Perpendicular distance point to line

Questions asking to find the shortest distance from a point to a line, often using perpendicularity conditions or geometric methods.

22 questions · Standard +0.6

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CAIE P3 2002 November Q10
12 marks Standard +0.3
10 With respect to the origin \(O\), the points \(A , B , C , D\) have position vectors given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = 4 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { k } , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = 5 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } , \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } , \quad \overrightarrow { O D } = - \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { k }$$
  1. Calculate the acute angle between the lines \(A B\) and \(C D\).
  2. Prove that the lines \(A B\) and \(C D\) intersect.
  3. The point \(P\) has position vector \(\mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } + 6 \mathbf { k }\). Show that the perpendicular distance from \(P\) to the line \(A B\) is equal to \(\sqrt { } 3\).
CAIE P3 2012 November Q10
11 marks Standard +0.3
10 With respect to the origin \(O\), the points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have position vectors given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ - 2 \\ 4 \end{array} \right) , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ - 1 \\ 7 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ - 5 \\ - 3 \end{array} \right) .$$ The plane \(m\) is parallel to \(\overrightarrow { O C }\) and contains \(A\) and \(B\).
  1. Find the equation of \(m\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
  2. Find the length of the perpendicular from \(C\) to the line through \(A\) and \(B\).
CAIE P3 2012 November Q10
11 marks Standard +0.3
10 With respect to the origin \(O\), the points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have position vectors given by $$\overrightarrow { O A } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ - 2 \\ 4 \end{array} \right) , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ - 1 \\ 7 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ - 5 \\ - 3 \end{array} \right)$$ The plane \(m\) is parallel to \(\overrightarrow { O C }\) and contains \(A\) and \(B\).
  1. Find the equation of \(m\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
  2. Find the length of the perpendicular from \(C\) to the line through \(A\) and \(B\).
CAIE P3 2020 June Q9
9 marks Standard +0.3
9 With respect to the origin \(O\), the vertices of a triangle \(A B C\) have position vectors $$\overrightarrow { O A } = 2 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { k } , \quad \overrightarrow { O B } = 3 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } \quad \text { and } \quad \overrightarrow { O C } = \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }$$
  1. Using a scalar product, show that angle \(A B C\) is a right angle.
  2. Show that triangle \(A B C\) is isosceles.
  3. Find the exact length of the perpendicular from \(O\) to the line through \(B\) and \(C\).
CAIE P3 2022 June Q9
9 marks Standard +0.3
9 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c1fbc9ef-2dc6-43c3-bc58-179f683c9acf-16_696_1104_264_518} In the diagram, \(O A B C D E F G\) is a cuboid in which \(O A = 2\) units, \(O C = 4\) units and \(O G = 2\) units. Unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are parallel to \(O A , O C\) and \(O G\) respectively. The point \(M\) is the midpoint of \(D F\). The point \(N\) on \(A B\) is such that \(A N = 3 N B\).
  1. Express the vectors \(\overrightarrow { O M }\) and \(\overrightarrow { M N }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\).
  2. Find a vector equation for the line through \(M\) and \(N\).
  3. Show that the length of the perpendicular from \(O\) to the line through \(M\) and \(N\) is \(\sqrt { \frac { 53 } { 6 } }\).
CAIE P3 2022 June Q9
9 marks Standard +0.3
9 With respect to the origin \(O\), the point \(A\) has position vector given by \(\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } + 6 \mathbf { k }\). The line \(l\) has vector equation \(\mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( - \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } )\).
  1. Find in degrees the acute angle between the directions of \(O A\) and \(l\).
  2. Find the position vector of the foot of the perpendicular from \(A\) to \(l\).
  3. Hence find the position vector of the reflection of \(A\) in \(l\).
CAIE P3 2020 March Q8
9 marks Standard +0.3
8 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{8f81a526-783c-4321-b540-c9deccfee17b-12_639_713_262_715} In the diagram, \(O A B C D E F G\) is a cuboid in which \(O A = 2\) units, \(O C = 3\) units and \(O D = 2\) units. Unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are parallel to \(O A , O C\) and \(O D\) respectively. The point \(M\) on \(A B\) is such that \(M B = 2 A M\). The midpoint of \(F G\) is \(N\).
