MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1

L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

Solution to Extra Problem Set 1

1. The center of the required sphere in ℝ3 is the mid-point of the diameter, whose coordinates are given by
5 + 1 4 + 6 3 + (−9)
( , , ) = (3, 5, −3).
2 2 2

The radius 𝑟 of the required sphere is the distance from the center (3, 5, −3) to
(5, 4, 3)
one of the end-points of the diameter, say (5, 4, 3). This is given by
𝑟 2 = (5 − 3)2 + (4 − 5)2 + [3 − (−3)]2 = 41. 𝑟

Therefore the equation of the required sphere is

(𝑥 − 3)2 + (𝑦 − 5)2 + (𝑧 + 3)2 = 41. (1, 6, −9)

2. The sphere in ℝ3 with radius 4 centered at (2, −6, 4) has equation

(𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 + 6)2 + (𝑧 − 4)2 = 42 .
 Its intersection with the 𝑥𝑦-plane 𝑧 = 0 has equation (𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 + 6)2 + (0 − 4)2 = 42 and 𝑧 = 0, i.e.
(𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 + 6)2 = 0 and 𝑧 = 0,
which is satisfied by only the point (2, −6, 0). So its intersection with the 𝑥𝑦-plane is the point (2, −6, 0).
 Its intersection with the 𝑥𝑧-plane 𝑦 = 0 has equation (𝑥 − 2)2 + (0 + 6)2 + (𝑧 − 4)2 = 42 and 𝑦 = 0, i.e.
(𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑧 + 4)2 = −20 and 𝑦 = 0,
which is satisfied by no points in ℝ3 . So its intersection with the 𝑥𝑧-plane is empty.
 Its intersection with the 𝑦𝑧-plane 𝑥 = 0 has equation (0 − 2)2 + (𝑦 + 6)2 + (𝑧 − 4)2 = 42 and 𝑥 = 0, i.e.
(𝑦 + 6)2 + (𝑧 − 4)2 = 12 and 𝑥 = 0,
3
which represents the circle in ℝ centered at (0, −6, 4) with radius √12 and lying in the 𝑦𝑧-plane.

3. (a) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4 and 𝑧 = 0
(b) 𝑥 2 + 𝑧 2 = 4 and 𝑦 = 0
(c) 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 4 and 𝑥 = 0

4. (a) We require the arbitrary point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) ∈ ℝ3 in the set to satisfy 𝑑(𝑃, 𝐴) = 𝑑(𝑃, 𝐵), i.e.
(𝑥 + 1)2 + (𝑦 − 5)2 + (𝑧 − 3)2 = (𝑥 − 6)2 + (𝑦 − 2)2 + (𝑧 + 2)2 .
Simplifying this equation we get
14𝑥 − 6𝑦 − 10𝑧 = 9,
3
which represents a plane in ℝ passing though the mid-point of 𝐴𝐵 and perpendicular to the line joining 𝐴
and 𝐵.
(b) We require the arbitrary point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) ∈ ℝ3 in the set to satisfy 𝑑(𝑃, 𝐴) = 2𝑑(𝑃, 𝐵), i.e.
(𝑥 + 1)2 + (𝑦 − 5)2 + (𝑧 − 3)2 = 22 [(𝑥 − 6)2 + (𝑦 − 2)2 + (𝑧 + 2)2 ].
Simplifying this equation we get
(𝑥 − 25/3)2 + (𝑦 − 1)2 + (𝑧 + 11/3)2 = 332/9,

√332 25 11
which represents a sphere in ℝ3 with radius centered at ( , 1, − ).
3 3 3

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MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

5. Without loss of generality, we let the origin 𝑂 be one of the vertices of the triangle, and let 𝐴 and 𝐵 be the
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and 𝐛 = 𝑂𝐵
other two vertices, whose position vectors are 𝐚 = 𝑂𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ which are not parallel. The mid-point of
1 1
𝑂𝐴 has position vector 𝐚, and the mid-point of 𝑂𝐵 has position vector 𝐛. So the median from the vertex 𝐴
2 2
1 1
is parallel to the vector 𝐛 − 𝐚, and the median from the vertex 𝐵 is parallel to the vector 𝐚 − 𝐛.
2 2
Now let 𝑀 be the point of intersection of the medians from the vertices 𝐴 and 𝐵.
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑡 (1 𝐛 − 𝐚) for some 𝑡 ∈ [0, 1] and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
Then 𝐴𝑀
1
𝐵𝑀 = 𝑠 ( 𝐚 − 𝐛) for some 𝑠 ∈ [0, 1] 𝐴
2 2
(why?). The position vector of 𝑀 is therefore simultaneously given by

