CH 8 Vectors IV Student

2024 JC2 H2 Mathematics 9758 RVHS Mathematics Department
Chapter 8: Vectors (Part IV)

Planes and 3D Geometry Problems
Content
Includes:
 Vector and Cartesian equations of planes.
 Finding the foot of the perpendicular and distance from a point to a plane.
 Finding the angle between a line and a plane, or between two planes.
 The relationship between:
o A line and a plane
o Two planes.
ConneCt
Recall, what defines a line, and what vectors do we need in order to define a line?
ExtEnd
How is a plane different from a line?
Challenge
How then can we define a plane? What kind of information do we need?
Any three non-collinear points define a plane. Hence any three non collinear points are coplanar.
Vectors that lie on the same plane are called coplanar vectors.
Two unique non-zero, non-parallel vectors and a point are all we need to completely define a
plane.
Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 1

4.1 Vector Equation (in Parametric Form) of a Plane

 
Consider two non-zero and non-parallel vectors AB = b and AC = c, both parallel to the plane,

and a point A with position vector OA  a on the plane.
R
c
B
A b
a
O
By the parallelogram law of addition of vectors, the position vector of any point R on the plane,
  
OR  OA  AR  a   b  c where  ,   
The vector equation in parametric form of the plane containing point A with position vector
a and parallel to two non-parallel vectors b and c is
r = a + b + c , where  ,   
Note: b and c are called the direction vectors of the plane and they need not lie in the plane.
Notation: A plane is usually denoted by  .
Example 1
Write down the vector equation of the plane through the point A 1, 2, 0  and which is also
parallel to the two vectors i + j and k .
[solution]

Example 2
Find the vector equation of the plane containing the three points A 1,0, 0  , B  2, 6,1 and
C  3, 0, 4  .
[solution]
4.2 Vector Equation (in Scalar Product Form) of a Plane

Suppose we have a fixed point A (position vector a) on a plane and a vector n which is
perpendicular to the plane. n
R
A
a r
O 
If ris
 the position vector of a point R on the plane, then AR is perpendicular to n ,
ie. AR . n = 0  (r  a) . n = 0  r . n = a . n
 r . n = p , where p = a . n is a scalar
The vector equation in scalar product form of a plane is given as
r.n = p
where n is a normal vector to the plane and p is a constant.

Example 3
Convert the parametric form of the plane  : r  i  j    i  j  3k     i  2 j  k  into the
scalar product form. Parametric Form
[Solution]
Scalar Product
Form
See-Think-Wonder!
(See) We’ve seen how we can find a normal vector n.

 1  1 
(Think) What if we find n by     ?
 2    1
1 3
   
(Wonder) Is the normal vector unique?

Example 4
Find in scalar product form, the equation of the plane  containing the lines
l1 : r  3i  j  2k    2i  k  and l2 : r  3i  j  2k    4i  3j  k  .
Hence determine the shortest distance of  from the origin.
[solution] n
 A

The shortest distance of  from the origin is the projection length of OA onto n.
1 
 1   3
Or equivalently  : r n  r   2   1
9  9
 2
Hence the plane is 1 unit distance away from the origin.
In the scalar product form

r . n̂ = p’,
| p’ | is the perpendicular distance of the plane from the origin O.
Question
What can you say when r . n = 0?

Example 5
 3
Convert the scalar product form of the plane  : r 1   4 into parametric form.
 2
 
see
What information is given in the scalar product equation of the plane?
think
How is a fixed point in the plane related to the scalar product form of the plane? How are the vectors
parallel to the plane related to the normal vector?
wonder
How do we form up the parametric equation of the plane then? Is the parametric equation unique?
[solution] Parametric Form
Scalar Product
Form

4.3 Cartesian Equation of a Plane

 n1 
Suppose the vector equation of the plane is r .  n2  = a . n = p.
n 
 3
 x  x   n1 
    
Then if we let r =  y  , we will have  y  n2  = p
z  z n 
     3
and that means n1 x  n2 y  n3 z  p
 n1 
The Cartesian Equation of a plane r .  n2  = p is n1 x  n2 y  n3 z  p
n 
 3
Example 6
The equation of the plane is given by r  i  2 j  4k    i  k     2i  j . Find the Cartesian
equation of the plane.
[solution] First convert the parametric form into scalar product form. Parametric Form
Scalar Product
Form
Cartesian Form

