1232 ¤ CHAPTER 12 VECTORS AND THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE

12.5 Equations of Lines and Planes

1. (a) True; each of the first two lines has a direction vector parallel to the direction vector of the third line, so these vectors are

each scalar multiples of the third direction vector. Then the first two direction vectors are also scalar multiples of each
other, so these vectors, and hence the two lines, are parallel.

(b) False; for example, the x­ and y­axes are both perpendicular to the z­axis, yet the x­ and y­axes are not parallel.

(c) True; each of the first two planes has a normal vector parallel to the normal vector of the third plane, so these two normal
vectors are parallel to each other and the planes are parallel.

(d) False; for example, the xy­ and yz­planes are not parallel, yet they are both perpendicular to the xz­plane.

(e) False; the x­ and y­axes are not parallel, yet they are both parallel to the plane z = 1.

(f ) True; if each line is perpendicular to a plane, then the lines’ direction vectors are both parallel to a normal vector for the
plane. Thus, the direction vectors are parallel to each other and the lines are parallel.

(g) False; the planes y = 1 and z = 1 are not parallel, yet they are both parallel to the x­axis.

(h) True; if each plane is perpendicular to a line, then any normal vector for each plane is parallel to a direction vector for the
line. Thus, the normal vectors are parallel to each other and the planes are parallel.

(i) True; see Figure 9 and the accompanying discussion.

( j) False; they can be skew, as in Example 3.

(k) True. Consider any normal vector for the plane and any direction vector for the line. If the normal vector is perpendicular

to the direction vector, the line and plane are parallel. Otherwise, the vectors meet at an angle µ, 0◦ ≤ µ < 90◦ , and the
line will intersect the plane at an angle 90◦ − µ.

2. For this line, we have r0 = 4i + 2j − 3k and v = 2i − j + 6k, so a vector equation is

r = r0 + tv = (4i + 2j − 3k) + t(2i − j + 6k) = (4 + 2t) i + (2 − t) j + (−3 + 6t) k, and parametric equations are
x = 4 + 2t, y = 2 − t, z = −3 + 6t.

3. For this line, we have r0 = −i + 8j + 7k and v = + 13 j + 14 k, so a vector equation is

1
2
i
¡ ¢ ¡ ¢ ¡ ¢ ¡ ¢
r = r0 + tv = (−i + 8j + 7k) + t 12 i + 13 j + 14 k = −1 + 12 t i + 8 + 13 t j + 7 + 14 t k, and parametric equations are

x = −1 + 12 t, y = 8 + 13 t, z = 7 + 14 t.

4. The direction vector for this line is the same as the given line, v = −3i + 4j + 5k. Here r0 = 6i − 2k, so a vector equation is

r = r0 + tv = (6 i − 2 k) + t(−3 i + 4 j + 5 k) = (6 − 3t) i + 4t j + (−2 + 5t) k, and parametric equations are x = 6 − 3t,

y = 4t, z = −2 + 5t.

5. A line perpendicular to the given plane has the same direction as a normal vector to the plane, such as n = h3; −2; 2i. So

r0 = 5i + 7j + k and we can take v = 3i − 2j + 2k. Then a vector equation is

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 SECTION 12.5 EQUATIONS OF LINES AND PLANES ¤ 1233

r = r0 + tv = (5 i + 7 j + k) + t(3 i − 2 j + 2 k) = (5 + 3t) i + (7 − 2t) j + (1 + 2t) k, and parametric equations are

x = 5 + 3t, y = 7 − 2t, z = 1 + 2t.

6. The vector v = h1 − (−5); 6 − 2; −2 − 5i = h6; 4; −7i is parallel to the line. Letting P0 = (−5; 2; 5), parametric equations
x+5 y−2 z−5
are x = −5 + 6t, y = 2 + 4t, z = 5 − 7t and symmetric equations are = = .
6 4 −7

7. The vector v = h8 − 0; −1 − 0; 3 − 0i = h8; −1; 3i is parallel to the line. Letting P0 = (0; 0; 0), parametric equations are
x y z x z
x = 8t, y = −t, z = 3t and symmetric equations are = = or = −y = .
8 −1 3 8 3

8. The vector v = h1:3 − 0:4; 0:8 − (−0:2); −2:3 − 1:1i = h0:9; 1; −3:4i is parallel to the line. Letting P0 = (0:4; −0:2; 1:1),

parametric equations are x = 0:4 + 0:9t, y = −0:2 + t, z = 1:1 − 3:4t and symmetric equations are
x − 0:4 y + 0:2 z − 1:1 x − 0:4 z − 1:1
= = or = y + 0:2 = .
0:9 1 −3:4 0:9 −3:4

9. The vector v = h−7 − 12; 9 − 9; 11 − (−13)i = h−19; 0; 24i is parallel to the line. Letting P0 = (12; 9; −13), parametric
x − 12 z + 13
equations are x = 12 − 19t, y = 9, z = −13 + 24t and symmetric equations are = , y = 9. Notice here that
−19 24
y−9
the direction number b = 0, so rather than writing in the symmetric equation, we must write y = 9 separately.
0
¯ ¯
¯i j k¯
¯ ¯
¯ ¯
10. v = (i + j) × ( j + k) = ¯ 1 1 0 ¯ = i − j + k is the direction of the line perpendicular to both i + j and j + k.
¯ ¯
¯0 1 1 ¯

y−1
With P0 = (2; 1; 0), parametric equations are x = 2 + t, y = 1 − t, z = t and symmetric equations are x − 2 = =z
−1
or x − 2 = 1 − y = z.

x y z+1
11. The given line = = has direction v = h2; 3; 1i. Taking (−6; 2; 3) as P0 , parametric equations are x = −6 + 2t,
2 3 1
x+6 y−2
y = 2 + 3t, z = 3 + t and symmetric equations are = = z − 3.
2 3

12. Setting z = 0 we see that (1; 0; 0) satisfies the equations of both planes, so they do in fact have a line of intersection.

The line is perpendicular to the normal vectors of both planes, so a direction vector for the line is
v = n1 × n2 = h1; 2; 3i × h1; −1; 1i = h5; 2; −3i. Taking the point (1; 0; 0) as P0 , parametric equations are x = 1 + 5t,
x−1 y z
y = 2t, z = −3t, and symmetric equations are = = .
5 2 −3

13. Direction vectors of the lines are v1 = h−2 − (−4); 0 − (−6); −3 − 1i = h2; 6; −4i and

v2 = h5 − 10; 3 − 18; 14 − 4i = h−5; −15; 10i. Since v2 = − 52 v1 , the direction vectors, and thus the lines, are parallel.

14. Direction vectors of the lines are v1 = h1 − (−2); 1 − 4; 1 − 0i = h3; −3; 1i and

v2 = h3 − 2; −1 − 3; −8 − 4i = h1; −4; −12i. Since v1 · v2 = 3 + 12 − 12 6= 0, the direction vectors, and thus the lines,
are not perpendicular.

