The plane π\pi passes through the points with coordinates (−1,0,1)(-1,0,1), (2,1,−1)(2,1,-1) and (1,−3,2)(1,-3,2). The line ll passes through the point P(16,20,16)P(16,20,16) and is parallel to the vector (121)\begin{pmatrix}1 \\ 2 \\ 1\end{pmatrix}.

  1. (i)

    Find the cartesian equation of π\pi.

  2. (ii)

    Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of ll and π\pi.

  3. (iii)

    Find the acute angle between ll and π\pi.

  4. (iv)

    Determine a vector equation of the line of reflection of ll in π\pi.

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Worked solution

7(i)

1. Find two non-parallel direction vectors lying on the plane $\pi$.

Let A(−1,0,1)A(-1, 0, 1), B(2,1,−1)B(2, 1, -1) and C(1,−3,2)C(1, -3, 2) be points on the plane.
AB⃗=(21−1)−(−101)=(31−2)\vec{AB} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}
AC⃗=(1−32)−(−101)=(2−31)\vec{AC} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -3 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}

2. Calculate the normal vector to the plane by taking the cross product of the two direction vectors.

Let n\mathbf{n} be a normal vector to π\pi.
n=AB⃗×AC⃗=(31−2)×(2−31)\mathbf{n} = \vec{AB} \times \vec{AC} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} \times \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}
n=((1)(1)−(−2)(−3)(−2)(2)−(3)(1)(3)(−3)−(1)(2))=(1−6−4−3−9−2)=(−5−7−11)\mathbf{n} = \begin{pmatrix} (1)(1) - (-2)(-3) \\ (-2)(2) - (3)(1) \\ (3)(-3) - (1)(2) \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 - 6 \\ -4 - 3 \\ -9 - 2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -5 \\ -7 \\ -11 \end{pmatrix}
We can take a simpler parallel normal vector n1=(5711)\mathbf{n}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix}.

3. Find the cartesian equation of the plane using the scalar product form $\mathbf{r} \cdot \mathbf{n} = \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{n}$.

The equation of the plane is given by r⋅(5711)=OA⃗⋅(5711)\mathbf{r} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix} = \vec{OA} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix}
(xyz)⋅(5711)=(−101)⋅(5711)\begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix}
5x+7y+11z=(−1)(5)+(0)(7)+(1)(11)5x + 7y + 11z = (-1)(5) + (0)(7) + (1)(11)
5x+7y+11z=65x + 7y + 11z = 6

Answer

5x+7y+11z=65x + 7y + 11z = 6

7(ii)

1. Concisely obtain the cartesian equation of $\pi$ (required from part i).

From the given points A(−1,0,1)A(-1,0,1), B(2,1,−1)B(2,1,-1), and C(1,−3,2)C(1,-3,2), we find the direction vectors:
AB⃗=(31−2),AC⃗=(2−31)\vec{AB} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}, \quad \vec{AC} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}
The normal to the plane is:
n=AB⃗×AC⃗=(−5−7−11)=−(5711)\mathbf{n} = \vec{AB} \times \vec{AC} = \begin{pmatrix} -5 \\ -7 \\ -11 \end{pmatrix} = -\begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix}
The cartesian equation of π\pi is r⋅(5711)=(−101)⋅(5711)\mathbf{r} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix}, which simplifies to:
5x+7y+11z=65x + 7y + 11z = 6

2. Formulate the parametric equations of the line $l$.

The vector equation of line ll is:
r=(162016)+λ(121)\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 16 \\ 20 \\ 16 \end{pmatrix} + \lambda \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}
So the parametric equations are x=16+λx = 16 + \lambda, y=20+2λy = 20 + 2\lambda, and z=16+λz = 16 + \lambda.

3. Substitute the line equations into the plane equation and solve for $\lambda$.

5(16+λ)+7(20+2λ)+11(16+λ)=65(16 + \lambda) + 7(20 + 2\lambda) + 11(16 + \lambda) = 6
80+5λ+140+14λ+176+11λ=680 + 5\lambda + 140 + 14\lambda + 176 + 11\lambda = 6
396+30λ=6396 + 30\lambda = 6
30λ=−390  ⟹  λ=−1330\lambda = -390 \implies \lambda = -13

4. Find the point of intersection.

Substituting λ=−13\lambda = -13 back into the equation of ll:
r=(162016)−13(121)=(3−63)\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 16 \\ 20 \\ 16 \end{pmatrix} - 13 \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ -6 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}
The coordinates of the point of intersection are (3,−6,3)(3, -6, 3).

Answer

(3,−6,3)(3, -6, 3)

7(iii)

1. Find the normal vector to the plane $\pi$.

Two vectors on the plane π\pi are AB⃗=(2−(−1)1−0−1−1)=(31−2)\vec{AB} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 - (-1) \\ 1 - 0 \\ -1 - 1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} and AC⃗=(1−(−1)−3−02−1)=(2−31)\vec{AC} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 - (-1) \\ -3 - 0 \\ 2 - 1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.
The normal vector n\mathbf{n} is given by their cross product:
n=AB⃗×AC⃗=(31−2)×(2−31)=(1(1)−(−2)(−3)−2(2)−3(1)3(−3)−1(2))=(−5−7−11)\mathbf{n} = \vec{AB} \times \vec{AC} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix} \times \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -3 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1(1) - (-2)(-3) \\ -2(2) - 3(1) \\ 3(-3) - 1(2) \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -5 \\ -7 \\ -11 \end{pmatrix}
We can take the normal vector as n=(5711)\mathbf{n} = \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix}.

