How to Parameterize a Plane Between Two Given Planes

In summary, the task is to find parametric equations for a portion of the plane x+y = 1 that lies between the planes z = -1 and z = 1. The solution involves setting z as a parameter within the range of -1 to 1, and then finding expressions for x and y in terms of this parameter. The suggested approach is to use x and z as the parameters, leading to a parametric equation in the form of R(x,z) = < ?, ?, ?> where the x, y, and z components are expressed in terms of x and z.
  • #1
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Homework Statement

Find parametric equations for the portion of the plane x+y = 1 that extends between the planes z = -1 and z = 1

The attempt at a solution

z = u -1[tex]\leq[/tex]u[tex]\leq[/tex]1

x = ?
y = ?
 
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  • #2
Can you write x + y = 1 in parametric form? I.e., x = an expression in t (the parameter), y = another expression in t.

For z, all you need is -1 [itex]\leq[/itex] z [itex]\leq[/itex] 1. No parameter needed.
 
  • #3
What do you mean?

I can have x and y equal anything as long as they both add up to 1
 
  • #4
Like if I made x = 3t + t^2, then y = 1 - 3t - t^2
 
  • #5
Why not let x = t? Why would you pick x = 3t + t^2?
 
  • #6
To parameterize a surface you need two parameters. They can't be x and y in this problem because one of them determines the other. So try perhaps x and z as your parameters.

R(x,z) = < ?, ?, ?>

where you express the x, y, and z components in terms of x and z. It's really easy...
 

1. What is the difference between rectangular and parametric equations?

Rectangular equations are in the form of y = f(x), where the variables x and y represent the coordinates on a Cartesian plane. Parametric equations are in the form of x = f(t) and y = g(t), where the variable t represents the parameter. This means that parametric equations can represent a wider range of curves and shapes than rectangular equations.

2. How do you convert a rectangular equation to a parametric one?

To convert a rectangular equation to a parametric one, we can let x = t and solve for y in terms of t. This will give us the parametric equations x = t and y = f(t), where f(t) represents the solution for y in terms of t. We can also use the substitution method, where we substitute x = cos(t) and y = sin(t) into the rectangular equation to get the parametric equations.

3. When are parametric equations more useful than rectangular equations?

Parametric equations are more useful than rectangular equations when dealing with curves and shapes that cannot be easily represented by a single rectangular equation. They are also useful for representing motion and transformations in physics and engineering, as the parameter t can represent time.

4. Can you graph parametric equations on a rectangular coordinate plane?

Yes, parametric equations can be graphed on a rectangular coordinate plane. However, the resulting graph may not be a single curve or shape, as the parameter t can represent different points on the curve at different values.

5. What are the advantages of using parametric equations?

Parametric equations have several advantages over rectangular equations. They can represent a wider range of curves and shapes, they are useful for representing motion and transformations, and they can be graphed on a rectangular coordinate plane. They are also useful for solving difficult integrals and finding the length of curves.

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