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📐 Mathematics  ·  Three Dimensional Geometry  ·  JEE

The shortest distance between skew lines r = a + lambda*b and r = c + mu*d is:

Answer: |(c-a).(b x d)| / |b x d|.

  • A |(a-c) . b|
  • B |(c-a).(b x d)| / |b x d|
  • C |(a-c) x (b+d)| / |b+d|
  • D |(c-a) x d|

Correct answer: B. |(c-a).(b x d)| / |b x d|

Explanation: Shortest distance between skew lines = |(c-a).(b x d)| / |b x d|. The numerator uses the scalar triple product.

zxyOP (x, y, z)

Three mutually perpendicular axes x, y, z meeting at the origin O, with a point P located by its (x, y, z) coordinates.

Concept context

Lines and planes in 3D space, direction cosines, distances, and angles

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