Chapter 5

Plane and Space linear geometry

In this chapter we will study the quadratic variations of an

euclidian punctual space E3 = (E3, V3, φ ) starting from different ways
of geometrical determination . The variations of the dimension, one
respective two of a quadratical space E3 are affinity own subspace in
E3, that is to say the straight line and respectively the affinety planes.
A affinity subspace can be determined as a subset of its
points, or as a point of his and a director subspace. We will start from
these geometrical conditions and we will characterize algebrical the
straight lines and the planes of the subspace E3 pertain to a carthesian
orthonormed marker R(0; i , j , k ).
Taking in consideration the euclidian structure of a vectorial
space director V3, will square up to the aspects linked between the
angles and distances.

§1. Plane in space

In E3, space of euclidian geometry , a plane is unique

determined by the following conditions:
1) three non-coliniar points
2) a point and two non-parallel straight lines
3) a point and a perpendicular straight line on a plane.

1.1. The plane through three points

Let be M0, M1, M2  E3 three non-coliniar points

(affinity independent). The affinity subspace   E3 generated by
the points M0, M1, M2 has as a director vectorial space a subspace of
dimension two in the vectorial space V3, given by:

1
V2 = {M 0
M  V |  ,  R , astfel încât
M 0M   M 0M1   M 0M 2 }

A point M  if and only if M 0M  V2

M2 M
M0 
r
 
r0 r2 M1

p r2

fig.1.

 
If we denote by r = OM , ri = OM i , i = 0, 1, 2 the
position vectors of the points M and respective M0, M1, M2 in the
carthesian mark R (O; i , j , k ), (Oxyz) then the set of the points
from the plane  will be characterized by the vectorial relation :
r  r0   (r1  r0 )   (r2  r1 ) , l, m Î R
(1.1)
wich it is called the vectorial equation of a plane through three points.
If (x, y, z), (xi, yi, zi) Î R3, i = 0, 1, 2 are the coordinates of
the points M and respective Mi, i = 0, 1, 2 than the vectorial equation
(1.1) written in the carthesian mark (Oxyz) is equivalent to the
following equations:

 x  x0   ( x1  x0 )   ( x2  x0 )

 y  y0   ( y1  y0 )   ( y 2  y0 ),  ,   R (1.2)
 z  z  (z  z )  (z  z )
 0 1 0 2 0

named the parametrical carthesian equations of a plane through three

points.

2
 The relation M 0 M = l M 0 M 1 + m M 0 M 2 represents the
condition of coplanarity of vectors M 0 M , M 0 M 1 , M 0 M 2 wich is
equivalent to the abolition of the mixed product, that is :

( M 0M , M 0M1 , M 0M 2 ) = 0 or ( r  r0 , r1  r0 , r2  r0 )
(1.3)

In the carthesian coordinates the equation (1.3) is written like

this:

x y z 1
x  x0 y  y0 z  z0
x y0 z0 1
x1  x0 y1  y0 z1  z0  0 or 0 0
x1 y1 z1 1
x2  x0 y 2  y0 z2  z0
x2 y2 z2 1
(1.4)
wich is called the carthesian equation of a plane through three points.

In particular, the points A (a, 0, 0), B (0, b, 0), C (0, 0, c)

situated on the axis of coordinates Oxyz determins a plane  , and the
coordinates of its points satisfy the following equation:
xa y z
a b 0 0 , or after increment (progress).
a 0 c
x y z
  1  0 (1.5)
a b c

named the cutting equation of plane p.

Remark. The necessary and sufficient condition for the need of four
points Mi(xi,yi, zi), i  1,4 to be situated in a plane is:
x1 y1 z1 1
x2 y2 z2 1
0
x3 y3 z3 1
x4 y4 z4 1
(1.6)
1.2. The plane through one point, parallel with two given
directions

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 Let the point M0 Î E3 and the distinct straight lines d1, d2 Ì
E3. We consider in the point M0 the representative of the vectors
v1 (l1, m1, n1) , v2 (l2, m2, n2) parallel to the straight line d1
respectively d2 (fig.2)
The vectors v1 and v2 , linearly independent generates the
vectorial subspace :
V2 = { v  V |  ,  R , such that v  v1  v2 }.


d2 d1
v2 M
M0
r

r0 v1
p

O
fig.2
The point M0 Î E3 and the vectorial subspace V2 determins
the bidimentional affinity subspace p Ì E3. One point M Î p if and
only if M 0 M Î V2, wich means that the vectors M 0 M , v1 and
v2 are coplanar.
 
