Book 5A Chapter 6

Basic Terminologies in
3-dimensional Problems
Angle between Two Intersecting Straight Lines
The figure shows two non-parallel straight lines AB
and CD. They intersect each other at a point E.
A D
The acute angle  formed is
  called the angle between
E two straight lines.
C B

If the two lines are P

perpendicular to each other, S
then the angle between
the two lines is 90. R
Q
Angle between Two Intersecting Straight Lines
The figure shows two non-parallel straight lines AB
and CD. They intersect each other at a point E.
A D
The acute angle  formed is
  called the angle between
E two straight lines.
C B

How about ∠AED and ∠CEB?

Are they also called the angle
between two straight lines?
Angle between Two Intersecting Straight Lines
The figure shows two non-parallel straight lines AB
and CD. They intersect each other at a point E.
A D
The acute angle  formed is
  called the angle between
E two straight lines.
C B

No, these obtuse angles are NOT

considered as the angle between
the two straight lines.
 Can you identify the angle between
the lines AC and AG?

H
G
E F
∵ AC and AG intersect at A .

∴ The angle between the lines D C

AC and AG is ∠GAC .
A B
Follow-up Question

The figure shows a cube ABCDEFGH. E H

Identify the angles between
(a) G
the lines BG and GH, F
(b) the lines AD and BD, D
C
(c) the lines AC and CF.
A B
(a) ∵ BG and GH intersect at G.
∴ The angle between the lines BG and GH isBGH.
Follow-up Question

The figure shows a cube ABCDEFGH. E H

Identify the angles between
(a) G
the lines BG and GH, F
(b) the lines AD and BD, D
C
(c) the lines AC and CF.
A B
(b) Join BD.
∵ AD and BD intersect at D.
∴ The angle between the lines AD and BD is ADB.
Follow-up Question

The figure shows a cube ABCDEFGH. E H

Identify the angles between
(a) G
the lines BG and GH, F
(b) the lines AD and BD, D
C
(c) the lines AC and CF.
A B
(c) Join AC and CF.
∵ AC and CF intersect at C.
∴ The angle between the lines AC and CF is ACF.
Angle Between a Straight Line and a Plane
In the figure, P is a point lying outside the plane .
Q is a point on the plane  such that PQ is perpendicular to
any straight line on  passing through Q (e.g. L1 and L2).
Then,
P
(i) PQ  plane 

L1 

Q
L2
(ii) Q is the projection
of P on the plane .
Angle Between a Straight Line and a Plane
In the figure, a straight line AB intersects the plane  at the
point A. C is the projection of B on the plane .
Then,

(ii) BAC is the angle B

between the line AB
and the plane .


C
A

(i) AC is the projection

of AB on the plane .
 Can you identify the angle
between the line FD and
the plane ABCD?

H
G
E F
∵ BD is the projection of FD
on the plane ABCD.
D C
∴ The angle between the line FD
and the plane ABCD is ∠FDB . A B
Follow-up question
The figure shows a right triangular prism with A
∠ABC = ∠DEF = 90. Identify the angles
between C
(a) the line AF and the plane ADEB.
D B
(b) the line AF and the plane DEF.
F
(a) Join AF. E
∵ AE is the projection of AF on the plane ADEB.
∴ The angle between the line AF and the plane ADEB
is ∠FAE.
Follow-up question
The figure shows a right triangular prism with A
∠ABC = ∠DEF = 90. Identify the angles
between C
(a) the line AF and the plane ADEB.
D B
(b) the line AF and the plane DEF.
F
(b) ∵ DF is the projection of AF on the E
plane DEF.
∴ The angle between the line AF and the plane DEF
is ∠AFD.
 After identifying angles in three
Let’s see
dimensions, wehow
can to solve
find theirthe
sizes
followingtrigonometric
by applying problems.
knowledge.

H G E F

E F 4 cm
D
6 cm D C
C
5 cm
A 10 cm B A 12 cm B

Angle between the Angle between the line AF

lines CH and CD = ? and the plane ABCD = ?
The figure shows a rectangular block H G
ABCDHEFG. AB = 10 cm and E F
AE = 6 cm. Find the angle between
the lines CD and CH, correct to 6 cm D C
1 decimal place.
A 10 cm B

Step 1: Identify the required angle.

