Line orthogonal to a plane with variable parameter

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the values of a real parameter ##b## for which a given plane is orthogonal to a specified line. The plane is defined by the equation ##\pi : 5x + (2b - 1)y - (1 + 8b)z + 3 = 0##, while the line is represented in parametric form.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the normal vector of the plane and the directional vector of the line, questioning the conditions for orthogonality and parallelism. The original poster attempts to equate the scalar product of these vectors to their norms, while others suggest examining the system of equations formed by the vectors.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing hints and suggestions for approaching the problem. Some participants have identified specific values for ##b## that may satisfy the conditions for orthogonality, while others are clarifying the setup of the equations involved.

Contextual Notes

There is some confusion regarding the correct interpretation of the line's equation and the parameters involved. Participants are also considering the implications of specific values of ##b## on the relationship between the vectors.

Kernul
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Homework Statement


I have to find for which values of the real parameter ##b## the following plane is orthogonal to the following line:
##\pi : 5x + (2b - 1)y - (1 + 8b)z + 3 = 0##
##s : \begin{cases}
x + z - 4 = 0 \\
x - 3y + z + 2
\end{cases}##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


For these two to be orthogonal, it means that the plane normal vector and the line directional vector must be parallel to each other, so linearly dependent. This also means that their scalar product is exactly the product of their norm, since the ##cos## of their angle would be ##1##. At this point I thought I just had to equal the two and find which ##b## satify this equation.
##\vec n_{\pi} * \vec v_s = ||n_{\pi}|| ||v_s||##
Knowing that ##\vec n_{\pi} = (5, 2b - 1, -1 - 8b)## and ##\vec v_s = (3, 0, -3)##, with numbers we have:
##(5 * 3) + ((2b - 1) * 0) + ((-1 - 8b) * (-3)) = \sqrt{5^2 + (2b - 1)^2 + (-1 - 8b)^2} \sqrt{3^2 + 0^2 + (-3)^2}##
After various calculations I end up with this:
##18 + 24b = \sqrt{68b^2 + 12b + 26} \sqrt{18}##
And here I'm not sure anymore if I'm doing it right. Is the way I'm trying to do it correct? Do I have to use another method of finding out?
The thing is that from the two vectors I noticed that if you put ##b = \frac{1}{2}## you get a parallel vector (##\vec n_{\pi} = (5, 0, -5)##)to the one of the line. But I've arrived at this only by looking at it, without a "real method", so I can't actually use this.
 
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Hi, at first I suppose was ##x-3y+z+2=0## ... second in general two vectors ##v_{1},v_{2}## are parallel when ##v_{1}=\alpha v_{2}## for some ##\alpha## ...
I suggest you to study this system with three equation and two value ## b,\alpha## to find ...

Ssnow
 
Ssnow said:
Hi, at first I suppose was ##x-3y+z+2=0## ... second in general two vectors ##v_{1},v_{2}## are parallel when ##v_{1}=\alpha v_{2}## for some ##\alpha## ...
I suggest you to study this system with three equation and two value ## b,\alpha## to find ...

Ssnow
Yes, sorry, it's ## = 0##.
But isn't ##b## the ##\alpha## I'm searching for?
And how would the system look like? I have to multiply ##\alpha## to both the equations of the line?
 
I give another hint, if solving the system you can find ##b## and ##\alpha## as before then ##v_{1}## and ##v_{2}## can be parallel for this ##b##. The system in vectorial form is:

## (3,0,-3)=\alpha (5,2b-1,-1-8b)##
 
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Oh! Now I get it! This system:
##\begin{cases}
5\alpha = 3 \\
2b\alpha - \alpha = 0 \\
-\alpha - 8b\alpha = -3
\end{cases}##
And I found what I had found before while noticing the two vectors:
##\begin{cases}
\alpha = \frac{3}{5} \\
b = \frac{1}{2} \\
\end{cases}##
Thank you very much!
 
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