3D Geometry

September 26, 2009

We will learn 3D Geometry with the help of vectors. All derivation will go
in sync with our understanding with Vectors. So I propose to do Vectors rst
before starting to prepare 3D Geometry.

Abstract

NOTE : Another version of these notes is coming along where

problems for each theory part will be included. Here right now
only theory is being discussed.

Here we discuss the ow of topics which will be covered in this sup-
plement and in what order.
We divide the whole topic of 3D geometry into four parts.
First part deals with the points in 3D geometry and associated con-
cepts.
Second part surfaces the relation in angles made with the axes and
concept of direction in 3D geometry, (corresponding to slope concept in
2D geometry)
Third part talks about the plane equation and some interesting com-
binations of planes with line and points and more than one planes
Fourth part, comes with lines and its combinations with many lines
and in reference with plane.

1
2 CONTENTS

Contents
1 Analogy of 2D with 3D 5
2 Points in 3D Geometry 5
2.1 Two points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1.1 Distance between A & B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1.2 Section formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1.3 Midpoint of segment AB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1.4 Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 Direction Cosines & Direction Ratios 6
3.1 Direction Cosine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.1 Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.2 Direction Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.2.1 Creating direction cosine from direction ratio . . . . . . . 7
3.3 Summary of Direction cosine and Direction Ratio . . . . . . . . . 7
3.4 Projection of a line segment onto another line . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.4.1 Projection of AB along coordinate axes . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.5 Direction ratio of line joining two points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4 Plane 9
4.1 Equation of a plane in dierent forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.1 General form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.2 Normal distance form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.3 Point Normal form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.4 A plane parallel to two lines and passing through a point 9
4.1.5 A plane containing two points and parallel to a line . . . 9
4.1.6 Three point form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.7 Intercept form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1.8 Special cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5 Point & a Plane 10
5.1 Position of a point with respect to a plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.1.1 same side of a line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.1.2 opposite side of a line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.1.3 Origin side of the line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.2 Point outside a plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.2.1 Distance of a point from the plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.2.2 Perpendicular foot of a point onto the plane . . . . . . . . 11
5.2.3 Image of a point in a plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
6 Two planes 11
6.1 Angle between two planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
6.1.1 Special Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
6.2 Distance between planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6.3 Plane bisector of two planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CONTENTS 3

6.3.1 Direction of normal to a plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

6.3.2 Origin containing region between two intersecting planes . 13
6.3.3 Bisector containing the origin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6.3.4 Bisector of acute/obtuse angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7 Projection of an Area 15
8 Linear combination of planes 16
8.0.5 Non-parallel planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
8.0.6 Parallel planes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
9 Plane sects a line joining two points 16
10 Three planes 16
10.1 Normals are coplanar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
10.2 Normals are non-coplanar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
11 Equation of a line 18
11.1 Two point form of a line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11.2 Slope point form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11.2.1 Special case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11.2.2 Unsymmetric form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11.3 Point and a line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
11.3.1 Foot of perpendicular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
11.3.2 Perpendicular distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
11.3.3 Image of a point in a line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
11.4 Two lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
11.4.1 Skew lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
11.4.2 Coplanar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
11.4.3 Angle between two lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
12 Line & a Plane 21
12.1 Angle between line & a plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
12.2 Projection of a line onto a plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
12.3 Image of a line in a plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
12.3.1 Line is parallel to plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
12.4 Techniques in specic Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4 CONTENTS
 5

1 Analogy of 2D with 3D
Lets start with few learning from 2D Geometry, cartesian coordinate system.
Any point at a distance of units from origin and making an angle with
positive x axis. The polar form of the point is ( cos , sin ). Line joining
this point with origin makes an angle with positive x axis and with positive
y-axis. Hence the relation between the angles made by this vector with x & y
axes is + = 2 .
If we try to think of something similar relation in 3D geometry. But the
problem here lies that the angles are in 3D and hence may not form a supple-
mentary or complementary. But surely there will be some relation between the
angles make by a line in 3D space.