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1234 ¤ CHAPTER 12 VECTORS AND THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE

15. (a) The line passes through the point (1; −5; 6) and a direction vector for the line is h−1; 2; −3i, so symmetric equations for

x−1 y+5 z−6

the line are = = .
−1 2 −3

x−1 y+5 0−6 x−1

(b) The line intersects the xy­plane when z = 0, so we need = = or = 2 ⇒ x = −1,
−1 2 −3 −1
y+5
= 2 ⇒ y = −1. Thus the point of intersection with the xy­plane is (−1; −1; 0). Similarly for the yz­plane,
2
y +5 z−6
we need x = 0 ⇒ 1= = ⇒ y = −3, z = 3. Thus the line intersects the yz­plane at (0; −3; 3). For
2 −3
x−1 5 z−6
the xz­plane, we need y = 0 ⇒ = = ⇒ x = − 32 , z = − 32 . So the line intersects the xz­plane
−1 2 −3
¡ ¢
at − 32 ; 0; − 32 .

16. (a) A vector normal to the plane x − y + 3z = 7 is n = h1; −1; 3i, and since the line is to be perpendicular to the plane, n is

also a direction vector for the line. Thus parametric equations of the line are x = 2 + t, y = 4 − t, z = 6 + 3t.

(b) On the xy­plane, z = 0. So z = 6 + 3t = 0 ⇒ t = −2 in the parametric equations of the line, and therefore x = 0

and y = 6, giving the point of intersection (0; 6; 0). For the yz­plane, x = 0 so we get the same point of interesection:

(0; 6; 0). For the xz­plane, y = 0 which implies t = 4, so x = 6 and z = 18 and the point of intersection is (6; 0; 18).

17. From Equation 4, the line segment from r0 = 6 i − j + 9 k to r1 = 7 i + 6 j has vector equation

r(t) = (1 − t) r0 + t r1 = (1 − t)(6 i − j + 9 k) + t(7 i + 6 j)

= (6 i − j + 9 k) − t(6 i − j + 9 k) + t(7 i + 6 j)

= (6 i − j + 9 k) + t( i + 7 j − 9 k), 0 ≤ t ≤ 1.

18. From Equation 4, the line segment from r0 = −2 i + 18 j + 31 k to r1 = 11 i − 4 j + 48 k has vector equation

r(t) = (1 − t) r0 + t r1 = (1 − t)(−2 i + 18 j + 31 k) + t(11 i − 4 j + 48 k)

= (−2 i + 18 j + 31 k) + t(13 i − 22 j + 17 k), 0 ≤ t ≤ 1.

The corresponding parametric equations are x = −2 + 13t, y = 18 − 22t, z = 31 + 17t, 0 ≤ t ≤ 1.

19. Since the direction vectors h2; −1; 3i and h4; −2; 5i are not scalar multiples of each other, the lines aren’t parallel. For the

lines to intersect, we must be able to find one value of t and one value of s that produce the same point from the respective

parametric equations. Thus we need to satisfy the following three equations: 3 + 2t = 1 + 4s, 4 − t = 3 − 2s,

1 + 3t = 4 + 5s. Solving the last two equations we get t = 1, s = 0 and checking, we see that these values don’t satisfy the

first equation. Thus the lines aren’t parallel and don’t intersect, so they must be skew lines.

20. Since the direction vectors are v1 = h−12; 9; −3i and v2 = h8; −6; 2i, we have v1 = − 32 v2 so the lines are parallel.

21. Since the direction vectors h1; −2; −3i and h1; 3; −7i aren’t scalar multiples of each other, the lines aren’t parallel. Parametric

equations of the lines are L1 : x = 2 + t, y = 3 − 2t, z = 1 − 3t and L2 : x = 3 + s, y = −4 + 3s, z = 2 − 7s. Thus, for the

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 SECTION 12.5 EQUATIONS OF LINES AND PLANES ¤ 1235

lines to intersect, the three equations 2 + t = 3 + s, 3 − 2t = −4 + 3s, and 1 − 3t = 2 − 7s must be satisfied simultaneously.

Solving the first two equations gives t = 2, s = 1 and checking, we see that these values do satisfy the third equation, so the

lines intersect when t = 2 and s = 1, that is, at the point (4; −1; −5).

22. The direction vectors h1; −1; 3i and h2; −2; 7i are not parallel, so neither are the lines. Parametric equations for the lines are

L1 : x = t, y = 1 − t, z = 2 + 3t and L2 : x = 2 + 2s, y = 3 − 2s, z = 7s. Thus, for the lines to interesect, the three
equations t = 2 + 2s, 1 − t = 3 − 2s, and 2 + 3t = 7s must be satisfied simultaneously. Solving the last two equations gives
t = −10, s = −4 and checking, we see that these values don’t satisfy the first equation. Thus the lines aren’t parallel and
don’t intersect, so they must be skew.

23. 5i + 4j + 6k is a normal vector to the plane. (3; 2; 1) is a point on the plane. Setting a = 5, b = 4, c = 6 and x0 = 3, y0 = 2,

z0 = 1 in Equation 7 gives 5(x − 3) + 4(y − 2) + 6(z − 1) = 0, or 5x + 4y + 6z = 29, as an equation of the plane.

24. h6; 1; −1i is a normal vector to the plane. (−3; 4; 2) is a point on the plane. Setting a = 6, b = 1, c = −1 and x0 = −3,

y0 = 4, z0 = 2 in Equation 7 gives 6(x + 3) + 1(y − 4) − (z − 2) = 0, or 6x + y − z = −16, as an equation of the plane.

25. Since the plane is perpendicular to the vector −i + 2 j + 3 k, we can take h−1; 2; 3i as a normal vector to the plane.

(5; −2; 4) is a point on the plane. Setting a = −1, b = 2, c = 3 and x0 = 5, y0 = −2, z0 = 4 in Equation 7 gives
−(x − 5) + 2(y + 2) + 3(z − 4) = 0, or −x + 2y + 3z = 3, as an equation of the plane.

26. Since the line is perpendicular to the plane, its direction vector, h−8; −7; 2i, is a normal vector to the plane.

(0; 0; 0) is a point on the plane. Setting a = −8, b = −7, c = 2 and x0 = 0, y0 = 0, z0 = 0 in Equation 7 gives
−8(x − 0) − 7(y − 0) + 2(z − 0) = 0, or −8x − 7y + 2z = 0, as an equation of the plane.

27. Since the line is perpendicular to the plane, its direction vector, h4; −1; 5i, is a normal vector to the plane.

(1; 3; −1) is a point on the plane. Setting a = 4, b = −1, c = 5 and x0 = 1, y0 = 3, z0 = −1 in Equation 7 gives
4(x − 1) − 1(y − 3) + 5(z + 1) = 0, or 4x − y + 5z = −4, as an equation of the plane.

28. Since the two planes are parallel, they will have the same normal vectors. The plane is z = 2x − 3y ⇔ 2x − 3y − z = 0,
so we can take n = h2; −3; −1i, and an equation of the plane is 2(x − 9) − 3(y + 4) − 1(z + 5) = 0, or 2x − 3y − z = 35.

