Q212 / 269 · NDA 2025 (Phase 1) · Mathematics
$ABC$ is a triangle right-angled at $B$. If $A(k, 1, -1)$, $B(2k, 0, 2)$ and $C(2+2k, k, 1)$ are the vertices of the triangle, then what is the value of $k$?
- A$-3$
- B$-1$
- C$1$
- Correct answerD$3$
Solution
The direction ratios of the line segment $AB$ are $(k - 2k, 1 - 0, -1 - 2) = (-k, 1, -3)$.
The direction ratios of the line segment $BC$ are $(2+2k - 2k, k - 0, 1 - 2) = (2, k, -1)$.
Since the triangle is right-angled at $B$, the line segments $AB$ and $BC$ are perpendicular to each other.
Therefore, the dot product of their direction ratios is zero.
$(-k)(2) + (1)(k) + (-3)(-1) = 0$
$-2k + k + 3 = 0$
$k = 3$
Answer: $3$
The direction ratios of the line segment $BC$ are $(2+2k - 2k, k - 0, 1 - 2) = (2, k, -1)$.
Since the triangle is right-angled at $B$, the line segments $AB$ and $BC$ are perpendicular to each other.
Therefore, the dot product of their direction ratios is zero.
$(-k)(2) + (1)(k) + (-3)(-1) = 0$
$-2k + k + 3 = 0$
$k = 3$
Answer: $3$
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.