Question Details

Let Q be the cube with the set of vertices {(x1,x2,x3)R3:x1,x2,x3{0,1}}. Let F be the set of all twelve lines containing the diagonals of the six faces of the cube Q. Let S be the set of all four lines containing the main diagonals of the cube Q; for instance, the line passing through the vertices (0,0,0) and (1,1,1) is in S. For lines 1 and 2, let d(1,2) denote the shortest distance between them. Then the maximum value of d(1,2), as 1 varies over F and 2 varies over S, is

Options

A

16

B

18

C

13

D

112

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

16

Solution :

The correct answer is 16.

Step 1: Understand the Geometry of the Cube
Let Q be a unit cube with vertices given by (x1,x2,x3)R3 where each coordinate is either 0 or 1.

Step 2: Define the Sets of Lines
1. Set S (Main Diagonals):
There are 4 main diagonals passing through opposite vertices of the cube. Consider one such main diagonal 2 passing through A(0,0,0) and B(1,1,1).
The direction vector of 2 is:

v2=(1,1,1)

2. Set F (Face Diagonals):
There are 12 face diagonals across the 6 faces of the cube.
Consider a face diagonal 1 lying on the face x3=0, passing through C(1,0,0) and D(0,1,0).
The direction vector of 1 is:

v1=D-C=(-1,1,0)

Step 3: Calculate the Shortest Distance Between 1 and 2
The formula for the shortest distance d(1,2) between two skew lines with direction vectors v1 and v2 passing through points C and A respectively is given by:

d(1,2)=|(C-A)·(v1×v2)||v1×v2|

First, let's compute the vector cross product v1×v2:

v1×v2=|i^j^k^-110111|=i^(1-0)-j^(-1-0)+k^(-1-1)=(1,1,-2)

Next, calculate the magnitude of the cross product:

|v1×v2|=12+12+(-2)2=1+1+4=6

Now, compute the vector C-A=(1,0,0)-(0,0,0)=(1,0,0).

Compute the scalar dot product:

(C-A)·(v1×v2)=(1,0,0)·(1,1,-2)=1

Substituting these values back into the shortest distance formula:

d(1,2)=16

Step 4: Check Other Pairs and Conclusion
For any pair of a face diagonal line 1F and a main diagonal line 2S, the lines are either intersecting (where distance is 0) or skew lines with a maximum possible shortest distance of 16.
Thus, the maximum value of d(1,2) is 16.

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