Math 211- Calculus 2

Dot Product

Definition (Dot Product) The dot product of two vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩, denoted by 𝑨 ∙
𝑩 is defined as follows:

i. If 𝑨 = 〈𝑎1 , 𝑎2 〉 and 𝑩 = 〈𝑏1 , 𝑏2 〉 are two vectors in 𝑉2

𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 = 𝑎1 𝑏1 + 𝑎2 𝑏2
ii. If 𝑨 = 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 and 𝑩 = 〈𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , 𝑏3 〉 are two vectors in 𝑉3
〈 〉
𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 𝑎1 𝑏1 + 𝑎2 𝑏2 + 𝑎3 𝑏3

Example 1. If 𝑨 = 〈4, 6〉 and 𝑩 = 〈−7, 3〉, then

𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 〈4, 6〉 ∙ 〈−7, 3〉 = (4)(−7) + (6)(3) = −10

Example 2. If 𝑨 = 〈−1, 2, 3〉 and 𝑩 = 〈8, −4, 5〉, then

𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = (−1)(8) + 2(−4) + (3)(5) = −1

Example 3. Dot products of unit vectors 𝒊, 𝒋 and 𝒌 are:

𝒊 ∙ 𝒋 = 1, 𝒋 ∙ 𝒋 = 1, 𝒌 ∙ 𝒌 = 1, 𝒊 ∙ 𝒋 = 0, 𝒊 ∙ 𝒌 = 0, 𝒋∙𝒌= 0

Theorem 1 If 𝑨, 𝑩 and 𝑪 are vectors in 𝑉2 or 𝑉3 , then

i. 𝑨∙𝑩=𝑩∙𝑨 (commutative law)

ii. 𝑨 ∙ (𝑩 + 𝑪) = 𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 + 𝑨 ∙ 𝑪 (distributive law)

Example 4. If 𝑨 = 〈4, 6〉 and 𝑩 = 〈−7, 3〉, then

𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 〈4, 6〉 ∙ 〈−7, 3〉 = (4)(−7) + (6)(3) = −10

𝑩 ∙ 𝑨 = 〈−7, 3〉 ∙ 〈4, 6〉 = (−7)(4) + (3)(6) = −10
Hence, 𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 𝑩 ∙ 𝑨.
If 𝑪 = 〈2, 1〉, then
𝑨 ∙ (𝑩 + 𝑪) = 〈4, 6〉 ∙ (〈−7, 3〉 + 〈2, 1〉) = 〈4, 6〉 ∙ 〈−5, 4〉 = 4
𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 + 𝑨 ∙ 𝑪 = −10 + 12 = 4
Thus, 𝑨 ∙ (𝑩 + 𝑪) = 𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 + 𝑨 ∙ 𝑪 .

Theorem 2 If 𝑨 and 𝑩 are any vectors in 𝑉2 or 𝑉3 , and 𝑐 is any scalar, then

i. 𝑐 (𝑨 ∙ 𝑩) = (𝑐𝑨) ∙ 𝑩
ii. 𝟎∙𝑨= 𝟎
iii. 𝑨 ∙ 𝑨 = ‖𝑨‖𝟐

Example 5. If 𝑨 = 〈4, 6〉, then

𝑨 ∙ 𝑨 = 〈4, 6〉 ∙ 〈4, 6〉 = 52
and
2
‖𝑨‖𝟐 = (√42 + 62 ) = 52

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Therefore, 𝑨 ∙ 𝑨 = ‖𝑨‖𝟐 .

Definition (Angle Between Two Vectors) Let 𝑨 and 𝑩 be two nonzero vectors.

i. If 𝑨 is not a scalar multiple of 𝑩 and if ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝑂𝑃 is the position representation
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
of 𝑨 and 𝑂𝑄 is the position representation of 𝑩, then the angle between
the vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩 is the angle of positive measure between ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑂𝑃 and
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ interior to the triangle determined by the points 𝑂, 𝑃 and 𝑄.
𝑂𝑄
ii. If 𝑨 = 𝑐𝑩, where 𝑐 is a scalar, then if 𝑐 > 0 the angle between the vectors
has radian measure 0; if 𝑐 < 0, the angle between the vectors has radian
measure 𝜋.