1 1 𝑀
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑀 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝑀 = 𝐚 + 𝑡 ( 𝐛 − 𝐚) and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑀 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐵 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝑀 = 𝐛 + 𝑠 ( 𝐚 − 𝐛) 𝐵
2 2
𝑠 𝑡
for some 𝑠, 𝑡 ∈ [0, 1]. Equating the above we get (1 − 𝑡 − ) 𝐚 = (1 − 𝑠 − ) 𝐛. Since
2 2
𝑂
𝐚 and 𝐛 are not parallel, we must have
𝑠 𝑡
1−𝑡− =0 and 1−𝑠− = 0,
2 2
2 2 1 1 1
and on solving this system we get 𝑠 = 𝑡 = . Therefore ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑀 = 𝐚 + ( 𝐛 − 𝐚) = 𝐚 + 𝐛.
3 3 2 3 3
1 1 3
Finally, the mid-point of 𝐴𝐵 has position vector 𝐚 + 𝐛 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑀, which is a scalar multiple of ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑀. Therefore
2 2 2
the median from 𝑂 also passes through the point 𝑀, and in other words, the three medians are concurrent. ∎

1
6. (a) 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 = ‖𝐮‖‖𝐯‖ cos 60° = (4)(3) ( ) = 6.
2
(b) To require that 𝐮 + 𝑘𝐯 and 𝐮 − 2𝐯 are orthogonal, we need to have
(𝐮 + 𝑘𝐯) ⋅ (𝐮 − 2𝐯) = 0
𝐮 ⋅ 𝐮 + (𝑘 − 2)𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 − 2𝑘𝐯 ⋅ 𝐯 = 0
‖𝐮‖2 + (𝑘 − 2)𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 − 2𝑘‖𝐯‖2 = 0.
1
This means 42 + (𝑘 − 2)(6) − 2𝑘(32 ) = 0, and so 𝑘 = . ∎
3

7. (a) The statement is false.

Elements in ℝ2 are ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) or two-dimensional vectors 〈𝑥, 𝑦〉, which are not ordered triples or
three-dimensional vectors. We may say that the plane {(𝑥, 𝑦, 0): 𝑥 ∈ ℝ and 𝑦 ∈ ℝ} is a subset of ℝ3 , but
ℝ2 = {(𝑥, 𝑦): 𝑥 ∈ ℝ and 𝑦 ∈ ℝ} is not a subset of ℝ3 .
(b) The statement is true.
If ‖𝐮‖2 + ‖𝐯‖2 = ‖𝐮 + 𝐯‖2 , then we have
‖𝐮‖2 + ‖𝐯‖2 = ‖𝐮 + 𝐯‖2 = (𝐮 + 𝐯) ⋅ (𝐮 + 𝐯) = 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐮 + 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 + 𝐯 ⋅ 𝐮 + 𝐯 ⋅ 𝐯 = ‖𝐮‖2 + ‖𝐯‖2 + 2(𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯).
This implies that 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 = 0, so 𝐮 and 𝐯 are orthogonal.
(c) The statement is true.
If ‖𝐮‖2 + ‖𝐯‖2 = ‖𝐮 − 𝐯‖2 , then we have
‖𝐮‖2 + ‖𝐯‖2 = ‖𝐮 − 𝐯‖2 = (𝐮 − 𝐯) ⋅ (𝐮 − 𝐯) = 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐮 − 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 − 𝐯 ⋅ 𝐮 + 𝐯 ⋅ 𝐯 = ‖𝐮‖2 + ‖𝐯‖2 − 2(𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯).
This also implies that 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 = 0, so 𝐮 and 𝐯 are orthogonal again.

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MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

(d) The statement is false.

