Line of Intersection of two Planes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the line of intersection of two planes, including methods to derive the equation of that line and related concepts. Participants explore both theoretical and practical aspects of the problem, including parametric and symmetric forms of the line, as well as alternative approaches to finding the line through given points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to find the line of intersection of two planes, noting that both planes have a -2z term, which complicates setting them equal to each other.
  • Another participant points out that the equation for the second plane is incomplete and suggests that if z is removed, the line would lie in the Oxy plane.
  • A later reply clarifies the second plane's equation and inquires about the symmetric form of the line if z is removed.
  • One participant proposes finding a line that passes through a specific point and is parallel to the line of intersection of two other planes, providing a general form for the symmetric equation of a line in R3.
  • Another participant shares a parametric equation for the intersection of two planes, suggesting that it should be straightforward from that point onward.
  • One participant suggests an alternative approach of finding two points on the intersecting line and using the vector between them to define the line, questioning the necessity of the intersection equation.
  • Another participant agrees with the need for points on the line and discusses using the cross product of the normals to the planes to find a vector parallel to the line of intersection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best methods to find the line of intersection and whether the equation of the intersection is necessary for finding a parallel line. There is no consensus on a single approach, and multiple methods are discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' contributions depend on the completeness of the plane equations, and there are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions under which the methods apply.

mattmns
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How do I find the line of intersection of two planes? I have an idea, but both of the planes have a -2z

ie. Plane 1: 10x-4y-2z=4 Plane 2: 14x+7y-2z

If I set them both equal to each other, I lose the z part. So, is there some other way to solve this, or am I missing something? Thanks!
 
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The equation for the second plane is incomplete

Daniel.

P.S.If "z" goes,then that line is in the Oxy plane,right...?
 
dextercioby said:
The equation for the second plane is incomplete

Daniel.

P.S.If "z" goes,then that line is in the Oxy plane,right...?

woops.

Just add =#. I am just curious about the general case of how to solve such a problem.


ie. Plane 1: 10x-4y-2z=4 Plane 2: 14x+7y-2z=6

Also, if z is removed what would the symmetric form of that line be? Would it just not have a z part?
 
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What do you mean symmetric form...?Just set them equal and find the equation giving the line.It should read as linear combo of "x" & "y" yielding 0.

Daniel.
 
Ok here is the whole problem.

I am trying to find an equation for a line that passes through a point P(x,y,z) and is parallel to the line of interestion of the planes p1, and p2.

For example: Find an equation for the line that passes through the point (0,1,-1) and is parallel to the line of intersection of the planes 2x + y - 2z = 5 and 3x - 6y - 2z = 7.


edit.. Symmetric form of a line in R3.

If L is a line that contains the point [tex](x_0, y_0, z_0)[/tex] and is parallel to the vector v = Ai + Bj + Ck then the point (x, y, z,) is on L if and only if its cooridnates satisfy

[tex]\frac{x-x_0}{A} = \frac{y-y_0}{B} = \frac{z-z_0}{C}[/tex]


edit2... fixed the latex
 
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Here's the parametric equation of the intersection of the 2 planes

[tex]\left\{\begin{array}{c}z=\frac{15y-1}{2}\\x=7y+2 \end{array}\right[/tex]

I hope it's easy from now.

Daniel.
 
Killing a fly with a sledgehammer as my hs math teacher would say. How about this, forget the whole finding the equation of the line. Find a point A that is on the interesecting line, and then a point B on the intersecting line, then using the vector AB? I think that will work. Now back to bed. :cool:


edit... And to find the actual equation of the intersecting line doing the same thing would probably work, just replace the point with a point that it is on the intersecting line.
 
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I don't see how the parametric form is a sledgehammer in this case. You still have to find these two points and the easiest way to find them is to write x and z in terms of y then choose two y's. This is exactly what daniel has given you.

Steven
 
I'm probably missing something but do you really need the equation to the line of intersection to find the line you are seeking? The cross product of the normals to the two planes gives you a vector which is parallel to the line of intersection. The vector equation of the line you want is then r = (vector representing given point) + t(cross product) where t is a scalar.

The symmetric equation for that line can then be easily found.
 
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  • #10
snoble said:
I don't see how the parametric form is a sledgehammer in this case. You still have to find these two points and the easiest way to find them is to write x and z in terms of y then choose two y's. This is exactly what daniel has given you.

Steven
Yes, you are right the points will still be needed. I meant sledgehammer in the way I was trying to solve the problem, considering that there seem to be much easier routes, not about dex helping me out.

benny said:
I'm probably missing something but do you really need the equation to the line of intersection to find the line you are seeking? The cross product of the normals to the two planes gives you a vector which is parallel to the line of intersection. The vector equation of the line you want is then r = (vector representing given point) + t(cross product) where t is a scalar.

The symmetric equation for that line can then be easily found.
That seems like it will work too, I never thought about that, thanks.
 

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