2 Points in 3D Geometry
2.1 Two points
Given two points (1 , 1 , 1 ) and (2 , 2 , 2 ) in 3D space.

2.1.1 Distance between A & B

Distance () =

(1 2 )2 + (1 2 )2 + (1 2 )2

2.1.2 Section formula

If a point C divided line joining segment AB internally or externally in the ratio
: then

( )
2 1 2 1 2 1
= , ,

where corresponds to internal or external section
Problem 1. To nd the ratio in which the point (, , ) divides the line
joining (1 , 1 , 1 ) & (2 , 2 , 2 )
1 1 1
= = =
2 2 2

2.1.3 Midpoint of segment AB

( )
1 + 2 1 + 2 1 + 2
= , ,
2 2 2
3 Points are collinear
Three points (1 , 1 , 1 ), (2 , 2 , 2 ) & (3 , 3 , 3 ) are collinear then
1 2 1 2 1 2
= =
2 3 2 3 2 3
6 3 DIRECTION COSINES & DIRECTION RATIOS

2.1.4 Triangle
1. Area of triangle
Use vector cross product better or we will see another formula to get it
going using 3D geometry
2. Formula for centroid(G), Incentre(I), Excentres (1 , 2 , 3 ), Orthocenter()
and Circumcenter(O)
( )

use , ,

(a) Centroid : (1 , 2 , 3 ) (1, 1, 1)
(b) Incenter : (1 , 2 , 3 ) (sin , sin , sin )
(c) Excenter : (1 , 2 , 3 ) 1 ( sin , sin , sin ) similarly for
other excenter
(d) Orthocenter : (1 , 2 , 3 ) (tan , tan , tan )
(e) Circumcenter : (1 , 2 , 3 ) (sin 2, sin 2, sin 2)

3 Direction Cosines & Direction Ratios

3.1 Direction Cosine
Let us start with a point P (0 , 0 , 0 ). So the position vector of this point will
be = 0 + 0 + 0 . Let us convert this point into polar form. Let makes
an angle , & with x, y & z axis respectively and = .
Therefore = 0 + 0 + 0 = + +
Now the unit vector along the line joining origin and point P is
= 0 + 0 + 0
= + +
20 +02 +02 20 +02 +02 20 +02 +02
Point P lies on the line passing through origin and point P. We have created
a unit along this line.
Now the terms which we have got (, , )1 is the unit vector along
line OP. So this unit vector helps in knowing the direction of this line. And any
vector has one unique unit vector along its direction. This can be easily proved.
Let two unit vectors be along the same lines. Hence they are
collinear unit vectors.

1 = 2 2 Taking modulus on both sides.
1 =
= 1 = 1. So along a line there is one unique unit
vector the other is just its opposite direction.
Notation : A direction cosine is denoted as (, , )
So we claim, direction cosine is unit vector along a line.

1 Direction cosine (, , ) + . In 3D
+ geometry a vector is written as a

coordinate. So any vector + in 3D is (, , )

+
3.2 Direction Ratio 7

3.1.1 Identities
1. cos2 + cos2 + cos2 = 1
2. sin2 + sin2 + sin2 = 2
3.

cos 2 = 1

4. Direction cosine of coordinate axes are (1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 0) & (0, 0, 1)

3.2 Direction Ratio

Direction Ratio is dened as any scalar multiple of the direction cosine. In
vector terms, as direction cosine is the unit vector similarly direction ratio is
any vector along a particular line. Note: Any vector direction ratio and

unit vector direction cosine

3.2.1 Creating direction cosine from direction ratio

If we know the direction ratio say (, , ) then we have any vector along its
direction. To create the direction cosine along the same direction is to nd
the unit vector along this direction. So just divide the direction ratio with the
length of direction ratio.
( )

= , , ,
2 + 2 + 2 2 + 2 + 2 2 + 2 + 2

3.3 Summary of Direction cosine and Direction Ratio

1. Direction cosine of a line in 3D geometry is Unit vector along that line in
Vectors
2. Direction ratio along a line in 3D geometry is Any vector along that line
in Vectors.

3.4 Projection of a line segment onto another line

Given a line segment joining points (1 , 1 , 1 ) & (2 , 2 , 2 ) and a line with
direction cosines (, , ) then the projection of the segment onto the line is
(2 1 ) + (2 1 ) + (2 1 )

