Math Problem Statement

Compare the planes below to the plane -5x - 4y - 3z = 1. Match the letter corresponding to the words parallel, orthogonal, or 'neither,' which describes the relation of the two planes: 1) 4x - 5y = 4, 2) 25x + 20y + 15z = 2, 3) -5x - 3y - 3z = -3.

Solution

To determine the relationship between the given planes, we'll compare their normal vectors. The normal vector of a plane given by the equation ax+by+cz=dax + by + cz = d is n=a,b,c\mathbf{n} = \langle a, b, c \rangle.

Step 1: Identify the normal vectors

  1. Reference Plane: 5x4y3z=1-5x - 4y - 3z = 1
    Normal vector: n1=5,4,3\mathbf{n_1} = \langle -5, -4, -3 \rangle

  2. Plane 1: 4x5y=44x - 5y = 4
    This equation can be rewritten as 4x5y+0z=44x - 5y + 0z = 4.
    Normal vector: n2=4,5,0\mathbf{n_2} = \langle 4, -5, 0 \rangle

  3. Plane 2: 25x+20y+15z=225x + 20y + 15z = 2
    Normal vector: n3=25,20,15\mathbf{n_3} = \langle 25, 20, 15 \rangle

  4. Plane 3: 5x3y3z=3-5x - 3y - 3z = -3
    Normal vector: n4=5,3,3\mathbf{n_4} = \langle -5, -3, -3 \rangle

Step 2: Compare the normal vectors

  • Parallel Planes: The normal vectors are proportional (i.e., one is a scalar multiple of the other).
  • Orthogonal Planes: The dot product of the normal vectors is zero.
  • Neither: If the planes are neither parallel nor orthogonal.

Comparison:

  1. Plane 1 vs. Reference Plane:

    • n1=5,4,3\mathbf{n_1} = \langle -5, -4, -3 \rangle
    • n2=4,5,0\mathbf{n_2} = \langle 4, -5, 0 \rangle
    • Dot product: (5)(4)+(4)(5)+(3)(0)=20+20+0=0(-5)(4) + (-4)(-5) + (-3)(0) = -20 + 20 + 0 = 0
      The planes are orthogonal.
  2. Plane 2 vs. Reference Plane:

    • n3=25,20,15\mathbf{n_3} = \langle 25, 20, 15 \rangle
    • The vector n3\mathbf{n_3} is proportional to n1\mathbf{n_1} because 25=5(5)25 = 5(-5), 20=5(4)20 = 5(-4), and 15=5(3)15 = 5(-3). The planes are parallel.
  3. Plane 3 vs. Reference Plane:

    • n4=5,3,3\mathbf{n_4} = \langle -5, -3, -3 \rangle
    • The vectors n1\mathbf{n_1} and n4\mathbf{n_4} are not proportional, and their dot product is not zero. The planes are neither.

Final Answers:

  • Plane 1: Orthogonal (A)
  • Plane 2: Parallel (B)
  • Plane 3: Neither (C)

Would you like to explore this further or have any questions about the steps?


Related Questions:

  1. How do you find the angle between two planes?
  2. What is the geometric interpretation of the dot product?
  3. Can two non-parallel planes in 3D space ever be orthogonal?
  4. How do you determine if two planes are identical?
  5. What are the conditions for two planes to intersect in a line?

Tip: Always verify the consistency of signs when checking if vectors are proportional, as small mistakes can lead to incorrect conclusions.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Plane Equations
Vector Algebra
Dot Product

Formulas

Normal Vector of a Plane ax + by + cz = d is <a, b, c>
Dot Product: a1*b1 + a2*b2 + a3*b3
Parallel Planes have proportional normal vectors
Orthogonal Planes have normal vectors with a dot product of 0

Theorems

Vector Algebra Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12