Lecture 4
Note: (Continued from Lecture 3)
(ii) Angle between two planes can be obtained from
the angle between their normals.
(iii) Two planes a1 x b1 y c1 z d and
a2 x b2 y c2 z d are orthogonal if
a1 a 2 b1b2 c1c 2 = 0 and
a1 b1 c1
They are parallel if a b c
2 2 2
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Exercises
1. Determine the equation of the plane that contains the points
P (1,2,0) , Q=(3,1,4) and R (0,1,2) .
<1,-2,0> ∙P ∙S<x,y,z>
R ∙ ∙Q <3,1,4>
<0,-1,2>
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i j k
RQ RP 3 2 2 2,8,5
1 1 2
This is normal to the plane.
RS ∙ 2,8,5 0
x, y 1, z 2 . 2,8,5 0
2 x 8 y 5 z 18 0
Vector equation of a plane
Let P0 be a point with position vector r0 on the
plane. n is a normal vector for the plane. P be an
arbitrary point on the plane with position vector r.
n
●
P0
● P
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P0 P . n = 0
(r r0 ) . n = 0
r .n= constant where constant = r0 . n
2. Consider the plane containing vectors < 8, -5, 4 > and
< 1, -3, -2 > through P(3, 7, 0 ).
(a) Write the vector equation of the plane.
(b) Determine whether the point
Q(-10, 8, -6 ) is on the plane.
Vector normal to the plane is
n 1,3,2 8,5,4
i j k
1 3 2 22,20,19
8 5 4
Vector equation is r .n = Constant(C)
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r . 22,20,19 C
(3,7,0) lies on the plane.
3,7,0 . 22,20,19 C
C 206
Vector equation is
r . 22,20,19 = -206
(b) If the point Q(-10, 8, -6 ) is on the plane
r . 22,20,19 = -206 …….(1)
< -10,8,-6 > should satisfy eqn (1)
But < -10,8,-6 > . 22,20,19
- 206
Q(-10, 8, -6 ) is not on the plane.
3. Show that the two planes r . ( i + j + k )=2 and
r. ( i + 2 j +3 k )=3 intersect in a line.
Find the vector equation of the line.
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Let r = < x, y, z >
The two planes can be written as
x + 2y +3z = 3 and x + y +z = 2
Let two planes intersect along the line L and let
x = t ( t is a parameter) for some arbitrary point
on the line L.
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z = -1 + t
y=3–2t
Equation of the line L is
x y 3 z 1
t
1 2 1
Vector equation is
r = < 0, 3, -1 > + t < 1, -2, 1 >
i.e. The line passes through (0,3,-1) with direction
ratios 1:-2:1.
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Then the vector equation is
r = 32 ,0, 12 q 1,2,1
3 1
i.e. The line passes through 2 ,0, 2 ) with direction
(
ratios 1:-2:1.
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Note: Though there are three interpretations of the
line, only one interpretation is expected.
4. Find the intersection of the following
planes:
P1: 2 x 3 y 4 z 5
P : 5 x 4 y 3z 2
2
P3: x y z 1
For the line of intersection, L1 of P1 and P2
Let x = s ( s is a parameter)for some arbitrary point on
L1.
3 y 4 z 5 2s
4 y 3 z 2 5s
y 1 2s
z 2 s
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x y 1 z 2
s
Equation of L1 is 1 2 1
For the line of intersection, L2 of P2 and P3
Let x = t ( t is a parameter)for some arbitrary point on
L2.
4 y 3 z 2 5t
y z 1 t
y 1 2t
z 2t
x y 1 z 2
t
Equation of L2 is 1 2 1
The line of intersection of P2 and P3 is same as L1.
P1, P2 and P3 intersect along the common line L1
5. Determine the angle between the planes with
equations 8 x 10 y 3z 4 and 2 x 4 y 6 z 3 .
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