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NCERT Exemplar · Q8

Q.Show that the point A(1,−1,3)A(1,-1,3), B(2,−4,5)B(2,-4,5) and (5,−13,11)(5,-13,11) are collinear.

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To show three points are collinear, we can demonstrate that two vectors formed by these points (e.g., AB⃗\vec{AB} and BC⃗\vec{BC}) are parallel and share a common point. We find that BC⃗=3AB⃗\vec{BC} = 3\vec{AB}, confirming they are parallel and thus the points are collinear.

For three points to be collinear, they must lie on the same straight line. In three-dimensional space, a common way to prove collinearity is by using vectors.

Concept: Collinearity using Vectors

If three points AA, BB, and CC are collinear, then the vector AB⃗\vec{AB} must be parallel to the vector BC⃗\vec{BC} (or AC⃗\vec{AC}).

Two vectors are parallel if one is a scalar multiple of the other. That is, if u⃗\vec{u} and v⃗\vec{v} are parallel, then u⃗=kv⃗\vec{u} = k\vec{v} for some scalar kk.

If AB⃗=kBC⃗\vec{AB} = k \vec{BC} (or BC⃗=kAB⃗\vec{BC} = k \vec{AB}), and they share a common point (in this case, point BB), then the points AA, BB, and CC must lie on the same line.

Let the given points be A(x1,y1,z1)A(x_1, y_1, z_1), B(x2,y2,z2)B(x_2, y_2, z_2), and C(x3,y3,z3)C(x_3, y_3, z_3).

The vector from point P1(x1,y1,z1)P_1(x_1, y_1, z_1) to P2(x2,y2,z2)P_2(x_2, y_2, z_2) is given by P1P2⃗=(x2−x1)i^+(y2−y1)j^+(z2−z1)k^\vec{P_1P_2} = (x_2 - x_1)\hat{i} + (y_2 - y_1)\hat{j} + (z_2 - z_1)\hat{k}.

We will calculate the vectors AB⃗\vec{AB} and BC⃗\vec{BC} and then check if one is a scalar multiple of the other.

  1. Identify the coordinates of the points.

    We are given the points:

    A=(1,−1,3)A = (1, -1, 3)

    B=(2,−4,5)B = (2, -4, 5)

    C=(5,−13,11)C = (5, -13, 11)

  2. Calculate the vector AB⃗\vec{AB}.

    AB⃗=(xB−xA)i^+(yB−yA)j^+(zB−zA)k^\vec{AB} = (x_B - x_A)\hat{i} + (y_B - y_A)\hat{j} + (z_B - z_A)\hat{k}

    AB⃗=(2−1)i^+(−4−(−1))j^+(5−3)k^\vec{AB} = (2 - 1)\hat{i} + (-4 - (-1))\hat{j} + (5 - 3)\hat{k}

    AB⃗=(1)i^+(−4+1)j^+(2)k^\vec{AB} = (1)\hat{i} + (-4 + 1)\hat{j} + (2)\hat{k}

    AB⃗=i^−3j^+2k^\vec{AB} = \hat{i} - 3\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}

  3. Calculate the vector BC⃗\vec{BC}.

    BC⃗=(xC−xB)i^+(yC−yB)j^+(zC−zB)k^\vec{BC} = (x_C - x_B)\hat{i} + (y_C - y_B)\hat{j} + (z_C - z_B)\hat{k}

    BC⃗=(5−2)i^+(−13−(−4))j^+(11−5)k^\vec{BC} = (5 - 2)\hat{i} + (-13 - (-4))\hat{j} + (11 - 5)\hat{k}

    BC⃗=(3)i^+(−13+4)j^+(6)k^\vec{BC} = (3)\hat{i} + (-13 + 4)\hat{j} + (6)\hat{k}

    BC⃗=3i^−9j^+6k^\vec{BC} = 3\hat{i} - 9\hat{j} + 6\hat{k}

  4. Check if AB⃗\vec{AB} and BC⃗\vec{BC} are parallel.

    For AB⃗\vec{AB} and BC⃗\vec{BC} to be parallel, there must exist a scalar kk such that BC⃗=kAB⃗\vec{BC} = k \vec{AB}.

    Comparing the components:

    3i^−9j^+6k^=k(i^−3j^+2k^)3\hat{i} - 9\hat{j} + 6\hat{k} = k (\hat{i} - 3\hat{j} + 2\hat{k})

    Equating the i^\hat{i} components:

    3=k⋅1  ⟹  k=33 = k \cdot 1 \implies k = 3

    Equating the j^\hat{j} components:

    −9=k⋅(−3)  ⟹  k=−9−3=3-9 = k \cdot (-3) \implies k = \frac{-9}{-3} = 3 …

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