MCQ: Distance or Length Optimization on a Line

A multiple-choice question asking for the minimum distance from a point to a line, or the minimum/maximum length involving a point moving on a line.

csat-suneung 2005 Q15 4 marks View
In coordinate space, there are two points $\mathrm { A } ( 3,1,1 ) , \mathrm { B } ( 1 , - 3 , - 1 )$. For a point P on the plane $x - y + z = 0$, what is the minimum value of $| \overrightarrow { \mathrm { PA } } + \overrightarrow { \mathrm { PB } } |$? [4 points]
(1) $\frac { 4 \sqrt { 3 } } { 3 }$
(2) $\frac { 5 \sqrt { 3 } } { 3 }$
(3) $2 \sqrt { 3 }$
(4) $\frac { 7 \sqrt { 3 } } { 3 }$
(5) $\frac { 8 \sqrt { 3 } } { 3 }$
csat-suneung 2008 Q7 3 marks View
In coordinate space, let $l$ be the line of intersection of the plane $x = 3$ and the plane $z = 1$. When point P moves on line $l$, what is the minimum value of the length of segment OP? (Here, O is the origin.) [3 points]
(1) $2 \sqrt { 2 }$
(2) $\sqrt { 10 }$
(3) $2 \sqrt { 3 }$
(4) $\sqrt { 14 }$
(5) $3 \sqrt { 2 }$
csat-suneung 2015 Q19 4 marks View
In coordinate space, a line $l : \frac { x } { 2 } = 6 - y = z - 6$ and plane $\alpha$ meet perpendicularly at point $\mathrm { P } ( 2,5,7 )$. For a point $\mathrm { A } ( a , b , c )$ on line $l$ and a point Q on plane $\alpha$, when $\overrightarrow { \mathrm { AP } } \cdot \overrightarrow { \mathrm { AQ } } = 6$, what is the value of $a + b + c$? (Here, $a > 0$) [4 points]
(1) 15
(2) 16
(3) 17
(4) 18
(5) 19
germany-abitur 2020 Q5 6 marks View
The point $T ( 7 | 10 | 0 )$ lies on the edge $\left[ \mathrm { A } _ { 3 } \mathrm {~A} _ { 4 } \right]$. Investigate computationally whether there are points on the edge $\left[ \mathrm { B } _ { 3 } \mathrm {~B} _ { 4 } \right]$ for which the following holds: The line segments connecting the point to the points $B _ { 1 }$ and $T$ are perpendicular to each other. If applicable, give the coordinates of these points.
germany-abitur 2021 Q9 2 marks View
Water fountains emerge at four points on the surface of the marble sphere. One of these exit points is described in the model by the point $L _ { 0 } ( 1 | 1 | 6 )$. The corresponding fountain is modeled by points $L _ { t } \left( t + 1 | t + 1 | 6,2 - 5 \cdot ( t - 0,2 ) ^ { 2 } \right)$ with suitable values $t \in \mathbb { R } _ { 0 } ^ { + }$.
Investigate whether the highest point of the water fountain is higher than the highest point of the fountain.
jee-main 2024 Q79 View
Let $P$ and $Q$ be the points on the line $\frac{x+3}{8} = \frac{y-4}{2} = \frac{z+1}{2}$ which are at a distance of 6 units from the point $R(1,2,3)$. If the centroid of the triangle $PQR$ is $(\alpha, \beta, \gamma)$, then $\alpha^2 + \beta^2 + \gamma^2$ is:
(1) 26
(2) 36
(3) 18
(4) 24
taiwan-gsat 2010 Q11 View
11. In coordinate space, the point on line $L$ closest to point $Q$ is called the projection of $Q$ onto $L$. Given that $L$ is a line on the plane $2x - y = 2$ passing through the point $(2, 2, 2)$. Which of the following points could be the projection of the origin $O$ onto $L$?
(1) $(2, 2, 2)$
(2) $(2, 0, 2)$
(3) $\left(\frac{4}{5}, -\frac{2}{5}, 0\right)$
(4) $\left(\frac{4}{5}, -\frac{2}{5}, -2\right)$
(5) $\left(\frac{8}{9}, -\frac{2}{9}, -\frac{2}{9}\right)$