H2 Maths Formulas, Techniques & Graphs >> Vectors >> 3D Vector Geometry >> Planes >>

Equation of plane in Parametric, Scalar-product & Cartesian form

Parametric form

 
Parametric.png
 

The vector equation of plane p in parametric form is given by p:r=a+λb1+μb2,0λ,μR


r is the position vector of a point on plane p (i.e. OR)

a is the position vector of a known point on plane p (i.e. OA)

b1 is a direction vector on plane p

b2 is another direction vector on plane p

 

Scalar-product form

Scalar product.png

The vector equation of plane p in scalar-product form is given by p:rn=d


r is the position vector of a point on plane p (i.e. OR)

n is the normal vector of the plane. It can be obtained from the vector product of two direction vectors on the plane.

d is a constant which is equals to the value of an, where a is the position vector a known point on plane p (i.e. OA)

Cartesian equation

General form: ax+by+cz=d

Convert from one form to the other

Convert from Parametric form to Cartesian equation

p1:r=(123)+λ(101)+μ(011),0λ,μR(101)×(011)=(0(1)0110)n=(111)d=an=(123)(111)=1+(2)+3=2Scalar-product form,0p1:r(111)=2(xyz)(111)=2x+(y)+z=2Cartesian equation: 0xy+z=2

Convert from Cartesian equation to Parametric equation

Cartesian equation of p2:0x+2y+z=5(xyz)(121)=5Scalar-product form, 0p2:r(121)=5

By guess-and-check or observation, find three points that lie on p2. With the three points, we can form two direction vectors:

(500)(121)=5(02.50)(121)=5(005)(121)=5(5,0,0),(0,2.5,0) and (0,0,5) lie on p2(500)(02.50)=(52.50)=2.5(210)(500)(005)=(505)=5(101)Parametric form, p2:r=(500)+α(210)+β(101),0α,βR

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