Finding the Normal to a Plane Using Vector Geometry

In summary, To find the normal to a plane, fix one point and find the two vectors from that point to the other two points. Then, take the cross-product of those two vectors to find the normal.
  • #1
bobmoin
1
0
Hi all,

Am trying to teach myself vector geometry but don't quite understand certain things.

If you are know three points on a plane, how do you find the normal to the plane?
 
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  • #2
bobmoin said:
Hi all,

Am trying to teach myself vector geometry but don't quite understand certain things.

If you are know three points on a plane, how do you find the normal to the plane?
Fix one of your points, and then find the two vectors going from that point to one of the other points.

Then, the normal is found by taking the cross-product of those two vectors.
 

1. What does it mean for a vector to be perpendicular to a plane?

When a vector is perpendicular to a plane, it means that the vector is at a 90-degree angle to the plane, and therefore does not lie within the plane itself.

2. How do you determine if a vector is perpendicular to a plane?

To determine if a vector is perpendicular to a plane, you can take the dot product of the vector and any two nonparallel vectors in the plane. If the dot product is equal to zero, then the vector is perpendicular to the plane.

3. Can a vector be perpendicular to more than one plane?

Yes, a vector can be perpendicular to more than one plane. This occurs when the vector is parallel to the line of intersection between two planes.

4. What is the significance of a vector being perpendicular to a plane?

A vector being perpendicular to a plane indicates that the vector is normal, or orthogonal, to the plane. This can be useful in various mathematical and scientific applications, such as determining the direction of forces or calculating surface areas.

5. How can you find the equation of a plane that is perpendicular to a given vector?

To find the equation of a plane that is perpendicular to a given vector, you can use the formula ax + by + cz = d, where a, b, and c are the components of the vector and d is a constant. This will result in a plane that is perpendicular to the given vector.

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