Using the position vectors r and r0 appropriate to points
M and respectively M0, the relation of coplanarity M 0 M  v1  v2
is written like this:
r  r0  v1  v2 (1.7)

named the vecorial equation of the plane through one point, parallel
with two directions.
Projecting the equation (1.7) on the axis of coordinates
Oxyz in the carthesian system we obtain:

 x  x0   l1  l2

 y  y0   m1  m2 , l, m Î R
 z  z   n  n (1.8)
 0 1 2

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called the carthesian equation under parametrical form of plane
through one point, parallel with two directions.
The coplanar relation of vectors M 0 M , v1 and v2 is
characterized by the abolition of the mixt product of the three vectors,
wich means that ( r  r0 , v1 , v2 ) = 0. This way we obtain the
following equation:
x  x0 y  y0 z  z0
l1 m1 n1  0
l2 m2 n2
(1.9)
called the carthesian equation of a plane through one point, parallel
with two directions.
Remark. In particular, the equation (1.9) can be adapted for other
situations known from the elementary geometry, in wich a plane is
perfect determined.
Namely: the plane determined by a straight line and a point not-
situated on the line, the plane determined by two straight concurent
lines and respectively the plane determined by two parallel straight
lines.
1.3. The plane through one point , perpendicular on a
straight line
The first two cases of a plane determination are specific to
an affinity space, the plane taken like the prop set of an affinity
subspace of dimension two of the affinity vectorial space E3. By
overlaing the properties given by the euclidian structure of the
vectorial space V3, we can characterize algebricaly the points of a
plane through one point and wich should be perpendicular on one
given direction.
It is known from the elementary geometry that exists only
one plane and only one wich passes through one point and it is
perpendicular on a given straight line. Algebricaly speaking this fact is
conceived like this: if V2 is a vectorial subspace of dimension two in
the euclidian vectorial space of free vectors V3 then it exists an
orthogonal unique complement V1, subspace of dimension one, wich
allows writting in direct sum the vectorial space of free vectors, like
this V3 = V2  V1.
Therefore, the determination of an affinity plane  through a
point having a vectorial director space on V2 wich is equivalent to the

5
determining of the plane through one point having the direction of the
normal parallel to the subspace V1 orthogonaly to subspace V2.
A vector with perpendicular direction on a plane will be
named normal vector of the plane or shortly the normaly of the plane.
Let be a point M0 (xo, y0, z0) Î E3 and the not zero vector N
(A, B, C) Î V3 in the euclidian punctual space E 3 having in
composition the carthesian orthonormed mark R (O; i , j , k ),
(fig.3).
d N

M
M0
p

fig.3
A point M(x, y, z) is situated in plane p, the plane in wich
M0 is perpendicular on the straight line d || N , if and only if M 0 M
is orthogonal on the vector N , means that M 0 M × N = 0. Using
the analitical expression of the scalar product we obtain:

A(x - x0) + B(y - y0) + C(z - z0) = 0 (1.10)

is called the equation of a plane through one point and a given

normal.
By processing the left part of the equation (1.10) and by
denoting with D = - (Ax0 + By0 + Cz0) we obtain:

Ax + By + Cz + D = 0 (1.11)

named the general carthesian equation of a plane.

Remarks:
1. Any plane p Ì E3 is characterized by a carthesian mark
Oxyz by an polynomial equation of first degree in the undetermined
x,y,z and reciprocal.