  1. Express the vectors \(\overrightarrow { O M }\) and \(\overrightarrow { M N }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\).
  2. Find a vector equation for the line through \(M\) and \(N\).
  3. Find the position vector of \(P\), the foot of the perpendicular from \(D\) to the line through \(M\) and \(N\). [4]
CAIE P3 2021 November Q8
9 marks Standard +0.3
8 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{bbe57fc0-a8a5-4fe5-a637-4f9db00bdc13-10_588_789_260_678} In the diagram, \(O A B C D\) is a pyramid with vertex \(D\). The horizontal base \(O A B C\) is a square of side 4 units. The edge \(O D\) is vertical and \(O D = 4\) units. The unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are parallel to \(O A , O C\) and \(O D\) respectively. The midpoint of \(A B\) is \(M\) and the point \(N\) on \(C D\) is such that \(D N = 3 N C\).
  1. Find a vector equation for the line through \(M\) and \(N\).
  2. Show that the length of the perpendicular from \(O\) to \(M N\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } \sqrt { 82 }\). \(9 \quad\) Let \(\mathrm { f } ( x ) = \frac { 1 } { ( 9 - x ) \sqrt { x } }\).
CAIE P3 2023 November Q10
9 marks Standard +0.3
10 The equations of the lines \(l\) and \(m\) are given by $$l : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 3 \\ - 2 \\ 1 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { l } 1 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad m : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 6 \\ - 3 \\ 6 \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { r } - 2 \\ 4 \\ c \end{array} \right)$$ where \(c\) is a positive constant. It is given that the angle between \(l\) and \(m\) is \(60 ^ { \circ }\).
  1. Find the value of \(c\).
  2. Show that the length of the perpendicular from \(( 6 , - 3,6 )\) to \(l\) is \(\sqrt { 11 }\).
Edexcel C34 2016 January Q12
14 marks Standard +0.3
  1. With respect to a fixed origin \(O\), the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) are given by the equations
$$l _ { 1 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 12 \\ - 4 \\ 5 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { r } 5 \\ - 4 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) , \quad l _ { 2 } : \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { l } 2 \\ 2 \\ 0 \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { l } 0 \\ 6 \\ 3 \end{array} \right)$$ where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are scalar parameters.
  1. Show that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) meet, and find the position vector of their point of intersection \(A\).
  2. Find, to the nearest \(0.1 ^ { \circ }\), the acute angle between \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) The point \(B\) has position vector \(\left( \begin{array} { l } 7 \\ 0 \\ 3 \end{array} \right)\).
  3. Show that \(B\) lies on \(l _ { 1 }\)
  4. Find the shortest distance from \(B\) to the line \(l _ { 2 }\), giving your answer to 3 significant figures.
Edexcel FP3 2010 June Q7
14 marks Challenging +1.2
7. The plane \(\Pi\) has vector equation $$\mathbf { r } = 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( - 4 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) + \mu ( 6 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } )$$
  1. Find an equation of \(\Pi\) in the form \(\mathbf { r } \cdot \mathbf { n } = p\), where \(\mathbf { n }\) is a vector perpendicular to \(\Pi\) and \(p\) is a constant. The point \(P\) has coordinates \(( 6,13,5 )\). The line \(l\) passes through \(P\) and is perpendicular to \(\Pi\). The line \(l\) intersects \(\Pi\) at the point \(N\).
  2. Show that the coordinates of \(N\) are \(( 3,1 , - 1 )\). The point \(R\) lies on \(\Pi\) and has coordinates \(( 1,0,2 )\).
  3. Find the perpendicular distance from \(N\) to the line \(P R\). Give your answer to 3 significant figures.
CAIE P3 2020 Specimen Q8
10 marks Standard +0.3
8 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c1eee696-3d7f-410a-91a8-fa902309c117-14_485_716_262_676} In the diagram, \(O A B C\) is a pyramid in which \(O A = 2\) units, \(O B = 4\) units and \(O C = 2\) units. The edge \(O C\) is vertical, the base \(O A B\) is horizontal and angle \(A O B = 90 ^ { \circ }\). Unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are parallel to \(O A\), \(O B\) and \(O C\) respectively. The midpoints of \(A B\) and \(B C\) are \(M\) and \(N\) respectively.
