Lines and Planes in Space - HELP SOON

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter justagirl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lines Planes Space
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around several problems related to lines and planes in three-dimensional space, specifically within the context of Calculus III. Participants seek clarification on concepts such as parallel lines, equations of planes, and intersections of lines.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether lines L1 and L2 are parallel, noting that their direction vectors V1 = <6, 4, -8> and V2 = <9, -6, 12> do not appear to be multiples of each other.
  • Another participant suggests verifying the direction vector for L2, implying that there may have been an error in the initial assessment.
  • A participant acknowledges a correction to the direction vector for L2 but questions whether this change affects the conclusion about parallelism.
  • Participants express confusion regarding how to derive the equation of a plane containing a point and a line, specifically mentioning the need for a direction vector and a normal vector.
  • There is a discussion about finding a normal vector for a plane that is perpendicular to two given planes, with one participant suggesting the use of the cross product.
  • Another problem involves finding an equation of a plane that passes through two points and is parallel to the line of intersection of two planes.
  • One participant asks for help in proving that two lines intersect and finding a plane that contains both lines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the parallelism of lines L1 and L2, as there is uncertainty regarding the direction vectors. Additionally, there is no agreement on the correct approach to the various plane-related problems, indicating multiple competing views and unresolved questions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion over the correct identification of direction vectors and the process of deriving equations for planes, indicating potential limitations in understanding the underlying concepts. There are also unresolved mathematical steps in the discussions about finding normal vectors and proving intersections.

justagirl
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
I am very confused regarding a few problems in Calculus III. Any help
or
hints to any of these would be greatly appreciated!

1.) Are lines L1 and L2 parallel?

L1: (x-7)/6 = (y+5)/4 = -(z-9)/8;
L2: -(x-11)/9 = -(y-7)/6 = (z-13)/12;

The answer says that they are parallel, which I don`t understand. I
know 2
lines are parallel if their direction vectors are parallel, but in this
case V1 = <6, 4, -8>, and V2 = <9, -6, 12>. So they are not multiples
of
each other and thus I didn`t think they are parallel. What am I
missing?

2.) Write an equation of the plane that contains both the point P and
the
line L:

P(2,4,6);
L: x = 7-3t, y = 3+4t, z = 5 + 2t;

I know to write an equation of the plane you need a direction vector
and a
point. I tried using <-3,4,2> crossed with <2,4,6> as my normal vector
and
<2,4,6> as my (X0, Y0, Z0). But I got the wrong answer...

3.) Find an equation of the plane through P(3,3,1) that is
perpendicular
to the planes x+y = 2Z and 2X + z = 10. If I take the cross product of
the
second 2 planes that would give me a vector parallel to the equation
that
I want to find, but I need a normal vector. What to do?

4.) Find an equation of the plane that passes through the points
P(1,0,-1), Q(2,1,0) and is parallel to the line of intersection of the
planes x+y+z = 5 and 3x -y = 4.

5.) Prove that the lines x -1 = 1/2(y+1) = z-2 and x-2 = 1/3(y-2) =
1/2(z-4) intersect. Find an equation of the only plane that contains
them
both.

Sorry for so many problems. But any help would be great! Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Look at L2. Are you sure you've got the right direction vector?
 
okay, so it's <-9. -6. 12> Does it make a difference though?
 
oh nm

oh nevermind... that was a stupid question. I see it now. Got any suggestions on the other problems? :)
 
You get -3/2 when you divide corresponding coordinates, any corresponding coordinates.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K