Proving Orthogonality of Planes and Lines in 3D Geometry

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The discussion revolves around proving the orthogonality of lines and planes in 3D geometry. The main argument is that if plane C is orthogonal to both planes A and B, then the line formed by the intersection of plane C with plane B must be orthogonal to the line wx, which is the intersection of planes A and B. Participants explore the implications of normal vectors and the relationships between the planes, ultimately concluding that the intersection lines must align with the properties of the normal vectors. The use of vector geometry and cross products is suggested as a clear method to establish the proof. The conversation highlights the complexity of proving orthogonality in three-dimensional space.
  • #31
gnome said:
They're all just lines.

Oh, 'X' means cross product. I thought you meant something else by FXG, etc., the lack of spacing threw me.

Then what you wrote is axiomatic, and it follows from the fact that we're working in 3 dimensions. Simple enough ? :smile:
 
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  • #32
I guess. It just bothers me that I can't put my finger on any specific definition or postulate that says that.
 
  • #33
Draw a perpendicular from point w to the plane C. Any plane that contains that line is, by definition, perpendicular to C.
In particular, the plane that contains that perpendicular and the intersection of A and C. Since a point and a line define a plane, this plane must be plane A.
Now, consider the plane that contains the perpendicular and the intersection of B and C. By the same reasoning, this must be plane B.
So, the perpendicular from w to C belongs simultaneously to A and B and must be their intersection.
The intersection of A and B is orthogonal to all lines in C. QED.
 

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