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Exercise 6.9 · Q2

Q.Find the equation of the plane passing through the line of intersection of the planes x+2y+3z=2x+2y+3z=2 and x−y+z=3x-y+z=3, and at a distance 23\dfrac{2}{\sqrt3} from the point (3,1,−1)(3,1,-1).

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Write the family, express the (unnormalised) distance-condition numerator and denominator symbolically in λ\lambda, square both sides of the distance equation, and the quadratic terms cancel leaving a simple linear equation.

Step 1. Set up the family. Planes: x+2y+3z=2, x−y+z=3x+2y+3z=2,\ x-y+z=3.

(x+2y+3z−2)+λ(x−y+z−3)=0 ⟹ (1+λ)x+(2−λ)y+(3+λ)z−(2+3λ)=0.(x+2y+3z-2)+\lambda(x-y+z-3)=0\ \Longrightarrow\ (1+\lambda)x+(2-\lambda)y+(3+\lambda)z-(2+3\lambda)=0.

Step 2. Substitute (3,1,−1)(3,1,-1) into the plane expression (numerator before dividing by the normal's length):

(1+λ)(3)+(2−λ)(1)+(3+λ)(−1)−(2+3λ)=3+3λ+2−λ−3−λ−2−3λ=−2λ.(1+\lambda)(3)+(2-\lambda)(1)+(3+\lambda)(-1)-(2+3\lambda)=3+3\lambda+2-\lambda-3-\lambda-2-3\lambda=-2\lambda.

Step 3. Set up the distance equation. ∣−2λ∣(1+λ)2+(2−λ)2+(3+λ)2=23\dfrac{|-2\lambda|}{\sqrt{(1+\lambda)^2+(2-\lambda)^2+(3+\lambda)^2}}=\dfrac2{\sqrt3}.

Step 4. Square both sides. 4λ2(1+λ)2+(2−λ)2+(3+λ)2=43 ⟹ 3λ2=(1+λ)2+(2−λ)2+(3+λ)2\dfrac{4\lambda^2}{(1+\lambda)^2+(2-\lambda)^2+(3+\lambda)^2}=\dfrac43\ \Longrightarrow\ 3\lambda^2=(1+\lambda)^2+(2-\lambda)^2+(3+\lambda)^2.

Step 5. Expand the right side. (1+2λ+λ2)+(4−4λ+λ2)+(9+6λ+λ2)=3λ2+4λ+14(1+2\lambda+\lambda^2)+(4-4\lambda+\lambda^2)+(9+6\lambda+\lambda^2)=3\lambda^2+4\lambda+14.

Step 6. Solve. 3λ2=3λ2+4λ+14⇒0=4λ+14⇒λ=−144=−723\lambda^2=3\lambda^2+4\lambda+14\Rightarrow0=4\lambda+14\Rightarrow\lambda=-\dfrac{14}4=-\dfrac72.

Step 7. Substitute back. 1+λ=−52, 2−λ=112, 3+λ=−12, 2+3λ=−1721+\lambda=-\dfrac52,\ 2-\lambda=\dfrac{11}2,\ 3+\lambda=-\dfrac12,\ 2+3\lambda=-\dfrac{17}2:

−52x+112y−12z+172=0.-\frac52x+\frac{11}2y-\frac12z+\frac{17}2=0.

Multiply by 22: −5x+11y−z+17=0-5x+11y-z+17=0, i.e. 5x−11y+z=175x-11y+z=17.

Step 8. Verify. Normal (5,−11,1)(5,-11,1), ∣n∣=25+121+1=147=73|n|=\sqrt{25+121+1}=\sqrt{147}=7\sqrt3; distance from (3,1,−1)(3,1,-1): ∣15−11−1−17∣73=1473=23\dfrac{|15-11-1-17|}{7\sqrt3}=\dfrac{14}{7\sqrt3}=\dfrac2{\sqrt3} ✓.

✓Final answer

Equation of the plane: 5x−11y+z=175x-11y+z=17.

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