3.4.1 Projection of AB along coordinate axes

AB along
1. : 2 1
2. : 2 1
3. : 2 1
8 3 DIRECTION COSINES & DIRECTION RATIOS

Example 2. What is the direction cosine of

x-axis

1. To nd the direction cosine along x-axis we rst nd the unit vector
along x-axis. = 1 + 0 + 0 is the unit vector along x-axis hence
(1, 0, 0) is the direction cosine along x-axis.
2. Another way is to nd the angle x-axis makes with positive x,y & z
axis. So = 0, = /2 & = /2. Hence the direction cosine is
( 0, 2 , 2 ) = (1, 0, 0)

bisector of x-z axes

1. The bisector of x-z axes will lie in the x-z plane. So we solve this
problem by nding any vector along the direction of this bisector and
then nding unit vector from that vector which then can be claimed
as the direction cosine. Any vector along the bisector = + . And
unit vector along this direction is 2 + 0 + 2 . Hence the direction
cosine = ( 12 , 0, 12 )
2. Another way is through (, , ). Here the bisector makes
an angle /4 with both x & z axes. It makes a right angle with y
axis. Hence direction cosine = ( 4 , 0, 4 ) = ( 12 , 0, 12 )

3.5 Direction ratio of line joining two points

Direction ratio of line joining two points P(1 , 1 , 1 ) & Q(2 , 2 , 2 ) is a vector

along this line. So vector = = (2 1 , 2 1 , 2 1 ). This is any
vector that is direction ratio.
 9

4 Plane
4.1 Equation of a plane in dierent forms
4.1.1 General form
General form of a plane equation is
+ + + = 0

4.1.2 Normal distance form

Given the direction cosine of the normal to a plane (, , ) and distance of the
plane from origin then equation of the plane
+ + + = 0

4.1.3 Point Normal form

Given a point (0 , 0 , 0 ) lying on the plane and normal to the plane (, , )
then the equation of the plane
( ) + ( 0 ) + ( 0 ) = 0

4.1.4 A plane parallel to two lines and passing through a point

A plane parallel to two lines with direction cosines/ratios (1 , 2 , 3 ) and (1 , 2 , 3 )
and passing through the point (0 , 0 , 0 )
 
 1 1 1 
 
 1 2 3 =0
 
 1 2 3 

4.1.5 A plane containing two points and parallel to a line

Let (1 , 1 , 1 ) & (2 , 2 , 2 ) be two points on the required plane and a line
parallel to the plane with direction cosine/ratio (, , ) then the equation of the
plane  
 1 1 1 
 
 1 2 1 2 1 2 =0
 
 

4.1.6 Three point form

Given three points (1 , 1 , 1 ), (2 , 2 , 2 ) & (3 , 3 , 3 ) lie on a plane whose
equation is  
 1 1 1 
 
 1 2 1 2 1 2 =0
 
 2 3 2 3 2 3 
10 5 POINT & A PLANE

4.1.7 Intercept form

A plane that makes intercepts , & with the coordinate axes is

+ + =1

4.1.8 Special cases

1. = 0 : is the plane
2. = 0 : is the plane
3. = 0 : is the plane
4. plane perpendicular to the is + = 1
5. plane perpendicular to the is + = 1
6. plane perpendicular to the is + = 1

5 Point & a Plane

5.1 Position of a point with respect to a plane
5.1.1 same side of a line
If two points (1 , 1 , 1 ) & (2 , 2 , 2 ) are on the same side of the plane
+ + + = 0 then

(1 + 1 + 1 + )(2 + 2 + 2 + ) > 0

5.1.2 opposite side of a line

If two points (1 , 1 , 1 ) & (2 , 2 , 2 ) are on the other side of the plane
+ + + = 0 then

(1 + 1 + 1 + )(2 + 2 + 2 + ) < 0

5.1.3 Origin side of the line

To nd if a point (1 , 1 , 1 ) is on the origin side of a line then rst step is
to make positive in the line equation and substitute (1 , 1 , 1 ) in the line
equation to see its sign. From above deduction we get

1 + 1 + 1 + > 0 (d>0)
then the point is on the origin side of the line else
1 + 1 + 1 + < 0 (d>0)

then the point lies on the non-origin side of the line.

5.2 Point outside a plane 11

5.2 Point outside a plane

There are three types of interesting problems which can arise if a point is outside
a plane. Foot of the perpendicular of the point onto the plane, distance of the
point from the plane & Image of the point in the plane.

