What is the angle between two skew lines?

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SUMMARY

The angle between two skew lines can be determined using the dot product of their direction vectors. For the lines defined by the equations r: x - 2y - 3 = 0, 3y + z = 0 and s: x = 1 + 4t, y = 2 - 3t, z = 3, the direction vectors are found to be v_r = (-2, -1, 3) and v_s = (4, -3, 0). The angle θ between the two lines is calculated using the formula cos(θ) = (v_r · v_s) / (||v_r|| ||v_s||). This approach eliminates the need to find a parallel line or construct new planes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector operations, specifically the dot product.
  • Familiarity with the concept of skew lines in three-dimensional space.
  • Knowledge of parametric and Cartesian equations of lines.
  • Basic proficiency in calculating magnitudes of vectors.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of skew lines in three-dimensional geometry.
  • Learn how to compute the dot product of vectors in detail.
  • Explore the derivation of the angle between two vectors using trigonometric identities.
  • Practice solving problems involving the angle between skew lines using different examples.
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Students studying geometry, particularly those focusing on three-dimensional space, as well as educators teaching vector mathematics and its applications in physics and engineering.

Kernul
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Homework Statement


The problem asks me to evaluate the angle between these two lines:
##r : \begin{cases}
x - 2y - 3 = 0 \\
3y + z = 0
\end{cases} s : \begin{cases}
x = 1 + 4t \\
y = 2 - 3t \\
z = 3
\end{cases}##
both oriented to the decreasing ##y##.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Having found ##\vec v_r = (-2, -1, 3)##, ##\vec v_s = (4, -3, 0)##, ##P_r (1, -1, 3)##, and ##P_s (1, 2, 3)##
I already know that the lines are askew. I then found out that in order to find the angle between the two lines, I have to first find a plane containing one of the two lines(for example ##r##) that is at the same time parallel to the other one(in this example ##s##). In a few words I have to find a line parallel to ##s## that meets the line ##r## in a point that belongs to ##r##.
The thing is that I don't know how to find that parallel line to ##s## that at the same time passes into a point ##P_r## belonging to the line ##r##.
Should I take one of the Cartesian equations of ##r## and see the projection of ##s## on it so to have the parallel line? And then see the interjection between this parallel line and ##r##? Or I should proceed in another way?
By the way, this is the Cartesian form of the ##s## line I found:
##s : \begin{cases}
\frac{3}{4}x + y - \frac{11}{4} = 0 \\
z - 3 = 0
\end{cases}##
 
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Do you know the dot product = scalar product? You don't have to construct new planes and whatever, once you have vr and vs the angle can be found in a single line on paper.
 
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mfb said:
Do you know the dot product = scalar product? You don't have to construct new planes and whatever, once you have vr and vs the angle can be found in a single line on paper.
Ohw... I was so concentrated on the parallel line I didn't thought of that...
Thank you and sorry.
 

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