In ℝ2 , let 𝐮 = 𝐢, 𝐯 = 𝐣 and 𝐰 = 2𝐣. Then 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 = 0 = 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐰, but 𝐯 ≠ 𝐰.
(e) The statement is false.
In ℝ2 , let 𝐮 = 𝐢, 𝐯 = 𝐣 and 𝐰 = 𝐢. Then 𝐮 is orthogonal to 𝐯 and 𝐯 is orthogonal to 𝐰, but 𝐮 is not
orthogonal to 𝐰.
(f) The statement is true.
If 𝐮 is parallel to 𝐯 and 𝐯 is parallel to 𝐰, then 𝐮 = 𝑡𝐯 and 𝐯 = 𝑠𝐰 for some scalars 𝑡 and 𝑠. Then
𝐮 = 𝑡𝐯 = 𝑡(𝑠𝐰) = (𝑡𝑠)𝐰, i.e. 𝐮 is also a scalar multiple of 𝐰, and so 𝐮 is also parallel to 𝐰.

8. Without loss of generality, we let the origin be one of the vertices of the triangle, and let 𝐴 and 𝐵 be the other
two vertices, whose position vectors are 𝐚 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐴 and 𝐛 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐵 which are not parallel. 𝐴
Let 𝑀 be the point of intersection of the altitudes from the vertices 𝐴 and 𝐵,
and let 𝐦 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑀. Then we have ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝑀 ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝐵𝑀 ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐵 = 0 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑂𝐴 = 0, i.e.
𝑀 𝐵
(𝐦 − 𝐚) ⋅ 𝐛 = 0 and (𝐦 − 𝐛) ⋅ 𝐚 = 0.
This implies that 𝐦 ⋅ 𝐛 = 𝐚 ⋅ 𝐛 and 𝐦 ⋅ 𝐚 = 𝐛 ⋅ 𝐚, and so
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑀 ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = 𝐦 ⋅ (𝐛 − 𝐚) = 𝐦 ⋅ 𝐛 − 𝐦 ⋅ 𝐚 = 𝐚 ⋅ 𝐛 − 𝐛 ⋅ 𝐚 = 0, 𝑂
which shows that 𝑂𝑀 and 𝐴𝐵 are perpendicular. Therefore the altitude from 𝑂 also passes through the point
𝑀, and in other words, the three altitude are concurrent. ∎

9. (a) Written in component form, the vector equation (𝐫 − 𝐚) ⋅ (𝐫 − 𝐛) = 0 becomes

(〈𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧〉 − 〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 〉) ⋅ (〈𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧〉 − 〈𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , 𝑏3 〉) = 0,
i.e. (𝑥 − 𝑎1 )(𝑥 − 𝑏1 ) + (𝑦 − 𝑎2 )(𝑦 − 𝑏2 ) + (𝑧 − 𝑎3 )(𝑧 − 𝑏3 ) = 0, which simplifies to
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − (𝑎1 + 𝑏1 )𝑥 − (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 )𝑦 − (𝑎3 + 𝑏3 )𝑧 + 𝑎1 𝑏1 + 𝑎2 𝑏2 + 𝑎3 𝑏3 = 0.
Completing squares and rearranging, we get

𝑎1 + 𝑏1 2 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 2 𝑎3 + 𝑏3 2 (𝑎1 − 𝑏1 )2 + (𝑎2 − 𝑏2 )2 + (𝑎3 − 𝑏3 )2

(𝑥 − ) + (𝑦 − ) + (𝑧 − ) = ,
2 2 2 4
1
which is the equation of a sphere in ℝ3 with radius √(𝑎1 − 𝑏1 )2 + (𝑎2 − 𝑏2 )2 + (𝑎3 − 𝑏3 )2 centered at
2
𝑎1 +𝑏1 𝑎2 +𝑏2 𝑎3 +𝑏3
( , , ).
2 2 2

(b) Written in component form, the vector equation (𝐫 − 𝐚) ⋅ (𝐛 − 𝐚) = (𝐫 − 𝐛) ⋅ (𝐚 − 𝐛) becomes