29. Since the two planes are parallel, they will have the same normal vectors. The plane is 2x − y + 3z = 1, so we can take

n = h2; −1; 3i, and an equation of the plane is 2(x − 2:1) − 1(y − 1:7) + 3(z + 0:9) = 0, or 2x − y + 3z = −0:2, or
10x − 5y + 15z = −1.

30. First, a normal vector for the plane 5x + 2y + z = 1 is n = h5; 2; 1i. A direction vector for the line is v = h1; −1; −3i, and

since n · v = 0 we know the line is perpendicular to n and hence parallel to the plane. Thus, there is a parallel plane which
contains the line. By putting t = 0, we know that the point (1; 2; 4) is on the line and hence the new plane. We can use the
same normal vector n = h5; 2; 1i, so an equation of the plane is 5(x − 1) + 2(y − 2) + 1(z − 4) = 0 or 5x + 2y + z = 13.

31. The vector from (0; 1; 1) to (1; 0; 1), namely a = h1 − 0; 0 − 1; 1 − 1i = h1; −1; 0i, and the vector from (0; 1; 1) to (1; 1; 0),

b = h1 − 0; 1 − 1; 0 − 1i = h1; 0; −1i, both lie in the plane, so a × b is a normal vector to the plane. Thus, we can take

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1236 ¤ CHAPTER 12 VECTORS AND THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE

n = a × b = h(−1)((−1) − (0)(0); (0)(1) − (1)(−1); (1)(0) − (−1)(1)i = h1; 1; 1i. If P0 is the point (0; 1; 1), an
equation of the plane is 1(x − 0) + 1(y − 1) + 1(z − 1) = 0 or x + y + z = 2.

32. Here the vectors a = h3; −2; 1i and b = h1; 1; 1i lie in the plane, so

n = a × b = h(−2)(1) − (1)(1); (1)(1) − (3)(1); (3)(1) − (−2)(1)i = h−3; −2; 5i is a normal vector to the plane. We can

take the origin as P0 , so an equation of the plane is −3(x − 0) − 2(y − 0) + 5(z − 0) = 0 or −3x − 2y + 5z = 0 or

3x + 2y − 5z = 0.

33. Here the vectors a = h3 − 2; −8 − 1; 6 − 2i = h1; −9; 4i and b = h−2 − 2; −3 − 1; 1 − 2i = h−4; −4; −1i lie in the

plane, so a normal vector to the plane is n = a × b = h9 + 16; −16 + 1; −4 − 36i = h25; −15; −40i and an equation of the

plane is 25(x − 2) − 15(y − 1) − 40(z − 2) = 0 or 25x − 15y − 40z = −45 or 5x − 3y − 8z = −9.

34. The vectors a = h−2 − 3; −2 − 0; 3 − (−1)i = h−5; −2; 4i and b = h7 − 3; 1 − 0; −4 − (−1)i = h4; 1; −3i lie in the

plane, so a normal vector to the plane is n = a × b = h6 − 4; 16 − 15; −5 + 8i = h2; 1; 3i and an equation of the plane is

2(x − 3) + 1(y − 0) + 3[z − (−1)] = 0 or 2x + y + 3z = 3.

35. If we first find two nonparallel vectors in the plane, their cross product will be a normal vector to the plane. Since the given

line lies in the plane, its direction vector a = h−1; 2; −3i is one vector in the plane. We can verify that the given point

(3; 5; −1) does not lie on this line, so to find another nonparallel vector b which lies in the plane, we can pick any point on the

line and find a vector connecting the points. If we put t = 0, we see that (4; −1; 0) is on the line, so

b = h4 − 3; −1 − 5; 0 − (−1)i = h1; −6; 1i and n = a × b = h2 − 18; −3 + 1; 6 − 2i = h−16; −2; 4i. Thus, an equation

of the plane is −16(x − 3) − 2(y − 5) + 4[z − (−1)] = 0 or −16x − 2y + 4z = −62 or 8x + y − 2z = 31.

x y+4 z
36. Since the line = = lies in the plane, its direction vector a = h3; 1; 2i is parallel to the plane. The point (0; −4; 0)
3 1 2
is on the line (put t = 0 in the corresponding parametric equations), and we can verify that the given point (6; −1; 3) in the

plane is not on the line. The vector connecting these two points, b = h6; 3; 3i, is therefore parallel to the plane, but not parallel

to a. Then a × b = h3 − 6; 12 − 9; 9 − 6i = h−3; 3; 3i is a normal vector to the plane, and an equation of the plane is

−3(x − 0) + 3[y − (−4)] + 3(z − 0) = 0 or −3x + 3y + 3z = −12 or x − y − z = 4.

37. Normal vectors for the given planes are n1 = h1; 2; 3i and n2 = h2; −1; 1i. A direction vector, then, for the line of

intersection is a = n1 × n2 = h2 + 3; 6 − 1; −1 − 4i = h5; 5; −5i, and a is parallel to the desired plane. Another vector

parallel to the plane is the vector connecting any point on the line of intersection to the given point (3; 1; 4) in the plane.

Setting z = 0, the equations of the planes reduce to x + 2y = 1 and 2x − y = −3 with simultaneous solution x = −1 and

y = 1. So a point on the line is (−1; 1; 0) and another vector parallel to the plane is b = h3 − (−1); 1 − 1; 4 − 0i = h4; 0; 4i.

Then a normal vector to the plane is n = a × b = h20 − 0; −20 − 20; 0 − 20i = h20; −40; −20i. Equivalently, we can take

h1; −2; −1i as a normal vector, and an equation of the plane is 1(x − 3) − 2(y − 1) − 1(z − 4) = 0 or x − 2y − z = −3.

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 SECTION 12.5 EQUATIONS OF LINES AND PLANES ¤ 1237

38. The points (0; −2; 5) and (−1; 3; 1) lie in the desired plane, so the vector v1 = h−1; 5; −4i connecting them is parallel to

the plane. The desired plane is perpendicular to the plane 2z = 5x + 4y or 5x + 4y − 2z = 0 and for perpendicular planes,
a normal vector for one plane is parallel to the other plane, so v2 = h5; 4; −2i is also parallel to the desired plane.
A normal vector to the desired plane is n = v1 × v2 = h−10 + 16; −20 − 2; −4 − 25i = h6; −22; −29i.
Taking (x0 ; y0 ; z0 ) = (0; −2; 5), the equation we are looking for is 6(x − 0) − 22(y + 2) − 29(z − 5) = 0 or
6x − 22y − 29z = −101.

39. If a plane is perpendicular to two other planes, its normal vector is perpendicular to the normal vectors of the other two planes.

Thus h2; 1; −2i × h1; 0; 3i = h3 − 0; −2 − 6; 0 − 1i = h3; −8; −1i is a normal vector to the desired plane. The point
(1; 5; 1) lies on the plane, so an equation is 3(x − 1) − 8(y − 5) − (z − 1) = 0 or 3x − 8y − z = −38.

