B22 + C 2
1 2
90 – θ The distance between a plane Ax + By + Cz + D
θ Plane 2
and the point (x1, y1, z1) is given by
the angle between
A1 x + B1 y + C1 z + D1
the planes
Let the angle between the planes be θ. A 2 + B2 + C 2
→ → →
→ → The angle between the line r = a + λ b and the
n1 ⋅ n2 → →
cos θ = where n1 , n2 are normal to the
→ → →^
n1 n2 → ^ b⋅n
plane r ⋅ n = d is sin ϕ = → ^
planes. b n
In Cartesian form, A1x + B1y + C1z + D1 = 0 and
A2x + B2y + C2z + D2 = 0

Exercise
1. The distance between the points A(1, –1, 3) and 6. If a line make angles α, β , γ with x - axis, y - axis
B(2, 3, –5) is and z - axis respectively, then sin2α + sin2β + sin2γ
=?
(a) 13 units (b) 13 units
(a) 1 (b) 3
(c) 9 units (d) None
(c) 2 (d) None of these
2. The distance of the point P(–8, 5, –6) from the
7. The direction ratios of a line are 6, 2, –3. Its
origin is
direction cosines are
(a) 19 units (b) 19 units
⎛ 6 2 −3 ⎞ ⎛ 6 2 −3 ⎞
(a) ⎜ , , ⎟ (b) ⎜⎝ , , ⎟
(c) 5 5 units (d) None ⎝5 5 5 ⎠ 11 11 11 ⎠
3. The coordinates of the point which divides the
join of the points A(5, 4, 2) and B(–1, –2, 4) in the ⎛ 6 2 −3 ⎞
(c) ⎜⎝ , , ⎟ (d) None of these
ratio 2 : 3 is 7 7 7⎠
⎛ 13 ⎞ 
(a) (13, 8, 14) (b) ⎜⎝ ,4,7⎟⎠ 8. The direction cosines of the vector r = 2iˆ + 3jˆ − 2kˆ
2
are
⎛ 13 8 14 ⎞
(c) ⎜⎝ , , ⎟⎠ (d) None of these ⎛ 2 3 −2 ⎞ ⎛ 2 −2 ⎞
5 5 5 , ,
(a) ⎜ (b) ⎜ ,1, ⎟
4. The ratio in which the point R(5, 4, –6) divides ⎝ 17 17 17 ⎟⎠ ⎝3 3⎠
the joint of the points P(3, 2, –4) and Q(9, 8, –10)
is ⎛ 2 3 −2 ⎞
(c) ⎜ , ,
⎝ 7 7 7 ⎟⎠
(d) None of these
(a) 2 : 3 (b) 3 : 4
(c) 1 : 3 (d) 1 : 2 9. The direction cosines of the line segment joining
5. The direction cosines of y-axis are the points A(7, –5, 9) and B(5, –3, 8) are
(a) (1, 0, 1) (b) (0, 1, 0)
⎛ 1 1 ⎞
(a) (–2, 2, –1) (b) ⎜ − , , −1⎟
⎛ 1 1 ⎞ ⎝ 2 2 ⎠
(c) ⎜⎝ ,0, ⎟ (d) None of these
2 2⎠
⎛ 2 2 −1 ⎞
(c) ⎜⎝ − , , ⎟⎠ (d) None of these
3 3 3
10. The angle between the lines whose direction ratios 18. The point where the plane ax + by + cz + d = 0,
are (3, 4, 5) and (4, –3, 5) is meets the y-axis, is
(a) 30° (b) 45° ⎛ d ⎞ ⎛ d −d ⎞
(c) 60° (d) 90° (a) ⎜⎝ 0, − ,0⎟⎠ (b) ⎜⎝ − ,0, ⎟⎠
b a c
11. The direction cosines of the line which is
perpendicular to the lines having direction ratios ⎛ d ⎞ ⎛ d d⎞
(c) ⎜⎝ 0, ,0⎟⎠ (d) ⎜⎝ ,0, ⎟⎠
(1, –1, 2) and (2, 1, –1) respectively, are b a c
19. Equation to the plane which makes intercepts 2,
⎛ −1 3 ⎞ ⎛ −2 3 5 ⎞
(a) ⎜⎝ ,1, ⎟⎠ (b) ⎜⎝ , , ⎟ 3, 4 on co-ordinates axes, is
5 5 35 35 35 ⎠
(a) x + y + z = 29 (b) 2x + 3y + 4z = 1
⎛ −1 5 3 ⎞
(c) ⎜⎝ , , ⎟ (d) None of these
35 35 35 ⎠ (c)
x y z
+ + =1 (d) None of these
12. If (a1, b1, c1) and (a2, b2, c2) are the direction ratios 2 3 4
of two parallel lines, then 20. The intercepts made by the plane 2x – 4y + 3x =
12 on the coordinate axes are
(a) a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0
1 −1 1
(b) a12 + b12 + c12 = a 22 + b22 + c 22 (a) 2, –4, 3 (b) , ,
6 3 4
(c) a1 = a2, b1 = b2, c1 = c2
29 29 29
a1 b1 c1 (c) 6, –3, 4 (d) , ,
(d) a = b = c 2 −4 3
2 2 2
21. The length of perpendicular from the point
13. The angle between the planes 3x + 4y + 5z = 16 P(2, 1, –1) to the plane x – 2y + 4z = 9 is
and 4x – 3y + 5z = 9 is
9
π π (a) 21 units (b) units
(a) (b) 21
2 6
π π
13
(c) (d) (c) units (d) None of these
3 4 21
14. The distance of the point (2, 3, –1) from the plane 22. The distance between the parallel planes
2x – 3y + 4z = 10 is x + y – z + 4 = 0 and x + y – z + 5 = 0 is
19 19 4
(a) (b) (a) 3 3 (b)
29 29 3
19 5 1
(c) (d) None of these (c) (d)
29 3 3
15. Equation of xz-plane is 23. Equation of the plane passing through the points
(a) x = 0, z = 0 (b) y = 0 (a, 0, 0), (0, b, 0) and (0, 0, c) is
(c) x = z ≠ 0 (d) None of these (a) ax + by + cz = 0 (b) ax + by + cz = 1
16. Equation of a plane parallel to yz-plane and at a x y z x y z
distance a from it, is (c) + + =0 (d) + + = 1
a b c a b c
(a) y = z = a (b) x = a 24. The points (2, 5, –4), (1, 4, –3) and (4, 7, –6) are
(c) y = z ≠ a (d) None of these
(a) collinear
17. The length of perpendicular drawn from origin to
(b) form an equilateral triangle
the plane 6x – 3y + 2z – 14 = 0 is
(a) 14 units (b) 5 units (c) form an isosceles triangle
(c) 2 units (d) 7 units (d) form a right angled triangle