2. Calculate the acute angle between the line $l$ and the plane $\pi$.

The line ll is parallel to its direction vector d=(121)\mathbf{d} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}. Let θ\theta be the acute angle between the line and the plane. We use the relation sin⁡θ=∣d⋅n∣∣d∣∣n∣\sin \theta = \frac{|\mathbf{d} \cdot \mathbf{n}|}{|\mathbf{d}| |\mathbf{n}|}:
sin⁡θ=∣(121)⋅(5711)∣12+22+1252+72+112\sin \theta = \frac{\left| \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix} 5 \\ 7 \\ 11 \end{pmatrix} \right|}{\sqrt{1^2+2^2+1^2}\sqrt{5^2+7^2+11^2}}
sin⁡θ=5(1)+7(2)+11(1)6195=301170=10130\sin \theta = \frac{5(1) + 7(2) + 11(1)}{\sqrt{6}\sqrt{195}} = \frac{30}{\sqrt{1170}} = \frac{10}{\sqrt{130}}
θ=sin⁡−1(10130)≈61.289∘\theta = \sin^{-1}\left(\frac{10}{\sqrt{130}}\right) \approx 61.289^\circ

Answer

61.3∘61.3^\circ

7(iv)

1. Find the Cartesian equation of $\pi$ and the intersection point $I$ of $l$ and $\pi$ (intermediate results normally obtained in parts i and ii).

Normal to π\pi: n=(2−(−1)1−0−1−1)×(1−(−1)−3−02−1)=(31−2)×(2−31)=(5711)\mathbf{n} = \begin{pmatrix}2 - (-1) \\ 1 - 0 \\ -1 - 1\end{pmatrix} \times \begin{pmatrix}1 - (-1) \\ -3 - 0 \\ 2 - 1\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}3 \\ 1 \\ -2\end{pmatrix} \times \begin{pmatrix}2 \\ -3 \\ 1\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}5 \\ 7 \\ 11\end{pmatrix}.
Equation of π\pi: (xyz)⋅(5711)=(−101)⋅(5711)  ⟹  5x+7y+11z=6\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y \\ z\end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix}5 \\ 7 \\ 11\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}-1 \\ 0 \\ 1\end{pmatrix} \cdot \begin{pmatrix}5 \\ 7 \\ 11\end{pmatrix} \implies 5x + 7y + 11z = 6.
Substitute ll: r=(162016)+λ(121)\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix}16\\20\\16\end{pmatrix} + \lambda\begin{pmatrix}1\\2\\1\end{pmatrix} into π\pi:
5(16+λ)+7(20+2λ)+11(16+λ)=6  ⟹  30λ+396=6  ⟹  λ=−135(16+\lambda) + 7(20+2\lambda) + 11(16+\lambda) = 6 \implies 30\lambda + 396 = 6 \implies \lambda = -13.
Intersection point I=(16−1320−2616−13)=(3−63)I = \begin{pmatrix}16 - 13 \\ 20 - 26 \\ 16 - 13\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}3 \\ -6 \\ 3\end{pmatrix}.

2. Find the position vector of the foot of the perpendicular, $F$, from point $P$ on $l$ to the plane $\pi$.

Let P(16,20,16)P(16, 20, 16) be a point on ll. The line passing through PP and perpendicular to π\pi has direction vector n\mathbf{n}.
Equation of PFPF: r=(162016)+μ(5711)\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix}16\\20\\16\end{pmatrix} + \mu\begin{pmatrix}5\\7\\11\end{pmatrix}.
Substitute into π\pi to find the intersection FF:
5(16+5μ)+7(20+7μ)+11(16+11μ)=65(16+5\mu) + 7(20+7\mu) + 11(16+11\mu) = 6
396+195μ=6  ⟹  195μ=−390  ⟹  μ=−2396 + 195\mu = 6 \implies 195\mu = -390 \implies \mu = -2.
OF⃗=(162016)−2(5711)=(66−6)\vec{OF} = \begin{pmatrix}16\\20\\16\end{pmatrix} - 2\begin{pmatrix}5\\7\\11\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}6\\6\\-6\end{pmatrix}.

3. Find the position vector of the reflected point $P'$ in the plane $\pi$.

Since FF is the midpoint of the line segment joining PP to its reflection P′P', we have:
OF⃗=OP⃗+OP′⃗2  ⟹  OP′⃗=2OF⃗−OP⃗\vec{OF} = \frac{\vec{OP} + \vec{OP'}}{2} \implies \vec{OP'} = 2\vec{OF} - \vec{OP}.
OP′⃗=2(66−6)−(162016)=(1212−12)−(162016)=(−4−8−28)\vec{OP'} = 2\begin{pmatrix}6\\6\\-6\end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix}16\\20\\16\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}12\\12\\-12\end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix}16\\20\\16\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}-4\\-8\\-28\end{pmatrix}.

4. Find the direction vector of the reflected line and express its vector equation.

The reflected line passes through the point of intersection I(3,−6,3)I(3, -6, 3) and the reflected point P′(−4,−8,−28)P'(-4, -8, -28).
Direction vector d′=IP′⃗=(−4−8−28)−(3−63)=(−7−2−31)\mathbf{d'} = \vec{IP'} = \begin{pmatrix}-4\\-8\\-28\end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix}3\\-6\\3\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}-7\\-2\\-31\end{pmatrix}.
Taking a parallel direction vector (7231)\begin{pmatrix}7\\2\\31\end{pmatrix}, the vector equation of the line of reflection is:
r=(3−63)+t(7231)\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix}3\\-6\\3\end{pmatrix} + t\begin{pmatrix}7\\2\\31\end{pmatrix}, where t∈Rt \in \mathbb{R}.

Answer

r=(3−63)+t(7231),t∈R\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix}3 \\ -6 \\ 3\end{pmatrix} + t\begin{pmatrix}7 \\ 2 \\ 31\end{pmatrix}, t \in \mathbb{R}

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