Question:easy

The lines \(x = py + q,\ z = ry + s\) and \(x = p'y + q',\ z = r'y + s'\) are perpendicular if

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Take \(y\) as the parameter. The direction ratios are \((p,1,r)\) and \((p',1,r')\). Set their dot product to zero.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2026
  • \(pp' + rr' = 0\)
  • \(pp' + rr' + 1 = 0\)
  • \(\dfrac{p}{p'} = \dfrac{r}{r'}\)
  • \(pp' = rr'\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Parametrise both lines.
Let $y=t$ on the first line. A general point is $(pt+q,\ t,\ rt+s)$. For each unit change of $t$, the point moves by the vector $\vec{d_1} = p\,\hat{i} + \hat{j} + r\,\hat{k}$.

Step 2: Do the same for the second line.
Let $y=u$. A general point is $(p'u+q',\ u,\ r'u+s')$. The direction vector is $\vec{d_2} = p'\hat{i} + \hat{j} + r'\hat{k}$.

Step 3: Use the angle formula.
The angle $\theta$ between the lines satisfies $\cos\theta = \dfrac{\vec{d_1}\cdot\vec{d_2}}{|\vec{d_1}||\vec{d_2}|}$. Perpendicular lines have $\theta=90^\circ$, so the numerator must vanish.

Step 4: Compute the dot product.
\[ \vec{d_1}\cdot\vec{d_2} = pp' + 1 + rr' \]
Setting this to zero gives $pp'+rr'+1=0$.

Step 5: Match with the options.
Only option 2 has the extra $+1$. Options 1 and 4 miss the y-components. Option 3 is a proportionality relation, not a zero dot product.

Final Answer:
The condition is $pp'+rr'+1=0$. \[ \boxed{\text{Option 2}} \]
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