Chapter 12

Introduction To Three Dimensional Geometry

Exercise 12.1
Question 1: A point is on the x-axis. What are its y-coordinates and z-
coordinates?
Answer 1:
If a point is on the x-axis, then its y-coordinates and z-coordinates are
zero.

O I S
Question 2: A point is in the XZ-plane. What can you say about its y-
I
CO N
D
coordinate?

PY
T O
Answer 2:
D U AA

If a point is in the XZ plane, then its y-coordinate is zero.

T
Question 3: Name the octants in which the following points lie:
A
ED PR

(1, 2, 3), (4, –2, 3), (4, –2, –5), (4, 2, –5), (–4, 2, –5), (–4, 2, 5), (–3, –1,
O C

6), (2, –4, –7)

©

Answer 3:
The x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate of point (1, 2, 3) are all
N

positive.
Therefore, this point lies in octant I.
The x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate of point (4, –2, 3) are
positive, negative, and positive respectively. Therefore, this point lies in
octant IV.
The x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate of point (4, –2, –5) are
positive, negative, and negative respectively. Therefore, this point lies in
octant VIII.

1
The x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate of point (4, 2, –5) are
positive, positive, and negative respectively. Therefore, this point lies in
octant V.
The x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate of point (–4, 2, –5) are
negative, positive, and negative respectively. Therefore, this point lies in
octant VI.
The x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate of point (–4, 2, 5) are
negative, positive, and positive respectively. Therefore, this point lies in
octant II.

O I S
The x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate of point (–3, –1, 6) are
I
CO N
negative, negative, and positive respectively. Therefore, this point lies in
D

PY
octant III.

T O
D U AA

The x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate of point (2, –4, –7) are
positive, negative, and negative respectively. Therefore, this point lies in
T
octant VIII.
A
ED PR

Question 4: Fill in the blanks:

O C

(i) The x-axis and y-axis taken together determine a plane known
as_______.
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(ii) The coordinates of points in the XY-plane are of the form _______.
N

(iii) Coordinate planes divide the space into ______ octants.

Answer 4:
(i) The x-axis and y-axis taken together determine a plane known as xy -
plane.
(ii) The coordinates of points in the XY-plane are of the form (x, y, 0).
(iii) Coordinate planes divide the space into eight octants.

2
 Exercise 12.2
Question 1: Find the distance between the following pairs of points:
(i) (2, 3, 5) and (4, 3, 1) (ii) (–3, 7, 2) and (2, 4, –1)
(iii) (–1, 3, –4) and (1, –3, 4) (iv) (2, –1, 3) and (–2, 1, 3)
Answer 1:
The distance between points P (x1, y1, z1) and P (x2, y2, z2) is given by
PQ = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 + (𝑧2 − 𝑧1 )2

O I S
(i) Distance between points (2, 3, 5) and (4, 3, 1)
I
CO N
= √ (4 − 2 )2 + (3 − 3 )2 + (1 − 5 )2
D

PY
T O
D U AA

= √(2)2 + (0)2 + (−4)2

= √4 + 16 = √20 = 2√5
T
(ii) Distance between points (–3, 7, 2) and (2, 4, –1)
A
ED PR

= √(2 − (−3))2 + (4 − 7)2 + (−1 − 2)2

O C

= √(5)2 + (−3)2 + (−3)2

©

= √25 + 9 + 9 = √43
N

(iii)Distance between points (–1, 3, –4) and (1, –3, 4)

= √(1 − (−1))2 + (−3 − 3)2 + (4 − (−4))2

= √(2)2 + (−6)2 + (8)2

= √4 + 36 + 64 = √104 = 2√26
(iv)Distance between points (2, –1, 3) and (–2, 1, 3)
= √(−2 − 2)2 + (1 − (−1))2 + (3 − 3)2

3
= √ (4 )2 + (2 )2 + (0 )2
= √16 + 4 = √20 = 2√5
Question 2: Show that the points (–2, 3, 5), (1, 2, 3) and (7, 0, –1) are
collinear.
Answer 2:
Let points (–2, 3, 5), (1, 2, 3), and (7, 0, –1) be denoted by P, Q, and R
respectively.
Points P, Q, and R is collinear if they lie on a line.

