Finding line where two planes intersect

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the line of intersection between two planes, involving the manipulation of a system of equations in row echelon form (REF). Participants are exploring the relationships between the variables x, y, and z derived from the equations representing the planes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss obtaining expressions for x and y in terms of z as a free variable. There is a focus on the implications of setting certain variables to zero and the correctness of the derived equations for the line of intersection.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on each other's reasoning. Some have pointed out potential mistakes in setting variables to zero, while others are clarifying their interpretations of the equations. There is no explicit consensus yet, but the dialogue is constructive.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the amount of direct assistance they can provide. There is a focus on understanding the setup of the problem and the relationships between the variables involved.

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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!
 
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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 ?
 
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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.
 
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