Example 7
Two planes 1 and  2 are defined by 2 x  y  2 z  3 and 2 x  y  2 z  12 respectively.
Show that the two planes are parallel and explain why the origin is sandwiched between the
planes.
Hence find the distance between the planes.
[solution]
 1:  2:
Since the normals are the same, 1 and  2 are parallel. n
In scalar product form,
 2   2 –n
Since  1  and  1  are in opposite directions while the right-hand-sides ‘1’ and ‘4’ are of the
 2  2 
   
same sign, the origin is sandwiched between the planes.
The distance between 1 and  2 is
Example 8
Plane 1 has equation 3 x  4 z  2  0 . Find the distance between 1 and plane  2 with
equation: (i) 3 x  4 z  1  0 , (ii) 3 x  4 z  1  0 .
[solution]
3 3
2 2
1 : r   0   2  r   0   
   
 4   4  32  (4)2 5
   

4.4 Foot of Perpendicular and Perpendicular Distance of a Point from a

Plane
Q
Given a point Q with position vector q and a plane  : r  n = p.
n
We want to find: 
1. Position vector ON , where N is foot of perpendicular. 
2. Perpendicular distance, QN.
To find point N, create a line l passing through Q and N
perpendicular to  , i.e. l: r = q + n.
N will then be the point of intersection of l and , obtain by equating the equations of the line
and the plane.

To find the perpendicular distance, we just find QN .
Example 9
Find the position vector of the foot of the perpendicular, N, from the point Q  7, 0, 3 to the plane
 with equation r  (i  j  2k )  1 . Thus find the shortest distance from Q to .
[solution]
Let l be the line passing through Q and perpendicular to .
Thus the equation of l is
*To solve for the point of intersection of l and , we equate the equations together:
Plane :
Equation of l:
Equating (1) and (2), we will have:
Therefore position vector of N,
Shortest distance from Q to  = Distance QN

Example 10
A plane 1 has vector equation x  2 y  2 z  3 .
(i) Find the distance of A( 1, 3, 1) from the plane 1 .
(ii) Find the equation of a parallel plane  2 such that A is equidistant from both 1 and
2 .
C 2
A

BA n
B 1
[solution]

4.5 Relationships Between a Line and a Plane

By sketching possibilities in intersections between a line and a plane, we can generalise that
(1) a line may be contained in the plane (and therefore parallel to the plane as well), or
(2) a line may be parallel to the plane, but not contained in the plane (no intersections), or
(3) a line may intersect the plane at exactly one point.
(1) (2) (3)
Suppose l : r  a   m and  : r n  p , where    .

Question
Conditions for cases (1), (2) and (3):
What makes these conditions
(1) m n  0 and an  p necessary?
For (1) and (2),
 How are m and n related?
(2) m n  0 and an  p Perpendicular.
 How is a related to the
plane? Fulfills or does not
(3) There exists a unique    that satisfies the equation
the eqn of plane.
(a  m)n  p . For (3)
Unique intersection point.

Example 11
Determine if the lines (i) l1 : r  2i  2 j  3k    i  j  k  and (ii) l2 : r  i  j    2i  j  4k 
intersect the plane  : x  2 y  z  3 .
[solution]
(i) Method 1
Equation of  in scalar product form is
Solving l1 and  simultaneously,
Solving
Method 2
, so l1 is perpendicular to the normal vector of  and thus parallel to  .
Since
Thus l1 is parallel to  but does not lie in  .
(ii) Method 1
Thus, l2 lies entirely on  and there is an infinite number of intersection points.

Method 2
Thus, l2 lies entirely on  and there is an infinite number of intersection points.
Example 12
Find the position vector of the point of intersection of the line
l : r  2i  k    i  3j  and the plane  : 5 x  y  7 z  9  0 .
[Solution]

Suppose P is the point of intersection between l and  , then OP  for some
.
Substitute (2) into (1),

Example 13 Find the point of intersection of the line l : r  i  2 j  3k    2i  3j  5k  and

the plane  : r  j  k    2i  4k     i  2 j  k  .
[solution]
1  2  0  2 1
Set  2     3    1     0     2  .
       
