How do I determine the coordinates of points on a 3-D coordinate plane?

In summary, the conversation is about how to find the coordinates of a point in a two-dimensional picture. Problem 1 involves finding the coordinates of a point with four given options, while problems 2-4 involve finding the coordinates of a point on a line. The most reliable way to find the answer is to draw all points and use the direction of each axis to determine the coordinates. The required point in problem 1 has a negative z coordinate, narrowing down the options. Problems 3 and 4 involve finding coordinates on a line connecting the point with the coordinate axes. The answers for problems 3 and 4 are (4,4,-1) and (-1,2,-4) respectively.
  • #1
ssmith9bmr
1
0
View attachment 2428View attachment 2428

Can someone please help me with this? I can't for the life of me figure out how to do these points. How do I line up the x, y, and z? I just can't grasp it and can't find anything online.
 

Attachments

  • Homework.jpg
    Homework.jpg
    30.9 KB · Views: 47
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Concerning problem 1), it is impossible to recover coordinates of the shown point from a two-dimensional picture. That is, there is an infinite number of 3D points that, when drawn on a plane, would fall into the same position. However, we are also given four options, and of those only one corresponds to the required point.

View attachment 2432

The most reliable way to find the answer is to draw all four points. To draw a point with coordinates $(x_0,y_0,z_0)$ start with the origin, then move in the direction of the $x$ axis by $x_0$ (in the picture, this means moving bottom left for positive $x_0$), then move in the direction of the $y$ axis by $y_0$ (right for positive $y_0$) and finally in the direction of the $z$ axis by $z_0$ (up for positive $z_0$). But one can also see that the required point has a negative $z$ coordinate, and there is only one corresponding option.

Problem 2)

View attachment 2433

Problems 3) and 4) are easier because we have lines connecting the point with the coordinate axes. For 3), we first go up to the $xy$ plane and then left to the $x$ axis. We arrive at $x=4$. Similarly, going up and then towards the $y$ axis we arrive at $y=4$. Finally, going towards the $xy$ plane (where $z=0$) required going up 1 unit, so the $z$ coordinate is $-1$. Note that each time we move along a straight line segment, it must be parallel to one of the axes. The answer to 4) is $(-1,2,-4)$.
 

Attachments

  • coord2.png
    coord2.png
    2.8 KB · Views: 45
  • coord3.png
    coord3.png
    3.1 KB · Views: 46

What is a 3-D coordinate plane?

A 3-D coordinate plane is a mathematical system used to locate and plot points in three-dimensional space. It is made up of three axes: the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis. Each axis represents a different dimension, and the intersection of these axes forms a point in 3-D space.

How do you plot a point on a 3-D coordinate plane?

To plot a point on a 3-D coordinate plane, you need to have three coordinates: the x-coordinate, the y-coordinate, and the z-coordinate. These coordinates represent the distance from the origin point, which is where all three axes intersect. You can plot the point by moving along each axis and marking the correct distance from the origin.

What is the purpose of using a 3-D coordinate plane?

The purpose of a 3-D coordinate plane is to precisely locate and plot points in three-dimensional space. This is useful in various fields such as mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer graphics. It allows for a better understanding and visualization of three-dimensional objects and their relationships.

What is the difference between 2-D and 3-D coordinate planes?

The main difference between 2-D and 3-D coordinate planes is the number of axes. A 2-D coordinate plane has two axes (x and y), while a 3-D coordinate plane has three axes (x, y, and z). This means that 2-D coordinates are represented by two numbers, while 3-D coordinates are represented by three numbers. Additionally, 3-D coordinates allow for the plotting of points in three-dimensional space, while 2-D coordinates can only plot points on a flat surface.

How are negative coordinates represented on a 3-D coordinate plane?

Negative coordinates on a 3-D coordinate plane are represented by moving in the opposite direction of the positive coordinates on each axis. For example, a point with coordinates (-2, 3, -4) would be located two units to the left on the x-axis, three units up on the y-axis, and four units behind on the z-axis from the origin point.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
630
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • General Math
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
732
Replies
3
Views
1K
Back
Top