WTW 164

Unit 1.1: Lines and planes

(part 2)
Dr HR (Maya) Thackeray
<maya.thackeray@up.ac.za>
Planes in space
• A plane in space is determined by
• a point P0 = (x0,y0,z0) on the plane, and
• a vector n = such that n is not and n is orthogonal to the plane (that is, n is
perpendicular to the plane / at right angles to the plane).
Such a vector n is a normal vector for the plane.
• Let the position vector of P0 be r0 = .
• Let P = (x,y,z) be a general point; let its position vector be r =
Equations of a plane in space
P is on the plane if and only if r – r0 is
orthogonal to n.
• Vector equation: n ∙ (r – r0) = 0.
(Vector equation showing components: ∙ = 0.)
• Scalar equation / Cartesian equation: a(x – x0) + b(y – y0) + c(z – z0) = 0.
• Linear equation: ax + by + cz + d = 0.
(Take the scalar equation and set d = –(ax0 + by0 + cz0).)
Example: Equations of a plane
The plane H passes through (7,6,5) and is orthogonal to 4i + 2j.
• A vector equation: ∙ (r – ) = 0.
• A scalar equation: 4(x – 7) + 2(y – 6) = 0.
• A linear equation: 4x + 2y – 40 = 0.
Co-ordinate planes
• The yz plane has the linear equation x = 0.
• The xz plane has the linear equation y = 0.
• The xy plane has the linear equation z = 0.
Example: A plane through three points
The plane H passes through A = (1,–2,2), B = (2,–3,3),
and C = (1,–6,5). Find a linear equation for H.
Solution.
• A = (1,–2,2) is a point on H.
• Each of the vectors = and = lies along H, so their cross product is
orthogonal to H; that cross product is
x= =.
A scalar equation for H is (x – 1) – 3(y + 2) – 4(z – 2) = 0,
so a linear equation for H is x – 3y – 4z + 1 = 0.
Question: Two parallel planes
The plane H is given by the equation –2x + 3y – z + 4 = 0.
The plane G passes through the point P = (0,–5,6) and is parallel to H.
Find a vector equation and a linear equation for G.

(Recall that a vector equation of a plane is n ∙ (r – r0) = 0.)

Solution: Two parallel planes
The plane H is given by the equation –2x + 3y – z + 4 = 0.
The plane G passes through the point P = (0,–5,6) and is parallel to H.
Find a vector equation and a linear equation for G.
Solution.
• The point P = (0,–5,6) is on G.
• A normal vector for G is n = since this is a normal vector for H and H is
parallel to G.
A vector equation for G is ∙ (r – ) = 0. Expanding that equation, we get –2x
+ 3y – z – ((–2)(0) + (3)(–5) + (–1)(6)) = 0, that is, we get –2x + 3y – z + 21
= 0, which is a linear equation for G.
Question: Plane perpendicular to line
The plane H passes through P = (1,1,–1) and is perpendicular to the line
L that has parametric equations x = 3, y = 2 + t, z = –4 – t (t ). Find a
vector equation for H.
Solution: Plane perpendicular to line
The plane H passes through P = (1,1,–1) and is perpendicular to the line
L that has parametric equations x = 3, y = 2 + t, z = –4 – t (t ). Find a
vector equation for H.
Solution.
• The point P = (1,1,–1) is on H.
• A normal vector for H is n = since this vector is parallel to L.
A vector equation for H is ∙ (r – ) = 0.
Example: Plane through point and line
The plane H contains the point P = (3,–3,1) and the line L given by
–(x + 2)/2 = 3(y + 1) = z/4. Find a vector equation for H.
Solution.
• The point P = (3,–3,1) is on H.
• L has parametric equations x = –2 – 2t, y = –1 + t/3, z = 4t (t ).
• t = 0 gives the point Q = (–2,–1,0) on L, so = is parallel to H.
• The vector is parallel to L, so 3 = is parallel to L, hence also parallel to H.
• The cross product x = = is orthogonal to H.
A vector equation for H is ∙ (r – ) = 0.
Question: Plane through point and line
The plane H contains the point A = (–1,0,1) and the line L given by
x = 2y = (z – 1)/3. Find a linear equation for H.
Solution: Plane through point and line
The plane H contains the point A = (–1,0,1) and the line L given by
x = 2y = (z – 1)/3. Find a linear equation for H.
Solution.
• The point A = (–1,0,1) is on H.
• L has parametric equations x = t, y = t/2, z = 1 + 3t (t ).
• t = 0 gives the point B = (0,0,1) on L, so = is parallel to H.
• The vector is parallel to L, so 2 = is parallel to L, hence also parallel to H.
• The cross product x = = is orthogonal to H.
A scalar equation for H is 0(x + 1) – 6(y – 0) + 1(z – 1) = 0, that is, –6y + z – 1 = 0.
The equation –6y + z – 1 = 0 is also a linear equation for H.