∵ CD and CH intersect at C.
∴ The angle between the lines CD and CH is DCH.
The figure shows a rectangular block H G
ABCDHEFG. AB = 10 cm and E F
AE = 6 cm. Find the angle between
the lines CD and CH, correct to 6 cm D C
1 decimal place.
A10 cm B
Step 2: Analyse the information needed to find the
required angle.
Do you know the
lengths of any side
Yes, I know the lengths
of △CDH?
of CD and DH.
The figure shows a rectangular block H G
ABCDHEFG. AB = 10 cm and E F
AE = 6 cm. Find the angle between
the lines CD and CH, correct to 6 cm D C
1 decimal place.
A 10 cm B
Step 2: Analyse the information needed to find the
required angle.
Then you can find
∠DCH by using
CD = AB = 10 cm and
trigonometric ratio.
DH = AE = 6 cm
The figure shows a rectangular block H G
ABCDHEFG. AB = 10 cm and E F
AE = 6 cm. Find the angle between
the lines CD and CH, correct to 6 cm D C
1 decimal place.
A 10 cm B
Solution
The angle between the lines CD and CH is ∠DCH.
DC = AB = 10 cm
DH = AE = 6 cm
Consider △CDH.
∴ The angle between the lines
DH
tan DCH = CD and CH is 31.0.
DC
= 6 cm
10 cm
DCH = 31.0 (cor. to 1 d.p.)
In some cases, Pythagoras
theorem is also useful
in finding the angles.
The figure shows a right triangular prism E F
ABCDEF. AB = 12 cm, BC = 5 cm,
CF = 4 cm and ∠BCF = ∠ADE = 90. 4 cm
D
Find the angle between the line AF and C
the plane ABCD, correct to 3 significant 5 cm
figures. A 12 cm B

Step 1: Identify the required angle.

∵ AC is the projection of AF on the plane ABCD.

∴ The angle between the line AF and the plane ABCD
is ∠FAC.
The figure shows a right triangular prism E F
ABCDEF. AB = 12 cm, BC = 5 cm,
CF = 4 cm and ∠BCF = ∠ADE = 90. 4 cm
D
Find the angle between the line AF and C
the plane ABCD, correct to 3 significant 5 cm
figures. A 12 cm B
Step 2: Analyse the information needed to find the
required angle.
Then△ABC,
Consider we havewe can
In △ACF, use Pythagoras
enough theorem
information
totofind ∠FAC.
findthe length
CF = 4 cm of AC.

AC = ?
AF = ?
The figure shows a right triangular prism E F
ABCDEF. AB = 12 cm, BC = 5 cm,
CF = 4 cm and ∠BCF = ∠ADE = 90. 4 cm
D
Find the angle between the line AF and C
the plane ABCD, correct to 3 significant 5 cm
figures. A 12 cm B
Solution
The required angle is FAC. Consider △ACF.
Consider △ABC. CF
tan FAC =
AC
AC = 2
AB + BC 2 ◄ Pyth. theorem
4 cm
=
= 122 + 52 cm 13 cm
FAC = 17.1
= 13 cm (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The angle between the line AF and the plane ABCD is 17.1.
Follow-up question
The figure shows a rectangular block H G
ABCDHEFG. AB = 8 cm, BC = 6 cm E
and AE = 7 cm. Find the angle between F
the line CE and the plane ABCD, 7 cm D
C
correct to 3 significant figures. 6 cm
A 8 cm B
∵ CA is the projection of CE on the plane ABCD.
∴ The angle between the line CE and the plane ABCD
is ∠ECA.
Consider △ABC.
AC = AB2 + BC2 ◄ Pyth. theorem
= 82 + 62 cm
= 10 cm
Follow-up question
The figure shows a rectangular block H G
ABCDHEFG. AB = 8 cm, BC = 6 cm E
and AE = 7 cm. Find the angle between F
the line CE and the plane ABCD, 7 cm D
C
correct to 3 significant figures. 6 cm
A 8 cm B
Consider △ACE.
AE
tan ECA =
AC
= 7 cm
10 cm
ECA = 35.0 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The angle between the line CE and the plane ABCD is 35.0.
Angle Between Two Intersecting Planes
It is given that plane 2 intersects plane 1
at a straight line AB.

