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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
If the shortest distance between the lines x-12=y-23=z-3λ and x-21=y-44=z-55 is 13, then the sum of all possible values of λ is:
MathematicsThree Dimensional GeometryJEE MainJEE Main 2022 (24 Jun Shift 2)
Options:
  • A 16
  • B 6
  • C 12
  • D 15
Solution:
1596 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: 16

We know that, shortest distance between two line is given by a2-a1·b1×b2b1×b2

Here, a1=1,2,3 a2=2,4,5

b2=2i^+3j^+λk^ and b2=i^+4j^+5k^

So, S.D. =2-1i^+4-2j^+5-3k^·b1×b2b1×b2

Calculating b1×b2=i^j^k^23λ145

=i^15-4λ+j^λ-10+k^5

=15-4λi^+λ-10j^+5k^

So, b1×b2=15-4λ2+λ-102+25

Now again, 

S.D. =i^+2j^+2k^·15-4λi^+λ-10j^+5k15-4λ2+λ-102+25

15-4λ+2λ-20+1015-4λ2+λ-102+25=13

squaring both side we get,

35-2λ2=225+16λ2-120λ+λ2+100-20λ+25

12λ2+75-60λ=17λ2-140λ+350

5λ2-80λ+275=0

λ2-16λ+55=0

λ-5λ-11=0

λ=5,11

So sum of 5+11=16

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