Equation of Line Projection on Plane - Homework Help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the equation of the projection of a given line onto a specified plane. The line is defined parametrically, and the plane is given by its equation. Participants are exploring the geometric relationships between the line, its projection, and the normal to the plane.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the mathematical relationships between the line, the normal to the plane, and the projection. There are attempts to visualize the problem through diagrams and geometric interpretations, including the formation of triangles and the relationships between their sides.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of various methods to find the projection, with some participants suggesting drawing diagrams to clarify the relationships involved. While some guidance has been offered regarding the geometric interpretation, there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion regarding the correctness of their solutions compared to textbook results. There are indications of potential mistakes in calculations and a reliance on complex formulas, which some participants suggest may be complicating the problem.

  • #31
Physicsissuef said:
I think the Theofilus method is correct, just can't figure the error.

Hi Physicsissuef! :smile:

I'm sure the method is correct … but it's horribly long, so it's not surprising there's a mistake in it, and I've no intention of ploughing through it to find it. :rolleyes:

Don't copy that method … nothing should be that complicated … always go for something simpler, if possible! :smile:
 
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  • #32
I actually don't understand too much your method. I am sure it is translation problem. Is AB the parallel vector to the line? Is BC the normal vector of the plane?
 
  • #33
Hi Physicsissuef! :smile:
Physicsissuef said:
I actually don't understand too much your method. I am sure it is translation problem. Is AB the parallel vector to the line? Is BC the normal vector of the plane?

Yes, and CA is the projection.

So what is the angle between BC and CA? And how can CA be expressed as a combination of AB and BC? :smile:
 
  • #34
The angle between BC and CA is 90 degrees. So
-b_1+b_2+3b_3=0

We need 2 conditions more. I don't know what do you mean by combination?

I think that we can make linear combination of vectors only if they are parallel.
 
  • #35
Physicsissuef said:
The angle between BC and CA is 90 degrees. So
-b_1+b_2+3b_3=0

We need 2 conditions more. I don't know what do you mean by combination?

I think that we can make linear combination of vectors only if they are parallel.

Combination just means ordinary vector addition.
 
  • #36
I understand.

AB+BC=AC
(4,3,-2)+(1,-1,3)=AC
(5,2,1)=AC

Now we can make the equation of the line.

But we haven't got the same vector as the result. In the posts above, the parallel vector is (7,4,-1)
 
Last edited:
  • #37
tiny-tim?
 
  • #38
:smile: Hint: v = cosθi + sinθj. :smile:
 
  • #39
Isn't mine correct? btw- what is that? Is that vector, where is \vec{k}?
 
  • #40
tiny-Timmie?
 
  • #41
Physicsissuef said:
Isn't mine correct? btw- what is that? Is that vector, where is \vec{k}?

If you mean …
Physicsissuef said:
AB+BC=AC
(4,3,-2)+(1,-1,3)=AC
(5,2,1)=AC
… then of course it's correct … but what good is that? … as you say …
But we haven't got the same vector as the result. In the posts above, the parallel vector is (7,4,-1)

If \vec{v}\,=\,\cos\theta\vec{i}+\sin\theta\vec{j} then \vec{j}\,=\,\left(\frac{\vec{v}\,-\,\cos\theta\vec{i}}{\sin\theta}\right)

Alternatively, if you've learned about cross-products …
Hint: what is \vec{i}\times(\vec{i}\times\vec{v}) ? :smile:
 
  • #42
Can we just find AC? What are we now searching for?
 

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