3 – Dimensional geometry Day – 5

Coplanar and skew lines : Lines are parallel if they are in the same plane
(coplanar) and so not intersect. ... If two lines intersect and form a right angle, the lines are
perpendicular. Skew lines are lines that are non-coplanar and do not intersect. Two planes
are parallel if they never intersect
Q 1. Examine whether following vectors are coplanar or
not. a+b−2c,a−3b+c and 2a−b−c .
ANSWER
If the vectors are coplanar then area of the triangle formed by them must be zero.
Therefore,
1(3+1)−1(−1−2)+2(1−6) = −3
Hence, area is 3 sq. units.
Therefore, the given vectors are not coplanar.
Q2. If vectors 2i^−j^+k^, i^+2j^−3k^ and 3i^+aj^+5k^ are coplanar, then
find the value of a.
ANSWER
The given three vectors will be co-planar if
DETERMINANT = 0
2(10+3a)+1(5+9)+1(a−6)=0
⇒a=−4

Q3. . Find x such that the four

points A(3,2,1),B(4,x,5),C(4,2,−2) and D(6,5,−1) are coplanar.
SOLUTION :
Let OA=3i^+2j^+k^;OB=4i^+xj^+5k^

OC=4i^+2j^−2k^;OD=6i^+5j^−k^

∴AB=OB−OA=i^+(x−2)j^+4k^

AC=OC−OA=i^+0j^−3k^

AD=OD−OA=3i^+3j^−2k^

To find x, given vectors are coplanar

To find x, given vectors are coplanar

=[ABACAD]=0

Expanding the determinant

⇒1(0+9)−(x−2)(−2+9)+4(3−0)=0

⇒9−(x−2)(7)+12=0
or −7x+14+21=0

⇒−7x=−35 ; x = 5

Question 4: Show that lines x+3/−3 = y–2/4 = z–5/5 and x+1/−3 = y–2/3 = z+5/6 are
coplanar.
Solution:
According to the question:
x1 = -3, y1 = 2, z1 = 5, x2 = -1 , y2 = 2, z2 = -5, a1 = -3 , b1 = 4, c1 = 5, a2 = -3 , b2 = 3, c2 = 6

Thus, the given lines are not coplanar.

https://youtu.be/I4j8WFabJio