2

B AB is the line of
intersection of the
two planes.
1
Angle Between Two Intersecting Planes
If PX is a line on plane 1 such that PX  AB and
PY is a line on plane 2 such that PY  AB, then

X
A


Y
2 P

B The acute angle  between PX

and PY is the angle between
P is a point on AB. the planes 1 and 2.
1
 Can
Do younotice
Therefore,
you identify theDH
the that
required⊥angle
angle
ADbetween
the
and DG ⊥beAD?
can planes
also ∠HDG.
ADHE and AFGD?

H
G
AD is the line of intersection of E F
the planes ADHE and AFGD.

∵ AE ⊥ AD and FA ⊥ AD D C

∴ The angle between the planes A B

ADHE and AFGD is ∠EAF. (or ∠HDG)
 If AE = 14 cm and AF = 20 cm,
can you find the angle between
the planes ADHE and AFGD,
correct to 3 significant figures?

H
The required angle is ∠EAF. G
Consider △AEF. E F
AE 20 cm
cos EAF = 14 cm
AF D C
= 14 cm
20 cm A B
EAF = 45.6 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The angle between the planes ADHE and AFGD is 45.6.
Follow-up question
The figure shows a triangular prism ABCDEF, E F
where ABCD, CFED and ABFE are rectangles.
It is given that AE = 12 cm, BC = 10 cm and 12 cm C
D
∠BCF = 90. 10 cm
(a) Identify the angle between the A B
planes BEF and CDEF.
(b) Find the angle mentioned in (a), correct to 3 significant figures.

(a) EF is the line of intersection of the planes BEF

and CDEF.
∵ BF ⊥ EF and CF ⊥ EF
∴ The angle between the planes BEF and CDEF
is BFC.
Follow-up question
The figure shows a triangular prism ABCDEF, E F
where ABCD, CFED and ABFE are rectangles.
It is given that AE = 12 cm, BC = 10 cm and 12 cm C
D
∠BCF = 90. 10 cm
(a) Identify the angle between the A B
planes BEF and CDEF.
(b) Find the angle mentioned in (a), correct to 3 significant figures.

(b) Consider △BCF.

BC
sin BFC =
BF
10 cm
= BF = AE = 12 cm
12 cm
BFC = 56.4 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The angle mentioned in (a) (i.e. BFC) is 56.4.
Line of Greatest Slope
The figure shows an inclined road with two paths
AX and BX.
X
Let us compare
I will choose
the
theslopes of the
path that is
paths AXsteep.
less and BX.
Y

A B

Which path do you

choose to reach X?
Line of Greatest Slope
X
Consider BXY.
XY
Slope of BX =
BY
Y
Consider AXY.
XY Slope of line X B
Slope of AX = segment A
AY = vertical distance
So,
Now,
Here, I let
willus
we choose
canstudy the
see howthat
∵ AY < BY horizontal distance
topath
find BX
different to reach
thestraight
line with X.
lines
the
1 1
∴ < greatest
on an inclined
slope on road an
BY AY haveinclined
different plane.
slopes.
XY XY
∴ <
BY AY
i.e. Slope of BX < slope of AX
Line of Greatest Slope
The figure shows an inclined plane ABEF.
It intersects the horizontal plane ABCD at AB.
If PX  AB, the slope of PX is the greatest.

PX is the line of
greatest slope of
the inclined plane
ABEF.

P
 D C
The figure shows a hillside ABCD
sloping to the horizontal ground ABEF. 4 cm
ABCD is a rectangle. It is given that F E
CE = 4 cm and BE = 15 cm and
∠BEC = 90. 15 cm
A B

Find the inclination of the line of

greatest slope of the hillside ABCD.
(Give your answer correct to
3 significant figures.)
 D C
The figure shows a hillside ABCD
sloping to the horizontal ground ABEF. 4 cm
ABCD is a rectangle. It is given that F E
CE = 4 cm and BE = 15 cm and
∠BEC = 90. 15 cm
A B

∵ AB is the line of intersection of the inclined

plane ABEF and the horizontal plane ABCD,
and BC ⊥ AB.

