MATHEMATICS SPM

LINES AND PLANES IN 3-DIMENSIONS

“Open and Close” Method

to identify

i. Angles between Lines and Planes

ii. Angles between Two Planes

MOHD NAZAN BIN KAMARUL ZAMAN

SMK. KOTA KLIAS
BEAUFORT, SABAH
Use “Open and Close” Method to identify angles between lines and planes
* Rule to remember – i) three points when joint together must be a straight line *

A. Angles between Lines and Planes

Example 1
The following diagram shows a cuboid KLMNPQRS
S R
4 cm
P Q
N M
5 cm
K 12 cm
L
a) Identify the angle between the line LP and the plane KLMN
b) Identify the angle between the line SL and the plane KLMN

Solution (a)
i. Draw the line LP and the plane KLMN

P
N M

K L

ii. ‘Close’ the line LP and the plane KLMN together.

P
N M

P
K L

The line PL lies straight to line KL, so the straight line we use is line KL
iii. ‘Open’ the line LP and the plane KLMN (180º)

N M

180º
K
P
L
Choose three point that when it joint together become a straight line
That the three points are point K, point L and point P
The straight line KLP or PLK, so the angle between the line LP and the plane KLMN is
∠ KLP or ∠ PLK

Solution b

i. Draw the line SL and the plane KLMN

S

N M

K
L
ii. ‘Close’ the line SL and the plane KLMN together.

N M

K
L
The line SL lies straight to point N and point L, so the straight line we use is line NL
iii. ‘Open’ the line SL and the plane KLMN(180º)

N M

K
L

S
Choose three point that when it joint together become a straight line
That the three points are point N, point L and point S
The straight line NLS or SLN, so the angle between the line SL and the plane KLMN is
∠ NLS or ∠ SLN
Use “Open and Close” Method to identify angles between two planes

B. Angles between Two Planes

Example 1
The following diagram shows a right prism ABCHED with a horizontal plane ABCD. It is a
uniform prism and its cross section is an isosceles triangle of sides 4 cm. The thickness of the
prism, EA = 4 cm. H

E D C

A B

Identify the angle between the plane ABH and the plane ABCD.

Solution

i. Draw the plane ABH and the plane ABCD

H

D C

A B
 ii. ‘Open’ the plane ABH (180º)
H

D C
D C

A B
A B

H
Choose three point that when it joint together become a straight line
Point D, point A and point H when joint together became a straight line but point C, point
B and point H when joint together it is not a straight line, so we choose point D, point A
and point H.
H

E D C

A B

Therefore the angle between the two planes is ∠ DAH @ ∠ HAD

Example 2

The diagram shows a right prism on a horizontal plane SRUT. Equilateral triangle RUQ and STP
are the uniform cross-section of the prism. M and N are the mid-points of ST and RU,
respectively.
P

T Q
M
S

U
N
R

Name the angle between the plane PRN and the plane RSTU

Solution

i. Draw the plane PRN and the plane RSTU

T
S •M

R
•N U
ii. ‘Open’ the line SL and the plane KLMN (180).

T
S •M

R
•N U

P
S
•M T

R •N U

Choose three point that when it joint together become a straight line
Point M, point N and point P when joint together became a straight line
Therefore the angle between the two planes is ∠ MNP @ ∠ PNM
TRY THIS
A. Angles between Lines and Planes
Identify the angle between the line BE and the plane ABCD
‘Close’ the line and the plane ‘Open’ the line (180º)
Draw the line and the plane together
1
H E

F G
D C

A B
2 F E

C D

B A

3 E

B C

A D
B. Angles between Two Planes
Identify the angle between two shaded planes
Draw shaded two plane ‘Close’ the line and the plane ‘Open’ the line (180º)
together
1
V

D C

A B

2 A D

B C
F E

G H
3
P Q

S R

T
PAST YEAR QUESTIONS

Nov 2003
1. Diagram 1 shows a prism with a horizontal square base HJKL. Trapezium EFLK is the
uniform cross-section of the prism. The rectangular surface DEKJ is vertical while the
rectangular surface GFLH is incline.
2.
D G

F
E
H
J
6 cm

K L
8 cm

Diagram 1
Calculate the angle between the plane DLH and the base HJKL. [ 4 marks ]

July 2004, Q4

3. Diagram 2 shows a cuboid.

E H

D C

9 cm
F G
5 cm
DIAGRAM 2
A 12 cm B

SMKKK
Calculate the angle between the line AH and the plane ABCD. [4 marks]

Nov 2004, Q3

4. Diagram 2 shows a pyramid VJKLM.

L
M
Q
10 cm cm

K 12 cm J

DIAGRAM 2
The base JKLM is a horizontal rectangle. Q is the midpoint of JM. The apex V is 8 cm
vertically above the point Q.

Calculate the angle between the line KV and the base JKLM. [ 4 marks ]

July 2005, Q2

5. Diagram 1 shows a right prism with rectangle ABCD as its horizontal base. Right angled
triangle FAB is the uniform cross-section of the prism. The rectangular surface BCEF is
inclined.
E

F
D
C
3 cm
12 cm
A
5 cm B
DIAGRAM 1

SMKKK
 Calculate the angle between the plane ABE and the base ABCD. [3 marks]
Nov 2005, Q4

6. Diagram 1 shows a right prism. Right angled triangled PQR is the uniform cross-section
of the prism.
12
T cm S
5
cm
U
DIAGRAM 1

18
cm
Q R

Calculate the angle between the plane RTU and the plane PQTU.

July 2006, Q4

7. Diagram 2 shows a right prism. The base HJKL is a horizontal rectangle. The right
angled triangle NHJ is the uniform cross-section of the prism.
M

N
DIAGRAM 2
8
cm
L
K
6
H cm
12
cm J

SMKKK
 Identify and calculate the angle between the line KN and the plane HLMN.

Nov 2006, Q2

7. Diagram 1 shows a right prism. The base PQRS is on horizontal rectangle. The right
triangle UPQ is the uniform cross section of the prism.

Identify and calculate the angle between the line RU and the base PQRS.
[ 4 marks ]
NOV 2007, Q4

Diagram 1 shows a right prism. The base PQRS is a horizontal rectangle. Right angled triangle
QRU is the uniform cross-section of the prism. V is the midpoint of PS.

S U
5cm
V
R

P 16cm

12cm

SMKKK
Identify and calculate the angle between the line UV and the plane RSTU [3marks]

SMKKK