Q.What are the points on the y-axis whose distance from the line 3x+4y=1 is 4 units.
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Concept understanding — Distance From Point To Line
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^).
Its magnitude is 25+36+4=65, and ∣b∣=4+1+4=3, so
d=365.
Watch out
b must be the line's direction vector, not a point on the line. And use AP=p−a where A is any point genuinely on the line.
Finding the shortest distance from a point to a line using the cross product is a standard, frequently tested problem in the NCERT Class 12 Three Dimensional Geometry chapter, appearing in CBSE boards, JEE Main and various state CETs. "Distance of a point from a line vector form" is a common search, and this same cross-product technique reappears later when finding the distance between two skew lines.
Distance From Point To Line
Any point on the y-axis has coordinates (0,k) for some real number k.
First, rewrite the line in standard form. Multiplying 3x+4y=1 by 12 gives:
4x+3y=12or4x+3y−12=0
The perpendicular distance from point (0,k) to line ax+by+c=0 is a2+b2∣ax0+by0+c∣.
Applying this formula:
16+9∣4(0)+3k−12∣=4
5∣3k−12∣=4
∣3k−12∣=20
This absolute value equation splits into two cases:
3k−12=20⟹k=332
3k−12=−20⟹k=−38
✓Final answer
The required points are (0,332) and (0,−38).
A point on the y-axis has the form (0,k). Setting its perpendicular distance from the line equal to 4 gives the points (0,332) and (0,−38).
Step-by-step solution
1. Line in standard form. Multiplying 3x+4y=1 by 12:
4x+3y−12=0
2. Distance from (0,k). With 42+32=5:
d=5∣4(0)+3k−12∣=5∣3k−12∣
3. Set d=4.
5∣3k−12∣=4⟹∣3k−12∣=20
4. Solve both cases.
3k−12=20⟹k=332
3k−12=−20⟹k=−38
5. Check. For k=332: 5∣32−12∣=4; for k=−38: 5∣−8−12∣=4. ✓ (The coordinates are exact fractions, not integers.)
✓Final answer
The two points on the y-axis are (0,332) and (0,−38).
Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.
Higher Secondary (+2 Stage) Examination 2025Set ANNUAL5 marks
Q.Find the distance of the point (1,0,0) from the line 2x−1=−3y+1=8z+10. Also find the coordinates of the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point, and the equation of the perpendicular.
OR
The vector equations of two straight lines are given below. Find the shortest distance between them: r=(1−t)i^+(t−2)j^+(3−2t)k^ and r=(s+1)i^+(2s−1)j^−(2s+1)k^.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Write a general point on the line, force the vector from the given point to it to be perpendicular to the line's direction, solve for the parameter, then read off the foot, distance, and perpendicular's equation.
The line is 2x−1=−3y+1=8z+10=t, passing through (1,−1,−10) with direction ratios (2,−3,8). A general point on it is
Q=(1+2t,−1−3t,−10+8t).
The vector from the given point P(1,0,0) to Q is
PQ=(2t,−1−3t,−10+8t).
For Q to be the foot of the perpendicular, PQ must be perpendicular to the line's direction (2,−3,8), i.e. their dot product is zero:
2(2t)+(−3)(−1−3t)+8(−10+8t)=0
4t+3+9t−80+64t=0
77t−77=0⇒t=1.
Foot of perpendicular: substituting t=1: Q=(1+2,−1−3,−10+8)=(3,−4,−2).
Distance:PQ=(3−1,−4−0,−2−0)=(2,−4,−2), so
∣PQ∣=22+(−4)2+(−2)2=4+16+4=24=26.
Equation of the perpendicular: it passes through P(1,0,0) and Q(3,−4,−2), with direction ratios (3−1,−4−0,−2−0)=(2,−4,−2), simplified to (1,−2,−1):
1x−1=−2y−0=−1z−0.
(Note: this batch answers the primary part of the OR choice, per the standing convention for TBSE items with an internal-choice alternative.)
✓Final answer
Distance =26 units; foot of perpendicular =(3,−4,−2); perpendicular line: 1x−1=−2y=−1z.
Higher Secondary (+2 Stage) Examination 2023Set ANNUAL5 marks
Q.Find the coordinates of the image (reflection) of the point (1,6,3) with respect to the line 1x=2y−1=3z−2. Hence find the equation of the line joining the given point and its image.
OR
Find the shortest distance between the lines r=i^+2j^+3k^+λ(i^−3j^+2k^) and r=4i^+5j^+6k^+μ(2i^+3j^+k^).
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find the foot of the perpendicular from the point to the line (by making the vector from a general point on the line to the given point perpendicular to the line's direction), then the image is the point such that this foot is the midpoint of the given point and its image.
Line: 1x=2y−1=3z−2=t, so a general point on the line is Q(t)=(t,1+2t,2+3t), with direction ratios (1,2,3).
Let P=(1,6,3).
Find the foot of the perpendicular F: The vector QP=(1−t,6−(1+2t),3−(2+3t))=(1−t,5−2t,1−3t) must be perpendicular to the direction (1,2,3):
(1−t)(1)+(5−2t)(2)+(1−3t)(3)=0
1−t+10−4t+3−9t=0
14−14t=0⇒t=1
So the foot of the perpendicular is F=Q(1)=(1,1+2,2+3)=(1,3,5).
Find the image P′: Since F is the midpoint of P and its image P′:
F=2P+P′⇒P′=2F−P
P′=(2(1)−1,2(3)−6,2(5)−3)=(1,0,7)
Equation of the line joining P(1,6,3) and P′(1,0,7): direction ratios =P′−P=(0,−6,4), which simplify (divide by 2) to (0,−3,2).
Since the x-direction ratio is 0, x stays fixed at x=1 along this line. The equation is:
x=1,−3y−6=2z−3
(Check: at F=(1,3,5), −33−6=1 and 25−3=1 — consistent.)
✓Final answer
Image of (1,6,3) = (1,0,7). The line joining the point and its image is x=1,−3y−6=2z−3.