O I S
PQ = √(1 − (−2))2 + (2 − 3)2 + (3 − 5)2
I
CO N
D

PY
= √(3)2 + (−1)2 + (2)2
T O
D U AA

= √9 + 1 + 4 = √14
T
QR = √(7 − 1)2 + (0 − 2)2 + (−1 − 3)2
A
ED PR

= √(6)2 + (−2)2 + (−4)2

O C

= √36 + 4 + 16 = √56 = 2√14

©

PR = √(7 − (−2))2 + (0 − 3)2 + (−1 − 5)2

N

= √(9)2 + (−3)2 + (−6)2

= √81 + 9 + 36
= √126 = 3√14
Here, PQ + QR =√14 + 2√14 = 3√14PR
Hence, points P (–2, 3, 5), Q (1, 2, 3), and R (7, 0, –1) are collinear.
Question 3: Verify the following:

4
(i) (0, 7, –10), (1, 6, –6) and (4, 9, –6) are the vertices of an isosceles
triangle.
(ii) (0, 7, 10), (–1, 6, 6) and (–4, 9, 6) are the vertices of a right angled
triangle.
(iii) (–1, 2, 1), (1, –2, 5), (4, –7, 8) and (2, –3, 4) are the vertices of a
parallelogram.
Answer 3:
(i) Let points (0, 7, –10), (1, 6, –6), and (4, 9, –6) be denoted by A, B,
and C respectively.

O I S I
AB = √(1 − 0)2 + (6 − 7)2 + (−6 + 10)2

CO N
D

PY
= √(1)2 + (−1)2 + (4)2
T O
D U AA

= √1 + 1 + 8
T
= √10 = 3√2
A
ED PR

BC = √(4 − 1)2 + (9 − 6)2 + (−6 + 6)2

O C

= √ (3 )2 + (3 )2 + (0 )2
©

= √9 + 9 = √18 = 3√2
N

CA = √(0 − 4)2 + (7 − 9)2 + (−10 + 6)2

= √(−4)2 + (−2)2 + (−4)2

= √16 + 4 + 16 = √36
Here, AB = BC ≠ CA
Thus, the given points are the vertices of an isosceles triangle
(ii)Let (0, 7, 10), (–1, 6, 6), and (–4, 9, 6) be denoted by A, B, and C
respectively.

5
AB = √(−1 − 0)2 + (6 − 7)2 + (6 − 10)2

= √(−1)2 + (−1)2 + (−4)2

= √1 + 1 + 16 = √18
= 3 √2

BC = √(−4 + 1)2 + (9 − 6)2 + (6 − 6)2

= √(−3)2 + (3)2 + (0)2

O I S
= √9 + 9 = √18 = 3√2
I
CO N
CA = √(0 + 4)2 + (7 − 9)2 + (10 − 6)2
D

PY
T O
= √(4)2 + (−2)2 + (4)2
D U AA

= √16 + 4 + 16 = √36 = 6
T
2 2
Now, AB2 + BC2 = (3√2) + (3√2) = 18 + 18 = 30 = AC2
A
ED PR

Therefore, by Pythagoras theorem, ABC is a right triangle.

O C

Hence, the given points are the vertices of a right-angled triangle.

