Chapter 14: Problem 43
Find a parametric equation for the line that is perpendicular to the graph of the given equation at the given point. \begin{equation}x^{2}+y^{2}+z^{2}=14, \quad(3,-2,1)\end{equation}
Short Answer
Expert verified
The parametric equations are: \( x = 3 + 6t \), \( y = -2 - 4t \), \( z = 1 + 2t \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Surface Equation
The equation \( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 14 \) describes a sphere centered at the origin with radius \( \sqrt{14} \). A line perpendicular to the surface at a given point is aligned with the normal vector at that point.
02
Find the Gradient Vector
The gradient vector \( abla f(x, y, z) = \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}, \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} \right) \) represents the normal vector to the surface. For \( f(x, y, z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 \), we have \( abla f = (2x, 2y, 2z) \).
03
Calculate the Normal Vector at the Point
Substitute the point \( (3, -2, 1) \) into the gradient to find the normal vector: \( abla f(3, -2, 1) = (2 \cdot 3, 2 \cdot (-2), 2 \cdot 1) = (6, -4, 2) \). This vector \((6, -4, 2)\) is the direction vector of the line.
04
Write the Parametric Equations of the Line
The parametric equations of a line with point \((x_0, y_0, z_0)\) and direction vector \((a, b, c)\) are given by: \( x = x_0 + at \), \( y = y_0 + bt \), \( z = z_0 + ct \). Substituting the point \((3, -2, 1)\) and the direction vector \((6, -4, 2)\), we have:\[ x = 3 + 6t \]\[ y = -2 - 4t \]\[ z = 1 + 2t \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Normal Vector
A normal vector is a fundamental concept in geometry and vector calculus. It is a vector that is perpendicular to a surface at a given point. The term "normal" indicates that it is orthogonal to every tangent vector in that area.
Understanding normal vectors is crucial because they help in determining the orientation of a surface, be it a simple plane or a more complex shape like a sphere. In the context of a sphere, any normal vector at a given point will always point radially outward from the center of the sphere.
Understanding normal vectors is crucial because they help in determining the orientation of a surface, be it a simple plane or a more complex shape like a sphere. In the context of a sphere, any normal vector at a given point will always point radially outward from the center of the sphere.
- The normal vector is unique in being perpendicular to the tangent plane at the point of interest.
- It provides a direction that is locally orthogonal to the surface.
- This property is vital in various applications, including physics and computer graphics.
Sphere
A sphere is a perfectly symmetrical three-dimensional shape where every point on its surface is equidistant from its center.
The standard equation of a sphere with a center at the origin (0, 0, 0) and radius \( r \) is given by:\[ x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = r^2 \]For this particular exercise, the sphere equation is \( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 14 \), which implies a sphere centered at the origin with a radius of \( \sqrt{14} \).
The standard equation of a sphere with a center at the origin (0, 0, 0) and radius \( r \) is given by:\[ x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = r^2 \]For this particular exercise, the sphere equation is \( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 14 \), which implies a sphere centered at the origin with a radius of \( \sqrt{14} \).
- The distance from the center of the sphere to any point on its surface is constant.
- Spheres are often encountered in physics, as they are a good representation of idealized celestial bodies like planets.
- Using the geometry of spheres, one can easily define directions such as radial (like the normal vector discussed above).
Gradient Vector
The gradient vector is a key player in multivariable calculus, acting as a tool to navigate the steepest ascent of a function.
Given a function \( f(x, y, z) \), the gradient \( abla f \) is calculated by taking the partial derivatives with respect to each variable. The gradient vector essentially tells us how the function changes the fastest and in which direction.
Given a function \( f(x, y, z) \), the gradient \( abla f \) is calculated by taking the partial derivatives with respect to each variable. The gradient vector essentially tells us how the function changes the fastest and in which direction.
- For the function \( f(x, y, z) = x^2 + y^2 + z^2 \), the gradient is \( abla f = (2x, 2y, 2z) \).
- The gradient vector at any point on the sphere gives the normal vector for that point because it is perpendicular to the sphere's surface.
- This property is particularly useful for optimization problems and in finding tangent planes and normals.
Perpendicular Line
A perpendicular line is a line that intersects another line or surface forming a right angle (90 degrees).
In the context of the given exercise, the objective is to find a line that is perpendicular to the surface of the sphere at a given point. This is accomplished by using the normal vector, which provides the direction for this perpendicular line.
In the context of the given exercise, the objective is to find a line that is perpendicular to the surface of the sphere at a given point. This is accomplished by using the normal vector, which provides the direction for this perpendicular line.
- For the sphere \( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 14 \) at the point \( (3, -2, 1) \), the normal vector (calculated via the gradient) is \( (6, -4, 2) \).
- Using this normal vector as the direction, a line can be described parametrically.
- The parametric equations for the perpendicular line are:
\( x = 3 + 6t \),
\( y = -2 - 4t \),
\( z = 1 + 2t \).