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EEJ MAIN Mathematics
QUESTION #7476
Question 1
The length of the projection of the line segment joining the points (5, -1, 4) and (4, -1, 3) on the plane \(x + y + z = 7\) is:
Correct Answer Explanation
The vector joining the points is \(\vec{PQ} = (-1, 0, -1)\), with magnitude \(\sqrt{1+0+1} = \sqrt{2}\). Normal to plane is \(\vec{n} = (1,1,1)\) with magnitude \(\sqrt{3}\). The component of \(\vec{PQ}\) perpendicular to plane is \(\frac{\vec{PQ} \cdot \vec{n}}{|\vec{n}|} = \frac{-1+0-1}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{-2}{\sqrt{3}}\). Projection length = \(\sqrt{|\vec{PQ}|^2 - (\frac{\vec{PQ} \cdot \vec{n}}{|\vec{n}|})^2} = \sqrt{2 - \frac{4}{3}} = \sqrt{\frac{2}{3}}\).
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