©

(iii) Let (–1, 2, 1), (1, –2, 5), (4, –7, 8), and (2, –3, 4) be denoted by A,
N

B, C, and D respectively.
AB = √(1 + 1)2 + (−2 − 2)2 + (5 − 1)2
= √4 + 16 + 16
= √36 = 6

BC = √(4 − 1)2 + (−7 − 2)2 + (8 − 5)2

= √9 + 25 + 9 = √43
CD = √(2 − 4)2 + (−3 + 7)2 + (4 − 8)2

6
= √4 + 16 + 16
= √36
=6

DA = √(−1 − 2)2 + (2 + 3)2 + (1 − 4)2

= √9 + 25 + 9 = √43
Here, AB = CD = 6, BC = AD = √43
Hence, the opposite sides of quadrilateral ABCD, whose vertices are

O I S
taken in order, are equal.
I
CO N
Therefore, ABCD is a parallelogram.
D

PY
T O
Hence, the given points are the vertices of a parallelogram.
D U AA

Question 4: Find the equation of the set of points which are equidistant
T
from the points (1, 2, 3) and (3, 2, –1).
A
ED PR

Answer 4:
O C

Let P (x, y, z) be the point that is equidistant from points A (1, 2, 3) and
B (3, 2, –1).
©

Accordingly, PA = PB
N

= PA2 = PB2
= (x – 1)2 + (y – 2)2 + (z – 3)2 = (x – 3)2 + (y – 2)2 + (z – 1)2
⇒ x2 – 2x + 1 + y2 – 4y + 4 + z2 – 6z + 9 = x2 – 6x + 9 + y2 – 4y + 4 + z2
+ 2z + 1
Here, AB = CD = 6, BC = AD =
⇒ –2x –4y – 6z + 14 = –6x – 4y + 2z + 14
⇒ – 2x – 6z + 6x – 2z = 0
⇒ 4x – 8z = 0
7
⇒ x – 2z = 0
Thus, the required equation is x – 2z = 0.
Question 5: Find the equation of the set of points P, the sum of whose
distances from A (4, 0, 0) and B (–4, 0, 0) is equal to 10.
Answer 5:
Let the coordinates of P be (x, y, z).
The coordinates of points A and B are (4, 0, 0) and (–4, 0, 0)
respectively.

O I S
It is given that PA + PB = 10
I
CO N
D
= √(𝑥 − 4)2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 + √(𝑥 + 4)2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 10

PY
T O
D U AA

= √(𝑥 − 4)2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 10 − √(𝑥 + 4)2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2

T
On squaring both sides, we obtain
A
ED PR

= (x – 4)2 + y2 + z2 = 100 - 20√(𝑥 + 4)2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 + (x + 4)2 + y2 + z2

O C

= x2 – 8x + 16 + y2 + z2 = 100 – 20 √𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 + x2 + 8x
+ 16 +y2 + z2
©

= 20 √𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 = 100 + 16x
N

= 5 √𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = (25 + 4x)
On squaring both sides again, we obtain
25 (x2 + 8x + 16 + y2 + z2)
= 625 + 16x2 + 200x
⇒ 25x2 + 200x + 400 + 25y2 + 25z2 = 625 + 16x2 + 200x
⇒ 9x2 + 25y2 + 25z2 – 225 = 0
Thus, the required equation is 9x2 + 25y2 + 25z2 – 225 = 0.

8
 Exercise 12.3
Question 1: Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line
segment joining the points (–2, 3, 5) and (1, –4, 6) in the ratio (i) 2:3
internally, (ii) 2:3 externally.
Answer 1:
(i) The coordinates of point R that divides the line segment joining
points P (x1, y1, z1) and Q (x2, y2, z2) internally in the ratio m: n is

O I S
𝑚 𝑥 2 +𝑛𝑥 1 𝑚 𝑦2 +𝑛𝑦1 𝑚 𝑧2𝑛𝑧1
( , , )
𝑚 +𝑛 𝑚 +𝑛 𝑚 +𝑛
I
CO N
D
Let R (x, y, z) be the point that divides the line segment joining points ( –