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 2. In the equation (1.11) the coeficients of the
undetermined represents the coordinates of the normal vector at a
plane. In conseqence, two planes on wich the equations differs by the
free term are parallel planes, so, the equation
Ax + By + Cz = l , l Î R (1.12)
Represents the family of parallel planes from space of given normal
N (A, B, C). Forl = 0 the equation (1.12) represents the equation of a
plane through the origin.
3. The equations of coordinates planes. Thoes planes are
containing the origin, therefore l = 0 and have as normals the vectors
of the mark R (O; i , j , k ), i = (1,0,0), j = (0,1,0), k = (0,0,1).
We obtain:
z=0 – the equation of the plane xOy
y=0 – the equation of the plane xOz
x=0 – the equation of the plane yOz
4. The normal equation of a plane. Let’s consider the plane
p Ì E3 and point M0 the projection of the origin in the mark R (O; i ,
j , k ) on the plane p. If we denote with p the distance from the
origin to the plane p, with a, b, g the angles that makes the vector
OM 0 with the axis of coordinates then we can write:
OM 0 = || OM 0 || × e = p (cosa i + cosb j + cosg k ),
|| e || = 1  cos2a + cos2b + cos2g = 1
A point M (x, y, z) situated on the plane p if and only if the
vectors OM 0 = p cosa i + p cosb j + p cosg k şi M 0 M = OM
- OM 0 = = (x - p cosa) i + (y – p cosb) j + (z – p cosg) k are
orthogonal, wich means OM 0 × M 0 M = 0. In coordinates the
condition of orthogonality is equivalent with:

x cosa + y cosb + z cosg - p = 0 (1.13)

named the normal equation of a plane or the equation of a plane

under the form of Hess.
In the equation (1.13) p Î R+ represents the distance of the
origin to the plane p, and the quantities cosa, cosb, cosg wich has the
property cos2a + cos2b + cos2g = 1 represents the coordinates of the
versor e of the normal direction of the plane p and they will be
named the director cosinus of the direction e .

7
 If we consider the plane p given by the general equation
Ax + By + Cz +D = 0, having the normal N = (A, B, C) and dividing
the equation through || N || A2  B 2  C 2 we obtain:

Ax  By  Cz  D
0 (1.14)
 A2  B 2  C 2

named the normalized equation of the plane p . We choose the sign ¢¢

+¢¢ or ¢¢-¢¢ after if D is negative or positive, forasmuch
comparing the equation (1.14) with the equation (1.13) we have
A B
 cos  ,  cos  ,
 A  B C
2 2 2
 A  B2  C 2
2

C D
 cos  , and the free term   p , in
 A  B C
2 2 2
 A  B2  C 2
2

which p > 0, represents the distance.

1.4. The relative position of two planes

The study of the geometrical positions of two planes p1, p2 Ì E3:

 planes which intersects after a stright line
 parallel planes (strictly)
 mixed planes,
it diminishes to the study of the solved system sets formed with the
equation given by the two planes.
Let us consider in the orthonormed carthesian mark R (O; i , j ,
k ) the planes (p1): A1x + B1y + C1z + D1 = 0 and (p2): A2x + B2y +
C2z + D2 = 0.

 A1 B1 C1 
If we denote with M    the matrix of the
 A2 B2 C2 
system

 A x  B1 y  C1 z  D1  0
(S )  1 (1.15)
 A2 x  B2 y  C 2 z  D2  0 ,

we have the following cases:

8
 - rank M = 2 the system (S ) is simply undetermined
compatibile.
The set of solutions of the system ( I ) characterize the
geometrical space of the common points of two planes, that is to say
the straight line of intersection of the two planes d = p1 Ç p2 .

- rank M = 1 and Dc = 0 – the system (S ) is double

undetermined compatible, that is to say the two planes coincide, p1 º
p2.

- rank M = 1 and Dc ¹ 0 – system (S ) is incompatible. The

two planes don’t have any common points, p1 || p2.

1.5. The relative position of three planes

In the euclidian punctual space õ3 endowed with the

carthesian mark R (O; i , j , k ) we consider the planes:

(p1): A1x + B1y + C1z + D1 = 0

(S ) (p2): A2x + B2y + C2z + D2 = 0
(p3): A3x + B3y + C3z + D3 = 0

We denote with:
 A1 B1 C1 
 
M   A2 B2 C2  ,
A B3 C3 
 3
the matrix of the system formed with the equations of the three
planes.