40. n1 = h1; 0; −1i and n2 = h0; 1; 2i. Setting z = 0, it is easy to see that (1; 3; 0) is a point on the line of intersection of

x − z = 1 and y + 2z = 3. The direction of this line is v1 = n1 × n2 = h1; −2; 1i. A second vector parallel to the desired
plane is v2 = h1; 1; −2i, since it is perpendicular to x + y − 2z = 1. Therefore, a normal of the plane in question is
n = v1 × v2 = h4 − 1; 1 + 2; 1 + 2i = h3; 3; 3i, or we can use h1; 1; 1i. Taking (x0 ; y0 ; z0 ) = (1; 3; 0), the equation we are
looking for is (x − 1) + (y − 3) + z = 0 ⇔ x + y + z = 4.

41. To find the x­intercept we set y = z = 0 in the equation 2x + 5y + z = 10

and obtain 2x = 10 ⇒ x = 5 so the x­intercept is (5; 0; 0). When

x = z = 0 we get 5y = 10 ⇒ y = 2, so the y­intercept is (0; 2; 0).
Setting x = y = 0 gives z = 10, so the z­intercept is (0; 0; 10) and we
graph the portion of the plane that lies in the first octant.

42. To find the x­intercept we set y = z = 0 in the equation 3x + y + 2z = 6

and obtain 3x = 6 ⇒ x = 2 so the x­intercept is (2; 0; 0). When

x = z = 0 we get y = 6 so the y­intercept is (0; 6; 0). Setting x = y = 0
gives 2z = 6 ⇒ z = 3, so the z­intercept is (0; 0; 3). The figure shows
the portion of the plane that lies in the first octant.

43. Setting y = z = 0 in the equation 6x − 3y + 4z = 6 gives 6x = 6 ⇒

x = 1, when x = z = 0 we have −3y = 6 ⇒ y = −2, and x = y = 0

implies 4z = 6 ⇒ z = 32 , so the intercepts are (1; 0; 0), (0; −2; 0), and

(0; 0; 32 ). The figure shows the portion of the plane cut off by the coordinate
planes.

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°
1238 ¤ CHAPTER 12 VECTORS AND THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE

44. Setting y = z = 0 in the equation 6x + 5y − 3z = 15 gives 6x = 15 ⇒

2, when x = z = 0 we have 5y = 15 ⇒ y = 3, and x = y = 0

5
x=

implies −3z = 15 ⇒ z = −5, so the intercepts are ( 52 ; 0; 0), (0; 3; 0),

and (0; 0; −5). The figure shows the portion of the plane cut off by the
coordinate planes.

45. Substitute the parametric equations of the line into the equation of the plane: x + 2y − z = 7 ⇒

(2 − 2t) + 2(3t) − (1 + t) = 7 ⇒ 3t + 1 = 7 ⇒ t = 2. Therefore, the point of intersection of the line and the plane is

given by x = 2 − 2(2) = −2, y = 3(2) = 6, and z = 1 + 2 = 3, that is, the point (−2; 6; 3).

46. Substitute the parametric equations of the line into the equation of the plane: 3(t − 1) − (1 + 2t) + 2(3 − t) = 5 ⇒

−t + 2 = 5 ⇒ t = −3. Therefore, the point of intersection of the line and the plane is given by x = −3 − 1 = −4,

y = 1 + 2(−3) = −5, and z = 3 − (−3) = 6, that is, the point (−4; −5; 6).

47. Parametric equations for the line are x = y = 2t, z = t − 2 and substitution into the equation of the plane gives
1
5
t,
¡1 ¢
10 5 t − 7(2t) + 3(t − 2) + 24 = 0 ⇒ −9t + 18 = 0 ⇒ t = 2. Thus x = 15 (2) = 25 , y = 2(2) = 4, z = 2 − 2 = 0
¡ ¢
and the point of intersection is 25 ; 4; 0 .

48. A direction vector for the line through (−3; 1; 0) and (−1; 5; 6) is v = h2; 4; 6i and, taking P0 = (−3; 1; 0), parametric

equations for the line are x = −3 + 2t, y = 1 + 4t, z = 6t. Substitution of the parametric equations into the equation of the
¡ ¢
plane gives 2(−3 + 2t) + (1 + 4t) − (6t) = −2 ⇒ 2t − 5 = −2 ⇒ t = 32 . Then x = −3 + 2 32 = 0,
¡ ¢ ¡ ¢
y = 1 + 4 32 = 7, and z = 6 32 = 9, and the point of intersection is (0; 7; 9).

49. Setting x = 0, we see that (0; 1; 0) satisfies the equations of both planes, so that they do in fact have a line of intersection.

v = n1 × n2 = h1; 1; 1i × h1; 0; 1i = h1; 0; −1i is the direction of this line. Therefore, direction numbers of the intersecting

line are 1, 0, −1.

50. The angle between the two planes is the same as the angle between their normal vectors. The normal vectors of the

two planes are h1; 1; 1i and h1; 2; 3i. The cosine of the angle µ between these two planes is
r
h1; 1; 1i · h1; 2; 3i 1+2+3 6 6
cos µ = = √ √ = √ = .
|h1; 1; 1i| |h1; 2; 3i| 1+1+1 1+4+9 42 7

51. Normal vectors for the planes are n1 = h1; 4; −3i and n2 = h−3; 6; 7i. The normals aren’t parallel (they are not scalar

multiples of each other), so neither are the planes. But n1 · n2 = −3 + 24 − 21 = 0, so the normals, and thus the planes, are
perpendicular.

52. Normal vectors for the planes are n1 = h9; −3; 6i and n2 = h6; −2; 4i (the plane’s equation is 6x − 2y + 4z = 0). Since

n1 = 32 n2 , the normals, and thus the planes, are parallel.

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 SECTION 12.5 EQUATIONS OF LINES AND PLANES ¤ 1239

53. Normal vectors for the planes are n1 = h1; 2; −1i and n2 = h2; −2; 1i. The normals are not parallel (they are not scalar

multiples of each other), so neither are the planes. Furthermore, n1 · n2 = 2 − 4 − 1 = −3 6= 0, so the planes aren’t

perpendicular. The angle between the planes is the same as the angle between the normals, given by
µ ¶
n1 · n2 −3 1 1
cos µ = = √ √ = −√ ⇒ µ = cos−1 − √ ≈ 114:1◦ .
|n1 | |n2 | 6 9 6 6

54. Normal vectors for the planes are n1 = h1; −1; 3i and n2 = h3; 1; −1i. The normals are not parallel, so neither are the planes.

Since n1 · n2 = 3 − 1 − 3 = −1 6= 0, the planes aren’t perpendicular. The angle between the planes is given by

n1 · n2 −1 1 ¡ 1¢
cos µ = = √ √ =− ⇒ µ = cos−1 − 11 ≈ 95:2◦ .
|n1 | |n2 | 11 11 11

55. The planes are 2x − 3y − z = 0 and 4x − 6y − 2z = 3 with normal vectors n1 = h2; −3; −1i and n2 = h4; −6; −2i. Since

n2 = 2n1 , the normals, and thus the planes, are parallel.

