Intersecting Planes: Easiest Way to Make Up Equations

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving two equations of planes that intersect along a line in three-dimensional space. Participants clarify that the equations should be in the form Ax + By + Cz + D = 0, ensuring that the normal vectors of the planes are not scalar multiples of each other to avoid parallelism. The correct representation of the intersection line is established through the equations of the planes, with the condition that the normal vectors must differ in direction. This ensures a unique line of intersection.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of plane equations in three-dimensional space (Ax + By + Cz + D = 0)
  • Knowledge of vector mathematics, specifically normal vectors
  • Familiarity with the concept of parallel and intersecting lines
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of normal vectors in three-dimensional geometry
  • Learn how to derive the line of intersection from two plane equations
  • Explore the implications of scalar multiples in vector equations
  • Practice solving systems of equations involving multiple planes
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, physics, and engineering who are working with three-dimensional geometry and need to understand the intersection of planes.

cscott
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What's the easiest way to make up two equations of a plane that intersect at a line?
 
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What are you looking for, the equation of the line of intersection? Because "two equations of a plane" doesn't really make sense to me...
 
TD said:
What are you looking for, the equation of the line of intersection? Because "two equations of a plane" doesn't really make sense to me...

I need two equations (Ax + By + Cz + D = 0) that describe two planes who's intersection point is a line.
 
Last edited:
Lines which are not parallel intersect with each other. so don't make them parallel. lines are parallel if their slopes are same. so think what have you to change or not to? A, B, C or D
 
vaishakh said:
Lines which are not parallel intersect with each other. so don't make them parallel. lines are parallel if their slopes are same. so think what have you to change or not to? A, B, C or D

I understand what you're saying but I'm not sure how the slope is represented in that form for 3-dimensions.
 
How do you generally write the equation of a plane?
 
cscott said:
I need two equations (Ax + By + Cz + D = 0) that describe two planes who's intersection point is a line.
I'm still not 100% sure what you mean but I *think* you mean that you're looking for the equations of two planes which, together as a system, form the equation of their intersection line (assuming the planes weren't parallel). Is this correct?
 
TD said:
I'm still not 100% sure what you mean but I *think* you mean that you're looking for the equations of two planes which, together as a system, form the equation of their intersection line (assuming the planes weren't parallel). Is this correct?

That is correct! How do I make sure they aren't parallel?
 
Scott: This is pretty easy!

The only thing u do is make sure both bormal vectors are not scalar multiples of each other... in other words

if P1 = Ax+By+Cz+D
and P2 = Wx + Xy +Yz +Z

then to intesect in a line... [A,B,C] canot equal k[W,X,Y] k is any num

Anton
 
  • #10
fomenkoa said:
Scott: This is pretty easy!
The only thing u do is make sure both bormal vectors are not scalar multiples of each other... in other words
if P1 = Ax+By+Cz+D
and P2 = Wx + Xy +Yz +Z
then to intesect in a line... [A,B,C] canot equal k[W,X,Y] k is any num
Anton

Alright, thanks.
 
  • #11
Indeed, so with two planes

\begin{array}{l}<br /> \alpha :ax + by + cz + d = 0 \\ <br /> \beta :a&#039;x + b&#039;y + c&#039;z + d&#039; = 0 \\ <br /> \end{array}

the line of intersection is given by

\left\{ \begin{array}{l}<br /> ax + by + cz + d = 0 \\ <br /> a&#039;x + b&#039;y + c&#039;z + d&#039; = 0 \\ <br /> \end{array} \right

under the condition that

\alpha \not\parallel \beta \Leftrightarrow \left( {a,b,c} \right) \ne k\left( {a&#039;,b&#039;,c&#039;} \right)\forall k \in \mathbb{Z}
 

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