Distance between the point and the plane

  • Thread starter Thread starter ezsmith
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Plane Point
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the distance between the point (10,2,3) and the plane defined by points A(2,3,0), B(3,1,4), and C(5,2,1). The correct approach involves determining the vectors (B-A) and (C-B), followed by computing their cross product, which yields the normal vector of the plane as 2i + 11j + 5k. The magnitude of this vector is calculated as √(246). The distance is then derived using the formula |d|/|n|, where d is the scalar projection of the point onto the normal vector, resulting in a final distance of approximately 4.018 units.

PREREQUISITES
  • Vector operations including cross product
  • Understanding of planes in three-dimensional space
  • Knowledge of distance formulas in geometry
  • Familiarity with calculating vector magnitudes
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector cross product calculations in detail
  • Learn about the geometric interpretation of planes in 3D space
  • Explore distance formulas between points and planes
  • Practice problems involving vector projections and magnitudes
USEFUL FOR

Students in geometry or physics courses, educators teaching vector mathematics, and anyone interested in spatial analysis and geometric problem-solving.

ezsmith
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Determine the distance between the point (10,2,3) and the plane determined by the points A(2,3,0), B(3,1,4), and C(5,2,1).

The Attempt at a Solution


What I did was I took (B-A) and (C-B) and then I cross product (B-A) and (C-B) and I got -10i + 11j + 5k. After this step, I took point (10,2,3) x -10i + 11j + 5k and then I got -63. Lastly I use l-63l divide with the magnitude of the cross product which is [tex]\sqrt{(-10)^2 + 11^2 + 5^2}[/tex] and I got some really weird answer which is [tex]\sqrt{246}[/tex] also known as 15.68 and it end up with 63/15.68 = 4.018. I am afraid I have gone extremely wrong.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ezsmith said:

Homework Statement


Determine the distance between the point (10,2,3) and the plane determined by the points A(2,3,0), B(3,1,4), and C(5,2,1).

The Attempt at a Solution


What I did was I took (B-A) and (C-B) and then I cross product (B-A) and (C-B) and I got -10i + 11j + 5k.
This is an error. The B- A= i- 2j+ 4k and C- B= 2i+ j- 3k and the cross product is
[tex]\left|\begin{array}{ccc}i & j & k \\ 1 & -2 & 4 \\ 2 & 1 & -3\end{array}\right|= (6- 4)i- (-3- 8)j+ (1+ 4)k= 2i+ 11j+ 5k[/tex]
Looks like you have a sign error.

After this step, I took point (10,2,3) x -10i + 11j + 5k and then I got -63. Lastly I use l-63l divide with the magnitude of the cross product which is [tex]\sqrt{(-10)^2 + 11^2 + 5^2}[/tex] and I got some really weird answer which is [tex]\sqrt{246}[/tex] also known as 15.68 and it end up with 63/15.68 = 4.018. I am afraid I have gone extremely wrong.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
3K