Planes

The Plane

Dr. E. Mujuni

December 7, 2020
Planes

Introduction to Planes
When any two points lie on a surface, if every point of the straight
line joining them lies on it, the surface is a Plane surface or
simply a plane.
The general equation of the first degree of a plane in x, y, z is

ax + by + cz + d = 0

Lemma
If the plane ax + by + cz + d = 0 passes through a given point
(x1 , y1 , z1 ), then ax1 + by1 + cz1 + d = 0.

Observation
Let Ax + By + Cz + D = 0. If the plane intercepts the x-axis at x = a,
y -axis at y = b and z-axis at z = c, then A = − Da , B = − Db and
C = − Dc .
Planes

Introduction to Planes
When any two points lie on a surface, if every point of the straight
line joining them lies on it, the surface is a Plane surface or
simply a plane.
The general equation of the first degree of a plane in x, y, z is

ax + by + cz + d = 0

Lemma
If the plane ax + by + cz + d = 0 passes through a given point
(x1 , y1 , z1 ), then ax1 + by1 + cz1 + d = 0.

Observation
Let Ax + By + Cz + D = 0. If the plane intercepts the x-axis at x = a,
y -axis at y = b and z-axis at z = c, then A = − Da , B = − Db and
C = − Dc .
Planes

Introduction to Planes
When any two points lie on a surface, if every point of the straight
line joining them lies on it, the surface is a Plane surface or
simply a plane.
The general equation of the first degree of a plane in x, y, z is

ax + by + cz + d = 0

Lemma
If the plane ax + by + cz + d = 0 passes through a given point
(x1 , y1 , z1 ), then ax1 + by1 + cz1 + d = 0.

Observation
Let Ax + By + Cz + D = 0. If the plane intercepts the x-axis at x = a,
y -axis at y = b and z-axis at z = c, then A = − Da , B = − Db and
C = − Dc .
Planes

Plane passing through 3 given points

Observation
If a plane passes through the points (x1 , y1 , z1 ), (x2 , y2 , z2 ) and
(x3 , y3 , z3 ) then the equation of the plane is given by

x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
x2 − x1 y2 − y1 z2 − z1 =0
x3 − x1 y3 − y1 z3 − z1

Proof.
Planes

Plane passing through 3 given points

Observation
If a plane passes through the points (x1 , y1 , z1 ), (x2 , y2 , z2 ) and
(x3 , y3 , z3 ) then the equation of the plane is given by

x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
x2 − x1 y2 − y1 z2 − z1 =0
x3 − x1 y3 − y1 z3 − z1

Proof.
Planes

Example
Find the equation of the plane passing through the points (2, −2, −1),
(2, 3, 4) and (−3, 5, 1).

Solution
The equation is given by

x −2 y +2 z +1
0 5 5 =0
−5 7 2

This implies that −25(x − 2) − 25(y + 2) + 25(z + 1). That is

x +y −z −1=0
Planes

Equation of the plane which is perpendicular p from

Original

Let the unit direction vector of the perpendicular ON is drawn

from O to the plane be (l, m, n) (refer 1). Then, the coodinate of
N are (pl, pm, pn).

N
p P(x, y , z)

O
Figure:
Planes

Equation of the plane which is perpendicular p from

Original

Let the unit direction vector of the perpendicular ON is drawn

from O to the plane be (l, m, n) (refer 1). Then, the coodinate of
N are (pl, pm, pn).

N
p P(x, y , z)

O
Figure:
Planes

Now the vector of NP are (x − pl, y − pm, z − pn). So, we have

e

l(x − pl) + m(y − pm) + n(z − pn) = 0

Hence, the equation of the plane is

lx + my + ny − p = 0 (1)

Remarks
1 From (1), we see that if ax + by + cz + d = 0 is a plane, then
(a, b, c) is diretional vector perpendicular (called normal line) to
the given plane.
2 The angle between any two planes is equal to the angle between
the respective normals.
3 If two planes are perpendicular, then their normal are
perpendicular.
4 If two planes are parallel, then their normal are parallel.
Planes

Now the vector of NP are (x − pl, y − pm, z − pn). So, we have

e

l(x − pl) + m(y − pm) + n(z − pn) = 0

Hence, the equation of the plane is

lx + my + ny − p = 0 (1)

Remarks
1 From (1), we see that if ax + by + cz + d = 0 is a plane, then
(a, b, c) is diretional vector perpendicular (called normal line) to
the given plane.
2 The angle between any two planes is equal to the angle between
the respective normals.
3 If two planes are perpendicular, then their normal are
perpendicular.
4 If two planes are parallel, then their normal are parallel.
Planes

