Find the equation in the form of ax+by+cz=d

  • Level: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter XBOX999
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Form
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
2 replies · 3K views
XBOX999
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Hello,
I need help in this two quetion. Please, show me all the steps to solve them.

1- Find the distence from a point P= ( -3,4,2) to a line L:(x,y,z)= ( 3,-2,-1)+(1,-2,2)t.



2-find the equation in the form of ax+by+cz=d, of the plane going through a point
P= (-3,4,2) to a line L:(x,y,z)= (3,-2,-1) + (1,-2,2)t.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
i'm at the library, i was just looking at those in my crc standard formulas and tables around page 240-250. its a piece of cake but i can't quote them. someone will show up.
 
XBOX999 said:
Hello,
I need help in this two quetion. Please, show me all the steps to solve them.

1- Find the distence from a point P= ( -3,4,2) to a line L:(x,y,z)= ( 3,-2,-1)+(1,-2,2)t.
2-find the equation in the form of ax+by+cz=d, of the plane going through a point
P= (-3,4,2) to a line L:(x,y,z)= (3,-2,-1) + (1,-2,2)t.

For the first part, the distance from a point to a line is by definition the SHORTEST possible distance along a line connecting P and L. At what angle must the two lines meet in order for the distance to be minimized?

In other words, if q is a point on the line, you want ||q - p|| to be the shortest possible. If v is a vector pointing in the direction of the line, what condition must the vectors (q - p) and v satisfy?