(〈𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧〉 − 〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 〉) ⋅ (〈𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , 𝑏3 〉 − 〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 〉) = (〈𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧〉 − 〈𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , 𝑏3 〉) ⋅ (〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 〉 − 〈𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , 𝑏3 〉),
i.e.
(𝑥 − 𝑎1 )(𝑏1 − 𝑎1 ) + (𝑦 − 𝑎2 )(𝑏2 − 𝑎2 ) + (𝑧 − 𝑎3 )(𝑏3 − 𝑎3 )
= (𝑥 − 𝑏1 )(𝑎1 − 𝑏1 ) + (𝑦 − 𝑏2 )(𝑎2 − 𝑏2 ) + (𝑧 − 𝑏3 )(𝑎3 − 𝑏3 ).
This simplifies to
2(𝑎1 − 𝑏1 )𝑥 + 2(𝑎2 − 𝑏2 )𝑦 + 2(𝑎3 − 𝑏3 )𝑧 = 𝑎12 − 𝑏12 + 𝑎22 − 𝑏22 + 𝑎32 − 𝑏32 ,
𝑎1 +𝑏1 𝑎2 +𝑏2 𝑎3 +𝑏3
which is the equation of a plane in ℝ3 passing through ( , , ) and perpendicular to 𝐚 − 𝐛.
2 2 2

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MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

10. For vectors 𝐮 and 𝐯 of the same dimension,

‖𝐮 + 𝐯‖2 + ‖𝐮 − 𝐯‖2 = (𝐮 + 𝐯) ⋅ (𝐮 + 𝐯) + (𝐮 − 𝐯) ⋅ (𝐮 − 𝐯)
= (𝐮 ⋅ 𝐮 + 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 + 𝐯 ⋅ 𝐮 + 𝐯 ⋅ 𝐯) + (𝐮 ⋅ 𝐮 − 𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯 − 𝐯 ⋅ 𝐮 + 𝐯 ⋅ 𝐯)
= 2(𝐮 ⋅ 𝐮) + 2(𝐯 ⋅ 𝐯) = 2(‖𝐮‖2 + ‖𝐯‖2 ).
∎

11. We can regard the points 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 in ℝ2 as points lying in the 𝑥𝑦-plane in ℝ3 , so that their coordinates
become (−3, 0, 0), (−1, 3, 0) and (5, 2, 0) respectively. Now
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 × ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶 = 〈−1 − (−3), 3 − 0, 0 − 0〉 × 〈5 − (−3), 2 − 0, 0 − 0〉 = |2 3 0 | = 〈0, 0, −20〉,
8 2 0
so the area of Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 is half of the area of a parallelogram with 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 to be three of its vertices, i.e.

1 1
Area of Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ × ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
‖𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 ‖ = |−20𝐤| = 10.
2 2

12. The volume of the parallelepiped in ℝ3 determined by the vectors ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝑂𝐴, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐵 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝐶 is

3 −5 1
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⋅ (𝑂𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ × ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 2 −2 0 −2 0 2
𝑉 = |𝑂𝐴 𝑂𝐶 )| = ||0 2 −2|| = |3 | | − (−5) | | + 1| || = 36
1 1 3 1 3 1
3 1 1

which is non-zero, so the points 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 and 𝑂 are not coplanar.