PY
T O
2, 3, 5) and (1, –4, 6) internally in the ratio 2:3
D U AA

2(1)+3(−2) 2(−4) +3(3) 2(6)+3(5)

x= ,𝑦 = and z =
T
2+3 2+3 2+3
−4 1 27
A
ED PR

i.e., x = , y = , and z =
5 5 5
O C

−4 1 27
Thus, the coordinates of the required point are ( , , )
5 5 5
©

(ii) The coordinates of point R that divides the line segment joining
points P (x1, y1, z1) and Q (x2, y2, z2) externally in the ratio m: n is
N

𝑚 𝑥 2 −𝑛𝑥 1 𝑚 𝑦2 −𝑛𝑦1 𝑚 𝑧2 −𝑛𝑧1

( , , )
𝑚 −𝑛 𝑚 −𝑛 𝑚 −𝑛

Let R (x, y, z) be the point that divides the line segment joining points
(2, 3, 5) and (1, –4, 6) externally in the ratio 2:3
2(1) −3(−2) 2(−4)−3(3) 2(6)−3(5)
x= ,y= , and z =
2−3 2−3 2−3

i.e., x = - 8, y = 17, and z = 3

Thus, the coordinates of the required point are (–8, 17, 3).

9
Question 2: Given that P (3, 2, – 4), Q (5, 4, –6) and R (9, 8, –10) are
collinear. Find the ratio in which Q divides PR.
Answer 2:
Let point Q (5, 4, –6) divide the line segment joining points P (3, 2, –4)
and R (9, 8, – 10) in the ratio k:1.
Therefore, by section formula,
𝑘 (9) +3 𝑘 (8) +2 𝑘 (−10)−4
(5, 4, -6) = ( , , )
𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1
9𝑘 +3

O I S
= =5
𝑘 +1
I
CO N
= 9k + 3 = 5k + 5
D

PY
T O
= 4k = 2
D U AA

2 1
=k= =
4 2
T
Thus, point Q divides PR in the ratio 1:2.
A
ED PR

Question 3: Find the ratio in which the YZ-plane divides the line
O C

segment formed by joining the points (–2, 4, 7) and (3, –5, 8).
©

Answer 3:
Let the YZ plane divide the line segment joining points ( –2, 4, 7) and (3,
N

–5, 8) in the ratio k:1.

Hence, by section formula, the coordinates of point of intersection are
given by
𝑘 (3) −2 𝑘 (−5)+4 𝑘 (8) +7
( , , )
𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1

On the YZ plane, the x-coordinate of any point is zero

3𝑘 −2
= =0
𝑘 +1

= 3k – 2 = 0
10
 2
=k=
3

Thus, the YZ plane divides the line segment formed by joining the given
points in the ratio 2:3.
Question 4: Using section formula, show that the points A (2, –3, 4), B
1
(–1, 2, 1) and C (0, , 2) are collinear.
3

Answer 4:
1
The given points are A (2, –3, 4), B (–1, 2, 1), and C (0, , 2).
3

O I S
Let P be a point that divides AB in the ratio k:1.
I
CO N
D
Hence, by section formula, the coordinates of P are given by

PY
T O
𝑘 ( −1)+2 𝑘 (2) −3 𝑘 (1) +4
D U AA

( , , )
𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1
T
Now, we find the value of k at which point P coincides with point C.
−𝑘 +2
A
ED PR

By taking, = 0we obtain k = 2.

𝑘 +1
O C

1
For k = 2, the coordinates of point p is (0, , 2).
3
©

1
i.e., C (0, , 2) is a point that divides AB externally in the ratio 2:1 and is
3
N

the same as point P.

