Find Point D on Plane for 4 Unit Cube Pyramid

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the coordinates of point D on a line defined by the equation r(t) = (0,0,0) + (-1,1,1)t, such that the volume of the triangular pyramid formed by points A(0,0,0), B(1,0,1), C(0,1,0), and D is equal to 4 cubic units. The context includes geometric calculations related to the volume of pyramids and the properties of planes in three-dimensional space.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Post 1 introduces the problem of determining point D on the specified line to achieve a pyramid volume of 4 cubic units.
  • Post 2 provides a detailed calculation of the base area B of triangle ABC and the volume V of the pyramid, using the formula V = (1/3)Bh, and derives the height h as a projection onto the normal vector of the plane.
  • Post 2 concludes that the value of t is 12, leading to the coordinates of point D being (-12,12,12).
  • Post 4 presents an alternative approach using the distance formula from a point to a plane, arriving at the same conclusion for t as 12, thus confirming the coordinates of point D.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the calculations leading to the conclusion that point D is at (-12,12,12) based on different methods, though the discussion does not explore any competing views or alternative solutions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion relies on specific assumptions about the geometric properties of the pyramid and the plane, as well as the correctness of the mathematical derivations presented. No alternative methods or potential errors in the calculations are discussed.

jaychay
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Find point d on the line of r(t)=(0,0,0)+(−1,1,1)t which make the triangular pyramid abcd has the volume of 4 unit cube when a(0,0,0),b(1,0,1),c(0,1,0) are the points on the plane of −x+z=0.

vector.png
 
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The area $B$ of the base rectangular triangle $\Delta abc$ is $B=\frac 12\cdot ab\cdot ac = \frac 12 \sqrt 2\cdot 1$.
The volume of the pyramid is $V=\frac 13 Bh$, where $B$ is the area of the base, and $h$ is the height perpendicular to the base.
The normal vector $\vec n$ of the plane can be deduced from its equation $-x+z=0$, meaning it is $\vec n=(-1,0,1)$.
The height $h$ of the pyramid is the projection of the vector $\overrightarrow{ad}$ onto the normal vector $\vec n$.
The formula for that projection is $h=\frac{\overrightarrow{\mathstrut ad} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathstrut n}}{\|\vec n\|}$.

So we have:
$$\begin{cases}B=\frac 12\sqrt 2 \\
V=\frac 13 Bh = 4 \\
\vec n = (-1,0,1) \\
h=\frac{\overrightarrow{\mathstrut ad} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathstrut n}}{\|\vec n\|} = \frac{(-1,1,1)t \cdot (-1,0,1)}{\|(-1,0,1)\|} = \frac{2}{\sqrt 2}t=t\sqrt 2
\end{cases}
\implies V = \frac 13 \cdot \frac 12\sqrt 2 \cdot t\sqrt 2 = 4
\implies t = 12
$$
So point $d$ is $(0,0,0)+(-1,1,1)12=(-12,12,12)$.
 
Thank you very much !
 
I learned (long ago) this formula for the distance from a point, $(x_1,y_1,z_1)$ to a plane $Ax+By+Cz+D = 0$

$d = \dfrac{|Ax_1+By_1+Cz_1+D|}{\sqrt{A^2+B^2+C^2}}$

$V = \dfrac{Bh}{3} = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \cdot \dfrac{h}{3} = 4 \implies h = 12 \sqrt{2}$

$12\sqrt{2} = \dfrac{|-1(-t) + 0(t) + 1(t) + 0|}{\sqrt{(-1)^2 + 0^2 + 1^2}}$

$12\sqrt{2} = \dfrac{2t}{\sqrt{2}} \implies t = 12$
 

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