Question:medium

Prove that the line through points A(0, -1, -1) and B(4, 5, 1) intersects the line through points C(3, 9, 4) and D(-4, 4, 4). Hence, write the equation of line passing through the point of intersection of lines AB and CD as well as origin.

Show Hint

Equate the general points of the two lines and solve for the parameters. The common point is (10, 14, 4), so the line through the origin has direction ratios 5, 7, 2.
Updated On: Oct 22, 2026
Show Solution

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Direction vectors:
Let $\vec{b}_1 = \overrightarrow{AB} = 4\hat{i} + 6\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$ and $\vec{b}_2 = \overrightarrow{CD} = -7\hat{i} - 5\hat{j}$.
These are not scalar multiples of each other, so the lines are not parallel.

Step 2: Use the coplanarity test:
Two non-parallel lines meet exactly when the vector between a point on each is perpendicular to $\vec{b}_1 \times \vec{b}_2$.
\[ \vec{b}_1 \times \vec{b}_2 = \begin{vmatrix} \hat{i} & \hat{j} & \hat{k} \\ 4 & 6 & 2 \\ -7 & -5 & 0 \end{vmatrix} = 10\hat{i} - 14\hat{j} + 22\hat{k} \]

Step 3: Find the dot product:
$\overrightarrow{AC} = (3 - 0,\ 9 + 1,\ 4 + 1) = (3, 10, 5)$.
\[ \overrightarrow{AC}\cdot(\vec{b}_1\times\vec{b}_2) = 3(10) + 10(-14) + 5(22) = 30 - 140 + 110 = 0 \]
The value is zero, so the lines are coplanar. As they are not parallel, they intersect.

Step 4: Locate the common point:
Every point of CD has $z = 4$.
Line AB in symmetric form is $\dfrac{x}{2} = \dfrac{y+1}{3} = \dfrac{z+1}{1}$.
Putting $z = 4$ gives $\dfrac{z+1}{1} = 5$, so $x = 10$ and $y + 1 = 15$, that is $y = 14$.
The point $P(10, 14, 4)$ lies on AB.

Step 5: Confirm P lies on CD:
Line CD is $\dfrac{x - 3}{-7} = \dfrac{y - 9}{-5},\ z = 4$.
At $P$: $\dfrac{10 - 3}{-7} = -1$ and $\dfrac{14 - 9}{-5} = -1$. The two ratios match.
So $P$ is the point of intersection.

Step 6: Line OP:
The line joins $O(0,0,0)$ and $P(10,14,4)$, so its direction ratios are $10 : 14 : 4 = 5 : 7 : 2$.
\[ \vec{r} = \lambda\,(5\hat{i} + 7\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}) \]

Final Answer:
The lines meet at $(10, 14, 4)$ and the line through the origin is $\dfrac{x}{5} = \dfrac{y}{7} = \dfrac{z}{2}$. \[ \boxed{\vec{r} = \lambda\,(5\hat{i} + 7\hat{j} + 2\hat{k})} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0