SOLUTION: Let the plane V be defined by ax + by + cz + d = 0. Which is true? A) the vector ⟨a,b,c⟩ is perpendicular to V B) the distance between V and the origin is {{{

Algebra.Com
Question 582498: Let the plane V be defined by ax + by + cz + d = 0. Which is true?
A) the vector ⟨a,b,c⟩ is perpendicular to V
B) the distance between V and the origin is

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20055)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
ax + by + cz + d = 0

Let's find two points in the plane V.

Let y = 0 and z = 0

ax + b(0) + c(0) + d = 0

              ax + d = 0
                   
                  ax = 

So (-d/a,0,0) is one point in the plane V

Let x = 0 and z = 0

a(0) + by + c(0) + d = 0

              by + d = 0
                   
                  by = 

So (0,,0) is another point in the plane V

The vector between these two points is

⟨0-(),-0,0-0⟩  =  ⟨,,0⟩

This vector ⟨,,0⟩ is parallel to the plane V.

Let's find the dot product of it with ⟨a,b,c⟩

⟨,,0⟩•⟨a,b,c⟩ = ()a + ()b + 0(c) = d-d+0 = 0

Since that dot product is 0, the vector ⟨a,b,c⟩ is perpendicular
to to a vector parallel to the plane V and therefore is perpendicular
to the plane V.

Therefore ⟨a,b,c⟩ is normal to the plane V since its dot product
with a vector parallel to the plane V is 0.

The correct choice is A)

Edwin

RELATED QUESTIONS

ax+by=u cx+d y=v when d is=[a b c d]=/0 what is the... (answered by drk)
If vector x is denoted by V(x), If v(d)=p(V(a)XV(b))+q(V(b)XV(c))+r(V(c)XV(a)) and... (answered by venugopalramana)
vector A=3i+4j is a vector in xy plane, vector B is a vector perpendicular to vector A, (answered by longjonsilver,venugopalramana)
Vector one is defined from (0,-1) to (4,0). Vector two is defined from (3,2) to (7,4).... (answered by Boreal)
Let P1 be the plane defined by the points: (-1,-2,-3), (-3,1,-5) and (2,-5,-4) Find (answered by venugopalramana)
Let V be the plane 6x1 + 4x2 - 2x3 = 0 in R^3 and let x= (6 -2 4) a) find the... (answered by venugopalramana)
Hello! I was asked this question: "The general equation of a plane is Ax + By + Cz = D,... (answered by Fombitz)
The points A and B have position vectors, relative to the origin O, given by OA = -i +... (answered by ikleyn)