Hence, points A, B, and C are collinear.
Question 5: Find the coordinates of the points which trisect the line
segment joining the points P (4, 2, –6) and Q (10, –16, 6).
Answer 5:
Let A and B be the points that trisect the line segment joining points P
(4, 2, –6) and Q (10, –16, 6)

11
Point A divides PQ in the ratio 1:2. Therefore, by section formula, the
coordinates of point A are given by
1(10)+2(4) 1( −16)+2(2) 1(6)+2(−6)
( , , ) = (6, - 4, - 2)
1+2 1+2 1+2

Point B divides PQ in the ratio 2:1. Therefore, by section formula, the

coordinates of point B are given by
2(10)+1(4) 2(−16)+1(2) 2(6) −1(6)
( , , ) = (8, - 10, 2)

O I S
2+1 2+1 2+1
I
CO N
Thus, (6, –4, –2) and (8, –10, 2) are the points that trisect the line
D

PY
segment joining points P (4, 2, –6) and Q (10, –16, 6).
T O
D U AA
T
A
ED PR
O C
©

12
 Miscellaneous Exercise

Question 1: Three vertices of a parallelogram ABCD are A (3, –1, 2), B

(1, 2, –4) and C (–1, 1, 2). Find the coordinates of the fourth vertex.
Answer 1:
The three vertices of a parallelogram ABCD are given as A (3, –1, 2), B
(1, 2, –4), and C (–1, 1, 2). Let the coordinates of the fourth vertex be D
(x, y, z).

O I S I
CO N
D

PY
T O
D U AA
T
A
ED PR
O C
©

We know that the diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.

N

Therefore, in parallelogram ABCD, AC and BD bisect each other.

∴ Mid-point of AC = Mid-point of BD
3−1 −1+1 2+2 𝑥 +1 𝑦+2 𝑧−4
=( , , )=( , , )
2 2 2 2 2 2
𝑥 +1 𝑦+2 𝑧−4
= (1, 0, 2) = ( , , )
2 2 2
𝑥 +1 𝑦+2 𝑧−4
= = 1, = 0 and
2 2 2

⇒ x = 1, y = –2, and z = 8

13
Thus, the coordinates of the fourth vertex are (1, –2, 8).
Question 2: Find the lengths of the medians of the triangle with vertices
A (0, 0, 6), B (0, 4, 0) and (6, 0, 0).
Answer 2:
Let AD, BE, and CF be the medians of the given triangle ABC.

O I S I
CO N
D

PY
T O
D U AA
T
A
ED PR
O C
©

Since AD is the median, D is the mid-point of BC.

N

0+6 4+0 0+0

∴Coordinates of point D =( , , ) = (3, 2, 0)
2 2 2

AD = √(0 − 3)2 + (0 − 2)2 + (6 − 0)2 = √9 + 4 + 36 = √49 = 7

Since, BE is the median, E is the mid – point of AC
0+6 0+0 6+0
∴Coordinates of point E = ( , , ) = (3, 0, 3)
2 2 2

BE = √(3 − 0)2 + (0 − 4)2 + (3 − 0)2 = √9 + 16 + 9 = √34

Since, CF is the median, F is the mid – point of AB

14
 0+0 0+4 6+0
∴Coordinates of point F = ( , , ) = (0, 2, 3)
2 2 2

Length of CF = √(6 − 0)2 + (0 − 2)2 + (0 − 3)2 = √36 + 4 + 9 =

√49 = 7
Thus, the lengths of the medians of ∆ABC are 7, √34, and 7.
Question 3: If the origin is the centroid of the triangle PQR with vertices
P (2a, 2, 6), Q (–4, 3b, – 10) and R (8, 14, 2c), then find the values of a,
b and c.

O I S I
CO N
D

PY
T O
D U AA
T
A
ED PR
O C
©

It is known that the coordinates of the centroid of the triangle, whose

vertices are (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2) and (x3, y3, z3), are.
𝑥 1 +𝑥 2 +𝑥 3 𝑦1 +𝑦2+𝑦3 𝑧1 +𝑧2+𝑧3
( , , )
3 3 3

Therefore, coordinates of the centroid of ∆PQR

2𝑎 −4+8 2+3𝑏+17 6−10+2𝑐 2𝑎 +4 3𝑏+16 2𝑐−4
=( , , )= ( , , )
3 3 3 3 3 3

It is given that origin is the centroid of ∆PQR

15
 2𝑎 +4 3𝑏+16 2𝑐−4
= (0, 0, 0) = ( , , )
3 3 3
2𝑎 +4 3𝑏+16 2𝑐−4
= = 0, = 0 and =0
3 3 3
16
= a = - 2, b = - and c = 2
3
16
Thus, the respective values of a, b, and c are – 2, − , and 2.
3

Question 4: Find the coordinates of a point on y-axis which are at a

distance of 5√2 from the point P (3, –2, 5).