We have the following cases:

a) rank M = 3 Û system (S ) is compatible determined. The

solution of the system represents the coordinates of the common point
of the three planes; we will say that the three planes are concurrent
(sheaf of planes).
b) rank M = 2 and Dc = 0 Û system (S ) is simple
compatible undetermined. The set of solutions represents the

9
coordinates of the points situated on a common straight line of the
three planes. We say that the three planes forms a fascicle of planes.
The rank conditions M = 2 and Dc = 0 are equivalent with
the fact that a equation of the system (S ) is a linear combination of
the others. If the planes (p1) and (p2) determins a straight line (d)
then any plane through the line of intersection is analitically
represented as a combination of the equations of the two planes. The
equation of the fascicle of the planes through the intersection line of
the planes p1 and p2, named the axis of the fascicle, is given by :
l(A1x + B1y + C1z + D1) + m(A2x + B2y + C2z + D2) = 0 (1.16)

l, m Î R, l2 + m2 ¹ 0

The equation A1x + B1y + C1z + D1 + a(A2x + B2y + C2z + D2)

= 0, a Î R
represents the equation of the fascicle through the straight line (d)
from which is missing the plane p2.

In particular, the axis Ox thought as the intersection of the

planes xOy and xOz, determins the fascicle of the planes through
Oz characterized by:

ly + mz = 0 (1.17)

c) rank M = 2 and Dc ¹ 0 Û system (S ) is incompatible. If

two planes are intersected after a straight line, the third plane being
parallel with the intersection line of the first two planes (the planes are
forming a prism).
d) rank M = 1 and  c =  c = 0 Û the system (S ) is
1 2

compatible double undetermined. The three planes are mixed.

e) rank M = 1 and $  ci ¹ 0 Û the system (S ) is
incompatible. The planes are parallel (strict or two can be mixed).

§2. The straight line in space

Let be R (O; i , j , k ), an orthonormed carthesian mark in

the punctual euclidian space E3 = (E3, V3, j). Either point M Î E3 we
can associate the position vector r  OM  xi  yj  zk , where the

10
ternary (x, y, z) Î R3, the coordinates of the vector OM in base {
i , j , k } will be named the coordinates of point M.
In the geometrical space E3, a straight line is unique
determined by the following conditions:
- a point and a given direction
- two distinct points
- the intersection of two planes

2.1. The straight line determined by a point and a direction

Let be a point M0 Î E3 and the non-zero vector v Î V3. The
non-zero vector v generates the onedimenssion vectorial subspace
V1 = { u ÎV3 / u = l v , l Î R}.
In these conditions the affinity subspace which contains the
point M0 and which allows on V 1 as a director space, will have as
support set the straight line(d) whom the points are given by:
d  { M  E 3 | M 0 M M 0 M  V1 }


v

M d
M0

O
The condition M 0 M Î V 1 takes place iff $l Î R such
 
that M 0 M = l v . Writting M 0 M = r  r0 we obtain
r  r0  v , lÎR (2.1)

named the vectorial equation of a straight line (d) through point M0

having the direction given by the vector v .
If we project the relation (2.1) on the axis of the carthesian
mark R(O, i , j , k ) we obtain :

 x  x0  l

 y  y0  m (2.2)
 z  z  n ,   R
 0

named the parametrical equations of the straight line d through

point M0(x0, y0, z0) having the direction given by the vector

11
v  li  mj  nk .

The vector v = (l, m, n) Î V3 will be named vectorial
director of the straight line (d) and the coordinates l, m, n Î R will be
named director parameters of the straight line (d).
If the director vector is the versor e , which forms the
angles a, b, g with the axis of the coordinates Ox, Oy, Oz, then the
director parameters :
cosa, cosb, cosg, the coordinates of the versor e , will be named
the director cosinus of the straight line (d).
The director cosinus of a direction in space satisfies the
relation
cos2a + cos2b + cos2g = 1
Remark: the equations (2.1) or the equivalent form (2.2) guvernates
the exact uniform straight line of a material point.
Eliminating the parameter l from the equations (2.2) we
obtain the folowing equations:

x  x0 y  y 0 z  z 0
  , (2.3)
l m n

named the canonical carthesian equations ( known as proportions) of

the stright line d through point M0(x0, y0, z0) and with the direction
given by the vector v = (l, m, n).