Theorem 2 If 𝜃 is the angle between the two nonzero vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩, then
𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = ‖𝑨‖‖𝑩‖ cos 𝜃
Example 6. Given the vectors
𝑨 = 5𝒊 − 2𝒋 + 3𝒌 and 𝑩 = 4𝒊 + 6𝒋 − 𝒌
find cos 𝜃 if 𝜃 is the angle between 𝑨 and 𝑩.

Solution. Note that

𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 〈5, −2, 3〉 ∙ 〈4, 6, −1〉 = 20 − 12 − 3 = 5
‖𝑨‖ = √25 + 4 + 9 = √38
‖𝑩‖ = √16 + 36 + 1 = √53
Thus,
𝑨∙𝑩 5
cos 𝜃 = =
‖𝑨‖‖𝑩‖ √38√53
Solving for 𝜃,
5
𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 ( ) ≈ 83.6°
√38√53

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Definition (Parallel Vectors) Two vectors are said to be parallel if and only if one
of the vectors is a scalar multiple of the other.

Example 7. Observe that 〈6, −4, 10〉 = 2〈3, −2, 5〉. Thus, 𝑨 = 〈6, −4, 10〉 and 𝑩 =
〈3, −2, 5〉 are parallel.

Definition (Orthogonal Vectors) Two vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩 are said to be orthogonal

(perpendicular) if and only if 𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 𝟎.

Example 8. The vectors 𝑪 = 〈6, −5, −3〉 and 𝑫 = 〈3, 3, 1〉 are orthogonal since
〈6, −5, −3〉 ∙ 〈3, 3, 1〉 = 18 − 15 − 3 = 0

Example 9. Let 𝑨 = 5𝒊 + 3𝒋 and 𝑩 = 6𝒊 + 𝑘𝒋 where 𝑘 is scalar.

a. Find 𝑘 such that 𝑨 and 𝑩 are orthogonal.
b. Find 𝑘 such that 𝑨 and 𝑩 are parallel.
Solution.
a. We find 𝑘 such that 𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 𝟎. That is
〈5, 3〉 ∙ 〈6, 𝑘〉 = 30 + 3𝑘 = 0
Hence, 3𝑘 = −30. Therefore, 𝑘 = −10.

b. Note that from the definition of parallel vectors,

𝑨 = 5𝒊 + 3𝒋 and 𝑩 = 6𝒊 + 𝑘𝒋
are parallel if and only if there exists scalar 𝑐 such that
〈5, 3〉 = 𝑐〈6, 𝑘〉
That is,
5 = 6𝑐 (1)
3 = 𝑐𝑘 (2)
5
From (1), 𝑐 = . Substituting the value of 𝑐 in (2), we get
6
3 3 18
𝑘=𝑐= 5 = .
5
6

Example 10. Prove by using vectors that the points 𝐴(4, 9, 1), 𝐵(−2, 6, 3) and 𝐶(6,
3, −2) are the vertices of a right triangle, and find the area of the triangle.

Solution. From the figure of triangle 𝐶𝐴𝐵 below, angle 𝐴 maybe the one that is a
right angle. Solving for 𝑽(𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) and 𝑽(𝐴𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) we have
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) = 〈−2 − 4, 6 − 9, 3 − 1〉 = 〈−6, −3, 2〉
𝑉(𝐴𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) = 〈6 − 4, 3 − 9, −2 − 1〉 = 〈2, −6, −3〉
𝑉(𝐴𝐶
Solving for the dot product of 𝑉(𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) and 𝑉(𝐴𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) we have
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) ∙ 𝑉(𝐴𝐶
𝑉(𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) = 〈−6, −3, 2〉 ∙ 〈2, −6, −3〉 = −12 + 18 − 6 = 0
Thus, 𝑉(𝐴𝐵⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) and 𝑉(𝐴𝐶 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) are orthogonal (perpendicular). Hence, the angle 𝐴 in
triangle 𝐶𝐴𝐵 is a right angle. Consequently, triangle 𝐶𝐴𝐵 is a right triangle.