O I S
Answer 4:
I
CO N
If a point is on the y-axis, then x-coordinate and the z-coordinate of the
D

PY
point are zero.
T O
D U AA

Let A (0, b, 0) be the point on the y-axis at a distance of 5√2 from point
P (3, –2, 5).
T
Accordingly, AP = 5 √2
A
ED PR

AP2 = 50
O C

= (3 – 0)2 + (- 2 – b)2 + (5 – 0)2 = 50

©

= 9 + 4 + b2 + 4b + 25 = 50
N

= b2 + 4b – 12 = 0
= b2 + 6b – 2b – 12 = 0
= b (b + 6) – 2 (b + 6) = 0
= (b + 6) (b – 2) = 0
= b = - 6 or 2
Thus, the coordinates of the required points are (0, 2, 0) and (0, –6, 0).

16
Question 5: A point R with x-coordinate 4 lies on the line segment
joining the point P (2, –3, 4) and Q (8, 0, 10). Find the coordinates of the
point R.
[Hint suppose R divides PQ in the ratio k: 1. The coordinates of the
8𝑘 +2 −3 10𝑘 +4
point R are given by ( , , )]
𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1

Answer 5:
The coordinates of points P and Q are given as P (2, –3, 4) and Q (8, 0,
10).

O I S
Let R divide line segment PQ in the ratio k:1.
I
CO N
Hence, by section formula, the coordinates of point R are given by
D

PY
(
T O
𝑘 (8) +2 𝑘 (0) −3 𝑘 (10)+4
, , )=(
8𝑘 +2
,
−3
,
10𝑘 +4
)
D U AA

𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1 𝑘 +1

It is given that the x-coordinate of point R is 4

T
8𝑘 +2
A

=4
ED PR

=
𝑘 +1
O C

= 8k + 2 = 4k + 4
= 4k = 2
©

1
=k=
N

2
1
−3 10( )+4
2
Therefore, the coordinates of point R are (4, 1 , 1 )
+1 +1
2 2

Question 6: If A and B be the points (3, 4, 5) and (–1, 3, –7),

respectively, find the equation of the set of points P such that PA2 + PB2
= k2, where k is a constant.
Answer 6:
The coordinates of points A and B are given as (3, 4, 5) and ( –1, 3, –7)
respectively.

17
Let the coordinates of point P be (x, y, z).
On using distance formula, we obtain
PA2 = (x – 3)2 + (y – 4)2 + (z – 5)2
= x2 + 9 – 6x + y2 + 16 – 8y + z2 + 25 – 10z
= x2 – 6x + y2 – 8y + z2 – 10z + 50
PB2 = (x + 1)2 + (y – 3)2 + (z + 7)2
= x2 + 2x + y2 - 6y + z2 + 14z + 59

O I S
Now, if PA2 + PB2 = k2, then
I
(x2 – 6x + y2 – 8y + z2 – 10z + 50) + (x2 + 2x + y2 – 6y + z2 + 14z + 59)

CO N
D

PY
= k2
T O
D U AA

= 2x2 + 2y2 + 2z2 – 4x – 14y + 4z + 109 = k2

= 2 (x2 + y2 + z2 – 2x – 7y + 2z) = k2 – 109
T
𝑘 2 −109
A
ED PR

= x2 + y2 + z2 – 2x – 7y + 2z =
2
O C

𝑘 2 −109
Thus, the required equation is = x2 + y2 + z2 – 2x – 7y + 2z =
2
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