Math Problem Statement

Find the distance from the point (4, 0, 0) to the line: x = 4 + t, y = 2t, z = -\frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5} + 2t.

Solution

We are asked to find the distance from the point (4,0,0)(4, 0, 0) to the line described by the parametric equations:

x=4+t,y=2t,z=755+2tx = 4 + t, \quad y = 2t, \quad z = \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5} + 2t

Step 1: Vector form of the line

The parametric equations can be written in vector form as:

r(t)=4,0,755+t1,2,2\mathbf{r}(t) = \langle 4, 0, \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5} \rangle + t \langle 1, 2, 2 \rangle

Here, 4,0,755\langle 4, 0, \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5} \rangle is a point on the line, and 1,2,2\langle 1, 2, 2 \rangle is the direction vector of the line.

Step 2: Formula for the distance from a point to a line in 3D

The distance dd from a point P0(x0,y0,z0)P_0(x_0, y_0, z_0) to a line passing through a point P1(x1,y1,z1)P_1(x_1, y_1, z_1) with direction vector v=a,b,c\mathbf{v} = \langle a, b, c \rangle is given by:

d=PQ×vvd = \frac{| \mathbf{PQ} \times \mathbf{v} |}{|\mathbf{v}|}

where PQ\mathbf{PQ} is the vector from P1P_1 to P0P_0, and v\mathbf{v} is the direction vector of the line.

Step 3: Apply the formula

  1. Point on the line: Let P1=(4,0,755)P_1 = (4, 0, \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5}), which is a point on the line.
  2. Direction vector: The direction vector v\mathbf{v} is 1,2,2\langle 1, 2, 2 \rangle.
  3. Point to the line: The point P0=(4,0,0)P_0 = (4, 0, 0).

Now, calculate the vector PQ\mathbf{PQ}:

PQ=P0P1=(4,0,0)(4,0,755)=0,0,755\mathbf{PQ} = P_0 - P_1 = (4, 0, 0) - (4, 0, \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5}) = \langle 0, 0, -\frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5} \rangle

Step 4: Cross product PQ×v\mathbf{PQ} \times \mathbf{v}

PQ×v=ijk00755122=i(0202)j(02(755)1)+k(0201)\mathbf{PQ} \times \mathbf{v} = \begin{vmatrix} \mathbf{i} & \mathbf{j} & \mathbf{k} \\ 0 & 0 & -\frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5} \\ 1 & 2 & 2 \end{vmatrix} = \mathbf{i}(0 \cdot 2 - 0 \cdot 2) - \mathbf{j}(0 \cdot 2 - (-\frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5}) \cdot 1) + \mathbf{k}(0 \cdot 2 - 0 \cdot 1)

Simplifying:

PQ×v=0,755,0\mathbf{PQ} \times \mathbf{v} = \langle 0, \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5}, 0 \rangle

Step 5: Magnitude of the cross product

PQ×v=02+(755)2+02=755|\mathbf{PQ} \times \mathbf{v}| = \sqrt{0^2 + \left( \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5} \right)^2 + 0^2} = \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5}

Step 6: Magnitude of the direction vector

v=12+22+22=1+4+4=9=3|\mathbf{v}| = \sqrt{1^2 + 2^2 + 2^2} = \sqrt{1 + 4 + 4} = \sqrt{9} = 3

Step 7: Distance

Now, the distance dd is:

d=PQ×vv=7553=7515d = \frac{|\mathbf{PQ} \times \mathbf{v}|}{|\mathbf{v}|} = \frac{\frac{7\sqrt{5}}{5}}{3} = \frac{7\sqrt{5}}{15}

Calculating this:

d4.526d \approx 4.526

Thus, the correct answer is 4.526\boxed{4.526}.

Would you like more details on any step or further explanation?

Here are 5 questions for further exploration:

  1. How do you compute the cross product of two vectors?
  2. What is the significance of the direction vector in line equations?
  3. Why do we use the magnitude of the cross product for distance?
  4. What other methods exist to find the distance from a point to a line in 3D?
  5. How would the distance formula change if the point and line were in 2D?

Tip: When solving 3D geometry problems, visualizing the vectors and their relationships often helps in understanding the concepts better!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Algebra
Geometry
Cross Product

Formulas

Vector Form of Line: \mathbf{r}(t) = \mathbf{p} + t \mathbf{v}
Distance from Point to Line: d = \frac{| \mathbf{PQ} \times \mathbf{v} |}{|\mathbf{v}|}

Theorems

Distance Formula in 3D

Suitable Grade Level

High School