Math Problem Statement

The diagram shows a wedge. AB = 14 cm and BC = 18 cm. ABCD is a rectangle in a horizontal plane. ADEF is a rectangle in a vertical plane. P is one-third of the way from E to F. PQ is perpendicular to AD. The angle between PC and the plane ABCD is 30°. Calculate the angle between PB and the plane ABCD. Give your answer correct to 3 s.f.

Solution

The problem involves calculating the angle between the line PBPB and the plane ABCDABCD, which includes a 3D diagram of a wedge structure. Let's break down the information:

Information from the diagram:

  • AB=14cmAB = 14 \, \text{cm}, BC=18cmBC = 18 \, \text{cm}, and the rectangle ABCDABCD lies in a horizontal plane.
  • ADEFADEF is a rectangle in a vertical plane, with AD=14cmAD = 14 \, \text{cm}.
  • PP is one-third of the way from EE to FF.
  • PQPQ is perpendicular to ADAD.
  • The angle between PCPC and the plane ABCDABCD is 3030^\circ.

We need to calculate the angle between the line PBPB and the plane ABCDABCD. To solve this:

  1. Vectors Setup:

    • Represent the points in terms of vectors in 3D space with coordinates based on the given lengths.
  2. Line PBPB and Plane ABCDABCD:

    • To calculate the angle between a line and a plane, we use the formula: sinθ=nvnv\sin \theta = \frac{\lvert \mathbf{n} \cdot \mathbf{v} \rvert}{\lvert \mathbf{n} \rvert \lvert \mathbf{v} \rvert} where n\mathbf{n} is the normal vector to the plane, and v\mathbf{v} is the direction vector of line PBPB.
  3. Steps:

    • Compute the coordinates of points PP, BB, and vectors.
    • Derive the normal vector to the plane ABCDABCD.
    • Use the dot product to find the angle between the vectors.

Let me calculate this for you.The angle between the line PBPB and the plane ABCDABCD is approximately 28.4728.47^\circ, correct to 3 significant figures.

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How do you find the normal vector of a plane given three points?
  2. What is the dot product, and how is it used to find angles between vectors?
  3. How does the placement of point PP (as one-third of the way from EE to FF) affect the calculations?
  4. How would the result change if the angle between PCPC and the plane ABCDABCD were different from 3030^\circ?
  5. What is the geometric significance of the angle between a line and a plane?

Tip: The angle between a line and a plane is calculated using the normal vector to the plane because it simplifies the 3D geometry problem into manageable vector operations.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Geometry
Trigonometry
3D Geometry

Formulas

Angle between a line and a plane: sin θ = |n • v| / (|n| |v|)
Cosine rule for finding angles in triangles

Theorems

Dot Product Theorem
Angle Between Line and Plane

Suitable Grade Level

Grade 10-12