Remark: the canonical equations are being written when one or two
director parameters are zero, which corresponds in this case that the
corresponding denominator is zero and the equations are efectivly
given by the equalizing of the equivalent product of the proportions
formed.

2.2. The straight line determined by two distinct points

Let be M1, M2 Î E3 two distinct points. The affinity subspace

generated by these points will have as a vectorial director the
onedimension subspace V1 Ì V3 given by

12
 V1 = { M 1M Î V3 | $l Î R such that M 1M = M 1M 2 }
M
M2
M1

fig. 2

In other words a point M Î E3 belongs to a support set of the

affinity subspace generated by the points M1 and M2, that is M
situated on the straight line through the two points, if and only if the
vectors M 1M and M 1M 2 are collinear. Thus, the set of points of
the straight line M1 and M2 will be characterized by the vectorial
relation:
r  (1   ) r1  r2 , l Î R (2.4)
or
(r  r1 )  (r2  r1 )  0 (2.4)¢

named the vectorial equation of a straight line through two points.

In the carthesian mark R (O; i , j , k ), considering M(x,
y, z) , M1(x1, y1, z1) and M2(x2, y2, z2), we will obtain:

 x  (1   ) x1  x2

 y  (1   ) y1  y2 (2.5)
 z  (1   ) z  z ,   R
 1 2

named the parametrical equations of the straight line through two

points .

Remark: For l Î (0, 1) the equations (2.5) provides us the sets of

points on the straight line (d) within the points M1 and M2, and for l
Î R \ [0, 1] we obtain the points of the straight line (d), the exterior

13
 1
of the segment M1M2. For   we obtain the coordinates of the
2
middle of the segment M1M2.
The elimination of the parameter l Î R in the equation (2.5)
or imposing the proportionality of the coordinates of two collinear
vectors , we obtain

x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
  (2.6)
x2  x1 y2  y1 z 2  z1

which is called the carthesian equation in a canonical shape of a

straight line through two points.

2.3. The straight line as an intersection of two planes

It is known from the elementry geometry that two

nonparallel planes are intersecting after a straight line (d). In the
former paragraph this geometrical situation is characterized analiticaly
by a system of undetermined compatible linear equations, formed
with the equations of two planes. Thus, the equations of the system
 A1 x  B1 y  C1 z  D1  0
 (2.7)
 A2 x  B2 y  C2 z  D2  0

will be named the equations of the straight line (d) given by the
intersection of two planes.

A solution (x0, y0, z0) of the system (2.7) will characterize

a point of the straight line (d) and the vector v  N1  N 2 , where
N1  ( A1 , B1 , C1 ) and N 2  ( A2 , B2 , C2 ) are the norms (normalele)
of the two planes which determins the straight line (d).

Remark :

The carthesian equations (2.3) and (2.6) of a straight line in

space can be translated as a system of two linear equations, that is the
straight line (d) considered as an intersection between two planes.

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2.4. The relative positions of two straight lines

Let be the straight lines (d1) and (d2) given by the equations

x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
(d1)  
l1 m1 n1
x  x2 y  y 2 z  z 2
(d2)  
l2 m2 n2

We consider the vectors v1 = (l1, m1, n1), v2 = (l2, m2, n2) –

director vectors of the straight lines (d1) respective (d2) and the
vectors M 1 M 2 , where M1(x1, y1, z1) Î d1 respective M2(x2, y2, z2) Î
d2.
We have the cases:

a) if ( v1 , v2 , M 1 M 2 ) ¹ 0 – the straight lines (d1) and (d2)

are noncoplanar or are some certain straight lines in space (deformed
seted in space).
In this case exists a common direction unique normal on the
two straight lines, given by v = v1 × v2 and so a unique straight line
which is underpins on the two straight lines having the direction v
(fig. 3), named common perpendicular of the straight lines (d1) and
(d2).
v d2

v2

v2
d1
d

fig. 3

The common perpendicular (d) is given by the intersection

of the planes p1 and p2; p1 – the plane through the straight line (d1)

