Porisma

Worked solution

Transform a plane after finding intersections and parallel offsets

A has position vector −i−11j+2k-\mathbf i-11\mathbf j+2\mathbf k. Line l is (x−9)/7=y+3=−(z+1)/2(x-9)/7=y+3=-(z+1)/2, and plane p is 5x+3y+bz+1=05x+3y+bz+1=0.

(i) If l and p meet in exactly one point, what can be said about b? marks

Use b=1 for the rest.

(ii) Find N, their intersection. marks

(iii) Show the shortest distance from A to p is 35\sqrt{35}. marks

(iv) Plane p1 is parallel to p at shortest distance 2352\sqrt{35}. Find a possible equation in scalar-product form. marks

(v) Plane p undergoes, in order: translation 3 units in negative x; scaling parallel to the y-axis by factor 1/2; reflection in the xy-plane. Find a Cartesian equation of the resulting p2. marks

[2016/CJC/Promo/12]

CJC · Review problems · Question 8

Answer

b≠19; N=(2,−4,1); distance 35\sqrt{35}; p1:r⋅(5,3,1)=69r\cdot(5,3,1)=69 or −71; p2:5x+6y−z=−165x+6y-z=-16.

(i) Exclude a zero normal-direction dot product

The line direction is (7,1,−2)(7,1,-2) and plane normal (5,3,b)(5,3,b). A unique intersection requires 35+3−2b≠035+3-2b\ne0, hence b≠19b\ne19.

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(ii) Substitute the line into the fixed plane

l:r=(9,−3,−1)+λ(7,1,−2)l:\mathbf r=(9,-3,-1)+\lambda(7,1,-2) and p:r⋅(5,3,1)=−1p:\mathbf r\cdot(5,3,1)=-1. Substitution gives 35+36λ=−135+36\lambda=-1, λ=−1, hence N=(2,−4,1).

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(iii) Project from A to any plane point N

AN=(2,−4,1)−(−1,−11,2)=(3,7,−1)AN=(2,-4,1)-(-1,-11,2)=(3,7,-1). Thus distance=∣AN⋅(5,3,1)∣/25+9+1=35/35=35|AN\cdot(5,3,1)|/\sqrt{25+9+1}=35/\sqrt{35}=\sqrt{35}.

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(iv) Method 1: solve the parallel-plane constant

Let p1:r⋅(5,3,1)=kp_1:\mathbf r\cdot(5,3,1)=k. Then 235=∣k−(−1)∣/352\sqrt{35}=|k-(-1)|/\sqrt{35}, so ∣k+1∣=70|k+1|=70 and k=69 or −71. Either equation is a possible answer.

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(iv) Method 2: reflect a plane point through A

Choose B with A the midpoint of NB:OB=2OA−ON=2(−1,−11,2)−(2,−4,1)=(−4,−18,3)OB=2OA-ON=2(-1,-11,2)-(2,-4,1)=(-4,-18,3). The parallel plane through B has constant (−4,−18,3)⋅(5,3,1)=−20−54+3=−71(-4,-18,3)\cdot(5,3,1)=-20-54+3=-71. This uses a point reflection of the whole plane through A; N is not asserted to be A’s perpendicular foot.

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(v) Substitute inverse coordinate transformations

The combined image coordinates are X=x−3X=x-3, Y=y/2Y=y/2, Z=−zZ=-z. Thus the original coordinates are x=X+3x=X+3, y=2Yy=2Y, z=−Zz=-Z. Substituting in 5x+3y+z+1=05x+3y+z+1=0 gives 5(X+3)+6Y−Z+1=05(X+3)+6Y-Z+1=0. Dropping capital labels, p2:5x+6y−z=−165x+6y-z=-16.

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Common mistakes

N is the intersection of l with p, not necessarily the perpendicular foot from A. Do not add that assumption in the second offset method.

Solution notes

All 5 asks, both offset methods and exact transformation order retained. Source method 2 expanded as point-reflection of the plane without a false foot assumption. No figures.

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