Question

Find the shortest distance between the lines..Also find the ahortest equation

Answer 1

A straight line in space is characterized by the intersection of two planes which are not parallel and hence the equation of straight line is in fact the solution of the system consisting of the equation of the planes:

a1x + b1y + c1z + d1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2z + d2 = 0

Such form of equation is also termed as the unsymmetrical form. 

We now try to find the equation of the straight line in symmetrical form:

A(x1, y1, z1) be a given point on the straight line and l, m and n are the dc’s, then its equation is given by 

(x-x1)/l = (y-y1)/m = (z-z1)/n = k (say)

Clearly, any general point on this line at a distance ‘k’ from the point A(x1, y1, z1) is given by P(x1 + lk, y1 + mk, z1 + nk).

Shortest Distance Between Two Non-Intersecting Lines

Now we discuss the condition for non-intersecting lines. Two lines are called non intersecting if they do not lie in the same plane. The straight line which is perpendicular to each of non-intersecting lines is called the line of shortest distance. And length of shortest distance line intercepted between two lines is called length of shortest distance. Let us discuss the method of finding this line of shortest distance.

Method: Let the equation of two non-intersecting lines be

(x–x1) / l1 = (y–y1) /m1 = (z–z1) /n1 = r1 (say)                               ……(1)

And (x–x2)/ l2 = (y–y2) /m2 = (z–z2) /n2 = r2 (say)                          ……(2)

Any point on line (1) is of the form P (x1 + l1r1, y1 + m1r1, z1 + n1r1)

and on line (2) is Q (x2 + l2r2, y2 + m2r2, z2 + n2r2).

Let PQ be the line of shortest distance. Its direction ratios will be

[(l1r1 + x1 – x2 – l2r2), (m1r1 + y1 – y2 – m2r2), (n1r1 + z1– z2 – n2r2)]

This line is perpendicular to both the given lines. By using the condition of perpendicularity we obtain 2 equations in r1 and r2.

And hence by solving these, values of r1 and r2 can be found. Subsequently he points P and Q can be found. The distance PQ is shortest distance.

The shortest distance can be found by PQ = 


Remark: If any straight line is given in general form then it can be transformed into symmetrical form and we can further proceed.