5.2.1 Distance of a point from the plane

Distance of a point (1 , 1 , 1 ) from a plane + + + = 0 is
1 + 1 + 1 +

2 + 2 + 2

5.2.2 Perpendicular foot of a point onto the plane

Foot of the perpendicular of a point (1 , 1 , 1 ) onto the plane +++ = 0
is given by ( )
1 1 1 + 1 + 1 +
= =
2 + 2 + 2

5.2.3 Image of a point in a plane

Image of a point (1 , 1 , 1 ) in the plane + + + = 0 is given by
( )
1 1 1 + 1 + 1 +
= = 2
2 + 2 + 2

6 Two planes
6.1 Angle between two planes
Angle between two planes 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 0 and 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 0
is same as angle between their normals
1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2
cos =
21 + 21 + 21 22 + 22 + 22

6.1.1 Special Case

1. If they are parallel
1 2 3
= =
1 2 3
i.e.
(1 , 1 , 1 ) = (2 , 2 , 2 )
As vectors they are collinear vectors
2. If they are perpendicular
1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2 = 0
12 6 TWO PLANES

6.2 Distance between planes

Two plane in a 3D space always intersect.
1. If they are parallel
Distance between + + + 1 = 0 and + + + 2 = 0 is (as
they are parallel )
1 2

2 + 2 + 2
2. If they are non-parallel
The distance between the planes that intersect is zero.
6.3 Plane bisector of two planes 13

6.3 Plane bisector of two planes

6.3.1 Direction of normal to a plane
Given a plane + + + = 0 if we make the constant positive then what
is the direction of the normal to this plane.
Lets think in terms of vector geometry

=

where is the distance of the plane from the origin.

The above equation + + + = 0 (without loss of generality, d can
be assumed to be negative) can be converted into the vector equation as
( )

(, , ) , , =
2
+ +2 2 2 2
+ + 2 2 2
+ + 2 + 2 + 2
2

( )

where = 2 2 2 , 2 2 2 , 2 2 2 and = 2 2 2
+( + + + + + ) + +

So the direction of 2 2 2 , 2 2 2 , 2 2 2 is away
+ + + + + +
from origin. i.e. (, , ) is away from the origin.
So the nal conclusion : For the a plane equation, + + + = 0 on
making positive the direction of normal (, , ) is away from origin towards the
plane.

6.3.2 Origin containing region between two intersecting planes

Given two plane equations 1 : 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 0 and 2 :2 + 2 +

2 + 2 = 0 such that 1 & 2 > 0 then the green region containing the origin is
positive for both the planes 1 and 2 and the other vertically opposite green
region is negative for both 1 and 2 . So for the green region
1 2 > 0 (where 1 , 2 > 0)
14 6 TWO PLANES

Now lets concentrate on the red region. Both the red region are such that
either of 1 or 2 is negative2 . Hence
1 2 < 0 (where 1 , 2 < 0)

So from the above discussion we know which region will have the origin lying
in it. Now next we worry to nd a method to nd the acute anlge bisector from
problem solving perspective and which angle (acute or obtuse) will contain the
origin.

6.3.3 Bisector containing the origin

Here we are intereseted in knowing which angle bisector contains the origin.
Any point on the bisector satises
1 + 1 + 1 + 1 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
=
21 + 21 + 21 22 + 22 + 22
1 + 1 + 1 + 1 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
=
21 + 21 + 21 22 + 22 + 22

The angle containing the origin (above diagram green region) has both
1 + 1 + 1 + 1 & 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 positive(in origin region) or both
negative(vertically opposite to origin). Correspondingly, 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 or
2 + 2 + 2 + 2 one of these is negative in the red region.
So,

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

2 2 2
= , (origin containing angle bisector)
1 + 1 + 1 22 + 22 + 22

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

2 2 2
= , (non-origin containing angle bisector)
1 + 1 + 1 22 + 22 + 22
2 , is negative means plane's expression value at (0, 0, 0) is negative i.e. 1 (0) +
1 2 1
1 (0) + 1 (0) + 1 < 0 and vice-versa for being positive
 15

6.3.4 Bisector of acute/obtuse angle

To nd the equation, of the acute angle bisector between the planes 1 + 1 +
1 + 1 = 0 and 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 0.
For this problem we rst locate the region of origin.
Step I : Make 1 > 0 and 2 > 0
Step II : (1 , 1 , 1 ) and (2 , 2 , 2 ) are normals to planes starting from
origin to these respective planes
Step III : Angle between the normals : (1 , 1 , 1 ) (2 , 2 , 2 ) = 1 2 +
1 2 + 1 2
If 1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2 > 0 then the normal between the planes is acute and
that implies the angle between the planes not containing the origin is acute
means angle containing the origin is obtuse.
If 1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2 < 0 then the normal between the planes is obtuse and
that implies the angle between the planes not containing the origin is obtuse
means angle containing the origin is acute.

