Finding the length of an intersection Of 2 planes

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the length of the line segment between two points, A and B, where the line of intersection of two planes, P1: x+y+z=7 and P2: 2x-3y-z=-8, intersects the XZ and YZ planes, respectively.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the meaning of intersecting the XZ and YZ planes, with some confusion about the definitions. There is an exploration of finding the points A and B by setting parameters in the equations of the planes. Attempts to derive the line of intersection and its parametric representation are shared.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to find points A and B by substituting values into the parametric equations. There is a recognition of the need to clarify the equations and the approach to finding the length of segment AB. Multiple interpretations of the problem setup are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the amount of direct assistance they can receive. There is an acknowledgment of earlier errors in calculations that have since been corrected.

Plutonium88
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Homework Statement


Line of intersection between P1: x+y+z=7 and P2:2x-3y-z=-8 crosses the XZ plane at point A and crosses the YZ plane at point B

Find the length Of AB


Okay so first of all i`m having trouble with understanding crossing the `XZ`plane or `YZ`plane.

does this mean that A x=z=0 A(0,something,0) and B(something,0,0)


What i`m thinking to do with this problem, is finding the points A and B, an then finding vector AB and finding the magnitude, and that should be the length.

So the first thing i did was get the equation of the line..

1 x+y+z=7
2 2x-3y-z=-8

subtract eq1-eq2

-x+4y+0 = 15

x= 4y-15 (3)

sub (3) in 1

4y-15 +y + z =7
z= 22-4y
y=t

x=-15 +4t
y=t
z=22-4t

r=(-15,0,22) + t(4,1,-5) (equation of line of intersection)

so that means that the direction vector is parallel to the line segment AB

but now i`m clueless as to how to solve for A or for B... can some one give me a hintÉ
 
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Plutonium88 said:

Homework Statement


Line of intersection between P1: x+y+z=7 and P2:2x-3y-z=-8 crosses the XZ plane at point A and crosses the YZ plane at point B

Find the length Of ABOkay so first of all i`m having trouble with understanding crossing the `XZ`plane or `YZ`plane.

does this mean that A x=z=0 A(0,something,0) and B(something,0,0)
No, the "xz plane" has points with all values for x and z but y= 0. And the "yz plane has x= 0
What i`m thinking to do with this problem, is finding the points A and B, an then finding vector AB and finding the magnitude, and that should be the length.
Yep, good plan!

So the first thing i did was get the equation of the line..

1 x+y+z=7
2 2x-3y-z=-8

subtract eq1-eq2

-x+4y+0 = 15
No, z- (-z)= 2z not 0. To eliminate z, add the two equations.

x= 4y-15 (3)

sub (3) in 1

4y-15 +y + z =7
z= 22-4y
y=t

x=-15 +4t
y=t
z=22-4t

r=(-15,0,22) + t(4,1,-5) (equation of line of intersection)

so that means that the direction vector is parallel to the line segment AB

but now i`m clueless as to how to solve for A or for B... can some one give me a hintÉ
Again, once you have found the correct equation for the line of intersection, to find A, set y= 0 to solve for the value of the parameter and the find x and y. To find B, set x= 0, solve for the parameter and use that to find y and z.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
HallsofIvy said:
Again, once you have found the correct equation for the line of intersection, to find A, set y= 0 to solve for the value of the parameter and the find x and y. To find B, set x= 0, solve for the parameter and use that to find y and z.


AH THATS GENIUS! Thank you kindly sir all of your help is much appreciated, and it really means a lot to me that there are people like you in the world who are willing to spread the knowledge of math. It`s quite beautiful actually.
 
HallsofIvy said:
Again, once you have found the correct equation for the line of intersection, to find A, set y= 0 to solve for the value of the parameter and the find x and y. To find B, set x= 0, solve for the parameter and use that to find y and z.
Okay so

EQ1 + EQ2
3x-2y + 0 =-1

(3) x=(2y-1)/3

plug 3 in eq1

(2Y-1)/3 + Y + Z =7
z=(22-5y)/3

let y=t

x=(2t-1)/3
y=t
z=(22-5t)/3

r= (-1/3,0,22/3) + t(2/3,1,-5/3)

so therefore for point A

y=0

therefore t=0

x=-1/3
z=22/3

A(-1/3,0,22/3)

for point B

0=(2t-1)/3

t=1/2

x=0
y=1/2
z=13/2So B(0,1/2,13/2)

so AB=(1/3,1/2,-5/6)

mAGNITUDEofAB= √((1/3)sqrd +(1/2)sqrd + (-5/6)sqrd) = √(38)/6How does this look, personally the only thing I'm concerned with is the fact that i had an ugly parametric equation with the fractions.. but it would seem everything else is correct to me, from how you described to do this.* i made an error earlier, but fixed it.
 
Last edited:
That's the answer I get.
 
HallsofIvy said:
That's the answer I get.

sweeeeeeeeeeet, Thank you very much for all your help, once again i appreciate it very much and I'm sure everyone else you help feels the same way. :D
 

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