Porisma

Worked solution

Use line and plane distances to determine a parallel plane

P has position vector 2i+j−2k2\mathbf i+\mathbf j-2\mathbf k and lies on ℓ:(1−y)/3=(z+2)/4\ell:(1-y)/3=(z+2)/4, x=2. Plane π1 is x−2y−2z=8x-2y-2z=8.

(i) Show the intersection Q of ℓ,π1 is (2,7,−10). marks

(ii) Find the exact sine of the acute angle between ℓ,π1. Hence find the exact length of projection of PQ onto π1. marks

Plane π2 is parallel to π1. M has position vector 2i+(4α+4)j+(3α−6)k2\mathbf i+(4\alpha+4)\mathbf j+(3\alpha-6)\mathbf k and is equidistant from ℓ and π2.

(iii) Find α if the distance from M to ℓ is 10. marks Hence deduce, when α>0, the Cartesian equation of π2. marks

[2016/NYJC/Promo/10]

CJC · Review problems · Question 11

Answer

Q=(2,7,−10); sinθ=2/15; projection 2221/32\sqrt{221}/3; α=±2; for α>0 and distinct π2:x−2y−2z=−52x-2y-2z=-52.

(i) Intersect the line with π1

ℓ:r=(2,1,−2)+λ(0,−3,4)\ell:\mathbf r=(2,1,-2)+\lambda(0,-3,4). Substitution in π1 gives 2−2(1−3λ)−2(−2+4λ)=82-2(1-3\lambda)-2(-2+4\lambda)=8, or 4−2λ=84-2\lambda=8. Hence λ=−2 and Q=(2,7,−10).

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(ii) Use the line-plane sine

The normal is (1,−2,−2)(1,-2,-2) of magnitude 3 and line direction (0,−3,4)(0,-3,4) has magnitude 5. Thus sin⁡θ=∣(0,−3,4)⋅(1,−2,−2)∣/(5⋅3)=2/15\sin\theta=|(0,-3,4)\cdot(1,-2,-2)|/(5\cdot3)=2/15. Also PQ=(0,6,−8)PQ=(0,6,-8), ∣PQ∣=10|PQ|=10. With cos⁡θ=221/15\cos\theta=\sqrt{221}/15, the requested projection length is 10221/15=2221/310\sqrt{221}/15=2\sqrt{221}/3.

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(iii) Distance method 1: vector product

PM=(0,4α+3,3α−4)PM=(0,4\alpha+3,3\alpha-4). Crossing with the unit direction gives PM×(0,−3,4)/5=(25α,0,0)/5PM\times(0,-3,4)/5=(25\alpha,0,0)/5, so the distance is 5∣α∣5|\alpha|. Set this equal to 10, giving α=±2.

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(iii) Distance method 2: a perpendicular foot

Put OF=(2,1−3λ,−2+4λ)OF=(2,1-3\lambda,-2+4\lambda) on ℓ, giving MF=(0,−3λ−4α−3,4λ−3α+4)MF=(0,-3\lambda-4\alpha-3,4\lambda-3\alpha+4). Dot with (0,−3,4)(0,-3,4): 25λ+25=025\lambda+25=0, hence λ=−1. Then MF=(0,−4α,−3α)MF=(0,-4\alpha,-3\alpha), whose magnitude is 5∣α∣=105|\alpha|=10, giving α=±2 again.

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Hence, plane method 1: an auxiliary parallel plane through M

For α>0 choose α=2, so M=(2,12,0). The plane through M parallel to π1 has normal (1,−2,−2)(1,-2,-2) and constant −22-22. Write π2:r⋅(1,−2,−2)=β\mathbf r\cdot(1,-2,-2)=\beta. Its separation from the auxiliary plane must be 10, so ∣β+22∣/3=10|\beta+22|/3=10, giving β=8 or −52. The intended distinct plane π2 excludes β=8, which is π1 itself, leaving x−2y−2z=−52x-2y-2z=-52.

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Hence, plane method 2: point-to-plane distance directly

The distance from M=(2,12,0) to π2 is ∣−22−β∣/3=10|-22-\beta|/3=10, again yielding β=8 or −52. Under the source’s distinct-parallel-plane interpretation, reject π1 and obtain x−2y−2z=−52x-2y-2z=-52. If coincident planes were allowed, the printed prompt would also permit π2=π1.

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Right triangle with hypotenuse 15, opposite side 2 and adjacent side sqrt221. The acute angle theta has sin(theta)=2/15 and cos(theta)=sqrt221/15. The triangle is independently reconstructed with the correct side ratio.
Right triangle with hypotenuse 15, opposite side 2 and adjacent side sqrt221. The acute angle theta has sin(theta)=2/15 and cos(theta)=sqrt221/15. The triangle is independently reconstructed with the correct side ratio.
Right triangle with hypotenuse 15, opposite side 2 and adjacent side sqrt221. The acute angle theta has sin(theta)=2/15 and cos(theta)=sqrt221/15. The triangle is independently reconstructed with the correct side ratio.

Common mistakes

The source rejects π2=π1, so its intended parallel-plane condition includes distinctness.

Solution notes

All 3 printed parts and the separate 3 mark hence ask retained. Both distance methods, both plane methods, both constant branches and the sine-triangle figure retained. The distinctness assumption behind rejecting β=8 is explicit.

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