  1. Express the vectors \(\overrightarrow { O N }\) and \(\overrightarrow { C M }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\).
  2. Calculate the angle between the directions of \(\overrightarrow { O N }\) and \(\overrightarrow { C M }\).
  3. Show that the length of the perpendicular from \(M\) to \(O N\) is \(\frac { 3 } { 5 } \sqrt { 5 }\).
OCR MEI Further Pure Core 2020 November Q15
17 marks Standard +0.3
15
  1. Show that the three planes with equations $$\begin{aligned} x + \lambda y + 3 z & = - 12 \\ 2 x + y + 5 z & = - 11 \\ x - 2 y + 2 z & = - 9 \end{aligned}$$ where \(\lambda\) is a constant, meet at a unique point except for one value of \(\lambda\) which is to be determined.
  2. In the case \(\lambda = - 2\), use matrices to find the point of intersection P of the planes, showing your method clearly. The line \(l\) has equation \(\frac { x - 1 } { 2 } = \frac { y - 1 } { - 1 } = \frac { z + 2 } { - 2 }\).
  3. Find a vector equation of \(l\).
  4. Find the shortest distance between the point P and \(l\).
    1. Show that \(l\) is parallel to the plane \(x - 2 y + 2 z = - 9\).
    2. Find the distance between \(l\) and the plane \(x - 2 y + 2 z = - 9\).
Edexcel CP AS 2018 June Q4
11 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Part of the mains water system for a housing estate consists of water pipes buried beneath the ground surface. The water pipes are modelled as straight line segments. One water pipe, \(W\), is buried beneath a particular road. With respect to a fixed origin \(O\), the road surface is modelled as a plane with equation \(3 x - 5 y - 18 z = 7\), and \(W\) passes through the points \(A ( - 1 , - 1 , - 3 )\) and \(B ( 1,2 , - 3 )\). The units are in metres.
    1. Use the model to calculate the acute angle between \(W\) and the road surface.
    A point \(C ( - 1 , - 2,0 )\) lies on the road. A section of water pipe needs to be connected to \(W\) from \(C\).
  2. Using the model, find, to the nearest cm, the shortest length of pipe needed to connect \(C\) to \(W\).
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Edexcel F3 Specimen Q7
14 marks Standard +0.8
  1. The plane \(\Pi\) has vector equation
$$\mathbf { r } = 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( - 4 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) + \mu ( 6 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } )$$
  1. Find an equation of \(\Pi\) in the form \(\mathbf { r } . \mathbf { n } = p\), where \(\mathbf { n }\) is a vector perpendicular to \(\Pi\) and \(p\) is a constant. The point \(P\) has coordinates \(( 6,13,5 )\). The line \(l\) passes through \(P\) and is perpendicular to \(\Pi\). The line \(l\) intersects \(\Pi\) at the point \(N\).
  2. Show that the coordinates of \(N\) are \(( 3,1 , - 1 )\). The point \(R\) lies on \(\Pi\) and has coordinates \(( 1,0,2 )\).
  3. Find the perpendicular distance from \(N\) to the line \(P R\). Give your answer to 3 significant figures.
CAIE FP1 2005 November Q9
10 marks Challenging +1.2
The planes \(\Pi_1\) and \(\Pi_2\) have vector equations $$\mathbf{r} = \lambda_1(\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} - \mathbf{k}) + \mu_1(2\mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j} + \mathbf{k}) \quad \text{and} \quad \mathbf{r} = \lambda_2(\mathbf{i} + 2\mathbf{j} + \mathbf{k}) + \mu_2(3\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} - \mathbf{k})$$ respectively. The line \(l\) passes through the point with position vector \(4\mathbf{i} + 5\mathbf{j} + 6\mathbf{k}\) and is parallel to both \(\Pi_1\) and \(\Pi_2\). Find a vector equation for \(l\). [6] Find also the shortest distance between \(l\) and the line of intersection of \(\Pi_1\) and \(\Pi_2\). [4]
CAIE FP1 2018 November Q10
12 marks Standard +0.8
The position vectors of the points \(A, B, C, D\) are $$\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} + 3\mathbf{k}, \quad 3\mathbf{i} + 4\mathbf{j} + 5\mathbf{k}, \quad -\mathbf{i} + 3\mathbf{k}, \quad m\mathbf{j} + 4\mathbf{k},$$ respectively, where \(m\) is a constant.