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Area of triangle 𝐶𝐴𝐵:

From the figure we solve for the length of side 𝐴𝐵 and side 𝐴𝐶.
Length of side 𝐴𝐵 = √(−2 − 4)2 + (6 − 9)2 + (3 − 1)2 = 7
Length of side 𝐴𝐶 = √(6 − 4)2 + (3 − 9)2 + (−2 − 1)2 = 7
Hence,
1 49
Area of triangle 𝐶𝐴𝐵 = 2 (7)(7) = 2 square units.

Remark. Since length of side 𝐴𝐵 is equal to the length of side 𝐴𝐶, it follows that
triangle 𝐶𝐴𝐵 in Example 10 is an isosceles right triangle.

Theorem 3 The scalar projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the vector 𝑨 is

𝑨∙𝑩
‖𝑨‖

Theorem 4 The vector projection of the vector 𝐵 onto the vector 𝐴 is

𝑨∙𝑩
( )𝑨
‖𝑨‖2
Example 11. Given the vectors
𝑨 = 5𝒊 − 2𝒋 + 3𝒌 and 𝑩 = 4𝒊 + 6𝒋 − 𝒌
a. find the scalar projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the vector 𝑨
b. find the vector projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the vector 𝑨
Solution. Note that
𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 5 and ‖𝑨‖ = √25 + 4 + 9 = √38.
a. The scalar projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the vector 𝑨 is:
𝑨∙𝑩 5
=
‖𝑨‖ √38
b. The vector projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the the vector 𝑨 is:

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𝑨∙𝑩 5 25 5 15
( 2
)𝑨 = (5𝒊 − 2𝒋 + 3𝒌 ) = 𝒊− 𝒋+ 𝒌
‖𝑨‖ 38 38 19 38

Example 12. Given the vectors

𝑨 = −6𝒊 + 3𝒋 and 𝑩 = 7𝒊 + 2𝒋
a. Find the scalar projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the vector 𝑨
b. find the vector projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the vector 𝑨
c. Show on a figure the position representations of 𝑨, 𝑩, and the vector
projection of 𝑩 onto 𝑨.

Solution. Note that

𝑨 ∙ 𝑩 = 〈−6, 3〉 ∙ 〈7, 2〉 = −36
‖𝑨‖ = √36 + 9 = √45
a. The scalar projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the vector 𝑨 is:
𝑨∙𝑩 36
=−
‖𝑨‖ √45

b. The vector projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the the vector 𝑨 is:

𝑨∙𝑩 36 24 12
( 2
) 𝑨 = − (−6𝒊 + 3𝒋 ) = 𝒊− 𝒋
‖𝑨‖ 45 5 5
c. The figure below shows the position representations of 𝑨, 𝑩, and 𝑪, where 𝑪
is the vector projection of the vector 𝑩 onto the vector 𝑨.

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Planes and Lines in 𝑹𝟑

Definition (Plane) If 𝑵 is a given nonzero vector and 𝑃0 is a given point, then the
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
set of all points 𝑃 for which 𝑽(𝑃 0 𝑃) and 𝑵 are orthogonal is defined to be a plane
through 𝑃0 having 𝑵 as a normal vector.