15
parallel to v and p2 - the plane through (d2) parallel to v . The
equations of the common perpendicular are :
 x  x1 y  y1 z  z1

 l1 m1 n1  0
 l m n

 (2.8)
x x y  y2 z  z2
 2

 l2 m2 n2  0
 l m n


where (l, m, n) = v = v1 × v2
b) if ( v1 , v2 , M 1 M 2 ) = 0 – the straight lines (d1) and (d2)
are coplanar
b1) v2 ¹ l v1 - concurrent straight lines
b2) v2 = l v1 - parallel straight lines (strictly)
b3) v2 = l v1 and M 1 M 2 = m v1 - submerged
straight lines

§3. Angles and distances

Let be (d) a straight line in euclidian punctual space E3. On

the line (d) can be established two ways of the route. A straight line
(d) along with a way of the route it is called oriented straight line.
If v is the director vector of the straight line (d), then we
will choose the way of the route on the line the way of v (positive
way).
Let be the plane p Ì E3 having the normal vector N . The
plane has two faces and choosing a way on the normal is equivalent
with choosing a face of the plane. A plane p along with a choice of the
way on the normal is called oriented plane. Will choose the way on the
normal and the orientation is given by N .

3.1. The angle of two straight line in space

Let be the straight lines (d1) and (d2) oriented by the director
vectors v1 = (l1, m1, n1) and respectively v2 = (l2, m2, n2).

16
 Through the angles of the straight lines (d1) and (d2) we will
understand the angle j Î [0, p], angle between the vectors v1 and
v2 , given by

l1l2  m1m2  n1n2

cosj = 2 2 2 2 2 (3.1)
l1  m1  n12  l2  m2  n2

In particular we have:

d1  d2 Û v1 × v2 = 0 Û l1l2+m1m2+n1n2 = 0
l1 m1 n1
d1 d 2 Û v1 × v2 = 0 Û  
l2 m2 n2

3.2. Angle of two planes

Let be the unparallel planes p1 and p2, given by

(p1) A1x + B1y + C1z + D1 = 0

(p2) A2x + B2y + C2z + D2 = 0

In elementary geometry the angle of two unparallel planes is

defined as the diedral angle of the two planes. This angle is equal or
suplementar with the angle of the vectors N1  ( A1 , B1 , C1 ) and
N 2  ( A2 , B2 , C2 ) , normal vectors of the planes p1 respectively p2.
We accept that the diedral angle determined by the oriented
planes p1 and p2 to be mesured through the angle between N 1 and
N 2 . This angle is given by

A1 A2  B1B2  C1C2
cosj = 2 2 2 2 2 (3.2)
A1  B1  C12  A2  B2  C2

In particularly p1  p2 Û A1A2+B1B2+C1C2 = 0

17
3.3. The angle between a straight line and a plane

The angle between a line and a plane is defined in elementary

geometry as the angle between a line and its orthogonal projection on
the plane.
Let be the the line (d) oriented by the director vector v = (l,
m, n) and the plane p oriented by the normal N  ( A, B, C ) (fig. 5)

N d
q
j d¢

fig. 5

The angle j Î [0, ] between the line (d) and plane p is tied
2
to the angle q, the angle of the vectors v and N , through the

relations q = ± j, we obtain sin    cos .This way we find :
2

| vN | | lA  mB  nC |
sin   = (3.3)
|| v ||  || N || l 2  m 2  n 2  A2  B 2  C 2

In particularily:

d ||p Û v N = 0 Û lA + mB + nC = 0,
l m n
d pÛ v ´N = 0 Û   .
a B C

3.4 The distance from a point to a straight line

We remind that the distance between two subsets S1 and S2 in a

metric space is given by d ( S1, S2) = inf {d ( M1, M2) | M1 Î S1, M2 Î
S2}.

