Finding line where two planes intersect

  • Thread starter Thread starter member 731016
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Line Planes
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the line of intersection between two planes using the Reduced Row Echelon Form (REF) method. The correct equations derived are x = 3 + (3/7)z and y = (1/7)z, with z as a free variable. The final equation of the line is expressed in vector form as L = [(3/7)t + 3]i + [(1/7)t]j + [t]k. Participants clarify a mistake regarding setting x to zero, emphasizing the importance of correctly interpreting free variables in the context of linear equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Reduced Row Echelon Form (REF)
  • Familiarity with vector equations and parametric representations
  • Basic knowledge of linear algebra concepts, particularly planes and intersections
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions involving free variables
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of solving systems of equations using REF in detail
  • Learn about vector representation of lines and planes in three-dimensional space
  • Explore the geometric interpretation of linear equations and their intersections
  • Practice problems involving parametric equations of lines derived from linear systems
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in mathematics, particularly those focusing on linear algebra and geometry, as well as anyone involved in solving systems of equations and understanding vector spaces.

member 731016
Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this problem,
1682916672512.png

The solution is,
1682916718595.png

However, I could not get that. By getting the system in REF, I got ##x = 3 + \frac{3}{7}z ## and ##y = \frac{1}{7}z##. Therefore z is a free variable so ##x = 3 + \frac{3}{7}t = 0## and ##y = \frac{1}{7}t##.

Thus equation of line is ##x\hat i + y\hat j + z\hat k = 3\hat i + (\frac{3}{7}\hat i + \frac{1}{7}\hat j)t##

Does anybody please know what I did wrong here?

Many thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: Please see below
Relevant Equations: Please see below

By getting the system in REF, I got x=3+37z=0 and y=17z.
You are right to get
x=3+\frac{3}{7}z
but why do you make it zero ?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: member 731016
anuttarasammyak said:
You are right to get
x=3+\frac{3}{7}z
but why do you make it zero ?
Thank you for your reply @anuttarasammyak !

Sorry my mistake. That was not meant to be set to zero.

Many thanks!
 
ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: Please see below
Relevant Equations: Please see below

For this problem,
View attachment 325740
The solution is,
View attachment 325741
However, I could not get that. By getting the system in REF, I got ##x = 3 + \frac{3}{7}z ## and ##y = \frac{1}{7}z##. Therefore z is a free variable so ##x = 3 + \frac{3}{7}t = 0## and ##y = \frac{1}{7}t##.
I got the same thing but took it one step further, with z = t. So the equation of the line of intersection is ##L = (\frac 3 7 t + 3)\hat i + \frac 1 7 t \hat j + t \hat k##.

In vector form, the above is ##L = \begin{bmatrix} \frac 3 7 \\ \frac 1 7 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}t + \begin{bmatrix} 3 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}##

Geometrically, to get points on this line, go out 3 units on the x-axis, and then go off in the direction of <3t/7, t/7, t>.
ChiralSuperfields said:
Thus equation of line is ##x\hat i + y\hat j + z\hat k = 3\hat i + (\frac{3}{7}\hat i + \frac{1}{7}\hat j)t##
Your equation doesn't follow from your work that preceded it.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: member 731016

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K