Now the vector of NP are (x − pl, y − pm, z − pn). So, we have

e

l(x − pl) + m(y − pm) + n(z − pn) = 0

Hence, the equation of the plane is

lx + my + ny − p = 0 (1)

Remarks
1 From (1), we see that if ax + by + cz + d = 0 is a plane, then
(a, b, c) is diretional vector perpendicular (called normal line) to
the given plane.
2 The angle between any two planes is equal to the angle between
the respective normals.
3 If two planes are perpendicular, then their normal are
perpendicular.
4 If two planes are parallel, then their normal are parallel.
Planes

Now the vector of NP are (x − pl, y − pm, z − pn). So, we have

e

l(x − pl) + m(y − pm) + n(z − pn) = 0

Hence, the equation of the plane is

lx + my + ny − p = 0 (1)

Remarks
1 From (1), we see that if ax + by + cz + d = 0 is a plane, then
(a, b, c) is diretional vector perpendicular (called normal line) to
the given plane.
2 The angle between any two planes is equal to the angle between
the respective normals.
3 If two planes are perpendicular, then their normal are
perpendicular.
4 If two planes are parallel, then their normal are parallel.
Planes

Now the vector of NP are (x − pl, y − pm, z − pn). So, we have

e

l(x − pl) + m(y − pm) + n(z − pn) = 0

Hence, the equation of the plane is

lx + my + ny − p = 0 (1)

Remarks
1 From (1), we see that if ax + by + cz + d = 0 is a plane, then
(a, b, c) is diretional vector perpendicular (called normal line) to
the given plane.
2 The angle between any two planes is equal to the angle between
the respective normals.
3 If two planes are perpendicular, then their normal are
perpendicular.
4 If two planes are parallel, then their normal are parallel.
Planes

Now the vector of NP are (x − pl, y − pm, z − pn). So, we have

e

l(x − pl) + m(y − pm) + n(z − pn) = 0

Hence, the equation of the plane is

lx + my + ny − p = 0 (1)

Remarks
1 From (1), we see that if ax + by + cz + d = 0 is a plane, then
(a, b, c) is diretional vector perpendicular (called normal line) to
the given plane.
2 The angle between any two planes is equal to the angle between
the respective normals.
3 If two planes are perpendicular, then their normal are
perpendicular.
4 If two planes are parallel, then their normal are parallel.
Planes

Plane and Lines

Theorem
Let us consider the plane ax + by + cz + d = and the straight line
x−x1
l = y−y z−z1
m = n . The following hold:
1

a b
1 The straight line is normal to the plane if l = m = nc .
2 The line is parallel to the plane if al + bm + cn = 0.
3 Line lies on the plane if ax1 + by1 + cz1 + d = 0 and
al + bm + cn = 0. Thus the equation of the plane containg the
line is
a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0
provided al + bm + cn = 0.
Planes

Plane and Lines

Theorem
Let us consider the plane ax + by + cz + d = and the straight line
x−x1
l = y−y z−z1
m = n . The following hold:
1

a b
1 The straight line is normal to the plane if l = m = nc .
2 The line is parallel to the plane if al + bm + cn = 0.
3 Line lies on the plane if ax1 + by1 + cz1 + d = 0 and
al + bm + cn = 0. Thus the equation of the plane containg the
line is
a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0
provided al + bm + cn = 0.
Planes

Plane and Lines

Theorem
Let us consider the plane ax + by + cz + d = and the straight line
x−x1
l = y−y z−z1
m = n . The following hold:
1

a b
1 The straight line is normal to the plane if l = m = nc .
2 The line is parallel to the plane if al + bm + cn = 0.
3 Line lies on the plane if ax1 + by1 + cz1 + d = 0 and
al + bm + cn = 0. Thus the equation of the plane containg the
line is
a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0
provided al + bm + cn = 0.
Planes

Plane and Lines

Theorem
Let us consider the plane ax + by + cz + d = and the straight line
x−x1
l = y−y z−z1
m = n . The following hold:
1

a b
1 The straight line is normal to the plane if l = m = nc .
2 The line is parallel to the plane if al + bm + cn = 0.
3 Line lies on the plane if ax1 + by1 + cz1 + d = 0 and
al + bm + cn = 0. Thus the equation of the plane containg the
line is
a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0
provided al + bm + cn = 0.
Planes

Coplanar Lines

Let us find the conditions that two lines x−x

l1
1
= y−y z−z1
m1 = n1 and
1

x−x2 y −y
l2 = m1 2 = z−zn2 . are coplanar.
2

The equation of plane containing the first line is of the form

a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0, (2)

where
al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (3)
Since the two lines are coplanar, plane (2) also contains the
second plane. Thus, plane passes the point (x2 , y2 , z2 ). Hence,

a(x2 − x1 ) + b(y2 − y1 ) + c(z2 − z1 ) = 0, (4)

al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (5)

