Q.A variable line passes through a fixed point P. The algebraic sum of the perpendiculars drawn from the points (2,0), (0,2) and (1,1) on the line is zero. Find the coordinates of the point P.
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Distance from a Point to a Line
The distance from a point to a line is the shortest distance — the length of the perpendicular dropped from the point onto the line. In 3D we compute it with vectors and the cross product.
Let the line be r=a+λb (a point A with position vector a, direction b), and let P be the given point with position vector p.
The idea
Look at the triangle formed by A, P and the foot of the perpendicular M. The segment AP=p−a is the hypotenuse, and the perpendicular distance d=PM is the side opposite the angle θ between AP and the line:
d=∣AP∣sinθ.
But the cross product already contains sinθ: ∣AP×b∣=∣AP∣∣b∣sinθ. Dividing by ∣b∣ isolates the distance.
d=∣b∣∣(p−a)×b∣
Example
Distance of P(1,2,3) from the line r=(i^+j^)+λ(2i^−j^+2k^).
Here a=(1,1,0), b=(2,−1,2), and AP=p−a=(0,1,3).
AP×b=i^02j^1−1k^32=(2+3)i^−(0−6)j^+(0−2)k^=5i^+6j^−2k^. …
Concept: Distance from a point to a line, and the condition that the algebraic sum of signed distances is zero.
Let the variable line be ax+by+c=0. The signed perpendicular distance from a point (x1,y1) to this line is a2+b2ax1+by1+c.
The condition states:
a2+b2a(2)+b(0)+c+a2+b2a(0)+b(2)+c+a2+b2a(1)+b(1)+c=0
Multiplying through by a2+b2:
(2a+c)+(2b+c)+(a+b+c)=0
3a+3b+3c=0⇒a+b+c=0 …
When the algebraic sum of perpendiculars from given points to a variable line is zero, the line always passes through their centroid; so P is the centroid (1,1).
Write the variable line as lx+my+n=0 with l2+m2=1. The signed perpendicular from a point (xi,yi) is lxi+myi+n. Their algebraic sum over the three points is
∑i=13(lxi+myi+n)=l∑xi+m∑yi+3n.
With the points (2,0), (0,2), (1,1): ∑xi=3 and ∑yi=3, so the sum is
3l+3m+3n=3(l⋅1+m⋅1+n). …
Showing the 12 most recent of 18 on this concept.
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04174 marksMCQQ.The shortest distance from the point (−10,10,−10) to the z-axis, is (A) 210 (B) 103 (C) 10 (D) 310 (E) 102
›Reveal solutionSolution
Distance from a point to the z-axis is x2+y2. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQQ.The shortest distance between the straight line r=3i^+12j^+5k^+λ(2i^), λ∈R and the x-axis is (A) 7 (B) 12 (C) 35 (D) 53 (E) 13
›Reveal solutionSolution
The line is parallel to the x-axis; the shortest distance is 122+52=13.
The line r=3i^+12j^+5k^+λ(2i^) has direction (1,0,0), the same as the x-axis, so the two lines are parallel. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04204 marksMCQQ.The nearest point on the line x+2y=5 from the point P(7,9) is equal to (A) (6,1) (B) (7,6) (C) (2,3) (D) (8,3) (E) (3,1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The nearest point is the foot of the perpendicular from P to the line. Parametrize along the normal direction (1,2): point (7+t,9+2t) on the line gives t=−4, so the foot is (3,1).
The nearest point on x+2y=5 from P(7,9) is the foot of the perpendicular. The line's normal direction is (1,2), so points on the perpendicular through P are
(7+t,9+2t).
Require this to lie on the line: …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04214 marksMCQQ.The distance of the point P(1,−3) from the line 2y−3x=4 is (A) 13 units (B) 13 units (C) 7 units (D) 7 units (E) 213 units
›Reveal solutionSolution
Applying the point–line distance formula gives 1313=13.
