Vector equations of lines

1. Sep 21, 2004

matpo39

hi, im having a bit of trouble with this problem

Find the parametric equations for the line through the point(0,1,2) that is perpen dicular to the line x=1+t, y=1-t, z=2t and intersects this line.

first i seen that i have a direction vector from the given parametric eqations which is
vector_v= <1,-1,2> and i can get the parallel line to that by taking <1,1,0>,which i will call vector_r, also from the parametric equations.

then to find a line perpendicular to this i take (vector_v) x (vector_r)

(vector_v) x (vector_r) = <-2,2,2>=vector_n

taking point(0,1,2) and vector_n i get

<0,1,2> + t<-2,2,2> = (0-2t)i+(1+2t)j+(2+2t)k =

x=-2t , y=1+2t , z= 2+2t

i was wondering if this is how you would go about solving this problem, if not a push in the right direction would be great.

thanks

2. Sep 21, 2004

mathwonk

well you are looking for a point on the given line that, when joined to the given point, makes a vector perpendicular to the given line.

you have a general point on the given line as (1+t, 1-t,2t) so you know how to subtract it from the given point and then how to dot the result with the direction vector of the given line i guess. that should do it.
sorry i ignored everything after your first three lines.

3. Sep 22, 2004

matpo39

ok, i just want to make sure i got this, when i subtracted the point (0,1,2) from (1,1,0) which came from the parametric equation. and got <-1,0,2>

then i doted that with the direction vector from the parametric equation which is <1,-1,2> and got <-1,0,4>.

is that right so far? and how would i get a parametric equation from just one vector?

thanks