Chapter 12: Problem 80
Let \(L_{1}\) be the line through the points \((1,2,6)\) and \((2,4,8)\) Let \(L_{2} b\) e the line of intersection of the planes \(P_{1}\) and \(P_{2}\) where \(P_{1}\) is the plane \(x-y+2 z+1=0\) and \(P_{2}\) is the plane through the points \((3,2,-1),(0,0,1),\) and \((1,2,1) .\) Calculate the distance between \(L_{1}\) and \(L_{2} .\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Find Direction of Line \(L_1\)
Determine Equation for Plane \(P_2\)
Find Direction Vector of Line \(L_2\)
Find and Use Point on Line \(L_2\)
Calculate Shortest Distance Between \(L_1\) and \(L_2\)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Direction Vector
We can find a direction vector by taking any two points on the line and subtracting their corresponding coordinates.
- For a line going through points \(A(1, 2, 6)\) and \(B(2, 4, 8)\), you find the direction vector \(\mathbf{v_1} = (2-1, 4-2, 8-6) = (1, 2, 2)\).
Having this vector is like having directions on a map that help us understand the orientation of \(L_1\).
Plane Intersection
To identify the line of intersection, calculate the normal vectors for both planes first.
A normal vector is perpendicular to the plane and provides a crucial clue in finding the intersection.
- For plane \(P_1: x-y+2z+1=0\), its normal vector is \(\mathbf{n_1} = (1, -1, 2)\).
- For plane \(P_2\), which passes through three points \((3,2,-1),(0,0,1), (1,2,1)\), calculate two vectors on the plane and take their cross product to find the normal \(\mathbf{n_2} = (2, 1, 2)\).
This gives a clear picture of where and how the planes intersect in space.
Cross Product
This is extremely useful in finding lines of intersection between planes.
- For vectors \(\mathbf{a} =(-3, -2, 2)\) and \(\mathbf{b} = (-2, 0, 2)\) on plane \(P_2\), their cross product \(\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b} =(2, 1, 2)\) reveals a vector perpendicular to both.
- Another example is crossing normals \(\mathbf{n_1}=(1, -1, 2)\) and \(\mathbf{n_2}=(2, 1, 2)\), yielding the direction vector \(\mathbf{v_2}=(-4, 2, 3)\) for line \(L_2\).
It helps us establish relations among different spatial directions.
Vector Projection
It is essential in calculations involving distance, especially between skew lines.
- Consider a vector \((\frac{2}{3}, -\frac{7}{3}, -6)\) indicating a path from a point on \(L_1\) to a point on \(L_2\).
- Project this on the cross product vector \((-2, 10, 10)\) to obtain the shortest distance.
\[\text{proj}_{\mathbf{w}}\mathbf{v} = \frac{\mathbf{v}\cdot\mathbf{w}}{\mathbf{w}\cdot\mathbf{w}}\mathbf{w}\]where \(\mathbf{v} = (\frac{2}{3}, -\frac{7}{3}, -6)\) and \(\mathbf{w}=(-2, 10, 10)\).
Computing this ensures the most accurate calculation of distance, providing the solution's clarity and usefulness.