Write the line 2y−3x=4 as −3x+2y−4=0. Distance from P(1,−3): …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04224 marksMCQQ.The perpendicular distance between the lines 3x+4y−6=0 and 6x+8y+18=0 is (A) 15 (B) 12 (C) 9 (D) 3 (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Make the two lines have identical x,y coefficients, then apply the parallel-line distance formula.
Divide 6x+8y+18=0 by 2: 3x+4y+9=0. This is parallel to 3x+4y−6=0. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04224 marksMCQQ.The shortest distance between the lines r=i^+j^+3k^+λ(2i^+2j^+k^) and r=(2μ+1)i^+(2μ−1)j^+(μ+1)k^, where λ and μ are parameters, is (A) 1 (B) 6 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognize the lines as parallel, then apply the parallel-line distance formula.
Line 1: point (1,1,3), direction (2,2,1). Line 2: (2μ+1,2μ−1,μ+1) has point (1,−1,1) at μ=0 and direction (2,2,1) — same direction, so parallel.
Joining vector =(1−1,−1−1,1−3)=(0,−2,−2). …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.Let ABC be an equilateral triangle. If the coordinates of A are (−2,2) and the side BC is along the line x+y=6, then the length of the side of the triangle is (A) 23 (B) 32 (C) 46 (D) 66 (E) 26
›Reveal solutionSolution
The side length is 26.
Concept and Intuition
In an equilateral triangle the perpendicular distance from a vertex to the opposite side is the altitude h=23s. Compute that distance from A to line BC, then recover s.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Perpendicular distance from A(−2,2) to x+y=6: h=2∣−2+2−6∣=26=32.
- For an equilateral triangle h=23s, so s=32h=32⋅32=362. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04254 marksMCQQ.The line x+y=2 touches a circle. If the centre of the circle is at (−4,0), then the radius of the circle is (A) 22 (B) 232 (C) 2 (D) 22 (E) 32
›Reveal solutionSolution
A tangent line's distance from the centre equals the radius; compute the perpendicular distance from (−4,0) to x+y−2=0.
The line x+y=2, i.e. x+y−2=0, touches the circle, so the radius equals the perpendicular distance from the centre (−4,0): …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04264 marksMCQQ.If the distance of the line 4x−3y+k=0 from the point (1,2) is 5 units, then the values of k are (A) 27,−23 (B) −27,23 (C) 29,−24 (D) −29,24 (E) −28,−25
›Reveal solutionSolution
Distance formula: 5∣4(1)−3(2)+k∣=5⇒∣k−2∣=25⇒k=27,−23.
Apply the point-line distance. d=42+(−3)2∣4x0−3y0+k∣=5∣4(1)−3(2)+k∣=5∣k−2∣. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04264 marksMCQQ.Let OP=2j^ be the position vector a point P. Let r=j^+λ(i^+j^) be a straight line. The distance of the point P from the line is (A) 22 (B) 33 (C) 36 (D) 32 (E) 42
›Reveal solutionSolution
Point P=(0,2); line passes through (0,1) with direction (1,1). Distance =1∣(P−A)×d^∣=21=22.
Here OP=2j^ gives P=(0,2). The line r=j^+λ(i^+j^) passes through A=(0,1) with direction d=(1,1). …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04284 marksMCQQ.The point with integral coordinates on the line x+y=1, that lie at a distance 2 units from the line 5x+12y=0, is (A) (−7,8) (B) (−1,2) (C) (−12,13) (D) (−2,3) (E) (−3,4)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Parametrize the point on x+y=1 and impose the distance condition; the integer solution is (−2,3).
A point on x+y=1 is (a,1−a). Its distance from 5x+12y=0 is
52+122∣5a+12(1−a)∣=13∣12−7a∣=2. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04284 marksMCQQ.The shortest distance between the point (2,3,4) and the line −2x−4=2y−4=1z−6 is (A) 12 (B) 9 (C) 3 (D) 5 (E) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the point-to-line formula ∣d∣∣AP×d∣ with A=(4,4,6), d=(−2,2,1).
The line passes through A=(4,4,6) with direction d=(−2,2,1), ∣d∣=3. For P=(2,3,4):
AP=P−A=(−2,−1,−2).
Compute the cross product: …
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