A parallel line and a perpendicular plane

Line l passes through A(−1,2,3)(-1,2,3) and B(5,14,11)(5,14,11). Plane p is 2x+3y−6z=−72x+3y-6z=-7.

(i) Show l is parallel to p but not contained in it. marks

(ii) Find the distance from l to p. marks

(iii) Find a Cartesian equation of the plane containing l and perpendicular to p. marks

[2010/JJC/Prelim/I/7]

Total marks: 8

Solution

(i)

Line parallel to a plane

ll passes through A(−1,2,3)A(-1,2,3) and B(5,14,11)B(5,14,11); plane p:2x+3y−6z=−7p:2x+3y-6z=-7. Show l∥pl\parallel p but l⊄pl\not\subset p.

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Hint

  1. Direction AB→=(6,12,8)∥(3,6,4)\overrightarrow{AB}=(6,12,8)\parallel(3,6,4).

  2. d⋅n=0\mathbf d\cdot\mathbf n=0.

  3. Test whether AA is on pp.

Answer · (i)

u⋅n=0u\cdot n=0 but n⋅A=−14≠−7n\cdot A=-14\ne-7: parallel and outside the plane.

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A line above a plane

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(ii)

Distance from line to plane

Find the distance from ll to pp.

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Hint

  1. Use any point on ll, for example AA.

  2. Distance =∣CA→⋅n∣∣n∣=\frac{|\overrightarrow{CA}\cdot\mathbf n|}{|\mathbf n|} with CC on pp.

Answer · (ii)

11.

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The shortest distance from A to the plane

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(iii)

Plane through a line, perpendicular to a plane

Find a Cartesian equation of the plane containing ll and perpendicular to pp.

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Hint

  1. Its normal is perpendicular to both d=(3,6,4)\mathbf d=(3,6,4) and n=(2,3,−6)\mathbf n=(2,3,-6).

Answer · (iii)

−48x+26y−3z=91-48x+26y-3z=91.

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Two perpendicular planes

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