Find point where line intersects plane

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jdj333
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Homework Statement



Find the point as which the line intersects the given plane.


Homework Equations



Line: x = y - 1 = 2z
Plane: 4x - y + 3z = 8

The Attempt at a Solution



I understand how to use the cross product, dot product, and find intercepts. This problem is in section 13.5 #45 of the James Stewart Calculus book. I understand the idea but need some help in solving the problem. Thanks!
 
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line:

[tex]\frac{x-x_1}{a_1}=\frac{y-y_1}{a_2}=\frac{z-z_1}{a_3}[/tex]

plane:

[tex]Ax+By+Cz+D=0[/tex]

line:

[tex]x=x_1+ta_1 ; y=y_1+ta_2 ; z=z_1 + ta_3[/tex]

Now we substitute the coordinates of the line (x,y,z) in the plane:

[tex]A(x_1+ta_1)+B(y_1+ta_2)+C(z_1+ta_3)+D=0[/tex]

[tex](Aa_1+Ba_2+Ca_3)t+Ax_1+By_1+Cz_1+D=0[/tex]

Now let [tex]a=Aa_1+Ba_2+Ca_3[/tex] and

[tex]b=Ax_1+By_1+Cz_1+D[/tex].

we got [tex]at+b=0[/tex]

If a≠0, t=-b/a

So the point where the line intersects the plane is:

[tex]M(x_1 - \frac{b}{a}a_1 , y_1 - \frac{b}{a}a_2 , z_1 - \frac{b}{a}a_3)[/tex]

Regards.
 
Last edited:
Welcome to PF!

jdj333 said:

Homework Statement



Find the point as which the line intersects the given plane.


Homework Equations



Line: x = y - 1 = 2z
Plane: 4x - y + 3z = 8

The Attempt at a Solution



I understand how to use the cross product, dot product, and find intercepts. This problem is in section 13.5 #45 of the James Stewart Calculus book. I understand the idea but need some help in solving the problem. Thanks!

Hi jdj333! Welcome to PF! :smile:

You don't need cross and dot products for this! :wink:

Hint: finding an intersection is just a simultaneous equations problem …

just substitute the line equation into the plane equation (to make it all y, say), and solve. :smile: