Calculating the distance from a point to a plane

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The discussion revolves around calculating the distance from a point to a plane, with participants sharing their methods and results. One user initially calculated the distance using the formula d=|PQ*n| but expressed confusion about the placement of point M on the plane. They questioned if a parallelogram could be formed without M touching the plane, while another participant pointed out mistakes in the original solution and clarified that M is defined as the closest point on the plane to point B. Both users ultimately arrived at the same distance of 4/3, but discrepancies in understanding the geometric relationships were highlighted. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately defining points in relation to the plane for correct distance calculations.
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Homework Statement
What is the distance from r*(2i -j -2k) = 7 to the point (1, 1, -1)?
Relevant Equations
d=|PQ*n|
Hi everyone

I have worked solutions to the question, but I don't fully understand what they are doing and I get a different answer.

I used d=|PQ*n| and chose (0, 0, -7/2) as a point on the plane. I got that point by letting i and j = 0.

Since P = (1, 1, -1), PQ = (-1, -1, -5/2).

The unit vector of the normal works out to be (1/3)(2i -j -2k)

So d = |(-1, -1, -5/2)*(1/3)*(2, -1, -2)| = 4/3.

These are the worked solutions.
1679531092451.png


I understand the general logic behind it and can accept that OB' = BM. However, I don't understand how they know M is a point on the plane. Is it not possible for OB'MB to form a parallelogram without M touching the plane?Thanks
 
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Darkmisc said:
I understand the general logic behind it and can accept that OB' = BM. However, I don't understand how they know M is a point on the plane. Is it not possible for OB'MB to form a parallelogram without M touching the plane?
You define M to be the point on the plane closest to B.

That said, the solution is full of mistakes. First, it should be ##\overrightarrow{OA} = \frac{7}{2} \mathbf{k}##.

Then, I get
$$
\frac{\overrightarrow{OB} \cdot \mathbf{n}}{|\mathbf{n}|} = 1,
$$
not ##1/3##, such that ##|\overrightarrow{OB'}| = 1##. Since ##|\overrightarrow{ON}| = 7/3##, this means that ##|\overrightarrow{B'N}| = 4/3##. I then take ##|\overrightarrow{BM}| = |\overrightarrow{B'N}| = 4/3##, so I get the same answer as you did (and I like your approach better). I'm not sure I get the parallelogram either.
 
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