JEE Main2026Apr 4, Shift 2Mathematics
Q.
If is the image of in the line , then the possible value(s) of is(are):
- A
Only 3
- B
Only 3 and
- C
Only 3, and
- D
Only 3 and
Solution
Image conditions: the midpoint of the two points lies on the line, and the segment between them is perpendicular to the line's direction vector .
Midpoint :
Substitute into the line:
.
From the first equality: . Cross-multiplying and simplifying yields a cubic with as a root.
Check perpendicularity for : segment direction is at . Dot with . ✓
The other roots from -on-line don't satisfy the perpendicularity condition, so only works.
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