13. For every three-dimensional vectors 𝐮 = 〈𝑢1 , 𝑢2 , 𝑢3 〉, 𝐯 = 〈𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 〉 and 𝐰 = 〈𝑤1 , 𝑤2 , 𝑤3 〉, we have
𝐮 × (𝐯 × 𝐰) = 〈𝑢1 , 𝑢2 , 𝑢3 〉 × 〈𝑣2 𝑤3 − 𝑣3 𝑤2 , 𝑣3 𝑤1 − 𝑣1 𝑤3 , 𝑣1 𝑤2 − 𝑣2 𝑤1 〉
= [𝑢2 (𝑣1 𝑤2 − 𝑣2 𝑤1 ) − 𝑢3 (𝑣3 𝑤1 − 𝑣1 𝑤3 )]𝐢 + [𝑢3 (𝑣2 𝑤3 − 𝑣3 𝑤2 ) − 𝑢1 (𝑣1 𝑤2 − 𝑣2 𝑤1 )]𝐣
+ [𝑢1 (𝑣3 𝑤1 − 𝑣1 𝑤3 ) − 𝑢2 (𝑣2 𝑤3 − 𝑣3 𝑤2 )]𝐤.
On the other hand,
(𝐮 ⋅ 𝐰)𝐯 − (𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯)𝐰
= (𝑢1 𝑤1 + 𝑢2 𝑤2 + 𝑢3 𝑤3 )〈𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 〉 − (𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 )〈𝑤1 , 𝑤2 , 𝑤3 〉
= [(𝑢1 𝑤1 + 𝑢2 𝑤2 + 𝑢3 𝑤3 )𝑣1 − (𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 )𝑤1 ]𝐢
+ [(𝑢1 𝑤1 + 𝑢2 𝑤2 + 𝑢3 𝑤3 )𝑣2 − (𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 )𝑤2 ]𝐣
+ [(𝑢1 𝑤1 + 𝑢2 𝑤2 + 𝑢3 𝑤3 )𝑣3 − (𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 )𝑤3 ]𝐤
= [(𝑢2 𝑤2 + 𝑢3 𝑤3 )𝑣1 − (𝑢2 𝑣2 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 )𝑤1 ]𝐢 + [(𝑢1 𝑤1 + 𝑢3 𝑤3 )𝑣2 − (𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢3 𝑣3 )𝑤2 ]𝐣
+ [(𝑢1 𝑤1 + 𝑢2 𝑤2 )𝑣3 − (𝑢1 𝑣1 + 𝑢2 𝑣2 )𝑤3 ]𝐤
= [𝑢2 (𝑣1 𝑤2 − 𝑣2 𝑤1 ) − 𝑢3 (𝑣3 𝑤1 − 𝑣1 𝑤3 )]𝐢 + [𝑢3 (𝑣2 𝑤3 − 𝑣3 𝑤2 ) − 𝑢1 (𝑣1 𝑤2 − 𝑣2 𝑤1 )]𝐣
+ [𝑢1 (𝑣3 𝑤1 − 𝑣1 𝑤3 ) − 𝑢2 (𝑣2 𝑤3 − 𝑣3 𝑤2 )]𝐤
also. Therefore 𝐮 × (𝐯 × 𝐰) = (𝐮 ⋅ 𝐰)𝐯 − (𝐮 ⋅ 𝐯)𝐰. ∎

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MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

14. (a) Given the point (0, 2, −1) on the plane and the normal vector 𝐧 = 3𝐢 − 2𝐣 − 𝐤, the equation of the plane is
3(𝑥 − 0) + (−2)(𝑦 − 2) + (−1)(𝑧 + 1) = 0,
i.e. 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 𝑧 + 3 = 0.

(b) A normal vector of the required plane is the direction vector of the given line, which is 𝐧 = 〈1, 3, 4〉.
Together with the point (2, 4, 5) on the plane, the equation of the plane is
1(𝑥 − 2) + 3(𝑦 − 4) + 4(𝑧 − 5) = 0,
i.e. 𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 34.

(c) We first verify that the two given lines intersect, so that the required plane exists. On solving
𝑡 = 2𝑢 + 2
{−𝑡 + 2 = 𝑢 + 3 ,
𝑡 + 1 = 5𝑢 + 6
we obtain a unique solution 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑢 = −1, which corresponds to the point of intersection (0, 2, 1).
Next, a normal vector of the required plane is given by the cross product of the direction vectors of the two
lines, i.e.
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
𝐧 = 〈1, −1, 1〉 × 〈2, 1, 5〉 = |1 −1 1| = 〈−6, −3, 3〉.
2 1 5
Therefore the equation of the plane is
(−6)(𝑥 − 0) + (−3)(𝑦 − 2) + 3(𝑧 − 1) = 0,
i.e. 2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 = 1.

(d) It is easy to check that (3, 5, −1) is not on the given line. Now by setting 𝑡 = 0 in the parametric equation
of the given line, we get another point (4, −1, 0) on the plane. A normal vector of the required plane is
perpendicular to both the direction vector 〈−1, 2, −3〉 of the line and the vector from (3, 5, −1) to
(4, −1, 0), so
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
𝐧 = 〈−1, 2, −3〉 × 〈4 − 3, −1 − 5, 0 − (−1)〉 = |−1 2 −3| = 〈−16, −2, 4〉.
1 −6 1
Together with the point (3, 5, −1), the equation of the plane is
(−16)(𝑥 − 3) + (−2)(𝑦 − 5) + 4(𝑧 + 1) = 0,
i.e. 8𝑥 + 𝑦 − 2𝑧 = 31.

