Class CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Three Dimensional Geometry Q #1457
KNOWLEDGE BASED
REMEMBER
3 Marks 2025 AISSCE(Board Exam) SA
Let the position vectors of the points A, B and C be $3\hat{i}-\hat{j}-2\hat{k}$, $\hat{i}+2\hat{j}-\hat{k}$ and $\hat{i}+5\hat{j}+3\hat{k}$ respectively. Find the vector and cartesian equations of the line passing through A and parallel to line BC.

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Detailed Solution

Step 1: Find the vector $\overrightarrow{BC}$

The position vectors of B and C are given as $\hat{i}+2\hat{j}-\hat{k}$ and $\hat{i}+5\hat{j}+3\hat{k}$ respectively. Therefore, the vector $\overrightarrow{BC}$ is given by the difference of their position vectors:

$\overrightarrow{BC} = (\hat{i}+5\hat{j}+3\hat{k}) - (\hat{i}+2\hat{j}-\hat{k}) = (1-1)\hat{i} + (5-2)\hat{j} + (3-(-1))\hat{k} = 0\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} + 4\hat{k} = 3\hat{j} + 4\hat{k}$

Step 2: Find the vector equation of the line passing through A and parallel to $\overrightarrow{BC}$

The position vector of point A is given as $3\hat{i}-\hat{j}-2\hat{k}$. The vector equation of a line passing through a point with position vector $\vec{a}$ and parallel to a vector $\vec{b}$ is given by $\vec{r} = \vec{a} + \lambda\vec{b}$, where $\lambda$ is a scalar.

In this case, $\vec{a} = 3\hat{i}-\hat{j}-2\hat{k}$ and $\vec{b} = 3\hat{j} + 4\hat{k}$. Therefore, the vector equation of the line is:

$\vec{r} = (3\hat{i}-\hat{j}-2\hat{k}) + \lambda(3\hat{j} + 4\hat{k})$

Step 3: Find the cartesian equation of the line

The cartesian equation of a line passing through a point $(x_1, y_1, z_1)$ and having direction ratios $a, b, c$ is given by $\frac{x-x_1}{a} = \frac{y-y_1}{b} = \frac{z-z_1}{c}$.

Here, the point is A with position vector $3\hat{i}-\hat{j}-2\hat{k}$, so $(x_1, y_1, z_1) = (3, -1, -2)$. The direction ratios are given by the components of the vector $\overrightarrow{BC}$, which are $0, 3, 4$. Therefore, the cartesian equation of the line is:

$\frac{x-3}{0} = \frac{y-(-1)}{3} = \frac{z-(-2)}{4}$

$\frac{x-3}{0} = \frac{y+1}{3} = \frac{z+2}{4}$

Final Answer: Vector equation: $\vec{r} = (3\hat{i}-\hat{j}-2\hat{k}) + \lambda(3\hat{j} + 4\hat{k})$; Cartesian equation: $\frac{x-3}{0} = \frac{y+1}{3} = \frac{z+2}{4}$

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Pedagogical Audit
Bloom's Analysis: This is an REMEMBER question because the student needs to recall the formulas for vector and cartesian equations of a line and apply them to the given data.
Knowledge Dimension: PROCEDURAL
Justification: The question requires the student to follow a specific procedure to find the vector $\overrightarrow{BC}$, and then apply the formulas for vector and cartesian equations of a line.
Syllabus Audit: In the context of CBSE Class 12, this is classified as KNOWLEDGE. The question directly tests the student's knowledge of vector algebra and 3D geometry, specifically the equations of lines in space.