Find a vector equation for the line

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on three key mathematical problems: finding a vector equation for a line through points P1 (5, 2, -3) and P2 (2, -1, 7), calculating the distance between two parallel planes, and determining the second derivative of y with respect to x for a given parametric curve. The correct vector equation for the line is expressed as r = P1 + k(P2 - P1), where k is a scalar parameter. For the distance between planes, the correct approach involves using the formula for the distance between parallel planes, ensuring the point lies on the correct plane equation. The second derivative is calculated using the chain rule, specifically dy/dx = (dy/dt)/(dx/dt) and d²y/dx² = (d(dy/dx)/dt)/(dx/dt).

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  • Knowledge of plane equations and distance calculations in geometry
  • Familiarity with parametric equations and derivatives
  • Proficiency in applying the chain rule in calculus
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  • Study vector equations and their applications in geometry
  • Learn about the distance formula between parallel planes
  • Explore parametric equations and their derivatives in calculus
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1. Find a vector equation for the line that passes through the points
P1 (5,2, -3) and P2 (2, -1, 7 )

how would i do this?
just 5i+2j-3k - (2i -1J + 7k)
3i +3j -10k?
looks a bit simple most likely wrong

2.Find the distance between the plane with equation x + y -4z = -15
and the plane parallel to it, which passes through the point (0, 3 , -4)

what i did i used the equation of the plane x + y -4z = 15
and subed (x=0, y=3, z=-4) and i got d2=-1
now i used the formula
d1-d2 / sqrt(a^2 + b^2 + c^2)
15- -1 / sqrt(18)
= 16 / sqrt(18)
is this how you do it? it just seems like I am doing something wrong heh

3. On the curve x=t^4 + 2t - 1
y= e^-2t
find d^2y/dx^2 at the point where t=-1

how do i approach this? thanks
 
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dagg3r said:
1. Find a vector equation for the line that passes through the points
P1 (5,2, -3) and P2 (2, -1, 7 )
The vectorial equation of a line through a point P1 and with direction S can be given by [itex]\vec P = \vec P_1 + k\vec S[/itex]. When you are given 2 points instead of a direction, the difference of the points gives the direction, so P2-P1 or P1-P2.
 
dagg3r said:
1. Find a vector equation for the line that passes through the points
P1 (5,2, -3) and P2 (2, -1, 7 )

how would i do this?
just 5i+2j-3k - (2i -1J + 7k)
3i +3j -10k?
looks a bit simple most likely wrong
Yeah it is a bit too simple- for one thing, it's not an equation! For another there is no variable, t say, to give different points- it's just a vector. The vector equation of a line should look like r= mt+ b where r, m, and b are vectors and t is the scalar parameter.
What you have calculated is the vector pointing from P2 to P1. Since it is showing "direction" think of it as the "slope", m, in the equation of a line. You only need to find b. Hint: what is r when t= 0?

2.Find the distance between the plane with equation x + y -4z = -15
and the plane parallel to it, which passes through the point (0, 3 , -4)

what i did i used the equation of the plane x + y -4z = 15
and subed (x=0, y=3, z=-4) and i got d2=-1
now i used the formula
d1-d2 / sqrt(a^2 + b^2 + c^2)
15- -1 / sqrt(18)
= 16 / sqrt(18)
is this how you do it? it just seems like I am doing something wrong heh
WHY did you use the equation x+ y- 4z= 15?? That clearly does not contain the point (0, 3, -4) because 0+ 3- 4(-4)= 3+16= 19, not 15! I have no idea how you got "d2= -1" because you didn't say what d2 meant!
You are correct that any plane parallel to x+ y- 4z= -15 must be of the form x+ y- 4z= something but that something is not 15.

3. On the curve x=t^4 + 2t - 1
y= e^-2t
find d^2y/dx^2 at the point where t=-1

how do i approach this? thanks
Chain rule: dy/dx= (dy/dt)/(dx/dt) and then d2y/dx2= (d(dy/dx)/dt)/(dx/dt).
 

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