Question:

If N is the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point \(P(5,-1,3)\) to the line passing through the points \(A(1,3,-5)\) and \(B(3,-1,5)\) then the ratio in which N divides AB is

Show Hint

To find the foot of a perpendicular on a line in 3D, use the dot-product condition \((\overrightarrow{PN})\cdot(\overrightarrow{AB})=0\).
Updated On: Oct 17, 2026
  • -26:21
  • 13:2
  • 11:19
  • -11:19
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
The foot of the perpendicular from a point to a line lies on the line itself. If \[ N=A+t(B-A) \] then \(\overrightarrow{PN}\) must be perpendicular to \(\overrightarrow{AB}\).

Step 1: Find the direction vector of line AB. \[ \overrightarrow{AB} =(3-1,\,-1-3,\;5-(-5)) \] \[ =(2,-4,10) \]

Step 2: Write the coordinates of \(N\). \[ N=(1,3,-5)+t(2,-4,10) \] \[ N=(1+2t,\;3-4t,\;-5+10t) \]

Step 3: Form the vector \(\overrightarrow{PN}\). \[ \overrightarrow{PN} =(1+2t-5,\;3-4t+1,\;-5+10t-3) \] \[ =(2t-4,\;4-4t,\;10t-8) \]

Step 4: Apply perpendicularity condition. \[ \overrightarrow{PN}\cdot\overrightarrow{AB}=0 \] \[ 2(2t-4)-4(4-4t)+10(10t-8)=0 \] \[ 4t-8-16+16t+100t-80=0 \] \[ 120t-104=0 \] \[ t=\frac{104}{120} =\frac{13}{15} \]

Step 5: Find the division ratio. Since \[ AN:NB=t:(1-t) \] \[ =\frac{13}{15}:\frac{2}{15} \] \[ =13:2 \] \[ \boxed{13:2} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
0