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Worked solution

Measure the acute angle using two plane normals

Find the acute angle between the planes

Π1:r⋅(i−j−k)=6,Π2:r⋅(i−j−2k)=10.\begin{aligned}\Pi_1:\quad\mathbf r\cdot(\mathbf i-\mathbf j-\mathbf k)&=6,\\\Pi_2:\quad\mathbf r\cdot(\mathbf i-\mathbf j-2\mathbf k)&=10.\end{aligned}

CJC · Lecture · Example 41

Answer

19.5∘19.5^\circ (to 1 decimal place), or 0.3400.340 radians (to 3 significant figures).

Compare your reasoning

Use the normals n1=(1,−1,−1)\mathbf n_1=(1,-1,-1) and n2=(1,−1,−2)\mathbf n_2=(1,-1,-2). As in the printed solution, let their angle be θ\theta:

n1⋅n2=1+1+2=4,∣n1∣=3,∣n2∣=6,4=36cos⁡θ,θ=cos⁡−1 ⁣(436).\begin{aligned}\mathbf n_1\cdot\mathbf n_2&=1+1+2=4,\\|\mathbf n_1|&=\sqrt3,\quad |\mathbf n_2|=\sqrt6,\\4&=\sqrt3\sqrt6\cos\theta,\\\theta&=\cos^{-1}\!\left(\frac4{\sqrt3\sqrt6}\right).\end{aligned}

This gives 19.4712…∘=0.339836…19.4712\ldots^\circ=0.339836\ldots radians. The normal angle is acute, so it is also the acute angle between the planes. Round separately in the required units to get the two printed answers. Plane constants locate the planes; they do not change this angle.

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