311 Maths Eng Lesson35
311 Maths Eng Lesson35
MODULE - IX
35 Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry
PLANE Notes
Look closely at a room in your house. It has four walls, a roof and a floor. The floor and roof are
parts of two parallel planes extending infinitely beyond the boundary. You will also see two pairs
of parallel walls which are also parts of parallel planes.
Similarly, the tops of tables, doors of rooms etc. are examples
of parts of planes.
OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to :
l identify a plane;
MATHEMATICS 485
Plane
MODULE - IX l establish the equation of a plane in normal form;
Vectors and three l find the general equation of a plane passing through a given point;
dimensional Geometry
l find the equation of a plane passing through three given points;
l find the equation of a plane in the intercept form and normal form;
l find the angle between two given planes;
Notes
EXPECTED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
l Basic knowledge of three dimensional geometry.
l Direction cosines and direction ratio of a line.
l Projection of a line segment on another line.
l Condition of perpendicularity and parallelism of two lines in space.
35.1 VECTOR EQUATION OF A PLANE
A plane is uniquely determined if any one of the following is known:
(i) Normal to the plane and its distance from the origin is given.
(ii) One point on the plane is given and normal to the plane is also given.
(iii) It passes through three given non collinear points.
35.2 EQUATION OF PLANE IN NORMAL FROM
Let the distance (OA) of the plane from origin O be d and let n
be a unit vector normal to the plane. Consider r as position vector
of an arbitarary point P on the plane.
Since OA is the perpendicular distance of the plane from the origin
and n is a unit vector perpendicular to the plane.
OA d n
Now AP = OP OA r d n
Fig. 35.2
OA is perpendicular to the plane and AP lies in the plane, there-
fore OA AP
AP . OA = 0
i.e. (r d n ).n = 0
i.e. r.n d = 0
i.e. r.n = d ...(3)
which is the equation of plane in vector from.
35.3 CONVERSION OF VECTOR FORM INTO CARTESIAN FORM
Let (x, y, z) be the co-ordinates of the point P and l, m, n be the direction cosines of n .
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Then r = xi y j zk Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry
n = li m j nk
Substituting these value in equation (3) we get
lx my nz = d
This is the corresponding Cartesian form of equation of plane in normal form.
Note : In equation (3), if r . n d is the equation of the plane then d is not the distance of
the plane from origin. To find the distance of the plane from origin we have to convert n into
d
n by dividing both sides by | n | . Therefore is the distance of the plane from the origin.
|n|
Example 15.1 Find the distance of the plane r . (6i 3 j 2k ) 1 0 from the origin.
Also find the direction cosines of the unit vector perpendicular to the plane.
Solution : The given equation can be written as
r . (6i 3 j 2k ) = 1
| 6i 3 j 2k | = 36 9 4 7
Dividing both sides of given equation by 7 we get
r . (6i 3 j 2k ) 1
=
7 7
6 3 2 1
i.e. r . i j k =
7 7 7 7
6 3 2
d.c.’s of unit vector normal to the plane are , , and distance of plane from origin
7 7 7
1
=
7
35.4 EQUATION OF A PLANE PASSING THROUGH A GIVEN
POINT AND PERPENDICULAR TO A GIVEN VECTOR
Let a be the position vector of the given point A and r the position vector of an arbitrary
point on the plane. n is a vector perpendicular to the plane.
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MODULE - IX
Vectors and three Now AP = OP OA
dimensional Geometry
= ra
Now n (r a )
Notes
(r a) . n = 0 ...(4)
This is vector equation of plane in general form.
Let (x1, y1, z1) be the coordinates of the given point A and (x, y, z) be the coordinates of
point P. Again let a, b, c be the direction ratios of normal vector n .
Then r = xi y j zk
a = x1i y1 j z1 k
n = ai b j ck
Substituting these values in equation (4) we get
( x x1 )i ( y y1 ) j ( z z1 )k .ai bj ck =0
a( x x1 ) b( y y1 ) c( z z1 ) = 0
which is the corresponding Cartesian form of the equation of plane.
Example 35.2 Find the vector equation of a plane passing through the point (5, 5, –4)
and perpendicular to the line with direction ratios 2, 3, –1.
