Worked solution
Find a common line and use normals for the acute plane angle
For each pair of planes, find their line of intersection and acute angle. All parameters are real.
(a) and .
(b) and .
CJC · Discussion · Question 6
Answer
(a) , ; (b) , .
(a) Solve the two Cartesian equations
and give , . Hence , .
(a) Use the normal angle
The normals have lengths and , and dot product . The acute angle is rad (3 s.f.), or (1 d.p.).
(b) Source analytical method: cross the normals
The normals are and . Their cross product is . Both planes contain , so the intersection is .
(b) Source calculator/elimination alternative
The scalar equations are and . Solving for x,y in terms of z gives , . Thus an equivalent line is . At parameter z=7 it passes through ; its direction is times the analytical direction.
(b) Take the absolute normal dot product
The acute angle is rad, or . These displayed values are 3 s.f.; the printed source labels both as 5 s.f., which is a rounding-label error. The exact expression removes that ambiguity.
Common mistakes
Use the absolute dot product to select the acute angle between planes.