(e) The direction vector of the given line is 〈1, −1, −2〉, which is not orthogonal to the normal vector 〈5, 2, 1〉 of
the given plane as 〈1, −1, −2〉 ⋅ 〈5, 2, 1〉 = 1 ≠ 0. So there is no plane in ℝ3 which is parallel to the given
plane and contains the given line.

Page 5 of 10
MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

(f) The required plane is parallel to both the vectors from (1, 1, −1) to (2, 0, 2) and from (1, 1, −1) to
(0, −2, 1). So a normal vector of the required plane is
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
𝐧 = 〈2 − 1, 0 − 1, 2 − (−1)〉 × 〈0 − 1, −2 − 1, 1 − (−1)〉 = | 1 −1 3| = 〈7, −5, −4〉.
−1 −3 2
Together with the point (1, 1, −1), the equation of the plane is
7(𝑥 − 1) + (−5)(𝑦 − 1) + (−4)(𝑧 + 1) = 0,
i.e. 7𝑥 − 5𝑦 − 4𝑧 = 6.

(g) The given plane has normal vector 〈2, −3, 1〉. A normal vector of the required plane is therefore orthogonal
to both 〈2, −3, 1〉 and the vector from (2, 2, 1) to (−1, 1, −1), so
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
𝐧 = 〈2, −3, 1〉 × 〈−1 − 2, 1 − 2, −1 − 1〉 = | 2 −3 1 | = 〈7, 1, −11〉.
−3 −1 −2
Together with the point (2, 2, 1), the equation of the plane is
7(𝑥 − 2) + 1(𝑦 − 2) + (−11)(𝑧 − 1) = 0,
i.e. 7𝑥 + 𝑦 − 11𝑧 = 5.

(h) The line of intersection of the given planes is represented by the system of equations

𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 1
{ .
2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = −3

Setting 𝑧 = 0, we have 𝑥 = −1 and 𝑦 = 1 ; setting 𝑧 = 1, we have 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑦 = 0 . Therefore

(−1, 1, 0) and (−2, 0, 1) are two points on the line of intersection. Now the required plane is parallel to
both the vectors from (3, 1, 4) to (−1, 1, 0) and from (3, 1, 4) to (−2, 0, 1), so a normal vector is
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
𝐧 = 〈−1 − 3, 1 − 1, 0 − 4〉 × 〈−2 − 3, 0 − 1, 1 − 4〉 = |−4 0 −4| = 〈−4, 8, 4〉.
−5 −1 −3
Together with the point (3, 1, 4), the equation of the plane is
(−4)(𝑥 − 3) + 8(𝑦 − 1) + 4(𝑧 − 4) = 0,
i.e. 𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 𝑧 + 3 = 0.

Alternative solution: For each real number 𝜆, the equation

(𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 − 1) + 𝜆(2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 + 3) = 0
represents a plane containing the line of intersection of the planes 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 1 and 2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = −3.
Such a plane passes through the point (3, 1, 4) if
[3 + 2(1) + 3(4) − 1] + 𝜆[2(3) − 1 + 4 + 3] = 0
4
i.e. 𝜆 = − . Therefore the equation of the required plane is
3

4
(𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 − 1) + (− ) (2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 + 3) = 0,
3
i.e. 𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 𝑧 + 3 = 0.

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MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

15. (a) Given the point (6, −5, 2) on the line and the direction vector 〈3, 9, −2〉, a vector equation of the line is
𝐫 = 〈6, −5, 2〉 + 𝑡〈3, 9, −2〉
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞), and the parametric equations of the line are
𝑥 = 6 + 3𝑡 and 𝑦 = −5 + 9𝑡 and 𝑧 = 2 − 2𝑡,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞).

(b) A direction vector of the required line is the normal vector 〈1, −1, 3〉 of the given plane. Together with the
point (2, 4, 6) on the line, a vector equation of the line is
𝐫 = 〈2, 4, 6〉 + 𝑡〈1, −1, 3〉,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞), and the parametric equations of the line are
𝑥 =2+𝑡 and 𝑦= 4−𝑡 and 𝑧 = 6 + 3𝑡,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞).