1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2 > 0; 1 , 2 > 0 1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2 < 0; 1 , 2 > 0

Origin lies in Obtuse Angle Acute Angle
Origin put + in the below formula put - in the below formula
containing
Angle
bisector
1 + 1 + 1 + 1 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
The equation of angle bisector
2 2 2
=
1 + 1 + 1 22 + 22 + 22

7 Projection of an Area
Two inclined planes, with an area A lying on one of the planes then we nd the
projection of A onto the other plane.
16 10 THREE PLANES

If projection of areas of a plane in 3D space is , , onto the x-y,

y-z & z-x planes then 2 = 2 + 2 + 2

8 Linear combination of planes

8.0.5 Non-parallel planes
Given two planes 1 : 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 0 & 2 : 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 0
then the equation of planes passing through intersection of these planes is given
by
1 + 2 = 0

8.0.6 Parallel planes

Given two planes 1 : + + + 1 = 0 & 2 : + + + 2 = 0 then
linear combination represents family of parallel planes to these planes.

9 Plane sects a line joining two points

Ratio in which a plane + + + = 0 divides the line joining A(1 , 1 , 1 )
& B(2 , 2 , 2 ) is given by
( )
1 + 1 + 1 +
=
2 + 2 + 2 +

10 Three planes
10.1 Normals are coplanar
If the normals to three planes are coplanar then there are two

posibilities.
10.2 Normals are non-coplanar 17

1. All the three pass through a common line of intersection( this will form a
pencil of planes)



To locate this case we need box product of the normals [1 2 3 ] = 0 and
show linear combination of any two is producing the third form unique
values of the scalar
2. One of the planes is not passing through intersection of the other two
(they will form a prism kind of structure)
To locate this case we need box product of normals to be zero and show
the any point on the intersection of any two planes is not satisfying the
third plane.

10.2 Normals are non-coplanar

If the normals to three planes are not coplanar then the planes

intersect in a unique point. see the diagram below

18 11 EQUATION OF A LINE

11 Equation of a line
If two vectors are along the same line then they are collinear and hence they
are scalar multiple of each other. If you know and can prove this then we can
proceed to nd the 3D equation of a line.

11.1 Two point form of a line

We have a line that passes through two points (1 , 1 , 1 ) & (2 , 2 , 2 ) then the
we deduce the equation of this line as follows.
Let (, , ) be a point on this line (locus point)
Therefore ( 1 , 1 , 1 ) = (1 2 , 1 2 , 1 2 )
1 1 1
= = =
1 2 1 2 1 2
This is the equation of the line in two point form

11.2 Slope point form

We have a line that passes through a point (1 , 1 , 1 ) and parallel to the line
with direction ratios (, , ) then equation of this line is
1 1 1
= = =

11.2.1 Special case

Equation of line passing through the point (1 , 1 , 1 ) and parallel to the line
whose direction cosines are (, , ) then equation of this line is
1 1 1
= = =

where r is the distance of between the points (, , ) & (1 , 1 , 1 )

11.2.2 Unsymmetric form

In 3D a line is uniquely determined by intersection of two planes.

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 0 (1)

2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 0 (2)
Direction of the line of intersection of planes is same as perpendicular to
normals to these planes.



Normal to the two planes are 1 : (1 , 1 , 1 ) & 2 : (2 , 2 , 2 ), hence the
vector along the line of intersection of the two planes
is the vector that is perpendicular to the two normals. So the Direction cosines
11.3 Point and a line 19

of the line is

 
 
 
=  1 1 1 

 2 2 2 
Problem. Given asymmetric form of equation of a line + = 1, = 1. What
is symmetric form of the equation of this line? And parametric form of the
equation of this line.

Normal to the plane + = 1: 1 = (1, 1, 0) & Normal to the second plane

= 1: 2 = (0, 0, 1).


Direction cosine of the line of intersection of these two lines is 1 2 = (1, 1, 0)
Any point on this line of intersection is (1, 0, 1) (this we get by trial in the above
plane equations)
So the symmetric equation of the line of intersection is
1 1 0
= = =
1 0 1
(lambda is a constant)
So the parametric form of any point on this line is ( + 1, 1, )

11.3 Point and a line

Given a point (1 , 1 , 1 ) outside the line = =

11.3.1 Foot of perpendicular

Direction ratio of the line is (, , ).