Answer Keys
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (c) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (c)
11. (c) 12. (d) 13. (c) 14. (a) 15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (a) 19. (c) 20. (c)
21. (c) 22. (d) 23. (d) 24. (a)
 Solutions
6 2 −3
1. Let AB = ( 2 − 1)2 + ( 3 + 1)2 + ( −5 − 3) 2 ⇒
49
,
49
,
49
6 2 −3
= 12 + 4 2 + ( −8) = 1 + 16 + 64 = 81 ⇒
2 , ,
7 7 7
= 9 units 8. Direction cosines of line are
2 3
2. OP = ( −8) 2 + 52 + ( −6) 2 = 125 = 5 5 units , ,
22 + 32 + ( −2) 22 + 32 + ( −2)
2 2

⎧ 2 × ( −1) + 3 × 5 ⎫ −2 + 15 13 −2
3. x = ⎨ ⎬= = ,
⎩ 2+3 ⎭ 5 5
2 + 32 + ( −2)
2 2

⎧ 2 × ( −2 ) + 3 × 4 ⎫ −4 + 12 8 2 3 −2
y=⎨ ⎬= = , ⇒ , ,
⎩ 2+3 ⎭ 5 5 4+9+ 4 4+9+4 4+9+4
⎧ 2 × 4 + 3 × 2 ⎫ 8 + 6 14 2 3 −2
and z = ⎨ ⎬= = , ⇒ , ,
⎩ 2+3 ⎭ 5 5 17 17 17
9. Direction ratios of the given line segment are
⎛ 13 8 14 ⎞
∴ Required point is ⎜ , , ⎟ (5 – 7), [–3 – (–5)], (8 – 9)
⎝ 5 5 5⎠
4. Let the required ratio be λ : 1, then ⇒ (–2, 2, –1)
∴ Direction cosines of the given line segment are
9λ + 3
= 5⇒ 9λ+3=5λ+5 −2 2
λ +1 ,
⇒ 4λ = 2 ( −2) 2
+ 2 +1 2 2
( −2 ) 2
+ 22 + 12
2 1 −1
∴λ = = ,
4 2
( −2) 2
+ 22 + 12
1
∴ Required ratio = :1=1:2 −2 2 −1
2 ⇒ , ,
5. y-axis makes angles of 90°, 0°, 90° with coordinate 4+ 4+1 4 +4+1 4 + 4 +1
axes. −2 2 −1
⇒ , ,
Therefore, the direction cosines of y-axis are 9 9 9
cos 90°, cos 0°, cos 90° = (0, 1, 0)
−2 2 −1
6. l2 + m2 + n2 =1 ⇒ , ,
3 3 3
⇒ cos2 α + cos2 β + cos2 γ = 1 a1a 2 + b1 b2 + c1c 2
⇒ (1 – sin2 α) + (1 – sin2 β) + (1 – sin2 γ) = 1 10. cos θ =
a12 + b12 + c12 . a 22 + b22 + c 22
⇒ 3 – (sin2 α + sin2 β) sin2 γ) = 1
∴ sin2 α + sin2 β + sin2 γ = 2 3 × 4 + 4 × ( −3) + 5 × 5
=
32 + 42 + 52 . 42 + ( −3) + 52
7. Direction cosines of line are 2

