Chapter 12: Problem 1
Give a geometric description of the set of points in space whose coordinates satisfy the given pairs of equations. $$x=2, \quad y=3$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
A line parallel to the z-axis passing through (2, 3) in the xy-plane.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Equation for x
The equation \(x=2\) specifies that the set of points in space has an x-coordinate of 2. This condition confines all points to a vertical plane parallel to the yz-plane, located at x = 2 in the coordinate system.
02
Understand the Equation for y
The equation \(y=3\) specifies that the set of points in space has a y-coordinate of 3. This condition confines all points to a horizontal plane parallel to the xz-plane, located at y = 3 in the coordinate system.
03
Combine Both Conditions
Combining both equations \(x=2\) and \(y=3\), we need points that satisfy both conditions simultaneously. This results in the intersection of the two planes: the vertical plane \(x=2\) and the horizontal plane \(y=3\).
04
Describe the Intersection Geometrically
Geometrically, the intersection of the vertical plane \(x=2\) and the horizontal plane \(y=3\) is a line. This line is parallel to the z-axis and passes through points (2, 3, z) where z can be any real number. This represents a line in 3D space parallel to the z-axis.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Planes in 3D space
In the realm of 3D coordinate geometry, a plane is a flat, two-dimensional surface that extends infinitely in all directions within its own dimensions. It can be defined by a linear equation, such as in the case of the exercise given:
- The equation \(x = 2\) describes a vertical plane. Since it is parallel to the yz-plane, it captures all points in space where the x-coordinate equals 2.
- Similarly, \(y = 3\) describes a horizontal plane that is parallel to the xz-plane, capturing all points where the y-coordinate is 3.
Line intersection
When two planes intersect, as in our problem, they meet along a common line. The intersection of two planes in 3D space is determined by the points that simultaneously satisfy the equations of both planes.
- In our example, the planes given by \(x = 2\) and \(y = 3\) do not overlap beyond a single line because these conditions restrict the possible positions in space where these planes can meet.
- The intersection line will include points where both \(x = 2\) and \(y = 3\), with the z-coordinate being free to take any value.
Geometric description of points
In geometric terms, a set of points defined by certain conditions can represent a variety of elements such as lines, planes, or even specific positions. The provided equations \(x = 2\) and \(y = 3\) point to a unique set of conditions.
- The x-coordinate being fixed at 2 confines these points to a plane where x never changes.
- The y-coordinate fixed at 3 places these points on another plane where y is constant.