56. The normals are n1 = h5; 2; 3i and n2 = h4; −1; −6i which are not scalar multiples of each other, so the planes aren’t

parallel. Since n1 · n2 = 20 − 2 − 18 = 0, the normals, and thus the planes, are perpendicular.

57. (a) To find a point on the line of intersection, set one of the variables equal to a constant, say z = 0. (This will fail if the line of

intersection does not cross the xy­plane; in that case, try setting x or y equal to 0.) The equations of the two planes reduce

to x + y = 1 and x + 2y = 1. Solving these two equations gives x = 1, y = 0. Thus a point on the line is (1; 0; 0).

A vector v in the direction of this intersecting line is perpendicular to the normal vectors of both planes, so we can take

v = n1 × n2 = h1; 1; 1i × h1; 2; 2i = h2 − 2; 1 − 2; 2 − 1i = h0; −1; 1i. By Equations 2, parametric equations for the

line are x = 1, y = −t, z = t.

µ ¶
n1 · n2 1+2+2 5 5
(b) The angle between the planes satisfies cos µ = = √ √ = √ . Therefore µ = cos−1 √ ≈ 15:8◦ .
|n1 | |n2 | 3 9 3 3 3 3

58. (a) If we set z = 0 then the equations of the planes reduce to 3x − 2y = 1 and 2x + y = 3 and solving these two equations

gives x = 1, y = 1. Thus a point on the line of intersection is (1; 1; 0). A vector v in the direction of this intersecting line

is perpendicular to the normal vectors of both planes, so let v = n1 × n2 = h3; −2; 1i × h2; 1; −3i = h5; 11; 7i. By

Equations 2, parametric equations for the line are x = 1 + 5t, y = 1 + 11t, z = 7t.

n1 · n2 6−2−3 1 ¡ ¢
(b) cos µ = = √ √ = ⇒ µ = cos−1 1
14 ≈ 85:9◦ .
|n1 | |n2 | 14 14 14

59. Setting z = 0, the equations of the two planes become 5x − 2y = 1 and 4x + y = 6. Solving these two equations gives

x = 1, y = 2 so a point on the line of intersection is (1; 2; 0). A vector v in the direction of this intersecting line is

perpendicular to the normal vectors of both planes. So we can use v = n1 × n2 = h5; −2; −2i × h4; 1; 1i = h0; −13; 13i or

y−2 z
equivalently we can take v = h0; −1; 1i, and symmetric equations for the line are x = 1, = or x = 1, y − 2 = −z.
−1 1

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1240 ¤ CHAPTER 12 VECTORS AND THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE

60. If we set z = 0 then the equations of the planes reduce to 2x − y − 5 = 0 and 4x + 3y − 5 = 0 and solving these two

equations gives x = 2, y = −1. Thus a point on the line of intersection is (2; −1; 0). A vector v in the

direction of this intersecting line is perpendicular to the normal vectors of both planes, so take

v = n1 × n2 = h2; −1; −1i × h4; 3; −1i = h4; −2; 10i or equivalently we can take v = h2; −1; 5i. Symmetric equations for
x−2 y+1 z
the line are = = .
2 −1 5
p
61. The distance from a point (x; y; z) to (1; 0; −2) is d1 = (x − 1)2 + y2 + (z + 2)2 and the distance from (x; y; z) to
p
(3; 4; 0) is d2 = (x − 3)2 + (y − 4)2 + z 2 . The plane consists of all points (x; y; z) where d1 = d2 ⇒ d12 = d22 ⇔

(x − 1)2 + y2 + (z + 2)2 = (x − 3)2 + (y − 4)2 + z2 ⇔

x2 − 2x + y 2 + z 2 + 4z + 5 = x2 − 6x + y 2 − 8y + z 2 + 25 ⇔ 4x + 8y + 4z = 20 so an equation for the plane is

4x + 8y + 4z = 20 or equivalently x + 2y + z = 5.

Alternatively, you can argue that the segment joining points (1; 0; −2) and (3; 4; 0) is perpendicular to the plane and the plane

includes the midpoint of the segment.

p
62. The distance from a point (x; y; z) to (2; 5; 5) is d1 = (x − 2)2 + (y − 5)2 + (z − 5)2 and the distance from (x; y; z)
p
to (−6; 3; 1) is d2 = (x + 6)2 + (y − 3)2 + (z − 1)2 . The plane consists of all points (x; y; z) where d1 = d2 ⇒

d12 = d22 ⇔ (x − 2)2 + (y − 5)2 + (z − 5)2 = (x + 6)2 + (y − 3)2 + (z − 1)2 ⇔

x2 − 4x + y2 − 10y + z 2 − 10z + 54 = x2 + 12x + y 2 − 6y + z 2 − 2z + 46 ⇔ 16x + 4y + 8z = 8 so an equation

for the plane is 16x + 4y + 8z = 8 or equivalently 4x + y + 2z = 2.

63. The plane contains the points (a; 0; 0), (0; b; 0) and (0; 0; c). Thus the vectors a = h−a; b; 0i and b = h−a; 0; ci lie in the

plane, and n = a × b = hbc − 0; 0 + ac; 0 + abi = hbc; ac; abi is a normal vector to the plane. The equation of the plane is

therefore bcx + acy + abz = abc + 0 + 0 or bcx + acy + abz = abc. Notice that if a 6= 0, b 6= 0 and c 6= 0 then we can
x y z
rewrite the equation as + + = 1. This is a good equation to remember!
a b c

64. (a) For the lines to intersect, we must be able to find one value of t and one value of s satisfying the three equations

1 + t = 2 − s, 1 − t = s and 2t = 2. From the third we get t = 1, and putting this in the second gives s = 0. These values

of s and t do satisfy the first equation, so the lines intersect at the point P0 = (1 + 1; 1 − 1; 2(1)) = (2; 0; 2).

(b) The direction vectors of the lines are h1; −1; 2i and h−1; 1; 0i, so a normal vector for the plane is

h−1; 1; 0i × h1; −1; 2i = h2; 2; 0i and it contains the point (2; 0; 2). Then an equation of the plane is

2(x − 2) + 2(y − 0) + 0(z − 2) = 0 ⇔ x + y = 2.

65. Two vectors which are perpendicular to the required line are the normal of the given plane, h1; 1; 1i, and a direction vector for

the given line, h1; −1; 2i. So a direction vector for the required line is h1; 1; 1i × h1; −1; 2i = h3; −1; −2i. Thus L is given

by hx; y; zi = h0; 1; 2i + th3; −1; −2i, or in parametric form, x = 3t, y = 1 − t, z = 2 − 2t.

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 SECTION 12.5 EQUATIONS OF LINES AND PLANES ¤ 1241

66. Let L be the given line. Then (1; 1; 0) is the point on L corresponding to t = 0. L is in the direction of a = h1; −1; 2i

and b = h−1; 0; 2i is the vector joining (1; 1; 0) and (0; 1; 2). Then

h1; −1; 2i · h−1; 0; 2i ­ ®

b − proja b = h−1; 0; 2i − h1; −1; 2i = h−1; 0; 2i − 12 h1; −1; 2i = − 32 ; 12 ; 1 is a direction vector
12 + (−1)2 + 22
­ ®
for the required line. Thus 2 − 32 ; 12 ; 1 = h−3; 1; 2i is also a direction vector, and the line has parametric equations x = −3t,

y = 1 + t, z = 2 + 2t. (Notice that this is the same line as in Exercise 65.)