Theorem 5 If 𝑃0 (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0 ) is a point in a plane and 〈𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 〉 is a normal vector to

the plane then an equation of the plane is
𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥0 ) + 𝑏(𝑦 − 𝑦0 ) + 𝑐 (𝑧 − 𝑧0 ) = 0
Example 13. Find an equation of the plane containing the point 𝑃(3, 1, 2) and
having the normal vector 𝑁 = 〈1, 2, −3〉.
Solution. From the theorem, the equation of the plane is
1 (𝑥 − 3) + 2( 𝑦 − 1) − 3( 𝑧 − 2) = 0
𝑥 − 3 + 2𝑦 − 2 − 3𝑧 + 6 = 0
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 3𝑧 + 1 = 0

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Theorem 6 If 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are not all zero, the graph of an equation of the form
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0
is a plane and 〈𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 〉 is a normal vector to the plane.

Example 14. Find an equation of the plane containing the three points
𝑃(3, 4, 1), 𝑄(1, 7, 1), and 𝑅(−1, −2, 5).

Solution. From the theorem, the equation of the plane containing the three points
is given by
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0 (1)
If this equation is satisfied by the coordinate points 𝑃(3, 4, 1), 𝑄(1, 7, 1), and
𝑅(−1, −2, 5), the plane will contain the points. Replacing 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 in (1) by the
coordinates of the three points we get
3𝑎 + 4𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 = 0 (2)
𝑎 + 7𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 = 0 (3)
−𝑎 − 2𝑏 + 5𝑐 + 𝑑 = 0 (4)
Solve the system in terms of 𝑑:
Eliminating 𝑎 in (2) and (3) we get
−17𝑏 − 2𝑐 − 2𝑑 = 0 (5)
Eliminating 𝑎 in (3) and (4) we get
−12𝑏 + 4𝑐 = 0 ⟹ 4𝑐 = 12𝑏 ⟹ 𝑐 = 3𝑏 (6)
Eliminating 𝑐 in (2) and (3) we get
3
2𝑎 − 3𝑏 = 0 ⟹ 𝑎 = 𝑏 (7)
2
Substituting (6) and (7) to (2) we have
3 2
3 ( 𝑏 ) + 4𝑏 + 3𝑏 + 𝑑 = 0 ⟹ 𝑏 = − 𝑑
2 23
From (6),
2 6
𝑐 = 3𝑏 = 3 (− 𝑑) = − 𝑑
23 23
From (7),
3 3 2 3
𝑎 = 𝑏 = 𝑎 = (− 𝑑) = − 𝑑
2 2 23 23
Substituting the value of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 in (1) we have

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3 2 6
− 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑑𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0 (8)
23 23 23
23
Multiplying both sides of (8) by − 𝑑 , we get
3𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 6𝑧 − 23 = 0

Definition (Angle Between Two Planes) An angle between two planes is defined
to be the angle between normal vectors of the plane.

Example 15. Find the angle between the two planes

2𝑥 − 𝑦 − 2𝑧 − 5 = 0 and 6𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 + 8 = 0
Solution. Let 𝑵1 be normal vector to the first plane and 𝑵2 be a normal vector to
the second plane. Then
𝑵1 = 2𝒊 − 𝒋 − 2𝒌 and 𝑵2 = 6𝒊 − 2𝒋 + 3𝒌
From the definition, an angle between the two planes is the angle between 𝑵1
and 𝑵2 . Thus, by Theorem 10.3.5, if 𝜃 is the radian measure of this angle, we
have
𝑵1 ∙ 𝑵2 〈2, −1, −2〉 ∙ 〈6, −2, 3〉 8 8
cos 𝜃 = = = =
‖𝑵1 ‖‖𝑵2 ‖ √4 + 1 + 4√36 + 4 + 9 3(7) 21
°
Therefore, 𝜃 = 67. 6 or 𝜃 = 1.18 radians.

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Definition (Parallel Planes) Two planes are parallel if and only if their normal
vectors are parallel.

Definition (Perpendicular Planes) Two planes are perpendicular if and only if

their normal vectors are orthogonal.

