Q.Find the equation of the plane which contains the point A(2,1,−1) and is perpendicular to the line of intersection of the planes 2x+y−z=3 and x+2y+z=2. Also, find the angle between the obtained plane and y-axis.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Part (a)Concept understanding — Line Perpendicular To Two Lines
Line Perpendicular to Two Lines
In 3D geometry a very common task is this: two lines are given, and you must find the direction of a third line that is perpendicular to both of them. This shows up when finding a common perpendicular, the shortest distance between two lines, or the normal to a plane containing two directions.
The Core Idea
A line in space is fixed by two things: a point it passes through, and its direction vector. So "find a line perpendicular to two lines" really means "find a vector perpendicular to both of the two given direction vectors."
If the two given lines have direction vectors
b1=a1i^+b1j^+c1k^,b2=a2i^+b2j^+c2k^,
then a vector perpendicular to both is their cross product:
b1×b2=i^a1a2j^b1b2k^c1c2
Why the Cross Product?
The defining property of b1×b2 is that it is perpendicular to each factor:
(b1×b2)⋅b1=0,(b1×b2)⋅b2=0.
So it points in exactly the direction we need — along both perpendicularity conditions at once. This is why one cross product replaces solving a pair of dot-product equations by hand.
The cross product only gives the direction of the perpendicular line. To pin down the actual line you still need a point it must pass through, given by the problem.
Using It
Suppose a line must be perpendicular to b1=i^+2j^+3k^ and b2=i^−j^+k^.
b1×b2=i^11j^2−1k^31=5i^+2j^−3k^.
So the required line has direction ratios ⟨5,2,−3⟩. Through a point A(x0,y0,z0) its equation is …
Part (b)Concept understanding — Vector Equation Of Line
Vector Equation of a Line
A line is fixed by two pieces of information: one point it passes through and the direction it runs in. The vector equation packages both.
Let a be the position vector of a known point A on the line, and let b be any vector parallel to the line (its direction). For any point P on the line with position vector r, the displacement AP points along the line, so it is a scalar multiple of b: AP=λb. Since r=a+AP,
r=a+λb,λ∈R
How to read it
As the parameter λ runs through all real numbers, r traces every point of the line. At λ=0 you sit at A; positive λ moves one way along b, negative λ the other. Think of a as "where you start" and λb as "how far and which way you walk."
Line through two points
If the line passes through points with position vectors a and b, its direction is b−a, so
r=a+λ(b−a)
Example
The line through A(1,2,−1) parallel to b=2i^−j^+3k^ is
r=(i^+2j^−k^)+λ(2i^−j^+3k^). …
Part (a)
The required plane is perpendicular to the line of intersection of 2x+y−z=3 and x+2y+z=2, so its normal is parallel to n1×n2 with n1=(2,1,−1),n2=(1,2,1):
n1×n2=i^21j^12k^−11=(3,−3,3)∥(1,−1,1).
Plane through A(2,1,−1): 1(x−2)−1(y−1)+1(z+1)=0⇒x−y+z=0. …
Part (a): the plane is x−y+z=0 and it makes angle sin−131 with the y-axis.
Part (b): the line meets the plane at Q(1,−1,4); PQ=33 units, and PQ: r=(−2i^−4j^+7k^)+μ(i^+j^−k^).
Part (a)
A plane needs a point and a normal. The plane is perpendicular to the line of intersection of 2x+y−z=3 and x+2y+z=2; that line's direction is perpendicular to both plane normals, so it is n1×n2, and the required plane's normal is parallel to it.
With n1=(2,1,−1), n2=(1,2,1):
d=n1×n2=i^21j^12k^−11=i^(1+2)−j^(2+1)+k^(4−1)=3i^−3j^+3k^∥(1,−1,1).
Take normal N=(1,−1,1) through A(2,1,−1):
1(x−2)−1(y−1)+1(z+1)=0⇒x−y+z=0.
Angle with the y-axis. For a line of direction L and a plane of normal N, sinθ=∣N∣∣L∣∣N⋅L∣. With L=j^=(0,1,0): …
Method: A plane from its normal, and where a line pierces a plane
This type bundles two standard techniques: fixing a plane by a point and a normal, and finding where a line meets a plane.
Steps
Step 1: Get the required normal.
A plane perpendicular to the line of intersection of two planes has its normal ALONG that line, and that line's direction is n1×n2 (perpendicular to both given normals). Use this cross product as the new plane's normal and write n⋅(r−a)=0 through the given point.
Step 2: Angle between the plane and an axis. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using cosine for the angle between the plane and the y-axis.
Why it's wrong: the plane's normal is perpendicular to the plane, so the angle a line makes WITH the plane uses sine: sinθ=∣N∣∣L∣∣N⋅L∣. Correct approach: sinθ=31, so θ=sin−131.
