THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Single Type
1. If X1and X2 are the lengths of the perpendiculars from the
points (2, 3, 4) and (1, 1, 4) respectively on the plane 3x –
6y + 2z + 11 = 0, then X1, X2 are the roots of the equation
(A) X2 – 23X + 7 = 0 (B) 7X2 – 23X + 16 = 0
(C) X2 – 17X + 16 = 0 (D) X2 – 16X + 7 = 0
Ans: (B)
We have
p1 = 3  2  6  3  2  4  11 = 77 = 1
3 2  (  6 ) 2  ( 2) 2

3  2  6  1  2  4  11 16
and p2 = = 7
3  ( 6 )  ( 2 )
2 2 2

So, that p1, p2 are the roots of the equation

p2 – 1  167  p + 167 = 0
 

7p2 – 23p + 16 = 0

2. The lines r = i – j + (2i + k) and r = (2i – j) + (i + j – k)

intersect for
(A)  = 4,  = 6 (B) no value of  and 
(C)  = 1,  = 2 (D = 3 = 1x
Ans: (D)
The given lines intersect, if the shortest distance between the
lines is zero.
We know that the shortest distance between the lines r = a1

+ ( b ) and r = a2 + b2 is
1

1
 | (a1  a 2 ).b1  b 2 |
| b1  b 2 |

So the shortest distance between the given lines is zero if

(i – j – (2i – j) . (2i + k) × (i + j – k) = 0
1 0 0
L.H.S. = 2 0 1 = 1 0
1 1 1

Hence, the given lines do not intersect.

3. The plane 2x – y + 3z + 5 = 0 is rotated through 90º about

its line of intersection with the plane 5x – 4y + 2z + 1 = 0.
The equation of the plane in the new position is
(A) 8x – 9y – 39z – 31 = 0
(B) 36x – 34y – 151z – 165 =0
(C) 33x – 32y – 6z + 27 = 0
(D) 27x – 24y – 26z – 13 = 0
Ans: (B)
Equation of a plane passing through the line of intersection
of the given planes is
2x – y + 3z + 5 +  (5x – 4y – 2z + ) = 0
or (2 + 5)x – (1 + 4)y + (3 – 2)z + 5 +  = 0
This will be perpendicular to the plane 2x – y + 3z + 5 = 0
if 2(2 + 5) + (1 + 4) + 3(3 – 2) = 0
 = –7/4 and the required equation of the plane is
4(2x – y + 3z + 5) – 7(5x – 4y – 2z + 1) = 0
27x – 24y – 26z – 13 = 0

2
4. A line passing through A(1, 2, 3) and having direction
ratios (3, 4, 5) meets a plane
x + 2y – 3z = 5 at B, then distance AB is equal to-
(A) 94 (B) 114
13
(C) 4
(D) None of these
Ans: (D)
x 1 y2 z3
Equation of the line is 3
= 4
= 5
x 1 y2 z3
i.e., 3
= 4
= 5
= r (say)
5 2 5 2 5 2

 1 + 3r
+4+ 8r
–9– 15r
=5
5 2 5 2 5 2

 – 4r
=9 r= 45 2
4
.
5 2

 A(1, 2, 3) and B  31 57 
 ,11, 
 4 4 


2 2
 31   57 
  1  (11  2) 2    3
 4   4 

5. The distance of the point (1, –2, 3) from the plane

x – y + z = 5, measured parallel to the line x y z
 
2 3 –6
is-
(A) 1/7 (B) 1
(C) 7 (D) none of these
Ans: (B)
Equation of the line through (1, –2, 3) and parallel to the
given line are x2 /–71 = y3/ 72 = –z6–/37 = r. Any point on it at a distance
r from (1, –2, 3) is

3
  2r 3r 6r 
1  , – 2  , 3 – 
 7 7 7
Since the point lies in
x – y + z = 5.
1 + 27r  2 – 37r  3 – 67r = 5  r = 1

6. The value of k, such that x–4 y–2 z–k

1

1

2
lies in the plane 2x –
4y + z = 7 is-
(A) 7 (B) –7
(C) 4 (D) no real value
Ans: (A)
It is evident that the normal to the plane is perpendicular to
the given line. Hence the plane is parallel to the line. If the
line lies in the plane then any point on the line must lie in the
plane. Hence (4, 2, k) must satisfy the equation of the plane
8–8+k=7