 3   5   1   4  1
         
So we have a system of equations
1  2  2   2    2  1
2  3  1  2   2   3  1
3  5  1  4   4    5  4
which can be solved using “PlySmlt2” in GC:

Step 1 Under “Applications” [APPS], select “PlySmlt2”.
Step 2 Select “SIMULT EQN SOLVER”.
Step 3 Enter the number of equations and unknowns. (3

and 3 respectively in this case.)
Step 4 Key in the numerical data.

Step 5 Press [SOLVE] to get the answers “   2 ,

  1 and   1 ”.
Using GC,   2 ,   1 and   1 .

1 2  3
Hence the position vector of the point of intersection is  2   1 3    1  .
 3   5   8 
     
The point of intersection is (3, –1, –8).
4.6 Angle between a Line and a Plane

l
m
n
Let  be the acute angle between the direction vector m (of l ) and the normal vector n (of  ).
Let  be the acute angle the line l makes with the plane  .
Then  can first be found via the dot product
mn
cos  
m n
And then   90 o   . Recall: Why do we take
modulus of the dot product?
Alternatively, cos   cos  90 o     sin 
mn mn
Thus, sin      sin 1
m n m n

Example 14
Find the acute angle between the line l : r  3k    3i  j  4k  and the plane
 : r.  i  5 j  2k   8 .
[Solution]
3 1 
   
m   1 and n   5  .
4  2 
   
Method 1:
Let  be the acute angle between m and n .
Then
Method 2:
Let  be the acute angle the line l makes with the plane  .
4.7 Relationships between Two Planes

Open the file 2planes.ggb from your SLS account to see the possible relationships between two
planes. You can move the planes by moving the points defining them. The yellow plane is
defined by the points A, B and C, whereas the pink plane is defined by points D, E and F. Any
intersection between the two planes is shown in yellow.
Sketch the possible intersections below:

Consider the possible intersections of two planes:

(1) No intersection. (parallel planes)
(2) Intersect at a plane. (same plane) 2
(3) Intersect at a line.
(1) 2 (3)
1
1
What makes us
say this?
For case (3), if n1 and n2 are the normals of 1 and  2 respectively,
then n1  n2 gives the direction vector of the common line of intersection.
Example 15
Find the equation of the line of intersection of two planes
1 1
1 : r 5   0 and  2 : r 1   8 .
 
 3   3 
   
[solution]
Method 1: Find a fixed point on the line and its direction vector
 1   1   12   3
Direction of line =  5    1  =  0  , which is parallel to  0  .
     
 3   3   4  1
       
Let (0, a, b) be a point on the common line of intersection.

Then (0, a, b) lies in both 1 and  2 .
0  1  0  1  Why can we do that?
     
 a  5   0 and  a  1   8 (so that there are only 2
 b   3   b   3  unknowns for 2 eqns)
     
 5a  3b  0 and a  3b  8
10
Solving, a  2 and b  . Implication
3
Can we let the arbitrary point be
 10  (a, 0, b) or (a, b, 0) instead? Yes
  0, 2,   is a point on the line.
 3
 0  3
 Equation of line of intersection is r   2   
    0  , where    .
  10 3  1
  

Method 2: Solving a System of Equations

In Cartesian form 1 : x  5 y  3z  0 ……...(1)
 2 : x  y  3 z  8 ………(2)
(2) – (1) : ( x  y  3 z )  ( x  5 y  3 z )  8  0  8
 4y  8  y  2
Sub y  2 into (1): x  10  3z  0  x  3 z  10
Then, let z   :
x  10  3
y2
z
Thus,
10  3
   
l : r   2     0  , where    .
0 1
   
Method 3: Using GC (recommended approach)
Alternatively, equations (1) and (2) above can be solved

using “PlySmlt2” in GC.
The output screen gives:
1 : x  5 y  3z  0 ……...(1)
 2 : x  y  3 z  8 ………(2)
Using GC, Implication

x  10  3z How then will the output screen
y2 look like if the planes do not
zz intersect or if they are the same
10   3  plane?
Therefore l : r   2   z  0  , where z   .
 0  1
   

