Porisma

A hint to get started

Separate a unique triple intersection from a common line

The planes p1,p2,p3p_1,p_2,p_3 are 2x−5y+3z=32x-5y+3z=3, 3x+2y−5z=−53x+2y-5z=-5, 5x+λy+17z=μ5x+\lambda y+17z=\mu, respectively. Here λ,μ\lambda,\mu are constants. When λ=−20.9\lambda=-20.9, μ=16.6\mu=16.6, find x,y,z satisfying all three equations.

The first two planes meet in a line l.

(i) Find a vector equation of l.

(ii) If p3p_3 contains l, find λ,μ\lambda,\mu.

(iii) If instead p3p_3 does not intersect l, what can be said about λ,μ\lambda,\mu?

(iv) Find a Cartesian equation of the plane containing l and (1,−1,3)(1,-1,3).

[2008/I/11(modified)]

CJC · Discussion · Question 8

Substitute the entire parameterised common line into the third plane to distinguish an identity, a contradiction and one solution.

Read the worked solution