67. Let Pi have normal vector ni . Then n1 = h3; 6; −3i, n2 = h4; −12; 8i, n3 = h3; −9; 6i, n4 = h1; 2; −1i. Now n1 = 3n4 ,

so n1 and n4 are parallel, and hence P1 and P4 are parallel; similarly P2 and P3 are parallel because n2 = 43 n3 . However, n1

and n2 are not parallel (so not all four planes are parallel). Notice that the point (2; 0; 0) lies on both P1 and P4 , so these two
¡ ¢
planes are identical. The point 54 ; 0; 0 lies on P2 but not on P3 , so these are different planes.

x−1 y−1 z+1

68. Let Li have direction vector vi . Rewrite the symmetric equations for L3 as = = ; then v1 = h6; −3; 12i,
1=2 −1=4 1
­1 ®
v2 = h2; 1; 4i, v3 = 2
; − 14 ; 1 , and v4 = h4; 2; 8i. v1 = 12v3 , so L1 and L3 are parallel. v4 = 2v2 , so L2 and L4 are

parallel. (Note that L1 and L2 are not parallel.) L1 contains the point (1; 1; 5), but this point does not lie on L3 , so they’re not

identical. (3; 1; 5) lies on L4 and also on L2 (for t = 1), so L2 and L4 are the same line.

69. Let Q = (1; 3; 4) and R = (2; 1; 1), points on the line corresponding to t = 0 and t = 1. Let
−→ −−→
P = (4; 1; −2). Then a = QR = h1; −2; −3i, b = QP = h3; −2; −6i. The distance is
p √ r
|a × b| |h1; −2; −3i × h3; −2; −6i| |h6; −3; 4i| 62 + (−3)2 + 42 61 61
d= = = = p = √ = .
|a| |h1; −2; −3i| |h1; −2; −3i| 12 + (−2)2 + (−3)2 14 14

70. Let Q = (0; 6; 3) and R = (2; 4; 4), points on the line corresponding to t = 0 and t = 1. Let
−→ −−→
P = (0; 1; 3). Then a = QR = h2; −2; 1i and b = QP = h0; −5; 0i. The distance is
p √ √
|a × b| |h2; −2; 1i × h0; −5; 0i| |h5; 0; −10i| 52 + 02 + (−10)2 125 5 5
d= = = = p = √ = .
|a| |h2; −2; 1i| |h2; −2; 1i| 22 + (−2)2 + 12 9 3

|ax1 + by1 + cz1 + d| |3(1) + 2(−2) + 6(4) − 5| |18| 18

71. By Equation 9, the distance is D = √ = √ = √ = .
a2 + b2 + c2 32 + 22 + 62 49 7

|1(−6) − 2(3) − 4(5) − 8| |−40| 40

72. By Equation 9, the distance is D = p = √ = √ .
12 + (−2)2 + (−4)2 21 21

73. Put y = z = 0 in the equation of the first plane to get the point (2; 0; 0) on the plane. Because the planes are parallel, the

distance D between them is the distance from (2; 0; 0) to the second plane. By Equation 9,
√
|4(2) − 6(0) + 2(0) − 3| 5 5 5 14
D= p = √ = √ or .
42 + (−6)2 + (2)2 56 2 14 28

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1242 ¤ CHAPTER 12 VECTORS AND THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE

74. Put x = y = 0 in the equation of the first plane to get the point (0; 0; 0) on the plane. Because the planes are parallel the

distance D between them is the distance from (0; 0; 0) to the second plane 3x − 6y + 9z − 1 = 0. By Equation 9,

|3(0) − 6(0) + 9(0) − 1| 1 1

D= p = √ = √ .
2 2
3 + (−6) + 9 2 126 3 14

75. The distance between two parallel planes is the same as the distance between a point on one of the planes and the other plane.

Let P0 = (x0 ; y0 ; z0 ) be a point on the plane given by ax + by + cz + d1 = 0. Then ax0 + by0 + cz0 + d1 = 0 and the

distance between P0 and the plane given by ax + by + cz + d2 = 0 is, from Equation 9,

|ax0 + by0 + cz0 + d2 | |−d1 + d2 | |d1 − d2 |

D= √ = √ = √ .
a2 + b2 + c2 a2 + b2 + c2 a2 + b2 + c2

76. The planes must have parallel normal vectors, so if ax + by + cz + d = 0 is such a plane, then for some t 6= 0,

ha; b; ci = th1; 2; −2i = ht; 2t; −2ti. So this plane is given by the equation x + 2y − 2z + k = 0, where k = d=t. By

|1 − k|
Exercise 75, the distance between the planes is 2 = p ⇔ 6 = |1 − k| ⇔ k = 7 or −5. So the
12 + 22 + (−2)2

desired planes have equations x + 2y − 2z = 7 and x + 2y − 2z = −5.

77. L1 : x = y = z ⇒ x = y (1). L2 : x + 1 = y=2 = z=3 ⇒ x + 1 = y=2 (2). The solution of (1) and (2) is

x = y = −2. However, when x = −2, x = z ⇒ z = −2, but x + 1 = z=3 ⇒ z = −3, a contradiction. Hence the

lines do not intersect. For L1 , v1 = h1; 1; 1i, and for L2 , v2 = h1; 2; 3i, so the lines are not parallel. Thus the lines are skew

lines. If two lines are skew, they can be viewed as lying in two parallel planes and so the distance between the skew lines

would be the same as the distance between these parallel planes. The common normal vector to the planes must be

perpendicular to both h1; 1; 1i and h1; 2; 3i, the direction vectors of the two lines. So set

n = h1; 1; 1i × h1; 2; 3i = h3 − 2; −3 + 1; 2 − 1i = h1; −2; 1i. From above, we know that (−2; −2; −2) and (−2; −2; −3)

are points of L1 and L2 respectively. So in the notation of Equation 8, 1(−2) − 2(−2) + 1(−2) + d1 = 0 ⇒ d1 = 0 and

1(−2) − 2(−2) + 1(−3) + d2 = 0 ⇒ d2 = 1.

|0 − 1| 1
By Exercise 75, the distance between these two skew lines is D = √ = √ .
1+4+1 6
Alternate solution (without reference to planes): A vector which is perpendicular to both of the lines is

n = h1; 1; 1i × h1; 2; 3i = h1; −2; 1i. Pick any point on each of the lines, say (−2; −2; −2) and (−2; −2; −3), and form the

vector b = h0; 0; 1i connecting the two points. The distance between the two skew lines is the absolute value of the scalar

|n · b| |1 · 0 − 2 · 0 + 1 · 1| 1
projection of b along n, that is, D = = √ = √ .
|n| 1+4+1 6

78. First notice that if two lines are skew, they can be viewed as lying in two parallel planes and so the distance between the skew

lines would be the same as the distance between these parallel planes. The common normal vector to the planes must be

perpendicular to both v1 = h1; 6; 2i and v2 = h2; 15; 6i, the direction vectors of the two lines, respectively. Thus set

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 SECTION 12.5 EQUATIONS OF LINES AND PLANES ¤ 1243

n = v1 × v2 = h36 − 30; 4 − 6; 15 − 12i = h6; −2; 3i. Setting t = 0 and s = 0 gives the points (1; 1; 0) and (1; 5; −2).