Remark: Suppose that one plane has a normal vector 𝑵1 and the other plane has
normal vector 𝑵2 . Then
a. Two planes are parallel if and only if 𝑵1 = 𝑘𝑵2 , where 𝑘 is constant.
b. Two planes are perpendicular if and only if 𝑵1 ∙ 𝑵2 = 0

Example 16. Find an equation of the plane containing the point 𝑃(4, 0, −2) and
perpendicular to each of the planes.
𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 0 and 2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 4𝑧 − 5 = 0
Solution. Let 𝑅 be the required plane and let 〈𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 〉, 𝑎 ≠ 0 be a normal vector of
𝑅. The normal vector to the plane 𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 0 is 〈1, −1, 1〉. Since 𝑅 and 𝑥 − 𝑦 +
𝑧 = 0 are perpendicular, the dot product of their normal vectors is equal to zero.
That is,
〈𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 〉 ∙ 〈1, −1, 1〉 = 0 ⟹ 𝑎−𝑏+𝑐 =0 (1)
The normal vector for the plane 2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 4𝑧 − 5 = 0 is 〈2, 1, −4〉. Since 𝑅 and 2𝑥 +
𝑦 − 4𝑧 − 5 = 0 are perpendicular,
〈𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 〉 ∙ 〈2, 1, −4〉 = 0 ⟹ 2𝑎 + 𝑏 − 4𝑐 = 0 (2)
Solving for 𝑏 and 𝑐 in terms of 𝑎 in (1) and (2) we get
𝑏 = 2𝑎 and 𝑐 = 𝑎
Thus, 〈𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 〉 = 〈𝑎, 2𝑎, 𝑎〉. Since 𝑃(4, 0, −2) is on the plane 𝑅, and its normal
vector is 〈𝑎, 2𝑎, 𝑎〉, by Theorem 10.4.2, the equation of the plane 𝑅 is
𝑎(𝑥 − 4) + 2𝑎(𝑦 − 0) + 𝑎(𝑧 + 2) = 0
Since 𝑎 ≠ 0, we can divide by 𝑎 both sides. Hence, we have
(𝑥 − 4) + 2( 𝑦 − 0) + (𝑧 + 2) = 0
𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 − 2 = 0

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Example 17. Determine whether the planes

5𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 6𝑧 − 4 = 0 and 15𝑥 − 6𝑦 − 18𝑧 + 5 = 0
are parallel.

Solution. Two planes are parallel if their normal vectors are parallel. Observe
that
𝑵𝟏 = 〈5, −2, −6〉 and 𝑵𝟐 = 〈15, −6, −18 〉
Thus, 𝑵𝟐 is a scalar multiple of 𝑵𝟐 . Hence, the normal are parallel. Therefore, the
given planes are parallel.

Example 18. Find the intersection of the line

𝑥 = 3 + 6𝑡, 𝑦 = 2 + 4𝑡, 𝑧 =5+𝑡
and the plane
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 𝑧 + 8 = 0
Solution. Let (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0 ) be the point of intersection. Then this point satisfies the
plane
2𝑥0 + 3𝑦0 − 𝑧0 + 8 = 0 (1)
The point (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0 ) also satisfy the the line for some 𝑡 = 𝑡0
𝑥0 = 3 + 6𝑡0 , 𝑦0 = 2 + 4𝑡0 , 𝑧0 = 5 + 𝑡0 (2)
Substituting the value of (2) to (1) we have
2(3 + 6𝑡0 ) + 3(2 + 4𝑡0 ) − (5 + 𝑡0 ) + 8 = 0

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Thus,
6 + 12𝑡0 + 6 + 12𝑡0 − 5 − 𝑡0 + 8 = 0
15
𝑡0 = −
23

Hence,
15 21
𝑥0 = 3 + 6 (− )=−
23 23
15 14
𝑦0 = 2 + 4 (− ) = −
23 23
15 100
𝑧0 = 5 − =
23 23
Therefore, the point of intersection is
21 14 100
(− , − , )
23 23 23