Solution : Here a = 5i 5 j 4k
and n = 2i 3 j k
Equation of plane is r (5i 5 j 4k ) . (2i 3 j k ) = 0
35.6 EQUATION OF A PLANE PASSING THROUGH THREE
NON COLLINEAR POINTS
(a) Vector Form
Let a, b and c be the position vectors of the given points Q, R and S respectively..
Let r be the position vector of an arbitrary point P on the plane.
Vectors QR b a, QS c a and QP r a lie in the same plane and QR QS is
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a vector perpendicular to both QR and QS . Therefore QR QS is perpendicular to Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry
QP also.
Fig. 35.4
(r a). (b a) (c a ) =0 ...(5)
x x1 y y1 z z1
x2 x1 y2 y1 z2 z1 = 0
x3 x1 y3 y1 z3 z1
Example 35.3 Find the vector equation of the plane passing through the points
Q(2, 5, –3), R(–2, –3, 5) and S(5, 3, –3).
Solution : Let a, b and c be the position vectors of points Q, R and S respectively and
r be the position vector of an arbitrary point on the plane.
Vector equation of plane is {r a}. (b a ) (c a ) = 0
Here a = 2i 5 j 3k
b = 2i 3 j 5k
c = 5i 3 j 3k
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Vectors and three b a = 4i 8 j 8k
dimensional Geometry c a = 3i 2 j
Required equation is {r (2i 5 j 3k )}.{(4i 8 j 8k ) (3i 2 j )} = 0
(2,3,0).
Solution : Using (A), we can write the equation of the plane as
x0 y2 z3
20 02 33 0
20 32 03
x y2 z3
or 2 2 0 0
2 1 3
or x 6 0 y 2 6 z 3 2 4 0
or 6x 6 y 2 6 z 3 0
or xy2z30 or xyz5
Example 35.5 Show that the equation of the plane passing through the points (2,2,0), (2,0,2)
and (4,3,1) is x = y + z.
Solution : Equation of the plane passing through the point (2,2,0) is
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a x 2 b y 2 cz 0 .....(i) Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry
(i) passes through the point (2, 0, 2)
a 2 2 b 0 2 2c 0
or c=b .....(ii)
Again (i) passes through the point (4, 3, 1)
Notes
a 4 2 b3 2 c 0
or 2a b c 0 ....(iii)
From (ii) and (iii), we get 2a 2b 0 or a b
(i) becomes
b x 2 b y 2 bz 0
or x 2 y 2 z 0
or yzx 0
or x yz
(i) 2x 3y 4z 5 0 (ii) 2x 6y 3z 5 0
Find the length of perpendicular from origin upon the plane in both the cases.
Solution : (i) The equation of the plane is 2x 3y 4z 5 0 .......(A)
2x 3y 4z 5
we get, 0
29 29 29 29
2x 3y 4z 5
or
29 29 29 29
which is the equation of the plane in the normal form.
5
Length of the perpendicular is
29
(ii) The equation of the plane is 2x 6y 3z 5 0 .....(B)
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Vectors and three Dividing (B) by 2 2 6 2 3 2
dimensional Geometry
or by 7 we get, [ refer to corollary 2]
2x 6y 3z 5 2x 6y 3z 5
0 or
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Notes which is the required equation of the plane in the normal form.
5
Length of the perpendicular from the origin upon the plane is
7
Example 35.8 The foot of the perpendicular drawn from the origin to the plane is (4, 2, 5).
Find the equation of the plane.
Solution : Let P be the foot of perpendicular drawn from origin O to the plane.
Then P is the point 4, 2, 5 .
The equation of a plane through the point P 4, 2, 5 is
a x 4 b y 2 cz 5 0 .....(i)
Now OP plane and direction cosines of OP are proportional to
4 0, 2 0, 5 0
i.e. 4, 2, 5 .
Substituting 4, 2 and 5 for a, b and c in (i), we get Fig. 35.5
4 x 4 2 y 2 5 z 5 0
or 4x 16 2y 4 5z 25 0
or 4x 2y 5z 45
which is the required equation of the plane.
