How to Find the Equation of a Plane Through Three Given Points

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In summary, to find the equation of a plane passing through three given points, you can use the three-point formula which involves finding two vectors from the three points and taking their cross product to get the normal vector of the plane. Then, using the point-normal form of a plane equation, you can plug in one of the given points and the normal vector to find the equation of the plane. Alternatively, you can use the point-slope form of a plane equation and solve for the coefficients by plugging in the coordinates of the three points. Both methods will result in the equation of the plane in the form of Ax + By + Cz = D.
  • #1
hivesaeed4
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An equation for the plane that contains the three points $${(0, 0, 0)}$$, $${(1, 1, 1)}$$ and $${(2, 3, 4)}$$.

A$${x}$$ - B$${y}$$ +C $${z}$$ =0

Now I evaluated it, C comes out to be eual to A and B=2A. But that just means that A=B=C=0 which is just wrong.

Then I used the http://www.ehow.com/how_8072475_equations-planes.html
and evaluated A,B,C to be 1, 2, 1 respectively. But where was I making a mistake initially?
 
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  • #2
plane equation is :ax+by+cz=d
we substitute 3 points (0,0,0), (1,1,1) and (2,3,4) in the plane equation, therefore:
(0,0,0) -> 0=d (1)
(1,1,1) -> a+b+c=d (2)
(2,3,4) -> 2a+3b+4c=d (3)

by solving equations (1), (2) and (3) relative to a we have:
d=0
b=-2a
c=a

therefore the plane eq. is : ax-2ay+az=0 ->

plane equation is: " x-2y+z=0"
 
  • #3
I don't think you got what I was asking. I arrived at the same equation you got
ax-2ay+az=0 but how do we find a=1?
 

FAQ: How to Find the Equation of a Plane Through Three Given Points

What is the equation of a plane?

The equation of a plane is a mathematical representation of a flat surface in three-dimensional space. It can be written in the form Ax + By + Cz + D = 0, where A, B, and C are the coefficients of the plane's normal vector, and D is a constant term.

How do I find the equation of a plane?

To find the equation of a plane, you need to know at least three points on the plane or the coordinates of a point on the plane and the direction of the plane's normal vector. Using this information, you can plug the values into the general form of the equation and solve for the coefficients.

What is the normal vector of a plane?

The normal vector of a plane is a vector that is perpendicular to the plane and points outwards. It is represented by the coefficients A, B, and C in the equation of a plane and is essential in determining the orientation and slope of the plane.

Can I use the equation of a plane to find its distance from the origin?

Yes, you can use the equation of a plane to find its distance from the origin. The distance between a plane and the origin is the absolute value of the constant term D in the equation (|D|).

How can I use the equation of a plane in real-world applications?

The equation of a plane has various real-world applications, such as in engineering, physics, and computer graphics. It can be used to describe the orientation of an object, calculate the distance between two points, and determine the intersection of two planes. It is also used in computer graphics to create 3D objects and simulations.

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