Planes

Coplanar Lines

Let us find the conditions that two lines x−x

l1
1
= y−y z−z1
m1 = n1 and
1

x−x2 y −y
l2 = m1 2 = z−zn2 . are coplanar.
2

The equation of plane containing the first line is of the form

a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0, (2)

where
al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (3)
Since the two lines are coplanar, plane (2) also contains the
second plane. Thus, plane passes the point (x2 , y2 , z2 ). Hence,

a(x2 − x1 ) + b(y2 − y1 ) + c(z2 − z1 ) = 0, (4)

al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (5)

Planes

Coplanar Lines

Let us find the conditions that two lines x−x

l1
1
= y−y z−z1
m1 = n1 and
1

x−x2 y −y
l2 = m1 2 = z−zn2 . are coplanar.
2

The equation of plane containing the first line is of the form

a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0, (2)

where
al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (3)
Since the two lines are coplanar, plane (2) also contains the
second plane. Thus, plane passes the point (x2 , y2 , z2 ). Hence,

a(x2 − x1 ) + b(y2 − y1 ) + c(z2 − z1 ) = 0, (4)

al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (5)

Planes

Coplanar Lines

Let us find the conditions that two lines x−x

l1
1
= y−y z−z1
m1 = n1 and
1

x−x2 y −y
l2 = m1 2 = z−zn2 . are coplanar.
2

The equation of plane containing the first line is of the form

a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0, (2)

where
al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (3)
Since the two lines are coplanar, plane (2) also contains the
second plane. Thus, plane passes the point (x2 , y2 , z2 ). Hence,

a(x2 − x1 ) + b(y2 − y1 ) + c(z2 − z1 ) = 0, (4)

al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (5)

Planes

Coplanar Lines

Let us find the conditions that two lines x−x

l1
1
= y−y z−z1
m1 = n1 and
1

x−x2 y −y
l2 = m1 2 = z−zn2 . are coplanar.
2

The equation of plane containing the first line is of the form

a(x − x1 ) + b(y − y1 ) + c(z − z1 ) = 0, (2)

where
al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (3)
Since the two lines are coplanar, plane (2) also contains the
second plane. Thus, plane passes the point (x2 , y2 , z2 ). Hence,

a(x2 − x1 ) + b(y2 − y1 ) + c(z2 − z1 ) = 0, (4)

al2 + bm2 + cn2 = 0 (5)

Planes

Eliminating a, b, c from the Equations (4), (3) and (5), we get

x2 − x1 y2 − y1 z2 − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (6)
l2 m2 n2

Equation (6) is the required condition for coplanarity of the two

given lines.
Eliminating a, b, c from (2), (3) and (5), we get

x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (7)
l2 m2 n2

When the condition (6) is satisfied, Equation (7) is the equation

of the plane in which the lines lies.
Planes

Eliminating a, b, c from the Equations (4), (3) and (5), we get

x2 − x1 y2 − y1 z2 − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (6)
l2 m2 n2

Equation (6) is the required condition for coplanarity of the two

given lines.
Eliminating a, b, c from (2), (3) and (5), we get

x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (7)
l2 m2 n2

When the condition (6) is satisfied, Equation (7) is the equation

of the plane in which the lines lies.
Planes

Eliminating a, b, c from the Equations (4), (3) and (5), we get

x2 − x1 y2 − y1 z2 − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (6)
l2 m2 n2

Equation (6) is the required condition for coplanarity of the two

given lines.
Eliminating a, b, c from (2), (3) and (5), we get

x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (7)
l2 m2 n2

When the condition (6) is satisfied, Equation (7) is the equation

of the plane in which the lines lies.
Planes

Eliminating a, b, c from the Equations (4), (3) and (5), we get

x2 − x1 y2 − y1 z2 − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (6)
l2 m2 n2

Equation (6) is the required condition for coplanarity of the two

given lines.
Eliminating a, b, c from (2), (3) and (5), we get

x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (7)
l2 m2 n2

When the condition (6) is satisfied, Equation (7) is the equation

of the plane in which the lines lies.
Planes

Eliminating a, b, c from the Equations (4), (3) and (5), we get

x2 − x1 y2 − y1 z2 − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (6)
l2 m2 n2

Equation (6) is the required condition for coplanarity of the two

given lines.
Eliminating a, b, c from (2), (3) and (5), we get

x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
l1 m1 n1 =0 (7)
l2 m2 n2

When the condition (6) is satisfied, Equation (7) is the equation

of the plane in which the lines lies.