Question

Given \[\vec r=\vec a_1+\lambda\vec b_1\] and \[\vec r=\vec a_2+\mu\vec b_2\], what are \[\vec b_1\] and \[\vec b_2\]?

Options

• The perpendicular distances between the lines

• Their direction vectors

• The parameters of the lines

• Position vectors of points on the lines

Answer 1

The vectors \[\vec b_1\] and \[\vec b_2\] specify the directions of the two lines. They are used in the cross product for finding the shortest distance between skew lines.