Find the shortest distance between the lines r = (1, 5, 6) + y(-2, -1, 0) and r = (1, 7, -3) + z(2, 0, 4)

Vector joining the two lines = (1, 5, 6) - (1, 7, -3) = (0, -2, 9)Normal vector to the two lines = (-2, -1, 0) x (2, 0, 4) = (-4, 8, 2) = 2(-2, 4, 1)Hence, using the dot product, shortest distance = (0, -2, 9) "dot" (-2, 4, 1) / sqrt(22 + 42 + 12) = -8 + 9 / sqrt(4 + 16 + 1) = 1/sqrt(21)

AH

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Evaluate (1 + i)^12


The quadratic equation x^2-6x+14=0 has roots alpha and beta. a) Write down the value of alpha+beta and the value of alpha*beta. b) Find a quadratic equation, with integer coefficients which has roots alpha/beta and beta/alpha.


y = artanh(x/sqrt(1+x^2)) , find dy/dx


Write down the equations of the three asymptotes and the coordinates of the points where the curve y = (3x+2)(x-3)/(x-2)(x+1) crosses the axes.