Mistake 2: Taking one of the given normals as the required plane's normal.
Why it's wrong: the plane is perpendicular to the LINE of intersection, whose direction is n1×n2, not n1 or n2 alone. Correct approach: use the cross product (1,−1,1). …
Showing the 12 most recent of 27 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A line passing through (2,−1,3) has direction ratio (d.r.) (3,−1,2), then its equation is(a) 3x+2=−1y−1=2z−3(b) 3x+2=−1y+1=2z−3(c) 3x−2=−1y+1=2z−3(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
A line through point (x1,y1,z1) with direction ratios (a,b,c) has equation ax−x1=by−y1=cz−z1.
Here (x1,y1,z1)=(2,−1,3) and (a,b,c)=(3,−1,2).
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the vector equation of the line passing through the point (2, 3, 4) and parallel to the vector 2î + 5ĵ − 3k̂.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The vector equation of a line through a point with position vector a, parallel to b, is r=a+λb.
Position vector of the given point: a=2i^+3j^+4k^.
Direction vector: b=2i^+5j^−3k^.
…
- CBSE 2025Set 65/2/11 markMCQQ.The equation of a line parallel to the vector 3i^+j^+2k^ and passing through the point (4,−3,7) is: (A) x=4t+3, y=−3t+1, z=7t+2 (B) x=3t+4, y=t+3, z=2t+7 (C) x=3t+4, y=t−3, z=2t+7 (D) x=3t+4, y=−t+3, z=2t+7
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation of a line is determined by a point it passes through and a vector parallel to it. We use the vector equation r=a+tb and convert it to parametric Cartesian form to find the correct option. The equation is x=3t+4, y=t−3, z=2t+7.
To find the equation of a line in 3D space, we need two fundamental pieces of information:
- A point through which the line passes.
- A vector that is parallel to the line, which defines its direction.
Imagine you are standing at a specific point in space. To define a unique line, you then need to know which way to walk. That "way to walk" is given by the direction vector. Any point on the line can be reached by starting at your initial point and moving some distance (which can be positive, negative, or zero) along the direction vector.
Let a be the position vector of the known point (x1,y1,z1) through which the line passes. So, a=x1i^+y1j^+z1k^.
Let b be the vector parallel to the line, which is the direction vector. So, b=b1i^+b2j^+b3k^.
Let r be the position vector of any arbitrary point (x,y,z) on the line. So, r=xi^+yj^+zk^.
The vector equation of a line passing through a point with position vector a and parallel to a vector b is given by:
r=a+tb
where t is a scalar parameter.
This equation states that to reach any point r on the line, you start at a and add a scalar multiple (t) of the direction vector b. As t varies over all real numbers, r traces out all points on the line.
Let's apply this concept to the given problem.
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Identify the given information.
The line passes through the point (4,−3,7). The position vector of this point is a=4i^−3j^+7k^.
The line is parallel to the vector 3i^+j^+2k^. This is our direction vector, b=3i^+j^+2k^.
-
Formulate the vector equation of the line.
Using the formula r=a+tb, we substitute the identified vectors:
r=(4i^−3j^+7k^)+t(3i^+j^+2k^)
-
Convert the vector equation to parametric Cartesian form.
We know that r represents any point (x,y,z) on the line, so r=xi^+yj^+zk^.
Substitute this into the equation and group the i^, j^, and k^ components:
xi^+yj^+zk^=(4i^−3j^+7k^)+(3ti^+tj^+2tk^)
xi^+yj^+zk^=(4+3t)i^+(−3+t)j^+(7+2t)k^ …
- CBSE 2025Set 65/2/11 markMCQQ.The line x=1+5μ, y=−5+μ, z=−6−3μ passes through which of the following point? (A) (1,−5,6) (B) (1,5,6) (C) (1,−5,−6) (D) (−1,−5,6)
›Reveal solutionSolution
To check if a point lies on a line given by parametric equations, substitute the point's coordinates into the equations and verify if a single, consistent value of the parameter μ is obtained for all three coordinates. The point (1,−5,−6) yields μ=0 for all equations, so it lies on the line.
Concept and Intuition
A line in three-dimensional space can be described using parametric equations. These equations express the x,y, and z coordinates of any point on the line in terms of a single parameter, often denoted by μ (or t,λ, etc.).
The given equations are:
x=1+5μ
y=−5+μ
z=−6−3μ
This means that as μ varies over all real numbers, the point (x,y,z) traces out the entire line. Each specific value of μ corresponds to a unique point on the line.
For a given point (x0,y0,z0) to lie on this line, there must exist one specific value of the parameter μ such that when this μ is substituted into all three equations, it simultaneously produces x0,y0, and z0. If we substitute the coordinates of a candidate point into the equations and solve for μ from each equation, we must get the same value of μ from all three equations. If the μ values are different, the point does not lie on the line.
