Calculus and Vectors How to get an A+

8.4 Vector and Parametric Equations of a Plane

A Planes
A plane may be determined by points and lines, There are four main possibilities as represented in the
following figure:

a) plane determined
by three points

b) plane determined
by two parallel lines

B Vector Equation of a Plane

Let consider a plane .
r
r
Two vectors u and v , parallel to the plane but
not parallel between them, are called direction
vectors of the plane .

c) plane determined
by two intersecting lines

d) plane determined
by a line and a point

Ex 1. A plane is given by the following vector

equation:
r
: r = (1,0,2) + s(0,0,1) + t (1,0,1); s, t R
a) Find two points on this plane.
r
If s = 0, t = 0 , then r = (1,0,2) P0 (1,0,2) .
r
If s = 1, t = 2 , then r = (1,0,2) + (0,0,1) + 2(1,0,1) = (1,0,1)
A(1,0,1) .

b) Find one line on this plane.

The vector P0 P from a specific point P0 ( x0 , y0 , z 0 )
to a generic point P( x, y, z ) of the plane is a linear
r
r
combination of direction vectors u and v :
r r
P0 P = su + tv ; s, t R
The vector equation of the plane is:
r r
r r
: r = r0 + su + tv ; s, t R

C Parametric Equations of a Plane

Let write vector equation of the plane as:
( x, y, z ) = ( x0 , y0 , z 0 ) + s (u x , u y , u z ) + t (v x , v y , v z )
or:
x = x0 + su x + tv x

y = y0 + su y + tv y

z = z 0 + su z + tv z
These are the parametric
equations of a line.

; s, t R

r
Let L : r = (1,0,2) + s (0,0,1); s R .
L

c) Find the vector equation of a line L that passes

through the origin and is perpendicular to this plane.
A direction vector for the line L is:
r r
r
r
r
i
j
k
i
j
r r
u v = 0 0 1
0 0 = (0,1,0)
1
0 1 1
0
r
L : r = q (0,1,0); q R
Ex 2. Convert the vector equation to the parametric
equations.
r
r = (1,0,2) + s (0,1,1) + t (1,2,0); s, t R
( x, y, z ) = (1,0,2) + s (0,1,1) + t (1,2,0); s, t R
x = 1 + t

y = s 2t ; s, t R
z = 2 s

Ex 3. Convert the parametric equations to the vector

equation.
x = 1 + s 2t

; s, t R
y = 3t
z = 4 s

r
r = (1,0,4) + s (1,0,1) + t (2,3,0); s, t R
8.4 Vector and Parametric Equations of a Plane
2010 Iulia & Teodoru Gugoiu - Page 1 of 2

Calculus and Vectors How to get an A+

Ex 4. (Plane determined by three points)

Find the vector equation of the plane that
passes through the points A(0,1,1) , B(2,1,0) , and
C (0,0,1) .

Ex 5. (Plane determined by two parallel and distinct

lines)
Find the vector and parametric equations of the plane
that contains the following parallel and distinct lines:
r
L1 : r = (1,2,1) + s (0,1,2); s R
r
L2 : r = (3,4,0) + t (0,1,2); t R

r
r
Let r0 = OA = (0,1,1) , u = AB = (2,2,1) , and
r
v = AC = (0,1,2) . Then:
r
: r = (0,1,1) + s (2,2,1) + t (0,1,2); s, t R

r r
r r
r
Let r0 = r02 = (3,4,0) , u = r01 r02 = (2,2,1) , and
r r
v = u 2 = (0,1,2) . Then:
r
: r = (3,4,0) + s (2,2,1) + t (0,1,2); s, t R
and
x = 3 2s

: y = 4 2 s + t ; s, t R
z = s + 2t

Ex 6. (Plane determined by two intersecting lines)

Find the vector equation of the plane
determined by the following intersecting lines.
r
L1 : r = (0,0,1) + s (1,0,0); s R
r
L2 : r = (3,0,1) + t (0,0,2); t R

Ex 7. (Plane determined by a line and an external point)

Find the vector equation of the plane that passes
through the origin and contains the line
r
L : r = (0,1,2) + t (1,0,3); t R .

r
r
Let r0 = (0,0,0) , u = (1,0,3) , and
r
v = (0,1,2) (0,0,0) = (0,1,2) . Then the vector equation of
the plane is:
r
: r = s (1,0,3) + t (0,1,2); s, t R

Let first find the point of intersection.

s = 3

s = 3 and t = 0
0 = 0
1 = 1 + 2t

P0 = L1 L2 P0 = (3,0,1)
r
r r
Let r0 = OP0 = (3,0,1) , u = u 2 = (0,0,2) , and
r r
v = u1 = (1,0,0) . Then:
r
: r = (3,0,1) + s (0,0,2) + t (1,0,0); s, t R

Reading: Nelson Textbook, Pages 453-458

Homework: Nelson Textbook: Page 459 #1, 2, 4, 6b, 7, 9, 10, 15

8.4 Vector and Parametric Equations of a Plane

2010 Iulia & Teodoru Gugoiu - Page 2 of 2