Determining the cartesian equations

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In summary: Once you have that, you can use the point and the perpendicular vector to write the equation of the plane in the form Ax + By + Cz + D = 0. In summary, to determine the cartesian equation of a plane containing two given lines, you must first check if the lines are parallel or intersecting. Then, use the given point and direction vectors to find a perpendicular vector and write the equation of the plane in the form Ax + By + Cz + D = 0.
  • #1
shawns
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Homework Statement



determine the cartesian equation of the plane that contains the following lines:
L1: r= (4,4,5) + t(5,-4,6)
L2: r= (4,4,5) + s(2,-3,-4)

Homework Equations



I kno I'm supposed to use the equation Ax + By + Cz + D. but i don't know how to use it with this type of problem

The Attempt at a Solution



Don't understand it at all :S
 
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  • #2
Two lines can be contained in a plane if and only if,

a) The lines are parallel, or
b) The lines intersect

Hint: The direction vectors of each line should indicate whether they are parallel or not

Does that help?
 
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  • #3
shawns said:

Homework Statement



determine the cartesian equation of the plane that contains the following lines:
L1: r= (4,4,5) + t(5,-4,6)
L2: r= (4,4,5) + s(2,-3,-4)

Homework Equations



I kno I'm supposed to use the equation Ax + By + Cz + D. but i don't know how to use it with this type of problem
Ax + By + Cz + D is NOT an equation. The equation you're thinking of is Ax + By + Cz + D = 0.
shawns said:

The Attempt at a Solution



Don't understand it at all :S

You are given a point in the plane and two vectors that are in the plane. You need to work with the two vectors to find a third vector that is perpendicular to the plane.
 

FAQ: Determining the cartesian equations

What is the purpose of determining cartesian equations?

The purpose of determining cartesian equations is to represent a mathematical relationship between two or more variables in a two-dimensional coordinate system. It allows for the visualization and manipulation of mathematical concepts and can help solve problems in various fields such as physics, engineering, and economics.

How do you determine the cartesian equation of a line?

To determine the cartesian equation of a line, you need to know the slope and the y-intercept of the line. The equation is in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. If the slope is known, you can use the point-slope form of the equation, y - y1 = m(x - x1), where (x1,y1) is a point on the line. If two points are given, you can use the slope formula, (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1), to find the slope and then use one of the above methods.

What are the steps for determining the cartesian equation of a parabola?

The steps for determining the cartesian equation of a parabola are as follows:

  1. Identify the vertex of the parabola. This is the point where the parabola changes direction.
  2. Use the vertex form of the equation, y = a(x - h)^2 + k, where (h,k) is the vertex and a is a constant, to write the equation.
  3. Determine the value of a. This can be found by using a known point on the parabola and substituting its coordinates into the equation.
  4. Write the final equation in standard form, y = ax^2 + bx + c, if needed.

Can you determine the cartesian equation of a circle?

Yes, the cartesian equation of a circle is (x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2, where (h,k) is the center of the circle and r is the radius. This equation can be derived using the distance formula and the definition of a circle.

How is a cartesian equation different from a parametric equation?

A cartesian equation represents a relationship between two variables in terms of x and y coordinates on a graph. A parametric equation, on the other hand, represents the same relationship in terms of an independent variable, usually denoted by t, and two or more dependent variables, x and y. While a cartesian equation can be graphed on a two-dimensional coordinate plane, a parametric equation requires three dimensions to be graphed.

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