6 2 12 − 12 + 25
, , =
6 + 2 + ( −3 ) 6 + 2 + ( −3)
2 2 2 2 2 2
9 + 16 + 25. 16 + 9 + 25

−3 25 25 1
= = =
50 50 50 2
62 + 22 + ( −3)
2
1
⇒ cos θ =
6 2 −3 2
⇒ , ,
36 + 4 + 9 36 + 4 + 9 36 + 4 + 9 ⇒ cos θ = cos 60°
∴ θ = 60°
11. Let the required direction cosines be l, m, n Then, ⎛ d ⎞
l – m + 2n = 0 ...(i) ∴ Given plane meets y-axis at ⎜ 0, ,0⎟
⎝ b ⎠
2l + m – n = 0 ...(ii)
19. The required equation is
On solving (i) and (ii) by cross multiplication,
We get x y z
+ + =1
2 3 4
l m n l2 + m 2 + n 2 1 20. 2x – 4y + 3z = 12
= = = =
−1 5 3
( −1) 2 2
+5 +3 2 35
x y z
⇒ + + =1
6 −3 4
−1 5 3
⇒l= ,m = ,n = ∴ Intercepts made by the given plane on
35 35 35 coordinate axes are 6, –3, 4.
12. Two lines with direction ratios (a1, b1, c1) and (a2,
21. P = 2 − 2 × 1 + 4 × ( −1) − 9
a b c
b2, c2) are parallel when 1 = 1 = 1 .
12 + ( −2) + 42
2
a 2 b2 c 2

⎣⎡3 × 4 + 4 × ( −3) + 5 × 5⎦⎤ 2−2−4−9

13. cos θ = =
32 + 42 + 52 . 4 2 + ( −3) + 52 1 + 4 + 16
2

12 − 12 + 25 −13
= =
13
9 + 16 + 25 16 + 9 + 25 units
21 21
25 25 1
= = = 22. Let (x1, y1, z1) be a point on the plane x + y – z + 4
50 50 50 2 = 0,
π Then, x1 + y1 – z1 + 4 = 0 ...(i)
⇒ cos θ = cos
3 ∴ Required distances = Distance of (x1, y1, z1)
π from x + y – z + 5 = 0
∴θ =
3
x1 + y1 − z1 + 5 ( x1 + y1 − z1 + 4 ) + 1
2 × 2 − 3 × 3 + 4 × ( −1) − 10 = =
14. p = 12 + 12 + ( − 1 ) 3
2

2 + ( −3 ) + 4
2 2 2
0+1 1
4 − 9 − 4 − 10 19 = = [using equation (i)]
= = 3 3
4 + 9 + 16 29
23. This plane makes intercepts a, b, c with the
15. Equation of xz-plane is y = 0
coordinate axes.
16. Equation of a plane parallel to yz-plane at a
distance a from it is x = a. x y z
∴ Its equation is + + =1
17. 6x – 3y + 2z = 14 ...(i) a b c
24. Let the given points be A, B, C.
62 + ( −3) + 22 = 7,
On dividing throughout by 2

6 3 2 Then AB = ( −1)2 + ( −1) 2 + (1)2 = 3,

We get, x − y + z = 2
7 7 7
BC = 32 + 32 + ( −3) = 3 3
2
This is the normal form in which p = 2 units
18. ax + by + cz + d = 0
⇒ ax + by + cz = –d and CA = 22 + 22 + ( −2) 2 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 2 3
x y z
⇒ + + =1 ∴ CA + AB = CB
⎛ −d ⎞ ⎛ −d ⎞ ⎛ −d ⎞
⎜⎝ ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ ⎟⎠ Hence, points A, B, C are collinear.
a b c