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 In the euclidian punctual space E3 endowed with euclidian
metric the distance between two subsets is reduced to a distance
between two points. Thus, the distance from a point to a straight line
is given by the distance between a point and its orthogonal projection
A
d
v
A¢
M0
on the straight line (fig. 6)
fig. 6
Let be the line (d) through point M0, oriented through the
director vector v , point A exterior of the line and A¢ its projection on
the straight line (d). By determining the plane A¢, as the intersection
of the line (d) with the plane through A orthogonal to the line, we
obtain d (A, d) = d (A, A¢). Thus, by constructing the parallelogram
determined by the vectors M 0 A and v , we obtain
|| v  M 0 A ||
d (A, d) = d (A, A¢) =
|| v ||
(3.4)
3.5. The distance from a point to a plane

The distance from a point M0 to a plane (p) Ax + By + Cz +

D = 0 is given by the distance between the point M0(x0, y0, z0) and the
point M¢ (x¢, y¢, z¢), its orthogonal projection on the plane p .
We determine the coordinates (x¢, y¢, z¢) of the point M ¢,
by solving the system formed by the equations of the planes and the
equations of the straight lines through the point M0 orthogonal on the
plane, that is to be:
 Ax  By  Cz  D  0
 x  x0   A

 (3.5)
 y  y 0  B
 z  z0  C
The parameter on the line is suiting M ¢, denoted with l¢, is
given by

19
 Ax0  By0  Cz0  D
l¢ = - and we obtain
A2  B 2  C 2

d (M0,M¢) = ( x  x0 ) 2  ( y   y 0 ) 2  ( z   z 0 ) 2 =
= A   B   C 
2 2 2 2 2 2
=  A  B2  C 2
2

and the distance from the point M0 to plane p is given by

Ax0  By0  Cz 0  D
d (M0, p) = (3.6)
A2  B 2  C 2

Remark: The distance from a point M0 to a plane p is obtained by

taking the modulus of the expression obtained through the replacing of
the given point coordinate in the left member of the normalized
equation of the plane.

3.6. The distance between two certain straight lines in space

Let be the certain lines in space

x  x1 y  y1 z  z1
(d1)  
l1 m1 n1
x  x2 y  y 2 z  z 2
(d2)  
l2 m2 n2

Let be (d) the common perpendicular of the lines (d1) and (d2)
and P1 respectively P2 its contact points (d1) respectively (d2).

We construct the determined parallelipiped by the vectors

M 1M 2 = (x2-x1, y2-y1, z2-z1), v1 =(l1, m1, n1) and v2 = (l2, m2, n2). (fig.
7)

20
 d

N d2
v2
M2
P2

d
d

P1
M1

v1 d1

fig. 7

The distance between the straight lines (d1) and (d2) is given
by the distance between the contact points of the common
perpendicular to the two lines, the distance which represents the
height of the builded parallelipiped.

Thus, we obtain:

| (v1 , v2 , M 1M 2 ) |
d (d1, d2) = d (P1, P2) = (3.7)
|| v1  v2 ||

21
 §4. Problems

1. It is given A ( 3, 1, 0), B ( 2, 1, -1), C ( 3, 2, 1). Write the

equation of a plane :
a) which passes through A, B, C;
b) which passes through B and is parallel xOy;
c) which passes through C and containes the axis Oz;
d) which passes through B, C and is parallel to Oy.

2. Write the equation of the plane which passes through point

M ( 2, 0, 1) and is perpendicular on the planes (P1) : x + y + z = 0
and (P2): x - 2y + 3z = 1.

3. Write the equation of a plane parallel to the plane (P) x

+ y + +z = 3 and which passes through the middle of the segment
determined by the points M1 ( 1, 3, 2) and M ( -1, 3 , 4).

4. Determine the equation of the plane which passes through

M ( -1, 1, 0) and cuts on the axis of coordinates proportional segments
with numbers 2, 3, 4.

 x  2  3u  4v

5. Let be the plane  y  1  2u  v .
 z  1   u  v

Find l and m thus such that the plane to be orthogonal on the
vector v ( 1, 7, 11). Write the general equation of the plane.