∴ BC is the line of greatest slope of the

hillside ABCD.
 D C
The figure shows a hillside ABCD
sloping to the horizontal ground ABEF. 4 cm
ABCD is a rectangle. It is given that F E
CE = 4 cm and BE = 15 cm and
∠BEC = 90. 15 cm
A B
Consider △BCE.
CE
tan CBE =
BE
4 cm
=
15 cm
CBE = 14.9 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The inclination of the line of greatest slope of the
hillside ABCD is 14.9.
Follow-up question
The figure shows a rectangular board D C
ABCD sloping to a horizontal plane. 5 cm
F
E and F are the projections of the points E
C and D on the horizontal plane 38
respectively. It is given that CE = 5 cm, A 18 cm B
AB = 18 cm and BAC = 38.

(a) Find the length of the line of greatest slope of the

plane ABCD.
(b) Find the inclination of the line of greatest slope of
the plane ABCD.
(Give your answers correct to 3 significant figures.)
 D C
5 cm
F
E
38
A 18 cm B

(a) BC is the line of greatest slope of the plane ABCD.

Consider △ABC.
BC
tan BAC =
AB
= BC
tan 38
18 cm
BC = 18 tan 38 cm
= 14.1 cm (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The length of the line of greatest slope is 14.1 cm.
 D C
BC = 18 tan 38 cm
5 cm
F
E
38
A 18 cm B
(b) ∠CBE is the inclination of the line of greatest slope of the
plane ABCD.
Consider △BCE.
sin∠CBE = CE
BC
= 5 cm
18 tan 38 cm
∠CBE = 20.8 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The inclination of the line of greatest slope of the
plane ABCD is 20.8.
Distance between a Point and a Line

Consider a straight line L and a point P not lying on L.

If Q is a point on L such that PQ is

perpendicular to the line L, then, P
L

PQ is the distance between

the point P and the line L. Q

Note: PQ is also the shortest distance between

the point P and the line L.
Example:
The figure shows a cuboid ABCDEFGH. E H
It is given that AB = 9 cm, BC = 8 cm G
and AF = 7 cm. F

7 cm D
C
8 cm
A
9 cm B
The distance between the point A and the line BG
= 9 cm

The distance between the point B and the line CD

= 8 cm
The distance between the point F and the line AB
= 7 cm
Distance between a Point and a Plane
Consider a point R not lying on the plane , and its
projection, say point S on the plane .

Then, RS is perpendicular to the plane ,

and R


RS is the distance between
the point R and the plane . S

Note: RS is also the shortest distance between

point R and the plane .
 D C
The figure shows a rectangular board
ABCD inclining at 25 to the horizontal
15 cm
plane. E and F are the projections of the E
points C and D on the horizontal plane F
25
respectively. It is given that BC = 15 cm.
A B

Find the distance between the

point B and the plane CDFE.
(Give your answer correct to
3 significant figures.)
 D C
The figure shows a rectangular board
ABCD inclining at 25 to the horizontal
15 cm
plane. E and F are the projections of the E
points C and D on the horizontal plane F
25
respectively. It is given that BC = 15 cm.
A B
∵ E is the projection of B on the plane CDFE.
∴ BE is the distance between the point B and the plane CDFE.
Consider △BCE.
BE
cos CBE =
BC
BE
cos 25 =
15 cm
BE = 13.6 cm (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The distance between the point B and the plane CDFE is 13.6 cm.
Follow-up question
The figure shows a rectangular block E 30 cm H
ABCDEFGH. It is given that EH = 30 cm and
∠HFG = 20. Find the distances between F 20
G
(a) the point G and the line EH,
(b) the point G and the plane ACHF. C
D
(Give your answers correct to 3 significant
figures.) A B
(a) ∵ GH ⊥ EH
∴ GH is the distance between the point G and the line EH.
Consider △FGH.
GH
tan HFG =
FG
GH
tan 20 =
30 cm  FG = EH = 30 cm
 GH = 30 tan 20 cm E 30 cm H
= 10.9 cm (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) Q
∴ The distance between the point G F 20
G
and the line EH is 10.9 cm.
(b) Let Q be the projection of point G on C
D
the plane ACHF.
Then GQ is the distance between the A B
point G and the plane ACHF.
Consider △FQG.
QG
sin GFQ =
FG
sin 20 = QG
30 cm
QG = 30 sin 20 cm
= 10.3 cm (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
∴ The distance between the point G and the
plane ACHF is 10.3 cm.