The problem asks for the sum of all possible values of $r$ given a line $L$ and its distance from a point.
The distance $d$ of a point $Q(x_0, y_0, z_0)$ from a line passing through $P_1(x_1, y_1, z_1)$ with direction vector $\vec{v}$ is given by the formula: $ d = \frac{|\vec{P_1Q} \times \vec{v}|}{|\vec{v}|} $
We are given that the distance $d = \sqrt{\frac{14}{3}}$. Equating the two expressions for $d$: $ \frac{\sqrt{2r^2 - 20r + 56}}{\sqrt{3}} = \sqrt{\frac{14}{3}} $ Square both sides: $ \frac{2r^2 - 20r + 56}{3} = \frac{14}{3} $ Multiply by 3: $ 2r^2 - 20r + 56 = 14 $ Rearrange the terms to form a quadratic equation: $ 2r^2 - 20r + (56 - 14) = 0 $ $ 2r^2 - 20r + 42 = 0 $ Divide by 2: $ r^2 - 10r + 21 = 0 $ This is a quadratic equation in $r$.
For a quadratic equation of the form $ar^2 + br + c = 0$, the sum of the roots (possible values of $r$) is given by $-\frac{b}{a}$.
Note: Using the direction vector $(-1, -1, -1)$ results in the same quadratic equation and hence the same sum of roots.
Let $\vec{a} = -\hat{i} + \hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$, $\vec{b} = \hat{i} - \hat{j} - 3\hat{k}$, $\vec{c} = \vec{a} \times \vec{b}$ and $\vec{d} = \vec{c} \times \vec{a}$.
Then $(\vec{a} - \vec{b}) \cdot \vec{d}$ is equal to :
Let $\vec{a} = -\hat{i} + \hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$, $\vec{b} = \hat{i} - \hat{j} - 3\hat{k}$, $\vec{c} = \vec{a} \times \vec{b}$ and $\vec{d} = \vec{c} \times \vec{a}$.
Then $(\vec{a} - \vec{b}) \cdot \vec{d}$ is equal to :