(c) A direction vector of the required line segment is the vector from (4, −6, 6) to (2, 3, 1), which is 〈−2, 9, −5〉.
Together with the end-point (4, −6, 6) of the line segment, a vector equation of the line segment is
𝐫 = 〈4, −6, 6〉 + 𝑡〈−2, 9, −5〉,
where 𝑡 ∈ [0, 1], and the parametric equations of the line segment are
𝑥 = 4 − 2𝑡 and 𝑦 = −6 + 9𝑡 and 𝑧 = 6 − 5𝑡,
where 𝑡 ∈ [0, 1].

(d) A direction vector of the required line is (𝐢 + 𝐣) × (𝐣 + 𝐤) = 𝐢 − 𝐣 + 𝐤. Together with the point (2, 1, 0) on
the line, a vector equation of the line is
𝐫 = 〈2, 1, 0〉 + 𝑡〈1, −1, 1〉,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞), and the parametric equations of the line are
𝑥 =2+𝑡 and 𝑦=1−𝑡 and 𝑧 = 𝑡,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞).

(e) A direction vector of the required line is perpendicular to both the normal vector 〈1, 1, 1〉 of the given plane
and the direction vector 〈1, −1, 2〉 of the given line, so we may take the vector
〈1, 1, 1〉 × 〈1, −1, 2〉 = 〈3, −1, −2〉.
Together with the point (0, 1, 2) on the line, a vector equation of the line is
𝐫 = 〈0, 1, 2〉 + 𝑡〈3, −1, −2〉,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞), and the parametric equations of the line are
𝑥 = 3𝑡 and 𝑦= 1−𝑡 and 𝑧 = 2 − 2𝑡,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞).

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MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

(f) We require that the vector from (0, 1, 2) to the point of intersection (1 + 𝑡, 1 − 𝑡, 2𝑡) is perpendicular to
the direction vector 〈1, −1, 2〉 of the given line. So 〈1 + 𝑡 − 0, 1 − 𝑡 − 1, 2𝑡 − 2〉 ⋅ 〈1, −1, 2〉 = 0, which
1 3 1
gives 𝑡 = . Now a direction vector of the required line is 〈1 + 𝑡 − 0, 1 − 𝑡 − 1, 2𝑡 − 2〉 = 〈 , − , −1〉, so a
2 2 2
vector equation of the line is
𝐫 = 〈0, 1, 2〉 + 𝑡〈3, −1, −2〉,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞), and the parametric equations of the line are
𝑥 = 3𝑡 and 𝑦= 1−𝑡 and 𝑧 = 2 − 2𝑡,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞).

(g) A direction vector of the required line is perpendicular to both the normal vectors 〈1, 2, 3〉 and 〈1, −1, 1〉 of
the two given planes, so we may take the vector
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
〈1, 2, 3〉 × 〈1, −1, 1〉 = |1 2 3 | = 〈5, 2, −3〉.
1 −1 1
A point on the line can be found if we let 𝑧 = 0 in the equations of the two given planes and solve for 𝑥 and

𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 1
𝑦. We get the system { and so 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 = 0, and we get the point (1, 0, 0) on the line.
𝑥−𝑦=1

So a vector equation of the required line is

𝐫 = 〈1, 0, 0〉 + 𝑡〈5, 2, −3〉,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞), and the parametric equations of the line are
𝑥 = 1 + 5𝑡 and 𝑦 = 2𝑡 and 𝑧 = −3𝑡,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞).

Alternative solution: We solve the system of the equations of the two planes

𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 1
{ .
𝑥−𝑦+𝑧 =1

Subtracting the first equation from the second, we get

𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 1
{ .
−3𝑦 − 2𝑧 = 0

Setting 𝑦 = 2𝑡 where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞) is a free parameter, we get

3𝑦
𝑧= = −3𝑡 and 𝑥 = 1 − 2𝑦 − 3𝑧 = 1 − 2(2𝑡) − 3(−3𝑡) = 1 + 5𝑡,
−2
so the parametric equations of the line are
𝑥 = 1 + 5𝑡 and 𝑦 = 2𝑡 and 𝑧 = −3𝑡,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞), and a vector equation of the required line is
𝐫 = 〈1, 0, 0〉 + 𝑡〈5, 2, −3〉,
where 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞).