7. A plane meets the coordinate axes in A, B, C such that the

centroid of ABC is the point (p, q, r). The equation of the
plane is -
(A) xp  qy  zr  1 (B) 2zp  2yq  2zr  1
x y z 3x 3y 3z
(C)   1
3p 3q 3r
(D) p

q

r
1

Ans: (C)
x y z
Equation of the plane be a
+ b
+ c
= 1

4
 Then coordinates of A, B, C are (a, 0, 0), (0, b, 0), (0, 0, c). So
the centroid of the triangle ABC is  a3 , b3 , 3c 
 
y
C

x
O B
A
z

The coordinates of centroid given (p, q, r)

a = 3p b = 3q c = 3r
So the equation of the required plane is
x y z
 
3p 3q 3r
=1

8. The distance of the point (3, – 4 , 5) from the plane 2x + 5y

– 6z = 16 measured parallel to the line x2 = 1y = –z2 must be
equal to -
(A) 307 (B) 60
7
60 30
(C) 11
(D) 11

Ans: (B)
P
(ii)
(i)

PQ = ?

2x + 5y – 6z = 16 ..... (i)
x y z
 
2 1 –2
..... (ii)

5
 P(3, – 4, 5)
DR's of line (ii) = DR's of line PQ
Eq. of line PQ  x 2– 3  y 1 4  z––25 = 
 Coordinate of the point Q (3 + 2, – 4 +  5 – 2)
Put the coordinates of Q in eqn. (i)
 = ? distance between P & Q

9. The plane x – 2y + 3z = 17 divides the line joining the

points (–2, 4, 7) and (3, –5, 8) in the ratio
(A) 3: 5 (B) 3: 10
(C) 3: 7 (D) None of these
Ans: (B)
If the required ratio is µ : 1, then 3µµ–12 , –µ5µ14 , 8µµ17 must be in
the plane
x – 2y + 3z = 17
 3µ – 2 – 2 (–5µ + 4) + 3(8µ + 7) = 17µ + 17
 20µ = 6 or µ = 103

10. The direction cosines of a line satisfy the relation

(+ m) = n, mn + n + m = 0.
The value of , for which the two lines are perpendicular to
each other is-
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 1/2 (D) None of these

6
Ans: (B)
For  = –m + n , the second relation gives
 n  n
mn + n  – m  m – m  
 
=0
   

or n2 + mn – m2 = 0  n –  = 0.
2
n
2

m m

If n1
m1
, n2
m2
are its roots then n 1n 2
m1m 2
=–
 –1 1 2

m1m 2 n1n 2
–1



Since, the lines are perpendicular –1 –1 + = 0

Multiple Correct Type

11. If a line makes angles 1, 2, 3, 4 with diagonals of a
cube, then-
4 4
(A)  cos 2 i 
4
3
(B)  sin 2 i 
4
3
i 1 i 1

4 4
(C)  cos 2
i 
4
3
(D)  sin 2
i  
4
3
i 1 i 1

Ans: (A, D)
(0,a,0) D C
(a,a,0)

(0,a,a) E
F (a,a,a)
A (0,0,0) (a,0,0)
B
(0,0,a)
G H (a,0,a)

Diagonals
AF = aî  aĵ  ak̂
BE =  aî  aĵ  ak̂
CG = aî  aĵ  ak̂
7
 HD = aî  aĵ  ak̂
Where, , m, n are direction cosine of line
cos1 = a  am  an
3a

a  ma  na
cos2 =
3a

a  ma  na
cos3 =
3a

a  ma  na
cos4 =
3a

12. If a line makes an angle ‘Q’ with x and y axis then cot 
can be equal to-
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 0 (D) –3
Ans: (A, C)
cos2 + cos2 + cos2 = 1
 cos2 = – cos2
 cos2 < 0,  [/4, /2]
cot  = [0, 1]

13. If a line in space make an angle  with x and y axis then cot
 can be-
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 0 (D) –3
Ans: (A, C)
cos2  + cos2  + cos2  = 1
8
  cos2 = – cos 2
 cos 2 0  [/4, /2]
 cot [0, 1]

14. Let PM be the perpendicular from the point P(1, 2, 3) to xy

plane. If OP makes an angle  with the +ve direction of the
z-axis and OM makes an angle  with the positive direction
of x-axis, where O is the origin then ( and are acute
angles)
5 2
(A) tan = 3
(B) sinsin =
14

(C) tan  = 2 (D) cos  cos  = 1

14

Ans: (A, B, C)
P be (x, y, z)
x = r sin . cos , y = r sin  sin , z = r cos 
1 = r sin . cos 2 = r sin sin , 3 = r cos 
12 + 22 + 32 = r2 sin2  cos2  + r2 sin2  sin2  + r2 cos2 
= r2 sin2 (cos2 + sin2 ) + r2 cos2 
= r2 sin2  + r2 cos2  = r2
r2 = 14
r = ± 14
sin  cos = + 1 , sin sin = 2 ,
14 14

cos  3
14

(neg. –ve sign)