4.8 Angle between Two Planes

n2
n1
2
1
The angle between two planes is equal to the angle between their normal vectors.
Thus the acute angle  between two planes 1 and  2 can be found via
n1 n 2
  cos1
n1 n 2
Example 16
Given two planes 1 : 2 x  y  4 z  3 and  2 : y  3z  1 respectively,
(i) find the acute angle between 1 and  2 .
(ii) find a plane  3 which is perpendicular to both 1 and  2 and which passes through the
origin.
[solution]
(i)
(ii) Since n1 and n 2 are perpendicular vectors to 1 and  2 , then  3 would be parallel to
n1 and n 2 . Thus n1 and n 2 can form the direction vectors of  3 .
As  3 contains the origin, so

4.9 Applications to 3D Geometry

Example 17 J94/I/14(modified)
In the diagram, O is the center of the square base ABCD of a right pyramid, vertex V.
Perpendicular unit vectors i , j , k are parallel to AB, AD, OV respectively. The length of AB is 4
units and the length of OV is 2h units. P, Q, M and N are the mid points of AB, BC, CV and VA
respectively. The point O is taken as the origin for position vectors.
(a) Show that the equations of the lines PM and QN may

V
M be expressed as
 0  1  2   3 
       
D C r   2   s  3  and r   0   t  1  respectively.
N j  0  h 0  h 
k        
i (b) Find the point of intersection X between the lines PM
O Q
and QN.
(c) If OX is perpendicular to VB, find the value of h.
(d) Show that the normal vectors to the plane VAB and
A B
P  0  h
VBC are   h  and  0  respectively. Deduce that the
 
 1  1
   
[solution] planes VAB and VBC are never perpendicular.

  

(d) Since AB is // to i and the plane VAB is // to VB and AB , so a normal vector to VAB is
 1  1  0 
     
 1    0     h 
 h   0   1 
     
  
Also, BC is // to j and the plane VBC is // to VB and BC . Hence a normal vector to VBC is
 1  0  h
     
 1    1    0 
 h   0   1 
     
The planes VAB and VBC are perpendicular if their normal vectors are perpendicular to each
other.
 0  h
However since   h  0   1 for all values of h , the normal vectors are never perpendicular
 1  1
  
to each other. Thus the planes are never perpendicular to each other.

Learning Target Checklist

Use the following checklist to do a self-check on whether you have learnt the concepts and
acquired the corresponding skills.
Check Learning Target Reference I have learned the

point relevant concept and
acquired the skill.
Y / N*
1 Interpret and find equations of planes in the Examples 1, 2
form r = a + λb + μc (parametric form)
2 Interpret and find equations of planes in the Example 4
form (r - a)  n  d (scalar product form)
3 Interpret and find equations of planes in the Example 6
form ax+by + cz = d (Cartesian form)
(possibly involving check points 6 and 7)
4 Convert the equations from parametric form to Example 3
scalar product form
5 Convert the equations from scalar product form Example 5
to parametric form
6 Convert the equations between scalar product Example 6
form and Cartesian form
7 Convert the equations from parametric form to Example 6
Cartesian form (involving check point 6)
8 Find the foot of the perpendicular from a point Example 9
to a plane
9 Find the perpendicular distance from a point to Examples 4,
a plane 9, 10
10 Determine whether a line lies in a plane, is Example 11
parallel to a plane, or intersects a plane
11 Find the point of intersection of a line and a Examples 12,
plane when it exists 13
12 Investigate the possible relationships between Examples 7,
two planes 17(d)
13 Find the distance between two planes Example 7, 8
14 Find the line of intersection of two non-parallel Example 15

planes
15 Find the angle between a line and a plane Example 14
16 Find the angle between two planes Example 16
17 Make connections between the intersection of Example 15

two planes to the solution of a system of linear
equations
* If ‘N’, jot down exactly what you do not understand.

