Foot of Perpendicular from a Point to a Line

Rarely Tested

Foot of Perpendicular from a Point to a Line

For line:

$$\vec r=\vec a+\lambda\vec d$$

and point $$p$$ with position vector $$\vec p$$:

$$\lambda=\frac{(\vec p-\vec a)\cdot\vec d}{|\vec d|^2}$$

The foot is:

$$\vec h=\vec a+\lambda\vec d$$

Usage

- Used to find the perpendicular projection of a point onto a line.

Question 1

Let $$L$$ be the straight line joining the points $$P(1,2,-1)$$ and $$Q(2,3,1)$$. Let $$S$$ be the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point $$R(4,-1,5)$$ to the line $$L$$. Another line passing through $$R$$ intersects $$L$$ at a point $$T$$ such that the point $$S$$ divides the line segment $$PT$$ internally in the ratio $$|PS|:|ST|=1:2$$, where $$|PS|$$ and $$|ST|$$ are the lengths of the line segments $$PS$$ and $$ST$$, respectively.

Then which of the following statements is (are) TRUE?

Go back to topics

Join CAT 2026 course by 5-Time CAT 100%iler

Start your IIM journey with the right preparation and crack CAT 2026.