Equation of Plane with Line and Angle Problem

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SUMMARY

The problem involves finding the equation of a plane that contains the line defined by the parametric equations x=t+2, y=2t-1, z=3t+3 and makes an angle of 2π/3 with the plane π: x+3y-z+8=0. The solution requires determining the normal vector of the desired plane using the cross product of the line's direction vector and another vector derived from points on the line. The relationship between the normal vectors of the two planes is established through the dot product, leading to the equations a + 3b - c = -0.5√11 and a² + b² + c² = 1 for the components of the normal vector.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector operations, specifically cross product and dot product.
  • Familiarity with parametric equations of lines in three-dimensional space.
  • Knowledge of plane equations in the form Ax + By + Cz + D = 0.
  • Concept of angles between planes and their normal vectors.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector calculus, focusing on cross product and dot product applications.
  • Learn how to derive equations of planes from given lines and points in 3D space.
  • Explore the geometric interpretation of angles between planes and their normal vectors.
  • Practice solving systems of equations involving multiple variables to find normal vectors.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying multivariable calculus, geometry enthusiasts, and anyone solving problems involving planes and lines in three-dimensional space.

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Homework Statement



Find the equation of plane which contains the line [itex]l:\left\{\begin{array}{l} x=t+2 \\y=2t-1\\z=3t+3 \end{array}\right.[/itex], and makes the angle of [itex]\frac{2\pi}{3}[/itex] with the plane [itex]\pi:x+3y-z+8=0[/itex].

The Attempt at a Solution



My attempt was to find the normal vector of plane which contains the line by the cross product of vector [itex]\vec{a}[/itex] of line and some vector created between points [itex]P(2,-1,3)[/itex] of line and point [itex]Q(x,y,z)[/itex], than by using the formula to find angles, but this leads me to complications.

I think there's another way to solve this, which I don't know.

Thank you
 
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If two planes make a given angle, [itex]\theta[/itex], with each other, then their normal vectors make the same angle. The dot product of two vectors, u and v, is given by [itex]u\cdot v= |u||v|cos(\theta)[/itex]. So if we take <a, b, c> to be a unit vector perpendicular to the desired plane, we must have [itex]<a, b, c>\cdot<1, 3, -1>= \sqrt{1+ 9+ 1} cos(2\pi/3)[/itex] or [itex]a+ 3b- c= -.5\sqrt{11}[/itex]. That, together with [itex]a^2+ b^2+ c^2= 1[/itex] gives two equations to solve for a, b, and c.
 

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