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(b) 2, 3, 3 , 1, 1, 2 and 1, 1, 4 Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry
(c) 2, 2, 2 , 3, 1, 1 and 6, 4, 6
5. Show that the equation of the plane passing through the points (3, 3,1) , ( 3, 2 1) and
(8, 6, 3) is 4x 2y 13z 5
Notes
6. Find the equation of a plane whose intercepts on the coordinate axes are 2,3 and 4
respectively.
7. Find the intercepts made by the plane 2x 3y 4z 24 on the co-ordinate axes.
8. Show that the points 1, 4, 3 , 3, 2, 5 , 3, 8, 5 and 3, 2,1 are coplanar..
9. (i) What are the direction cosines of a normal to the plane x – 4y + 3z = 7.?
(ii) What is the distance of the plane 2x + 3y – z = 17 from the origin?
(iii) The planes r.(i j 3k ) 7 and r.(3i 12 j 5k ) = 6 are ... to each other..
10. Convert the following equation of a plane in Cartesian form : r.(2i 3 j 4k ) 1.
11. Find the vector equation of a plane passing through the point (1, 1, 0), (1, 2, 1) and
(–2, 2, –1).
12. Find the vector equation of a plane passing through the point (1, 4, 6) and normal to
the vector i 2 j k .
and a2 , b2 , c2 ,
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
a 2 b2 c2 a 2 b2 c2 a 2 b2 c2
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Vectors and three a1a 2 b1b 2 c1c2
dimensional Geometry
cos is given by cos
a12 b12 c12 a 22 b 2 2 c 22
3x 2y 6z 7 0 ......(i)
and 2x 3y 2z 5 0 ......(ii)
Solution : Here a1 3, b1 2, c1 6
and a 2 2, b 2 3, c2 2
If is the angle between the planes (i) and (ii), then
3.2 2.3 6 .2
cos 0
2
32 2 2 6 22 32 22
90
Thus the two planes given by (i) and (ii) are perpendicular to each other.
Example 35.10 Find the equation of the plane parallel to the plane x 3y 4z 1 0
and passing through the point 3,1, 2 .
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(iii) The planes r.(i j 3k ) 7 and r.(3i 12 j 5k ) = 6 are ... to each other.. Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry
10. Convert the following equation of a plane in Cartesian form : r.(2i 3 j 4k ) 1.
11. Find the vector equation of a plane passing through the point (1, 1, 0), (1, 2, 1) and
(–2, 2, –1).
12. Find the vector equation of a plane passing through the point (1, 4, 6) and normal to Notes
the vector i 2 j k .
x 3y 4z 1 0 be x 3y 4z k 0 ..... (i)
Since (i) passes through the point 3,1, 2 , it should satisfy it
338 k 0 or k 8
The required equation of the plane is x 3y 4z 8 0
Example 35.11 Find the equation of the plane passing through the points 1, 2, 3 and
2, 3, 4 and which is perpendicular to the plane 3x y z 5 0
Solution : The equation of any plane passing through the point 1, 2, 3 is
a x 1 b y 2 c z 3 0 .....(i)
Since the point 2, 3, 4 lies on the plane (i)
3a 5b c 0 ....(ii)
Again the plane (i) is perpendicular to the plane 3x y z 5 0
3a b c 0 ....(iii)
From (ii) and (iii), by cross multiplication method, we get,
a b c a b c
or
4 6 18 2 3 9
Hence the required equation of the plane is
2(x 1) 3(y 2) 9(z 3) 0 ....[ From (i)]
or 2x 3y 9z 31
Example 35.12 Find the equation of the plane passing through the point (2, 1, 5) and
perpendicular to each of the planes
x 2y z 1 and 3x 4y z 5
Solution : Equation of a plane passing through the point (2, 1, 5) is
a x 2 b y 1 c z 5 0 .....(i)
As this plane is perpendicular to each of the planes
x 2y z 1 and 3x 4y z 5
We have a.1 b.2 c.( 1) 0
and a.3 b.( 4) c.(1) 0
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MODULE - IX
Vectors and three or a 2b c 0 .........(ii)
dimensional Geometry 3a 4b c 0 ........(iii)
From (ii) and (iii), we get
a b c
2 4 3 1 4 6
Notes
a b c a b c
or or (say)
2 4 10 1 2 5
a , b 2 and c 5
Substituting for a, b and c in (i), we get
x 2 2 y 1 5 z 5 0
or x 2 2y 2 5z 25 0
or x 2y 5z 25 0
which is the required equation of the plane.
