Show that the line joining the origin to the point (2, 1, 1) is perpendicular to the line determined by the points (3, 5, –1), (4, 3, –1).
Show that the line joining the origin to the point (2, 1, 1) is perpendicular to the line determined by the points (3, 5, –1), (4, 3, –1).

Solution:

Let’s consider $O A$ be the line joining the origin $(0,0,0)$ and the point $A(2,1,1)$.
And let $B C$ be the line joining the points $B(3,5,-1)$ and $C(4,3,-1)$
Therefore the direction ratios of $0 A=\left(a_{1}, b_{1}, c_{1}\right) \equiv[(2-0),(1-0),(1-0)] \equiv(2,1,1)$
And the direction ratios of $\mathrm{BC}=\left(\mathrm{a}_{2}, \mathrm{~b}_{2}, \mathrm{c}_{2}\right) \equiv[(4-3),(3-5),(-1+1)] \equiv(1,-2,0)$
It is given that,
$\mathrm{OA}$ is $\perp$ to $\mathrm{BC}$
We now have to prove that:
$a_{1} a_{2}+b_{1} b_{2}+c_{1} c_{2}=0$
Let’s consider $L H S: a_{1} a_{2}+b_{1} b_{2}+c_{1} c_{2}$
$\begin{array}{l}
a_{1} a_{2}+b_{1} b_{2}+c_{1} c_{2}=2 \times 1+1 \times(-2)+1 \times 0 \\
=2-2 \\
=0
\end{array}$
It is known to us that R.H.S is 0
So $\mathrm{LHS}=\mathrm{RHS}$
$\therefore \mathrm{OA}$ is $\perp$ to $\mathrm{BC}$
As a result, hence proved.