III) Equation of the plane in space.

Reminder: A plan can be determined by:

• Three unaligned points.
• Two intersecting lines.
• Two distinct parallel lines.
• A line and a point not belonging to this right.

Let the plane π pass through the point A(a1; a2; a3) and
directing vectors:
𝑢1 𝑣1
u=(𝑢2) and v=(𝑣2)
𝑢3 𝑣3

M(x ; y ; z) ∈ π AM ku + nv k, n ∈ IR.


ku + nv k, n ∈ IR.

𝑥 𝑎1 𝑢1 𝑣1
(𝑦) = (𝑎2) + k(𝑢2) +n(𝑣2)
𝑧 𝑎3 𝑢3 𝑣3
System of parametric equations of a plane in space.
x = a1 + ku1 + nv1
y = a2 + ku2 + nv2 k, n ∈ IR.
z = a3 + ku3 + nv3

Exercise 1.
Determine a parametric equation of the following plans:
a) α containing the point A(1; 2; 5) and the line (d) defined
by B(6; 0; 0) and
−1
u =( 3 )
1
Solution:
a) We have the point and A(1; 2; 5) and 2 vectors:
5 −1
AB(−2) and u =( 3 ).
−5 1
Then a parametric equation for the plane α is:
x = 1 + 5k - n
y = 2 - 2k + 3n k, n ∈ IR.
z = 5 - 5k + n

b) α containing the two lines:

(d) passing through A(2; 0; 3) of direction vector
1
v =(−1)
1
g passing through B(4; 0; 0) of direction vector
−1
w =( 1 )
−1
Solution:
We have the point and A(2; 0; 3) and 2 vectors:
1 −1
v (−1) and w =( 1 ).
1 −1
Then a parametric equation for the plane α is:

x=2+k-n
y = - 2k + n k, n ∈ IR.
z=3+k-n

Théorème. (coplanarity criterion)

3 vectors u, v and w are coplanar det(u, v, w) = 0.

Example.
−1 3 −1
The three vectors u = ( 2 ), v = (−2) and w =( 2 ) are
5 1 11
coplanar ?

−1 3 −1 −1 3
det(u, v, w) = | 2 −2 2 | | 2 −2| with the sarrus
5 1 11 5 1

method, we obtain.
det(u, v, w) = (22+30-2) – (10-2+66) = (50) – (74) = 24 ≠ 0

so u, v and w are not coplanar.

Exercise 2.

Show that the four points A(-4; 0; 3), B(-2; 3; 0),

C(0; 2; 1) and D(2; 1; 2) are coplanar, by a
coplanarity criterion of 3 vectors.

Solution:
We have 3 vectors. AB,AB, and AD

2 4 6
AB = ( 3 ) AC = ( 2 ) AD = ( 1 )
−3 −2 −1

2 4 6 2 4
det(AB,AC,AD) = | 3 2 1 || 3 2|
−3 −2 −1 −3 −2

det(AB,AC,AD)=(-4-12-36)-(-36-4-12)=(-52)–(-52) = 0
So the points A,B,C and D are coplanar.