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the perpendicular distance of P from plane (i) is p p ' Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry
As the plane (ii) passes through the point (x ', y ', z '),
x ' cos y ' cos z ' cos p '
The distance of P from the given plane is
p p ' p x ' cos y ' cos z ' cos Notes
Case II : If the point P lies on the other side of the plane in which the origin lies, then the
distance of P from the plane (i) is,
p ' p x ' cos y ' cos z ' cos p
Note : If the equation of the plane be given as ax by cz d 0, we have to first
convert it into the normal form, as discussed before, and then use the above formula.
Example 35.13 Find the distance of the point (1,2,3) from the plane 3x 2y 5z 17 0
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2. Find the distance between planes
Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry 3x y z 7 0 and 6x 2y 2z 11 0
C
1A
% +
LET US SUM UP
Notes l A plane is a surface such that if any two points are taken on it, the line joining these two
points lies wholly in the plane.
l
r . n d is the vector equation of a plane where n is a unit vector normal to the plane and
d is the distance of the plane from origin.
l Corresponding cartesian form of the equation is l x +my +n z =d, where l,m,n are the
direction cosines of the normal vector to the plane and d is the distance of the plane from
origin.
l r a . n 0 is another vecter equation of a plane where a is position vecter of a given
point on the plane and n is a vecter normal to the plane.
l Corresponding cartesion form of this equation is a(x-x1) + b(y-y1) + c(z-z1)=0, where
a,b,c are the direction ratios of normal to the plane and (x1,y1,z1) are coordinates of
given point on plane.
l r a .{ b a c a } 0 is the equation of a plane possing through three points
with position vecter a , b and c respectively..
l Its corresponding cartesian equation is:
x x1 y y1 z z1
x2 x1 y2 y1 z2 z1 0
x3 x1 y3 y1 z3 z1
x y z
l Equation of a plane in the intercept from is 1
a b c
where a,b and c are intercepts made by the plane on x,y and z axes respectively.
l Angle between two planes a1x b1y c1z d1 0
and a 2 x b 2 y c 2 z d 2 0 is given by
a1a 2 b1b 2 c1c2
cos
a12 b12 c12 a 22 b 22 c2 2
l Two planes are perpendicular to each other if and only if
a1a 2 b1b 2 c1c2 0
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a1 b1 c1 Vectors and three
l Two planes are parallel if and only if a b c dimensional Geometry
2 2 2
http://www.mathopenref.com/plane.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_(geometry)
TERMINAL EXERCISE
MATHEMATICS 499
Plane
MODULE - IX
Vectors and three
dimensional Geometry ANSWERS
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 35.13
4x 12y 6z 3 4 3
1. (i) 2 (ii) y z
Notes 14 14 14 5 5 5
2. x 3y z 11 0 3. x 2y z 6 0 4. (a) 5 x 2 y 3z 17 0
x y z
(b) 3x y 2 0 (c) x 2 y 2 4 6. 1
2 3 4
7. Intercepts on x,y & z axes are 12,8,6 respectively.
1 4 3 17
9. (i) , , (ii) units (iii) perpendicular
26 26 26 14
10. 2 x + 3 y - 4 z =1 11. x . 2 x 3 y 3 k 5 12. x . x 2 y k 1 0
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 35.2SS 34.4
1. (i) (ii) 3. 2x 3y 6z 7 4. 2x 2y 3z 3 0
3 2
5. 2x 2y z 0
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 35.3
30 6 25
1. (i) units (ii) units. 2. units.
38 22 2 11
TERMINAL EXERCISESE
1. a x 2 b y 5 cz 4 0
2. a x 2 b y 3 c z 4 0
3. 2x 3y 3z 5 0 4. 5x 7y 11z 4 0 5. x 2y z 6
18
6. 8. k 1 9. 10. { r 3 i j 5 k }. 2 i 3 j k 0
3 38
3 i 5 j 6 k
11. r. } 7
70
12. { x . 2 i 6 j 6 k }.{ i 4 j 3 k 3 i 6 j } 0
500 MATHEMATICS