Let $\mathrm{S}$ be the set of all values of $\lambda$, for which the shortest distance between
the lines $\frac{x-\lambda}{0}=\frac{y-3}{4}=\frac{z+6}{1}$ and $\frac{x+\lambda}{3}=\frac{y}{-4}=\frac{z-6}{0}$ is 13. Then $8\left|\sum\limits_{\lambda \in S} \lambda\right|$ is equal to :
Solution
Given the two lines :
<br/><br/>$$
\frac{x-\lambda}{0}=\frac{y-3}{4}=\frac{z+6}{1} \\\\
\frac{x+\lambda}{3}=\frac{y}{-4}=\frac{z-6}{0}
$$
<br/><br/>Let's find the direction vectors of these lines: $\vec{d_1} = \langle 0, 4, 1 \rangle$ and $\vec{d_2} = \langle 3, -4, 0 \rangle$.
<br/><br/>Now, let's find the cross product of the direction vectors, which will give a vector that is perpendicular to both lines :
<br/><br/>$\vec{n} = \vec{d_1} \times \vec{d_2} = \langle 4, 3, -12 \rangle$
<br/><br/>Let's find the vector connecting a point on line 1 to a point on line 2 :
<br/><br/>$\vec{c} = \langle 2\lambda, 3, -12 \rangle$
<br/><br/>The shortest distance between the two lines is the projection of $\vec{c}$ onto $\vec{n}$ :
<br/><br/>$d = \left|\frac{\vec{c} \cdot \vec{n}}{|\vec{n}|}\right| = \left|\frac{(2\lambda)(4) + (3)(3) - (12)(-12)}{\sqrt{16 + 9 + 144}}\right|$
<br/><br/>We are given that the shortest distance is 13 :
<br/><br/>$13 = \left|\frac{8\lambda + 153}{13}\right|$
<br/><br/>$|8\lambda + 153| = 169$
<br/><br/>We have two cases :
<br/><br/>1. $8\lambda + 153 = 169$
<br/><br/>$\lambda = \frac{16}{8}$
<br/><br/>2. $8\lambda + 153 = -169$
<br/><br/>$\lambda = \frac{-322}{8}$
<br/><br/>Now, let's calculate $8\left|\sum\limits_{\lambda \in S} \lambda\right|$ :
<br/><br/>$8\left|\frac{16}{8} + \frac{-322}{8}\right| = 8\left|\frac{-306}{8}\right| = 306$
<br/><br/>Thus, the correct answer is Option A : 306.
About this question
Subject: Mathematics · Chapter: Three Dimensional Geometry · Topic: Direction Cosines and Ratios
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