The Parametric Equations of the Line in 𝑹𝟑

Let 𝐿 be a line that contains a point 𝑃0 (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0 ) and is parallel to the
representations of the vector 〈𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 〉. Then the parametric equations of the line in
𝑅3 is given by
𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑡𝑎 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑡𝑏 𝑧 = 𝑧0 + 𝑡𝑧
where 𝑡 is a parameter. If none of these numbers is 0, then by eliminating 𝑡, we
have
𝑥 − 𝑥0 𝑦 − 𝑦0 𝑧 − 𝑧0
= =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
These equations are called symmetric equations of the line and are equivalent to
the following:
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𝑏(𝑥 − 𝑥0 ) = 𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑦0 )
𝑐 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 ) = 𝑎(𝑧 − 𝑧0 )
𝑐 (𝑦 − 𝑦0 ) = 𝑏(𝑧 − 𝑧0 )
In the vector 〈𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 〉, the numbers 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are called direction numbers. Any set
of three numbers proportional to 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 can also be a set of directional numbers
of the line. The notation for direction numbers is [𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ].

Example 19. Let 𝐿 be a line containing the point (4, 9, 6) and is parallel to the
representations of the vector 〈8, 10, 14〉. Find the parametric equations of line 𝐿.

Solution. The parametric equations of the line 𝐿 is

𝑥 = 4 + 8𝑡 𝑦 = 9 + 10𝑡 𝑧 = 6 + 14𝑡

Example 20. If [−3, 5, 9] is a set of directional numbers of a line, then other sets
of directional numbers are
5 −3 5 9
[−9,15, 27] , [−1, , 3 ], [ , , ]
3 4 4 4
Example 21. Find two sets of symmetric equations of the line through the points
𝑃(−4, 3, 2) and 𝑅(5, 2, 3).
Solution. Note that
𝑽(𝑃𝑅⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ) = 〈5 − (−4), 2 − 3, 3 − 2〉 = 〈9, −1, 1〉
Then the two symmetric equations are
𝑥+4 𝑦−3 𝑧−2
= =
9 −1 1
𝑥−5 𝑦−2 𝑧−3
= =
9 −1 1
Theorem. The distance 𝐷 between a point 𝑃0 (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0 ) and the plane
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0
is given by
|𝑎𝑥0 + 𝑏𝑦0 + 𝑐𝑧0 + 𝑑|
𝐷=
√𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2
Example 22. Find the distance between the point (1, 2, −4) and the plane
2𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 5𝑧 + 6 = 0
Solution. From the formula,
|2(1) + (−3)(2) + (5)(−4) + 6| |−18| 18
𝐷= = =
√22 + (−3)2 + (5)2 √38 38

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 Math 211- Calculus 2

Example 23. Show that the planes

3𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 + 2 = 0 and 6𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑧 + 1 = 0
are parallel and find the distance between them.
Solution. Observe that
1
〈3, 1, −1〉 = 〈6, 2, −2〉
2
Hence the planes are parallel.
To find the distance between them we find a particular point from either planes.
Suppose we find a particular point in the plane 3𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 + 2 = 0. If we let 𝑥 = 0
and 𝑦 = 0, we have 𝑧 = 3(0) + 0 + 2 = 2. (Note that you can let other values for 𝑥
and 𝑦. You can also set values for 𝑦 and 𝑧 and solve for 𝑥 or any other
combination). Thus, the point (0, 0, 2) is on the plane 3𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 + 2 = 0. Therefore,
the distance between the two planes is the distance between the point (0, 0, 2) and
the plane 6𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑧 + 1 = 0. That is,

|6(0) + 2(0) + (−2)(2) + 1| |−4| 4

𝐷= = =
√12 + (2)2 + (−5)2 √30 √30

References:

1. The Calculus 7 by Louis Leithold

2. Anton, H., Bivens, I., & Davis, S., (2012). Calculus (10 th ed.). United States
of America: Anton Textbooks, Inc.

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