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A First Course in Linear Algebra, 2017a

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4.8. Planes <strong>in</strong> R n 177<br />

Consider the follow<strong>in</strong>g equation.<br />

Example 4.45: F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g the Equation of a Plane<br />

⎡<br />

F<strong>in</strong>d an equation of the plane conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g P 0 =(3,−2,5) and orthogonal to⃗n = ⎣<br />

−2<br />

4<br />

1<br />

⎤<br />

⎦.<br />

Solution. The above vector⃗n is the normal vector for this plane. Us<strong>in</strong>g Def<strong>in</strong>ition 4.42, we can determ<strong>in</strong>e<br />

the vector equation for this plane.<br />

⃗n • ( −→ 0P − −→ 0P 0 ) = 0<br />

⎡<br />

⎣<br />

−2<br />

4<br />

1<br />

⎤<br />

⎛⎡<br />

⎦ • ⎝⎣<br />

⎡<br />

⎣<br />

x<br />

y<br />

z<br />

−2<br />

4<br />

1<br />

⎤<br />

⎡<br />

⎦ − ⎣<br />

⎤<br />

⎡<br />

⎦ • ⎣<br />

3<br />

−2<br />

5<br />

x − 3<br />

y + 2<br />

z − 5<br />

⎤⎞<br />

⎦⎠ = 0<br />

⎤<br />

⎦ = 0<br />

Us<strong>in</strong>g Def<strong>in</strong>ition 4.44, we can determ<strong>in</strong>e the scalar equation of the plane.<br />

−2x + 4y + 1z = −2(3)+4(−2)+1(5)=−9<br />

Hence, the vector equation of the plane is<br />

⎡ ⎤ ⎡<br />

−2<br />

⎣ 4 ⎦ • ⎣<br />

1<br />

x − 3<br />

y + 2<br />

z − 5<br />

⎤<br />

⎦ = 0<br />

and the scalar equation is<br />

−2x + 4y + 1z = −9<br />

♠<br />

Suppose a po<strong>in</strong>t P is not conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> a given plane. We are then <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> the shortest distance<br />

from that po<strong>in</strong>t P to the given plane. Consider the follow<strong>in</strong>g example.<br />

Example 4.46: Shortest Distance From a Po<strong>in</strong>t to a Plane<br />

F<strong>in</strong>d the shortest distance from the po<strong>in</strong>t P =(3,2,3) to the plane given by<br />

2x + y + 2z = 2, and f<strong>in</strong>d the po<strong>in</strong>t Q on the plane that is closest to P.<br />

Solution. Pick an arbitrary po<strong>in</strong>t P 0 on the plane. Then, it follows that<br />

−→ −→<br />

QP = proj ⃗n P0 P<br />

and ‖ −→ QP‖ is the shortest distance from P to the plane. Further, the vector −→ 0Q = −→ 0P− −→ QP gives the necessary<br />

po<strong>in</strong>t Q.

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