6. Let be the triangle A, B, C with A ( 0, 2, 0), B ( 3, 2, 1),

C ( 0, 1, 2). Write the equations:
a) the height from A;
b) the median from B;
c) the mediator of the flank AB.

7. Write the equation of the straight line which passes through

M (1,-1,1) and is parallel to the line of intersection of the planes (P1) x
+ y = 3 and (P2) x - z = 1.

22
 8. A mobile M is moving in space on the trajectory given by
 x  2t  1

 y  t
z  t 3

Determine the moment t at which the mobile is contained in
plane x + y + z = 0 and write the carthesian equation of this
trajectory.

x y z
9. Find a, b Î R such that the straight line   is
 1 2
contained in plane x – z = 0 and to pass through M ( 1, 1, 1).

10. Write the equation of the plane which passes through M0

( 2, -1, 1) and is perpendicular on the straight line defined by the
planes (P1) : x + 2y + 2z + 2 = 0 şi (P2) : x - y + z + 1= 1.

11. Write the equation of the plane which passes through the
middle of the segment M ( 1, -1, 2), N ( 4, -3, 1), is parallel to the line
x 1 y 1
  z and perpendicular to the plane x – 2y – z –1 = 0.
2 3

12. Write the equations of the lines contained in plane (P) x + 3y+
2z -2 = 0, which is sustained on the straight line x = y = z and is parallel
to the plane 4x – y – z – 3 = 0.

13. Write the projection equations of the straight line

x 1 y 1 z  2
  on the plane 3x – 2y + z – 4 = 0.
2 3 5

14. Write the equation of a parallel plane (P) 3x + 5y + z = 0

which passes through point M ( 2, 0 , 5).

15. Write the plane which passes through A ( 3, 1, -2) and

x4 y3 z
containes the straight line   .
5 2 1

23
 16. Let be the point M ( 2, 1, 0) and the plane (P) 2x + 2y + z
= 1. Determine:
a) the projection of M on the plane;
b) the simetric of M towards the plane;
c) the distance from M to (P).

x 1 y  2 z
17. Let be the straight line (d)   and the plane
2 1 3
(P) 2x - y + z = 0. Determine the projection of the straight line (d) on
the plane (P).

18. Write the equation of a plane which passes through the

x 1 y 1 z  2
line   and which is perpendicular on the plane
0 1 2
x + y + z = 0.

19. Write the equation of a straight line which passes through

A ( 3, 1, -1) and sustaines on the straight lines
x y2 x 1 y z
a)   z  1 and  
1 3 2 1 4
 x 1  0
b)  x  3 y  z  3 and x = -t, y = 2t + 1, z = 3t.


 x  y  z 1  0
20. On the straight line 3x  y  4 z  29  0 find a point

equal secluded from the points A (3, 14, 4) and B (5, -13, -2).

21. Find the angles between the straight lines

x 1 y z  4 y3
  and  x  y  2 z  1 .
2 2 1 

22. Calculate the angle which makes with the straight line
x y z
(d) :   and the plane 2x + 2y – z – 3 = 0.
0 3 4

23. Determine the angle between the planes x + y + 2z = 1,

2x – y + 2z = 3.

24
 24. Write the equation of the common perpendicular and
calculate the distance between the straight lines
x 1 y  3 z x y z 1
a) (d1):   and (d2):  
2 1 0 1 2 1
x  y  4 x 2 y 3 z
b) (d1):  x  2 y  z  5 and (d2):  
 1 2 0

x 1 y z
25. Show that the straight lines (d1):   and
2 3 2
x 1 y 1 z 1
(d2):   are certain in space and determine the
2 3 2
distance between them.

26. Determine a and b such that the planes:

(p1): x + 2y + z = a
(p2): ax = 3
(p3): x + by + z = 0,
a) intersect after a straight line;
b) intersect in a point;
c) form a prism.

27. Determine the simetric of the straight line (D):

x 1 y z  2
  toward the plane xOy.
4 1 2

28. Determine the simetrical of the plane 2x + y – 2z = 1

toward the plane x + y + z = 0.

25