9
 z

P(1, 2, 3)


y

sin  sin  2 sin  5

sin  cos 
= 1
and tan= cos 
= 3

tan  = 2 tan  = 3
5

15. Let PN be perpendicular from point P(1, 2, 3) to xy plane if

OP makes an angle  with positive direction of z- axis and
ON makes an angle  with positive direction of x- axis,
where O is origin (are acute angles), then-
(A) sin sin  = 2 (B) cos  cos  = 1
14 14

(C) tan  = 3
5
(D) None of these
Ans: (A, C)
Let OP = r
 1 = r sin  cos  … (1)
2 = r sin sin  … (2)
3 = r cos  … (3)
Square and add
r2 = 14
r = ± 14 … (4)
Using (1), (2) (3) and (4), we get
(A) and (C) as answers.
10
16. The equation of the line x + y + z – 1= 0, 4x + y – 2z + 2 =
0 written in the symmetrical form is
(A) x 1 1  y22  z 1 0 (B) x1  y2  z 1 1
x  1/ 2 y  1 z  1/ 2 x 1 y  2 z  2
(C) 1

2

1
(D) 2

1

2

Ans: (A, B, C)
x+y+z–1=0
4x + y – 2z + 2 = 0
direction ratios of the line are (–3, 6, –3) i.e. (1, –2, 1)
Let z = k, then x = k – 1, y = 2 – 2k
i.e. (k – 1, 2 – 2k, k) is any point on the line
(–1, 2, 0), (0, 0, 1) &   12 ,1, 12  are points on the lines

x 1 y 1
17. The co-ordinates of a point on the line 2
= 3
= z at a
distance 4 14 from the point (1, –1, 0) are -
(A) (9, –13, 4)
(B) (8 14 + 1, –12 14 – 1, 4 14 )
(C) (–7, 11, –4)
(D) (–8 14 + 1, 12 14 – 1, – 4 14 )
Ans: (A, C)
The coordinates of a point on the given line are (2r + 1, –
3r – 1, r)
The distance of this point from the point (1, –1, 0) is
given to be 4 14 .
 (2r)2 + (–3r)2 + (r)2 = (4 14 )2

11
  14r2 = 16 × 14  r = ± 4
So the coordinates of the required point are
(9, – 13, 4) or (–7, 11, –4).

18. If l1 , m1 , n1 and l2, m2, n2 are D.C.'s of the two lines

inclined to each other at angle , then the D.C.'s of the
internal and external bisectors of the angle between those
lines are
l1  l2 m  m2 n  n2 l1  l2 m1  m 2 n1  n 2
(A) , 1 , 1 (B) , ,
2sin( / 2) 2sin( / 2) 2sin( / 2) 2 cos( / 2) 2 cos( / 2) 2 cos( / 2)
l1  l2 m  m2 n  n2 l1  l2 m1  m2 n1  n 2
(C) , 1 , 1 (D) , ,
2sin( / 2) 2sin( / 2) 2sin( / 2) 2 cos( / 2) 2 cos( / 2) 2 cos( / 2)

Ans: (B, C)
l1l2 + m1m2 + n1n2 = cos
Through origin O draw two lines parallel to given lines and
take two points on each at a distance r from O and a point R
on QO produced so that OR = r.
Then the co-ordinates of P, Q, R are (l1r, m1r, n1r), (l2r,m2r,
n2r) and (-l2r, -m2r, -n2r) respectively
Q

O
A
r r
P
R B

If A, B be the mid points of PQ and PR then OA and OB are

along the bisectors of the lines
D.R.'s of OA are l1 + l2, m1 + m2, n1 + n2
D.R.'s of OB are l1 – l2, m1 – m2, n1 – n2
12
 Now (l1 + l2)2 = 1 + 1 + 2cos = 2(1 + cos) = 4cos2 (/2)
and (l1 - l2)2 = 1 + 1 - 2cos = 2 (1 - cos) = 4sin2(/2)
D.C. of internal and external bisectors are as given in (B)
and (C) respectively.

