Is This the Correct Equation for a Line Perpendicular to a Plane?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the equation of a line that is perpendicular to a given plane represented by the equation 2x - 3y + 5z = 4, specifically through the point (1, 2, 4). Additionally, there is a secondary topic regarding fixed points of a bilinear map f(z) = (z + 1)/(z - 1).

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the equation of a line perpendicular to a plane and discuss the normal vector's direction. They also question how to determine if a specific point lies on the line. In the second topic, there is an exploration of fixed points of a bilinear map, with participants discussing the implications of their algebraic manipulations and the interpretation of solutions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have confirmed the correctness of the line equation and have engaged in verifying whether a point lies on that line. In the second topic, there is an ongoing examination of the fixed points, with participants addressing potential errors in calculations and clarifying the nature of the solutions.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the notation used for the bilinear map, with suggestions for clearer expression through LaTeX. Additionally, there is a mention of domain restrictions affecting the solutions for the fixed points.

andrey21
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Find the equation of the straight line which is perpendicular to the plane.

2x - 3y +5z = 4

Which goes through the point (1,2,4)

Heres my attempt

Direction of the normal to the plane is:

(2,-3, 5)

So equation of desired line is:

r(t) = (1,2,4) + t (2,-3, 5)

Is this correct?

How do I see if (3,-1, 9) is on the line??
 
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Any comments would be great :)
 
andrey21 said:
Find the equation of the straight line which is perpendicular to the plane.

2x - 3y +5z = 4

Which goes through the point (1,2,4)

Heres my attempt

Direction of the normal to the plane is:

(2,-3, 5)

So equation of desired line is:

r(t) = (1,2,4) + t (2,-3, 5)

Is this correct?
Yes.
andrey21 said:
How do I see if (3,-1, 9) is on the line??
If you can find a value of t for which (1, 2, 4) + t(2, -3, 5) = (3, -1, 9), then that point is on the line. If there is no such value of t, that point is not on the line.
 
Fantastic I eventually arrived at a value for t=1. So the point is on the line.
 
Yes, that's what I got, too.

Geometrically r(1) is a vector from the origin to the point (3, -1, 9).
 
Great thanks mark 44, I do have another question if you dot mind taking a look.

I have been asked to find the fixed points of the bilinear map

f(z) = z+1/z-1

Now by setting this = z and cross multiplying I get:

z+1 = z^2 -z

Which becomes:

z^2 = 1

Now do I say the fixed points are z =1 and z=1 because it is a quadratic, or just on its own z =1 ?
 
andrey21 said:
Great thanks mark 44, I do have another question if you dot mind taking a look.

I have been asked to find the fixed points of the bilinear map

f(z) = z+1/z-1
From the context below, I assume that you mean f(z) = (z + 1)/(z -1). As you wrote this, it would be interpreted as z + (1/z) - 1. When you are writing a rational expression as a single line of text, put parentheses around the whole numerator and the whole denominator if they consist of more than a single term.

Better yet, learn how to write using LaTeX.
[tex]f(z) =\frac{z+1}{z-1}[/tex]
Click the equation to see my LaTeX script.
andrey21 said:
Now by setting this = z and cross multiplying I get:

z+1 = z^2 -z

Which becomes:

z^2 = 1
This equation has two solutions, one of which is not allowed here because it's not in the domain of your function f.
andrey21 said:
Now do I say the fixed points are z =1 and z=1 because it is a quadratic, or just on its own z =1 ?
See above.
 
So it has only one solution??
 
You have an error in your work that I didn't spot before. The equation you started with is
z = (z + 1)/(z - 1)
If you multipy both sides by z - 1, you get z2 - z = z + 1, which is not equivalent to z2 = 1.

There are two real fixed points for your function.
 
  • #10
Ah I see thank you mark 44 I didnt spot that error at all, so that would give me z^2 -2z -1 correct?
 
  • #11
z2 - z - 1 = 0 is the equation to solve.
 
  • #12
Yes I ended up with z = (2+SQRT(8))/2 and z=(2-SQRT(8))/2 I substituted the back into z^2 - z -1 and they equaled zero.
 
  • #13
Those are the ones, but I would simplify them to
[itex]z = 1 \pm \sqrt{2}[/itex]
 
  • #14
Ah ok so:

(2+SQRT(8))/2 becomes:

(2+SQRT(4).SQRT(2))/2

(2+2SQRT(2))/2

1+SQRT 2correct?
 

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