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MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

16. First, the given lines have direction vectors 〈1, 1, 1〉 and 〈1, 2, 3〉, which are not scalar multiples of each other. So
the given lines are not parallel.
Second, if the given lines intersect, then there exist real numbers 𝑠, 𝑡 ∈ (−∞, +∞) such that
𝑠=𝑡−1
{𝑠 = 2𝑡 .
𝑠 = 3𝑡
The second and third equations force 𝑠 = 𝑡 = 0, but this pair of values do not satisfy the first equation.
Therefore the given lines do not intersect either.

Now to find the distance between these two lines, we find a pair of parallel planes containing them respectively.
A common normal vector of these parallel planes is
𝐢 𝐣 𝐤
𝐧 = 〈1, 1, 1〉 × 〈1, 2, 3〉 = |1 1 1| = 〈1, −2, 1〉.
1 2 3
Now (0, 0, 0) is a point on the first line, and the plane containing the second line has equation
1(𝑥 + 1) + (−2)(𝑦 − 0) + 1(𝑧 − 0) = 0,
i.e. 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 𝑧 + 1 = 0. So the distance between the two lines is equal to the distance between (0, 0, 0) and
the plane 𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 𝑧 + 1 = 0, which is
|(1)(0) + (−2)(0) + (1)(0) + 1| 1
𝑑= = .
√12 + (−2)2 + 12 √6

17. A normal vector of the required planes is the same as the normal vector of the given plane, which is 〈1, 2, −2〉.
Suppose that the required plane(s) have equation
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑧 = 𝑑.
Then since this plane contains the point (𝑑, 0, 0) and is 2 units away from the given plane 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑧 − 1 = 0,
we have
|(1)(𝑑) + (2)(0) + (−2)(0) − 1|
= 2,
√12 + 22 + (−2)2
so |𝑑 − 1| = 6, i.e. 𝑑 = 7 or 𝑑 = −5. Therefore the equations of the two required planes are
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑧 = 7
and
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑧 = −5
respectively.

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MATH2023 Multivariable Calculus Problem Set 1
L2/L3 (Fall 2019)

18. Let 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 be the points in ℝ3 with position vectors 𝐫1 and 𝐫2 respectively, i.e. 𝐫1 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑃1 and 𝐫2 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑂𝑃2 .

(a) If 𝐿1 and 𝐿2 are parallel, then 𝑑(𝐿1 , 𝐿2 ) = 𝑑(𝑃1 , 𝐿2 ) (Remark 1.77). So

‖(𝐫1 − 𝐫2 ) × 𝐯2 ‖
𝑑(𝐿1 , 𝐿2 ) = 𝑑(𝑃1 , 𝐿2 ) = .
‖𝐯2 ‖ The third method in Example 1.66
Alternatively,
‖(𝐫2 − 𝐫1 ) × 𝐯1 ‖
𝑑(𝐿1 , 𝐿2 ) = 𝑑(𝑃2 , 𝐿1 ) = .
‖𝐯1 ‖

[These two expressions are equivalent because 𝐯1 and 𝐯2 are parallel.]

(b) If 𝐿1 and 𝐿2 are skew, then the pair of parallel planes Π1 containing 𝐿1 and Π2 containing 𝐿2 will have
common normal vector 𝐧 = 𝐯1 × 𝐯2 . So
The method used in Example 1.76
𝑑(𝐿1 , 𝐿2 ) = 𝑑(𝑃1 , Π2 )
|(𝐫1 − 𝐫2 ) ⋅ 𝐧|
=
‖𝐧‖
Distance formula, Example 1.75
|(𝐫1 − 𝐫2 ) ⋅ (𝐯1 × 𝐯2 )|
= .
‖𝐯1 × 𝐯2 ‖

Alternatively,
|(𝐫2 − 𝐫1 ) ⋅ 𝐧| |(𝐫2 − 𝐫1 ) ⋅ (𝐯1 × 𝐯2 )|
𝑑(𝐿1 , 𝐿2 ) = 𝑑(𝑃2 , Π1 ) = =
‖𝐧‖ ‖𝐯1 × 𝐯2 ‖

also gives an equivalent expression.

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