So in the notation of Equation 8, 6 − 2 + 0 + d1 = 0 ⇒ d1 = −4 and 6 − 10 − 6 + d2 = 0 ⇒ d2 = 10.

|−4 − 10| 14
Then by Exercise 75, the distance between the two skew lines is given by D = √ = = 2.
36 + 4 + 9 7

Alternate solution (without reference to planes): We already know that the direction vectors of the two lines are

v1 = h1; 6; 2i and v2 = h2; 15; 6i. Then n = v1 × v2 = h6; −2; 3i is perpendicular to both lines. Pick any point on

each of the lines, say (1; 1; 0) and (1; 5; −2), and form the vector b = h0; 4; −2i connecting the two points. Then the

distance between the two skew lines is the absolute value of the scalar projection of b along n, that is,

|n · b| 1 14
D= = √ |0 − 8 − 6| = = 2.
|n| 36 + 4 + 9 7

79. A direction vector for L1 is v1 = h2; 0; −1i and a direction vector for L2 is v2 = h3; 2; 2i. These vectors are not parallel so

neither are the lines. Parametric equations for the lines are L1 : x = 2t, y = 0, z = −t, and L2 : x = 1 + 3s, y = −1 + 2s,
z = 1 + 2s. No values of t and s satisfy these equations simultaneously, so the lines don’t intersect and hence are skew. We

can view the lines as lying in two parallel planes; a common normal vector to the planes is n = v1 × v2 = h2; −7; 4i. Line

L1 passes through the origin, so (0; 0; 0) lies on one of the planes, and (1; −1; 1) is a point on L2 and therefore on the other

plane. Equations of the planes then are 2x − 7y + 4z = 0 and 2x − 7y + 4z − 13 = 0, and by Exercise 75, the distance

|0 − (−13)| 13
between the two skew lines is D = √ = √ .
4 + 49 + 16 69

Alternate solution (without reference to planes): Direction vectors of the two lines are v1 = h2; 0; −1i and v2 = h3; 2; 2i.

Then n = v1 × v2 = h2; −7; 4i is perpendicular to both lines. Pick any point on each of the lines, say (0; 0; 0) and (1; −1; 1),

and form the vector b = h1; −1; 1i connecting the two points. Then the distance between the two skew lines is the absolute

|n · b| |2 + 7 + 4| 13
value of the scalar projection of b along n, that is, D = = √ = √ .
|n| 4 + 49 + 16 69

80. A direction vector for the line L1 is v1 = h1; 2; 2i. A normal vector for the plane P1 is n1 = h1; −1; 2i. The vector from the

point (0; 0; 1) to (3; 2; −1), h3; 2; −2i, is parallel to the plane P2 , as is the vector from (0; 0; 1) to (1; 2; 1), namely h1; 2; 0i.

Thus a normal vector for P2 is h3; 2; −2i × h1; 2; 0i = h4; −2; 4i, or we can use n2 = h2; −1; 2i, and a direction vector for

the line L2 of intersection of these planes is v2 = n1 × n2 = h1; −1; 2i × h2; −1; 2i = h0; 2; 1i. Notice that the point

(3; 2; −1) lies on both planes, so it also lies on L2 . The lines are skew, so we can view them as lying in two parallel planes; a

common normal vector to the planes is n = v1 × v2 = h−2; −1; 2i. Line L1 passes through the point (1; 2; 6), so (1; 2; 6)

lies on one of the planes, and (3; 2; −1) is a point on L2 and therefore on the other plane. Equations of the planes then are

−2x − y + 2z − 8 = 0 and −2x − y + 2z + 10 = 0, and by Exercise 75, the distance between the lines is

|−8 − 10| 18
D= √ = = 6.
4+1+4 3

[continued]

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1244 ¤ CHAPTER 12 VECTORS AND THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE

Alternatively, direction vectors for the lines are v1 = h1; 2; 2i and v2 = h0; 2; 1i, so n = v1 × v2 = h−2; −1; 2i is

perpendicular to both lines. Pick any point on each of the lines, say (1; 2; 6) and (3; 2; −1), and form the vector

b = h2; 0; −7i connecting the two points. Then the distance between the two skew lines is the absolute value of the scalar

|n · b| |−4 + 0 − 14| 18
projection of b along n, that is, D = = √ = = 6.
|n| 4+1+4 3

81. (a) A direction vector from tank A to tank B is h765 − 325; 675 − 810; 599 − 561i = h440; −135; 38i. Taking tank A’s

position (325; 810; 561) as the initial point, parametric equations for the line of sight are x = 325 + 440t,

y = 810 − 135t, z = 561 + 38t for 0 ≤ t ≤ 1.

(b) We divide the line of sight into 5 equal segments, corresponding to ∆t = 0:2, and compute the elevation from the
z­component of the parametric equations in part (a):

t z = 561 + 38t terrain elevation

0 561:0
0:2 568:6 549
0:4 576:2 566
0:6 583:8 586
0:8 591:4 589
1:0 599:0

Since the terrain is higher than the line of sight when t = 0:6, the tanks can’t see each other.

82. (a) The planes x + y + z = c have normal vector h1; 1; 1i, so they are all

parallel. Their x­, y­, and z­intercepts are all c. When c > 0 their
intersection with the first octant is an equilateral triangle and when c < 0
their intersection with the octant diagonally opposite the first is an
equilateral triangle.

(b) The planes x + y + cz = 1 have x­intercept 1, y­intercept 1, and z­intercept 1=c. The plane with c = 0 is parallel to the
z­axis. As c gets larger, the planes get closer to the xy­plane.

(c) The planes y cos µ + z sin µ = 1 have normal vectors h0; cos µ; sin µi, which are perpendicular to the x­axis, and so the
planes are parallel to the x­axis. We look at their intersection with the yz­plane. These are lines that are perpendicular to

hcos µ; sin µi and pass through (cos µ; sin µ), since cos2 µ + sin2 µ = 1. So these are the tangent lines to the unit circle.
Thus the family consists of all planes tangent to the circular cylinder with radius 1 and axis the x­axis.

83. If a 6= 0, then ax + by + cz + d = 0 ⇒ a(x + d=a) + b(y − 0) + c(z − 0) = 0 which by (7) is the scalar equation of the
plane through the point (−d=a; 0; 0) with normal vector ha; b; ci. Similarly, if b 6= 0 (or if c 6= 0) the equation of the plane can
be rewritten as a(x − 0) + b(y + d=b) + c(z − 0) = 0 [or as a(x − 0) + b(y − 0) + c(z + d=c) = 0] which by (7) is the
scalar equation of a plane through the point (0; −d=b; 0) [or the point (0; 0; −d=c)] with normal vector ha; b; ci.

