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 answer
    D
    $3$

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: $3$

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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