19. The equation of three planes are

x  2 y  z  3, 5 x  y  z  8, and x  y  z  7 then

(A) they form a triangular prism

(B) all three plane have a common line of intersection
(C) line x  y  z is parallel to each plane
1 2 3
x y z
(D) line   intersect all three plane
1 3 4
Ans: (A, C)
1 2 1 3  1 2 1 3  1 2 1 3
Augment matrix 5 1 1 8   0 9 6 7   0 9 6 7 
    
1 1 1 7  0 3 2 4  0 0 0 19 

System of equation has no solution. A  0   n1 n2 n3   0 

normals of plane are coplanar hence they are not intersecting

at any point and forming a triangular prism.
 x, y, z    r, 2r,3r  does not satisfy by any plane for any value of
‘r’ hence x y z
  is parallel to each plane. (x, y, z) = (r, 3r,
1 2 3
4r) satisfy by plane (1) & plane (2) for some value of ‘r’ but
not satisfy by plane ‘3’ for any value of r. hence line x  y  z
1 3 4
does not interest plane ‘3’.

13
20. The plane passing through the origin and containing the
lines whose direction cosines are proportional to 1, –2, 2
and 2, 3, –1 passes through the point, is
(A) (1, –2, 2) (B) (2, 3, –1)
(C) (3, 1, 1) (D) (4, 0, 7)
Ans: (A, B, C)
Let the direction cosines of the normal to the plane be l, m,
n . Since the normal is perpendicular to both the lines lying
in the plane, whose direction cosines are proportional to (1,
–2, 2) and (2, 3, –1), we have
l – 2m + 2n = 0 & 2l + 3m – n = 0  l  m  n
4 5 7
Since the plane passes through the origin its equation is
lx + my + nz = 0 or 4x – 5y – 7z = 0.

Numeric Type
21. A horizontal plane 4x – 3y + 7z = 0 is given. A line of
greatest slope passes through the point (2, 1, 1) in the plane
2x + y –5z = 0. Find the greatest integral value of x + y + z
if P (x, y, z) lies on line as well as on first plane.
Ans: (5)
The required line through the point P(2, 1, 1) in the plane 2x
+ y –5z = 0 and of greatest slope is perpendicular to line of
intersection of the planes
2x + y – 5z = 0 and 4x – 3y + 7z = 0
Let dr's. of line of intersection are a, b, c then

14
 2a + b –5c = 0 and 4a –3b + 7c = 0
as dr's of line (a, b, c) is perpendicular to dr's. of normal to
both the planes.
a
4
= 17b = 5c
Now let the dr's of required line be , m, n
then x  2 = ym 1 = z n1 where 2 + m – 5n = 0
4 + 17m + 5n = 0
So 3 = m1 = n1  x 3 2 = y11 = z 11 = k
Let any point on this line  (2 + 3k, 1 – k, 1 + k)
also on first plane
4 (2 + 3k) – 3(1 – k) + 7 (1 + k) = 0
 8 + 12k – 3 + 3k + 7 + 7k = 0
 k = 116
so point   18 6 6
 2  , 1  ,1  
 11 11 11 

18
So x + y + z = 4 + 11

greatest integral value = 5

22. The plane ax + by = 0 is rotated through an angle  about its

line of intersection with the plane z = 0. If the equation of
plane in new position is ax + by ± z a  b tan  + c = 0.
2 2

Find c.
Ans: (0)
Planes ax + by = 0 and z = 0

15
 equation of any plane through the line of intersection of these
planes is ax + by + kz = 0; k  R
Hence dc's of normal to this plane
a b k
, ,
a 2  b2  k 2 a 2  b2  k 2 a 2  b2  k 2
a b
dc's of normal to plane 1 are , ,0
a b
2 2
a  b2
2

so angle cos  = a 2  b2
= a 2  b2
a  b2  k 2
2
a 2  b2  k 2 a 2  b2

 k2 cos2  = 2 (1 – cos2 ) + b2 (1– cos2 )

k = ± a  b tan 
2 2

So equation of plane
ax + by ± z a  b tan  = 0
2 2

Hence c = 0

23. If the planes x – cy – bz = 0, cx – y + az = 0 and bx + ay – z

= 0 pass through a straight line, then find the value of a2 +
b2 + c2 + 2abc.
Ans: (1)
Given planes are
x – cy – bz = 0 ... (i)
cx – y + az = 0 ... (ii)
bx + ay – z = 0 ... (iii)
equation of plane passing through the line of intersection of
plane (i) and (ii) may be taken as
(x – cy –bz) +  (cx – y + az) = 0

16
  (1 + c) x – y (c + ) + z (a– b) = 0
....(iv)
If plane (iii) and (iv) are same then
1  c (c   ) a  b
b
= a
= 1

