S6.802.12.5.5 Find a vector equation and parametric equations

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a vector equation and parametric equations for a line that passes through a specific point and is perpendicular to a given plane. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and exploration of vector equations in three-dimensional space.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant initially misidentifies the problem, stating that the provided equations describe a line rather than a plane.
  • A later post corrects the problem statement, clarifying that the task is to find equations for a line through the point (1, 0.6) and perpendicular to the plane defined by the equation x + 3y + z = 5.
  • Another participant presents a proposed solution, indicating that the normal vector to the plane is (1, 3, 1) and describes how to derive the parametric equations by positioning the line through the given point.
  • The derived equations are presented as x = 1 + t, y = 3t, z = 6 + t, but there is uncertainty about how these equations were obtained from the initial problem statement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the derivation of the equations, and there is no consensus on the correctness of the proposed solution or the initial problem statement.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the interpretation of the original problem, particularly the distinction between lines and planes, and the derivation steps for the equations remain unclear.

karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
see post 3
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
karush said:
$\tiny{s6.802.12.5.5}$
$\textsf{
Find a vector equation and parametric equations for:}\\$
$\textsf{The line through the point $(1,0,6)$}\\$
$\textsf{and perpendicular to the plane
$x=-1+2t, y=6-3 t, z=3+9t$}$

$\textit{looking at some examples but? } $

What you have posted is not a plane, but a line. There are an infinite number of planes that that line could go through...
 
$\textsf{sorry copied problem incorrectly it should read}\\$

$\textsf{Find a vector equation and parametric equations for the line.}\\$

$\textsf{through the point $(1,0.6)$ and perpendicular to the plane $x+3y+z=5$!.}$

$\textit{the book answer to this was}\\$
$r=(i+6k)+t(i+3j+k)\\$
$x=1+t, y=3t, z=6+t$
$\textit{but don't know how it was derived!}$
 
Last edited:
karush said:
$\textsf{sorry copied problem incorrectly it should read}\\$

$\textsf{Find a vector equation and parametric equations for the line.}\\$

$\textsf{through the point $(1,0.6)$ and perpendicular to the plane $x+3y+z=5$!.}$

$\textit{the book answer to this was}\\$
$r=(i+6k)+t(i+3j+k)\\$
$x=1+t, y=3t, z=6+t$
$\textit{but don't know how it was derived!}$

A plane's normal vector always has the same coefficients as the plane, so the normal vector to the plane is (1, 3, 1). To make it infinitely long, multiply by a parameter (t) which can take on any real number, so t(1, 3, 1) = (t, 3t, t). Then position it so it can go through the point (1, 0, 6), giving (t + 1, 3t + 0, t + 6). Thus x = t + 1, y = 3t and z = t + 6.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K