  1. Show that the lines \(AB\) and \(CD\) are parallel when \(m = \frac{3}{2}\). [1]
  2. Given that \(m \neq \frac{3}{2}\), find the shortest distance between the lines \(AB\) and \(CD\). [5]
  3. When \(m = 2\), find the acute angle between the planes \(ABC\) and \(ABD\), giving your answer in degrees. [6]
CAIE FP1 2019 November Q6
9 marks Challenging +1.2
With \(O\) as the origin, the points \(A\), \(B\), \(C\) have position vectors $$\mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j}, \quad 2\mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} + 7\mathbf{k}, \quad \mathbf{i} - \mathbf{j} + \mathbf{k}$$ respectively.
  1. Find the shortest distance between the lines \(OC\) and \(AB\). [5]
  2. Find the cartesian equation of the plane containing the line \(OC\) and the common perpendicular of the lines \(OC\) and \(AB\). [4]
AQA Further Paper 1 2024 June Q12
10 marks Challenging +1.8
The line \(L_1\) has equation $$\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 3 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}$$ The transformation T is represented by the matrix $$\begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 3 & 4 & 6 \\ -5 & 2 & -3 \end{pmatrix}$$ The transformation T transforms the line \(L_1\) to the line \(L_2\)
  1. Show that the angle between \(L_1\) and \(L_2\) is 0.701 radians, correct to three decimal places. [4 marks]
  2. Find the shortest distance between \(L_1\) and \(L_2\) Give your answer in an exact form. [6 marks]
AQA Further Paper 2 2019 June Q11
8 marks Challenging +1.2
The line \(L_1\) has equation $$\frac{x-2}{3} = \frac{y+4}{8} = \frac{4z-5}{5}$$ The line \(L_2\) has equation $$\left(\mathbf{r} - \begin{bmatrix} -2 \\ 0 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix}\right) \times \begin{bmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix} = \mathbf{0}$$ Find the shortest distance between the two lines, giving your answer to three significant figures. [8 marks]
WJEC Further Unit 1 2018 June Q9
14 marks Standard +0.3
The line \(L_1\) passes through the points \(A(1, 2, -3)\) and \(B(-2, 1, 0)\).
    1. Show that the vector equation of \(L_1\) can be written as $$\mathbf{r} = (1 - 3\lambda)\mathbf{i} + (2 - \lambda)\mathbf{j} + (-3 + 3\lambda)\mathbf{k}.$$
    2. Write down the equation of \(L_1\) in Cartesian form. [4]
The vector equation of the line \(L_2\) is given by \(\mathbf{r} = 2\mathbf{i} - 4\mathbf{j} + \mu(4\mathbf{j} + 7\mathbf{k})\).
  1. Show that \(L_1\) and \(L_2\) do not intersect. [5]
  2. Find a vector in the direction of the common perpendicular to \(L_1\) and \(L_2\). [5]
OCR Further Pure Core 2 2018 December Q5
7 marks Standard +0.8
  1. Find the shortest distance between the point \((-6, 4)\) and the line \(y = -0.75x + 7\). [2]
Two lines, \(l_1\) and \(l_2\), are given by $$l_1: \mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 3 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ -4 \end{pmatrix} \text{ and } l_2: \mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 11 \\ -1 \\ 5 \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.$$
  1. Find the shortest distance between \(l_1\) and \(l_2\). [3]
  2. Hence determine the geometrical arrangement of \(l_1\) and \(l_2\). [2]