Intersecting Planes: Is It Possible?

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In summary, by setting two 3D planes equal to each other, you can find the line of intersection in vector and parametric form. However, it is important to note that the outcome can be empty, a line, or the entire plane depending on the input equations. Additionally, the use of one equation as a substitute in the other must eliminate one of the parameters or coordinates.
  • #1
Philosophaie
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I have two 3D planes: A1*x + B1*y + C1*z + D1 = 0 and A2*x + B2*y + C2*z + D2 = 0.

If you set them equal to each other it should be at the intersection.

This leads to another Plane: (A1 - A2)*x + (B1 - B2)*y + (C1 - C2)*z + (D1-D2) = 0.

What I want is the line of intersection in vector and parametric form.

This is not a homework problem. It is for personal knowledge.

Is this Possible?
 
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  • #2
Yes, you can consider the vector perpendicular to your plane ##(A_{1}-A_{2},B_{1}-B_{2},C_{1}-C_{2})## and the vector perpendicular to the other plane that you want the intersection line, for example the first ##(A_{1},B_{1},C_{1})##. Doing the exterior product ##(A_{1}-A_{2},B_{1}-B_{2},C_{1}-C_{2})\wedge (A_{1},B_{1},C_{1})## you will find the vector of the parametric equation of the intersection line. Now you need only a common point in order to find the parametric equation of the line.

Ssnow
 
  • #3
Philosophaie said:
I have two 3D planes: A1*x + B1*y + C1*z + D1 = 0 and A2*x + B2*y + C2*z + D2 = 0.

If you set them equal to each other it should be at the intersection.

This leads to another Plane: (A1 - A2)*x + (B1 - B2)*y + (C1 - C2)*z + (D1-D2) = 0.

What I want is the line of intersection in vector and parametric form.

This is not a homework problem. It is for personal knowledge.

Is this Possible?
Yes, but the outcome can be empty, a line or the entire plane if your input equations happen to describe the same plane. You also cannot simply set them equal the way you did, because that means you lose an entire condition: they both have to be true, simultaneously. This means the use of one equation as a substitute in the other has to eliminate one of the parameters, coordinates.
 
  • #4
Philosophaie said:
I have two 3D planes: A1*x + B1*y + C1*z + D1 = 0 and A2*x + B2*y + C2*z + D2 = 0.

If you set them equal to each other it should be at the intersection.
If you set the left hand sides equal to one another you change the solution set. Instead of getting all points which satisfy equation 1 and all points which satisfy equation 2, you get all points which are equidistant (in some appropriately weighted sense) from plane 1 and plane 2.
 
  • #5
##(A_{1}-A_{2},B_{1}-B_{2},C_{1}-C_{2})\wedge (A_{1},B_{1},C_{1})##
##=((A_{1}-A_{2})*B_{1}-(B_{1}-B_{2})*A_{1})*(\hat x \wedge \hat y) + ((C_{1}-C_{2})*A_{1}-(A_{1}-A_{2})*C_{1})*(\hat z \wedge \hat x) + ((B_{1}-B_{2})*C_{1}-(C_{1}-C_{2})*B_{1})*(\hat y \wedge \hat z)##
7ca675fa6ef18e41c4ed35385f6378f5f372f9b8

Is this the correct exterior product?
 
  • #6
Philosophaie said:
... Is this the correct exterior product?

yes now you must continue ##\hat{x}\wedge \hat{y}=\hat{z}## and so on ...
Ssnow
 

1. Can two planes intersect at more than one point?

Yes, two planes can intersect at more than one point. This occurs when the two planes are not parallel to each other and their intersection forms a line.

2. How do you determine if two planes are parallel or perpendicular?

If two planes are parallel, they have the same slope, and if they are perpendicular, their slopes are negative reciprocals of each other. To determine this, you can find the equation of each plane and compare their slopes.

3. Is it possible for three planes to intersect at a single point?

Yes, it is possible for three planes to intersect at a single point. This occurs when the three planes are not parallel to each other and their intersection forms a unique point of intersection.

4. Can two planes intersect at a right angle?

Yes, two planes can intersect at a right angle, also known as being perpendicular to each other. This occurs when the slopes of the two planes are negative reciprocals of each other.

5. How do you solve for the point of intersection between two planes?

To solve for the point of intersection between two planes, you can set the equations of the two planes equal to each other and solve for the values of x, y, and z. These values will represent the coordinates of the point of intersection.

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