Let = = =

For a specic the foot of the perpendicular is ( + , + , + )
Direction ratio of the perpendicular is ( + 1 , + 1 , + 1 )
So
(, , ) ( + 1 , + 1 , + 1 ) 0=
(, , ) (1 , 1 , 1 )
=
2 + 2 + 2

Foot of perpendicular from (1 , 1 , 1 ) onto the line = = is

given by

( )
1 1 1 (, , ) (1 , 1 , 1 )
= = = 2

( )
(1 + 1 + 1 ) ( + + )
=
2 + 2 + 2
20 11 EQUATION OF A LINE

11.3.2 Perpendicular distance

You nd the foot of the perpendicular from the above formula and then use the
distance formula to nd the distance between the foot and the point.

11.3.3 Image of a point in a line

Similarly from the above formula we get if (, , ) is the image of a point
(1 , 1 , 1 ) then image is given by

( )
1 1 1 (, , ) (1 , 1 , 1 )
= = =2 2

( )
(1 + 1 + 1 ) ( + + )
=2
2 + 2 + 2

11.4 Two lines

11.4.1 Skew lines
In 3D geometry, two lines can be non-parallel as well as non-intersecting. Such
lines are called skew lines.
1 1 1 2 2 2
Two lines = = and = =
1 1 1 2 2 2
Shortest distance between them is
[(1 2 , 1 2 , 1 2 ) (1 , 1 , 1 ) (2 , 2 , 2 )]
(1 , 1 , 1 ) (2 , 2 , 2 )
Vector form of shortest distance
Converting given line equations into vector form : = (1 + 1 + 1 )
+
(1 + 1 + 1 ) & = (2 + 2 + 2 ) + (2 + 2 + 2 )

Now from vectors we know if two vectors = + & = + then the
shortest distance between this skew lines is
]
[
=

 
 1 2 1 2 1 2 
 

 1 1 1 

 2 2 2 
=
(1 2 1 2 )2 + (1 2 1 2 )2 + (1 2 1 2 )2
 21

11.4.2 Coplanar
If [(1 2 , 1 2 , 1 2 ) (1 , 1 , 1 ) (2 , 2 , 2 )] = 0 then the above mentioned
lines are coplanar

11.4.3 Angle between two lines

If direction cosines or direction ratios of two lines are known then angle between
them
Let (1 , 1 , 1 ) & (2 , 2 , 2 ) are the direction cosines of two lines then

= 1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2
Let (1 , 1 , 1 ) & (2 , 2 , 2 ) are the direction ratios of the lines then
1 2 + 1 2 + 1 2
= 2
1 + 21 + 21 22 + 22 + 22

12 Line & a Plane

12.1 Angle between line & a plane
We make use of the normal's direction ratio that is available for us from equation
of the plane. Angle made by the line with the plane is
( )
(, , ) (, , )
= cos1
2 2 + 2 + 2 2 + 2 + 2

where equation of plane is + + + = 0 and = =

12.2 Projection of a line onto a plane

Projection of a line onto a plane is worked out in the following steps.
22 12 LINE & A PLANE

Step I : Find the intersection point of intersection of the plane and the line.
say point M (intersection of a line and a plane from above)
Step II : Now take the point on the given line and nd its foot of per-
pendicular onto the plane say (given a point outside a plane nd its foot of
perpendicular)
Step III : Now get the equation of the projection using the two point form
of a line in 3D

12.3 Image of a line in a plane

There are two posibilities with a line and a plane. If the direction cosine of the
line is perpendicular to the plane then the line is either parallel to the plane or
is contained in the plane.
If the line is not parallel to the plane then it must be intersecting.
12.4 Techniques in specic Problems 23

12.3.1 Line is parallel to plane

Image of a line when parallel to the plane
Step I : Take two points on the line and get their images in the plane.
Step II : Using these two points write the equation of the image line using
two point form.
Image of a line when intersecting the plane
Step I : Find the intersection of the line with the plane
Step II : Take the point which lies on the line from the formula and nd
its image point
Step III : Using these two points write the equation of the line which is the
image of the given line in the given plane.

12.4 Techniques in specic Problems

Problem 3. Given a line 1
1 = 2
2 = and a point (1, 1, 1) nd the foot
3
3
of the perpendicular & image of this point in the given line
Problem 4. Find the equation of a plane passing through intersection of planes
+ + = 1 & 2 + = 2 and passing through (0, 0, 0) ?

If we have two planes = 0 & = 0 then equation of family of planes

passing through the intersection of these two planes is + = 0
Using the above fact, the equation of the plane passing through intersection
of the given planes is
( + + 1) + (2 + 2) = 0

Now this plane passes through origin hence (0, 0, 0) hence satises this implies
1 + (2) = 0
1
=
2
Substituing we get the equation of the plane.