MHB Vectors in Planes: Solving for m & n, Finding Orthogonal Plane

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The discussion focuses on solving a high school math problem involving vectors and planes. The intersection point K(3.5,-0.5,-2) is given, along with the plane equation S1: mx-7my+5z+3=0 and the line l1: (n,1,-2)+t(-1,1,0). The parameters m and n were successfully determined as m=1 and n=2. The next steps involve finding the equation of a plane orthogonal to S1 that contains line l1 and calculating the area of a parallelogram formed by points on line l2 and point K. The discussion highlights the mathematical approach to derive the necessary equations for these tasks.
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Hiya,

I have a question in high school math, vectors to be precise:

The point K(3.5,-0.5,-2) is the intersection point of the plane S1: mx-7my+5z+3=0 with the line l1: (n,1,-2)+t(-1,1,0)

a) find the parameters n and m
b) find the equation of the plane that contains the line l1 and is orthogonal to the plane S1.
c) Another line is given, l2: (2,0,-1)+t(3,-3,0). Find the area of the parallelogram which has two vertices on l2 and to other vertices are K, and another point E(1,2,-2) which is on l1.

I managed to solve (a) and found that m=1, n=2 and t=-1.5.

I need your assistance with the other part of the question.

Thank you.
 
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Lancelot said:
Hiya,

I have a question in high school math, vectors to be precise:

The point K(3.5,-0.5,-2) is the intersection point of the plane S1: mx-7my+5z+3=0 with the line l1: (n,1,-2)+t(-1,1,0)

a) find the parameters n and m
b) find the equation of the plane that contains the line l1 and is orthogonal to the plane S1.
c) Another line is given, l2: (2,0,-1)+t(3,-3,0). Find the area of the parallelogram which has two vertices on l2 and to other vertices are K, and another point E(1,2,-2) which is on l1.

I managed to solve (a) and found that m=1, n=2 and t=-1.5.

I need your assistance with the other part of the question.

Thank you.

a) To find the parameters $n$ and $m$, we can plug in the coordinates of the given point to the plane and the line:

$$m(3.5)-7m(-0.5)+5(-2)+3=0$$

Solving for $m$, we find:

$$m=1\quad\checkmark$$

$$n-t=3.5$$

$$t+1=-0.5$$

Adding, we obtain:

$$n+1=3\implies n=2\quad\checkmark$$

b) To find a plane, all we need is a point in the plane, and a vector perpendicular to the plane. Can you find those?
 
For (b) let the unknown plane be Ax+ By+ Cz= D. Since it is perpendicular to mx- 7my+ 5z+ 3= 0, its normal vector must be perpendicular to the normal vector of that plane: mA- 7mB+ 5C= 0. The fact that line (n,1,-2)+t(-1,1,0) lies in the plane means that A(n- t)+ B(1+ t)- 2C= D for all t. We already know that m= 1 and n= 2 so those equations become A- 14B+ 5C= 0 and A(2- t)+ B(1+ t)- 2C= 2A- At+ B+ Bt- 2C= (B- A)t+ 2A+ B- 2C= D for all t. Since that last equation is true for all t, corresponding coefficients must be equal: B- A= 0, 2A+ B- 2C= D.

We have the three equations A- 14B+ 5C= 0, B- A= 0, and 2A+ B- 2C= D. Normally, three equations would not be enough to solve for four unknowns, but we could always add or multiply Ax+ By+ Cz= D by a non-zero number to get another equation for the same plane. In particular, we can assume, say, that D= 1 so we have A- 14B+ 5C= 0, B- A= 0, and 2A+ B- 2C= 1, three equations to solve for A, B, and C.
 
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