  – aacbcb = – ab  c

1 a2

 a – a3 + bc – a2 bc = a2 bc + ac2 + ab2 + bc
 a2 + b2 + c2 + 2abc = 1

24. A plane passes through the point (1,1,1) cuts the coordinate
axes at A,B & C respectively such that OA = OB = OC,
where O is the origin and volume of tetrahedron OABC is
then value of 2 is equal to
Ans: (9)
Equation of plane is xa  ay  az = 1
It passes through the point (1, 1, 1).
So 1a  1a  1a = 1
a=3
Hence, A (3, 0, 0), B (0, 3, 0), C (0, 0, 3)
3 0 0
1 9
Volume of tetrahedron = 6
0 3 0 
2
0 0 3

= 92  2 = 9

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 x 1 y  2 z
25. If equation of the plane through the straight line 2

3

5

and perpendicular to the plane x – y + z + 2 = 0 is ax – by +

cz + 4 = 0, then find the value of 10 a  10 b  10c3 2

342
.
Ans: (5)
Plane contains the line
So,
(a) plane is r to 2î – 3ˆj + 5k̂ so 2a + 3b + 5c = 0 ……..(i)
(b) plane contain the line î – 2 ˆj so a + 2b + 4 = 0 ……..(ii)
(c) plane is r to x – y + z + 2 = 0 so a + b + c = 0 ……..(iii)
On solving, (i) + (ii) + (iii)
a = 2, b = – 3, c = 1

26. If the reflection of the point P(1, 0, 0) in the line

x  1 y  1 z  10
2

3

8
is (). Find – (+  + )
Ans: (7)
Let reflection of P(1, 0, 0) in the line
x  1 y  1 z  10
2

3

8
be ()
  1   
then  , ,  lies on the line
 2 2 2

& (–1) î  ĵ  k̂ is perpendicular to 2î  3 ĵ  8k̂

 1  
1 1  10
 2
2
 2
3
 2
8
=
and 2(– 1) – 3() + (8) = 0
  = 5,  = – 8,  = – 4

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27. Shortest distance between the z-axis and the line
x  y  2z  3  0  2x  3y  4z  4 is ___

Ans: (2)
Equation of any plane ; continuing the general plane is
x  y  2z  3    2x  3y  4z  4   0    (1)
1
if plane (1) is parallel to z-axis   = 
2
Therefore plane, parallel to z-axis is y+2=0-----(2)
Now,
shortest distance between any point on z-axis (0, 0, 0 ) (say)
from plane (2) is 2

28. If a variable plane forms a tetrahedron of constant volume

64k3 with the coordinate planes then the locus of the
centroid of the tetrahedron is xyz = uk3. Find u.
Ans: (6)
Equation of plane is x  y  z  1
a b c

Let (, , ) be the centroid of tetrahedron ABC then  =

a b c
,  ,  
4 4 4

 Volume of tetrahedron = 11  abc

 abc  
3 2  6
64
 64k3 =
6

 Locus of (, , ) is xyz = 6k3 . Hence u = 6.

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29. The equation of the plane passing through the intersection
of the planes 2x  5y  z  3 and x  y  4z  5 and parallel to the
plane x  3y  6z  1 is x + 3y + 6z = k, where k is
Ans: (7)
Equation of plane passing through the intersection of the
planes 2x  5y  z  3 and x  y  4z  5 is
 2x  5y  z  3    x  y  4z  5  0
  2    x   5    y  1  4   3  5  0 ….(i)
which is parallel to the plane x + 3y + 6z = 1.
2   5   1  4
Then  
1 3 6
2   5   1  4
Then,  
1 3 6
11
 
2
From eq. (i),
7 21 49
 x  y  21z  0
2 2 2
 x  3y  6z  7

Hence, k = 7

30. Through the point P(1, 2, 2) a plane is drawn at right angles

to OP meets the axes in A, B, C. Find , if the area of the
triangle ABC is (240 + )/8 .
Ans: (3)
The direction ratio of the line OP is 1, 2, 2. The equation of
the plane through P(1, 2, 2) is

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a(x – 1) + b(y – 2) + c(z – 2) = 0
... (i)
Equation (i) is perpendicular to OP then the normal to this
plane (i) is parallel to OP
 abc
1 2 2

Equation of plane becomes (x + 1) + 2(y – 2) + 2(z – 2) = 0

 x + 2y + 2z = 9 ... (ii)
Plane (ii) cuts the axes at A, B, C respectively.
 A(9,0, 0), B(0, 9/2, 0), C(0, 0, 9/2)
The coordinates of the projection of A, B., C on the yz–
plane are
(0, 0, 0), (0, 9/2, 0) and (0, 0, 9/2)
 x = area of projection of ABC on yz–plane
0 0 1
1 81
= 9/2 0 1 
2 8
0 9/2 1

Similarly, y = 81
, z = 81
4 4
81 3 243
Required area =  2x   2y   z2 =  
4 2 8
240   243
    = 3.
8 8

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