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 DISCOVERY PROJECT PUTTING 3D IN PERSPECTIVE ¤ 1245

DISCOVERY PROJECT Putting 3D in Perspective

1. If we view the screen from the camera’s location, the vertical clipping plane on the left passes through the points
(1000; 0; 0), (0; −400; 0), and (0; −400; 600). A vector from the first point to the second is v1 = h−1000; −400; 0i
and a vector from the first point to the third is v2 = h−1000; −400; 600i. A normal vector for the clipping plane is
v1 × v2 = −240,000 i + 600,000 j or −2 i + 5 j, and an equation for the plane is
−2(x − 1000) + 5(y − 0) + 0(z − 0) = 0 ⇒ 2x − 5y = 2000. By symmetry, the vertical clipping plane on the right is
given by 2x + 5y = 2000. The lower clipping plane is z = 0. The upper clipping plane passes through the points (1000; 0; 0),
(0; −400; 600), and (0; 400; 600). Vectors from the first point to the second and third points are v1 = h−1000; −400; 600i
and v2 = h−1000; 400; 600i, and a normal vector for the plane is v1 × v2 = −480,000 i − 800,000 k or 3 i + 5 k. An
equation for the plane is 3(x − 1000) + 0(y − 0) + 5(z − 0) = 0 ⇒ 3x + 5z = 3000.
A direction vector for the line L is v = h630; 390; 162i and taking P0 = (230; −285; 102), parametric equations
are x = 230 + 630t, y = −285 + 390t, z = 102 + 162t. L intersects the left clipping plane when
2(230 + 630t) − 5(−285 + 390t) = 2000 ⇒ t = − 16 . The corresponding point is (125; −350; 75). L intersects
the right clipping plane when 2(230 + 630t) + 5(−285 + 390t) = 2000 ⇒ t = 593
642
. The corresponding point is
approximately (811:9; 75:2; 251:6), but this point is not contained within the viewing volume. L intersects the upper clipping
plane when 3(230 + 630t) + 5(102 + 162t) = 3000 ⇒ t = 23 , corresponding to the point (650; −25; 210), and L
intersects the lower clipping plane when z = 0 ⇒ 102 + 162t = 0 ⇒ t = − 17
27 . The corresponding point is

approximately (−166:7; −530:6; 0), which is not contained within the viewing volume. Thus L should be clipped at the
points (125; −350; 75) and (650; −25; 210).

2. A sight line from the camera at (1000; 0; 0) to the left endpoint (125; −350; 75) of the clipped line has direction
v = h−875; −350; 75i. Parametric equations are x = 1000 − 875t, y = −350t, z = 75t. This line intersects the screen
¡ ¢
when x = 0 ⇒ 1000 − 875t = 0 ⇒ t = 87 , corresponding to the point 0; −400; 600 7
. Similarly, a sight line from
the camera to the right endpoint (650; −25; 210) of the clipped line has direction h−350; −25; 210i and parametric equations
are x = 1000 − 350t, y = −25t, z = 210t. x = 0 ⇒ 1000 − 350t = 0 ⇒ t = 20 7 , corresponding to the point
¡ ¢ ¡ ¢
0; − 7 ; 600 . Thus the projection of the clipped line is the line segment between the points 0; −400; 600
500
7 and
¡ ¢
7 ; 600 .
0; − 500

3. From Equation 12.5.4, equations for the four sides of the screen

are r1 (t) = (1 − t)h0; −400; 0i + t h0; −400; 600i,

r2 (t) = (1 − t)h0; −400; 600i + t h0; 400; 600i,
r3 (t) = (1 − t)h0; 400; 0i + t h0; 400; 600i, and
r4 (t) = (1 − t)h0; −400; 0i + t h0; 400; 0i. The clipped line
segment connects the points (125; −350; 75) and
(650; −25; 210), so an equation for the segment is
r5 (t) = (1 − t)h125; −350; 75i + t h650; −25; 210i.
The projection of the clipped segment connects the points

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°
1246 ¤ CHAPTER 12 VECTORS AND THE GEOMETRY OF SPACE

¡ ¢ ¡ ¢ ­ ® ­ ®
0; −400; 600
7
and 0; − 5007
; 600 , so an equation is r6 (t) = (1 − t) 0; −400; 6007
+ t 0; − 500
7
; 600 .
¡ ¢
The sight line on the left connects the points (1000; 0; 0) and 0; −400; 600 7
, so an equation is
­ ® ¡ ¢
r7 (t) = (1 − t)h1000; 0; 0i + t 0; −400; 600 7 . The other sight line connects (1000; 0; 0) to 0; − 500
7 ; 600 , so an equation
­ ®
is r8 (t) = (1 − t)h1000; 0; 0i + t 0; − 500
7
; 600 .

4. The vector from (621; −147; 206) to (563; 31; 242), v1 = h−58; 178; 36i, lies in the plane of the rectangle, as does the

vector from (621; −147; 206) to (657; −111; 86), v2 = h36; 36; −120i. A normal vector for the plane is

v1 × v2 = h−1888; −142; −708i or h8; 2; 3i, and an equation of the plane is 8x + 2y + 3z = 5292. The line L intersects

this plane when 8(230 + 630t) + 2(−285 + 390t) + 3(102 + 162t) = 5292 ⇒ t = 1858
3153
≈ 0:589. The corresponding

point is approximately (601:25; −55:18; 197:46). Starting at this point, a portion of the line is hidden behind the rectangle.

The line becomes visible again at the left edge of the rectangle, specifically the edge between the points (621; −147; 206) and

(657; −111; 86). (This is most easily determined by graphing the rectangle and the line.) A plane through these two points

and the camera’s location, (1000; 0; 0), will clip the line at the point it becomes visible. Two vectors in this plane are

v1 = h−379; −147; 206i and v2 = h−343; −111; 86i. A normal vector for the plane is

v1 × v2 = h10224; −38064; −8352i and an equation of the plane is 213x − 793y − 174z = 213,000. L intersects this plane

when 213(230 + 630t) − 793(−285 + 390t) − 174(102 + 162t) = 213,000 ⇒ t= 44,247

203,268
≈ 0:2177. The

corresponding point is approximately (367:14; −200:11; 137:26). Thus the portion of L that should be removed is the

segment between the points (601:25; −55:18; 197:46) and (367:14; −200:11; 137:26).

12.6 Cylinders and Quadric Surfaces

1. (a) In R2 , the equation y = x2 represents a parabola.

(b) In R3 , the equation y = x2 doesn’t involve z, so any

horizontal plane with equation z = k intersects the graph
in a curve with equation y = x2 . Thus, the surface is a
parabolic cylinder, made up of infinitely many shifted
copies of the same parabola. The rulings are parallel to
the z­axis.

c 2021 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
°