Find the shortest distance between the two skew lines

In summary, Skew lines are two lines in three-dimensional space that do not intersect and are not parallel. To find the shortest distance between two skew lines, you can use the formula d = |(P1 - P2) · n| / |n|, where P1 and P2 are two points on the lines, and n is the normal vector of one of the lines. No, two skew lines cannot be parallel because parallel lines have the same slope, and skew lines do not have a slope since they do not intersect. The shortest distance between two skew lines cannot be zero since they do not intersect and are not parallel. Finding the shortest distance between two skew lines has various applications in fields such as computer graphics, engineering,
  • #1
frozen7
163
0
Find the shortest distance between the two skew lines L(1) and L(2) with equations
r = (1, 2, 2) + s (4, 3, 2) and r = (1, 0, -3) + t (4, -6, -1)

How to do this? Help needed..
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Have you got any ideas on how you can approach this? Your book might have a few examples.
 
  • #3
I have an idea but I am not sure it is correct or not.
Is the length equal to the length of the normal of either of the line to the point of another line?
 
  • #4
The lines point in the direction(s) of what vector(s)?
 

1. What are skew lines?

Skew lines are two lines in three-dimensional space that do not intersect and are not parallel.

2. How do you find the shortest distance between two skew lines?

To find the shortest distance between two skew lines, you can use the formula d = |(P1 - P2) · n| / |n|, where P1 and P2 are two points on the lines, and n is the normal vector of one of the lines.

3. Is it possible for two skew lines to be parallel?

No, two skew lines cannot be parallel because parallel lines have the same slope, and skew lines do not have a slope since they do not intersect.

4. Can the shortest distance between two skew lines be zero?

No, the shortest distance between two skew lines cannot be zero since they do not intersect and are not parallel.

5. Are there any real-life applications of finding the shortest distance between two skew lines?

Yes, finding the shortest distance between two skew lines has various applications in fields such as computer graphics, engineering, and physics, where it is used to calculate the distance between two moving objects or determine the closest approach between two paths.

Similar threads

  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
272
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
82
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
383
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
859
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
438
Back
Top