Step-by-Step Solution
-
Understand the condition for a point to be on the line:
A point (x0,y0,z0) lies on the line x=1+5μ, y=−5+μ, z=−6−3μ if and only if there exists a single real value of μ that satisfies all three equations simultaneously when x=x0,y=y0,z=z0.
-
Test Option (A): (1,−5,6)
Substitute x=1,y=−5,z=6 into the parametric equations:
- For x: 1=1+5μ⟹5μ=0⟹μ=0
- For y: −5=−5+μ⟹μ=0
- For z: 6=−6−3μ⟹12=−3μ⟹μ=−4 Since the values of μ obtained are 0,0, and −4, they are not consistent. Therefore, the point (1,−5,6) does not lie on the line.
-
Test Option (B): (1,5,6)
Substitute x=1,y=5,z=6 into the parametric equations:
- For x: 1=1+5μ⟹5μ=0⟹μ=0
- For y: 5=−5+μ⟹μ=10 The values of μ obtained are 0 and 10, which are not consistent. There is no need to check the z-coordinate. Therefore, the point (1,5,6) does not lie on the line. …
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- CBSE 2025Set X11 markMCQQ.The equation of y-axis in space is(a) x=0, y=0(b) x=0, z=0(c) y=0, z=0(d) y=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Coordinate axis as intersection of two planes — correct option (b).
A point lies on the y-axis exactly when its x and z coordinates are both zero, with y arbitrary. Henc …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The cartesian equation of the line passing through point (1,2,3) and parallel to the line 3x+3=5y−4=6z+8 will be -(a) 3x−1=5y−2=6z−3(b) 3x+1=5y+2=6z+3(c) 1x+3=2y−4=3z+8(d) 3x+2=5y−6=6z+5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Parallel lines share the same direction ratios; only the point through which the line passes changes.
The given line 3x+3=5y−4=6z+8 has direction ratios (3,5,6).
A line parallel to it and passing through (1,2,3) has the same direction ratios: …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the vector equation of the line passing through the points (3,2,0) and (1,2,5).
›Reveal solutionSolution
The vector equation of a line through two points A and B is r=a+λ(b−a).
Let A(3,2,0) and B(1,2,5), so a=3i^+2j^+0k^ and b=1i^+2j^+5k^.
b−a=(1−3)i^+(2−2)j^+(5−0)k^=−2i^+0j^+5k^
So the vector equation of the line is: …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The vector equation of the x-axis is(a) r=i^(b) r=j^+k^(c) r=λi^(d) none of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
The x-axis consists of all points of the form (λ, 0, 0), which as a position vector is simply λî.
A point on the x-axis has coordinates (λ,0,0) for some real λ. As a position vector this is:
r=λi^+0j^+0k^=λi^
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the vector equation of the line through the points A(3, 4, −7) and B(1, −1, 6).
›Reveal solutionSolution
The vector equation of a line through two given points A and B is r=a+λ(b−a), where a,b are the position vectors of A,B.
Given: A(3,4,−7), B(1,−1,6)
Step 1 — position vectors:
a=3i^+4j^−7k^,b=i^−j^+6k^
Step 2 — direction vector b−a:
b−a=(1−3)i^+(−1−4)j^+(6−(−7))k^=−2i^−5j^+13k^
…
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Equation of a line parallel to x-axis and passing through the origin is -(a) 0x=0y=0z(b) 0x=1y=1z(c) 1x=0y=0z(d) 1x=1y=1z
›Reveal solutionSolution
The x-axis direction is (1,0,0); a line through the origin with this direction has equation x/1=y/0=z/0.
A line parallel to the x-axis has direction ratios proportional to (1,0,0). The symmetric (cartesian) form of a line passing through a point (x1,y1,z1) with direction ratios (a,b,c) is:
ax−x1=by−y1=cz−z1 …
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Equation of x-axis is(a) y=0,z=0(b) x=0,y=0(c) x=0,z=0(d) x=0,y=0,z=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Points on the x-axis have the form (x,0,0), so the axis is described by y=0 and z=0 together.
Any point on the x-axis is of the form (x,0,0) - the y and z coordinates are always zero while x varies freely. So t …
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the Cartesian equation of the line which passes through the point (−2,4,−5) and parallel to the line given by 3x+3=5y−4=6z+8
›Reveal solutionSolution
A parallel line shares the same direction ratios; use the point–direction form.
The given line is
3x+3=5y−4=6z+8,
so its direction ratios are ⟨3,5,6⟩.
A line parallel to it has the same direction ratios ⟨3,5,6⟩.
The Cartesian equation of a line through (x1,y1,z1)=(−2,4,−5) with direction ratios ⟨a,b,c⟩ is …
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