MATH 102

University of Alberta

Lecture 6
§4.1 - Linear Equations and Hyperplanes

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Definition
An equation of the form a1 x1 + a2 x2 + · · · + an xn = b where b and all the
ai ’s are real numbers, and the xi ’s are variables is called a linear equation
with n variables. If b = 0, then the equation is said to be homogeneous.

Illustration

2×1-34--5
- × t 4y - Z = 0 (homogeneous)
2 ×,-7×21-6×3 1 -2 × 4 = 7

X - y -152=-2
(homogeneous)
× , + 2 × 2 - × }1 - 7 × 4 = 0

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Remark
1 In R2 , the equation ax + by = c is a linear equation. You may
recognize this as the equation of a line in R2 but we recall that in
higher dimensions, lines are described by the vector equation
! !
x =! p + t d , t 2 R.
2 In R3 , the linear equation ax + by + cz = d is the equation of a plane.

t
if

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Definition
#!
If !
p,! v1 , and !
v2 are vectors in R3 and !
v1 and ! v2 are not parallel, then
! !
the plane through point P (with OP = p ) and parallel to both ! v1 and ! v2
is given by
!
x =! p + t!v1 + s !
v2 , t 2 R
This equation is called the vector equation of the plane.

iI ÷
Illustration

* ÷

The equationo f t h eplane i s

=L:3ttlaitts.IE
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Definition
A vector that is orthogonal to a plane is called a normal vector for that
plane. A normal vector is usually denoted by ! n.

Illustration

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Remark
Every vector parallel to the plane is orthogonal to a normal vector !
n.
! !
So if P and Q are points on the plane, then PQ · n = 0

PILE

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Definition
An equation of a plane through the point P(x0 , y0 , z0 ) and orthogonal to
the vector !
n = (a, b, c) is
!
n · (X P) = 0,

where X (x, y , z) is any point on the plane. This is called the normal
equation of the plane.

Illustration

E.IE.

F . 1¥.-E)= 0

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Remark
Note that !
n · (X P) = 0 can be written as

(a, b, c) · (x x0 , y y0 , z z0 ) = 0

which implies

a(x x0 ) + b(y y0 ) + c(z z0 ) = 0.

As a result, we can write the equation of the plane as

ax + by + cz = d

where d = ax0 + by0 + cz0 . I t t

n *=@,b ,

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Example
Find the equation of the plane through (2, 3, 5) that is perpendicular to
the vector !
n = (4, 2, 1/2).

Solution
* I X .y , , I (2,-3,5), M¥14,-2,
. i n ? CX- E ) = 0
-5 ) 0
=
(4,-2, 'G) (X-2,4+3,7
.

46×-271--2 +3 ) 1 - {(2--5)=0
4 × - 8 t - 2 3 - 6 TE-56=0
8×-16
-
44-121-2--5=0
18×-12+2=332
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Example
Find the equation of the plane through ( 1, 4, 7) parallel to the plane
2x 5y + z = 1.

Solution

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Example
Find the equation of the line through ( 1, 4, 7) perpendicular to the plane
2x 5y + z = 1.

Solution

Since the l i n e i s perpendicular

t o the n→ i s parallelt o
-5,1)
plane,
the l i n e .
- : E : E t tI , t i n R

III. tt.F I

O r × = - I +2T
y= 4 - E E
2 -= 7 -t t
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Example
Find the distance (shortest) from the point P(2, 4, 1) to the plane
x 2y + 4z = 1.

Solution

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Definition
The geometric object consisting of all points that satisfy a linear equation
is called a hyperplane. For example lines in R2 and planes in R3 are
hyperplanes.

Illustration

2×-33=4 i sa hyperplanei n 1122

i n 1123
3×4-77=1 is a hyperplane

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 ! !
Example
Find the point on the hyperplane in R4 with equation
x1 2x2 x3 + 2x4 = 3 that lies closest to P(1, 0, 1, 2).

÷ *

"iii.
Solution

× , = I + Yt → Xo = 9/10
Y o= - % → ↳= Ys
Zo? I-Yt
"÷
( I t f ) - 2 f t ) - ( I - 4 ) 1-2121-4+3=3
÷ .
Lecture6 '7=-1 ft f
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Example
Find the distance between the two parallel planes x y + z = 4 and
2x + 2y 2z = 7 in R3 .

Solution

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Example (if time permits)
Find the general equation of the plane that passes through the three
points P1 (2, 2, 4), P2 (3, 2, 5), and P3 (3, 1, 3).

Solution PTI = 1 1 , 0 ,i s
V I= 1373=11,-1,-1)
.
i Vectoretuation o f the planei s
[13=11,3+4:3t o I

9¥:{t.IE s e a .

→ 1 -= X t ' s - 4
* = 2 t t tc z . rs )
= L= 41-1×+4-4)-(2- y )
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 2 -= × t y - z t y

1×1-21-2=-2

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Example (if time permits)
Find the point at which the line with vector equation " " " ' " ' " "
(1, 0, 0, 2) + t(1, 1, 1, 3) intersects the hyperplane with general equation
3x1 x2 + 0x3 + 2x4 = 1.

ItEst
Solutiont h e l i n e Efrain is
1¥}} t

¥}I¥I¥¥} puttingthese i n t o t h e election

3 4 - X z +0×31-2×4=1,

"¥¥¥E¥ ÷¥I
w e get

to

, , , , , , ,
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