Tutorial 8D: Vectors IV (Planes & 3D Geometry Problems)

Basic Mastery Questions
With reference to the
Learning Target
checklist, this question
demonstrates Check
point No.
1. Find the vector equations in parametric form, vector equations
in scalar product form and the Cartesian equations of the
planes containing
(i) the point (0, 1, 1) and the two vectors i  2 j  k and i  k ;
(ii) the points (1, 0, 1), (1, 2, 1) and (1, 1, 0);
(iii) the point ( 1 , 2, 3) and the line with equation
r  2i  k    i  7 j  2k  ;
(iv) the lines r = k + s(i – 3j) and r = k + t(2j + 5k).
2. A line  has equation r  j  2k    2i  j  k  . Find the vector

equation of the plane containing the point A(1, 3, 1),
perpendicular to the plane OXZ and parallel to .
3. N89/II/15(partial)
The plane  has equation 3 x  2 y  z  1  0 and the line  has
x4 y3 z 7
Cartesian equation   . Show that  lies in  .
1 2 1
4. IJC/2018/CT/10 In a particular experiment, Scott shoots a laser

beam from point A with coordinates  9, 1,  5  towards a plane
Π with equation 5 x  y  8 z   4 . The laser beam travels in a
x4 3 y
line L with equation   z 6.
5 2
Find
(i) the acute angle between L and Π.
(ii) the coordinates of the point where the laser beam meets the
plane and deduce the shortest distance from A to Π.
Immediately after the laser beam meets the plane, it is being
reflected as line M such that the angle between L and Π equals to
the angle between M and Π. Find the equation of the line M.

Tutorial Questions
1. N07/I/8 (modified)
1  3 
The line l has equation r   2     1  ,    and the plane p has equation
 
 4  3 
   
3 x  y  2 z  17 . Find
(i) the coordinates of the point of intersection of l and p,
(ii) the acute angle between l and p,
(iii) the perpendicular distance from the A (1, 2, 4) to p.
2. N93/II/15
The plane  has equation x  2 y  3z  6.
(i) Calculate the acute angle between  and the plane z = 0, giving your answer correct
to the nearest 0.1 .
(ii) Calculate the coordinates of the point P in  such that the line joining the origin to
P is perpendicular to  . Hence or otherwise show that the perpendicular distance
 18 
from the origin to  is
 .
7
(iii) Find the Cartesian equation of the plane which contains the z-axis and is
perpendicular to  .
3. N2011/I/11
The plane p passes through the points with coordinates (4, 1, 3) , (2, 5, 2) and
(4, 3, 2) .
(i) Find a Cartesian equation of p.
x 1 y  2 z  3
The line l1 has equation   and the line l2 has equation
2 4 1
x  2 y 1 z  3
  , where k is a constant. It is given that l1 and l2 intersect.
1 5 k
(ii) Find the value of k.
(iii) Show that l1 lies in p and find the coordinates of the point at which l2 intersects p.
(iv) Find the acute angle between l2 and p.

4. N2013/I/6
 2    6
   
The planes p1 and p2 have equations r    2   1 and r   3   1 respectively, and meet
 1   2 
   
in the line l.
(i) Find the acute angle between p1 and p2.
(ii) Find the vector equation for l.
(iii) The point A(4, 3, c) is equidistant from the planes p1 and p2. Calculate the two
possible values of c.
5. N2016/I/11
1 1  a
The plane p has equation r   3     2     4  , and the line l has equation
   
2 0  2 
     
 a  1   2 
   
r   a   t  1  , where a is a constant and λ, µ and t are parameters.
 a  1  2 
   
(i) In the case where a  0 ,
(a) show that l is perpendicular to p and find the values of λ, µ and t which give the
coordinates of the point at which l and p intersect. [5]
(b) find the cartesian equations of the planes such that the perpendicular distance
from each plane to p is 12. [5]
(ii) Find the value of a such that l and p do not meet in a unique point. [3]

6. VJC/2017/Prelim/I/11
Physicists are investigating the reflective property of a particular reflective surface. The
diagram below shows the set-up of a particular experiment, where a laser emitting device
was placed at the point with coordinates (1, 2, 3). A laser beam was emitted in the
direction parallel to i  k . The path of the emitted laser beam and its reflected path make
the same angle  with the reflective surface. The plane containing these two paths is
perpendicular to the reflective surface.
Write down the vector equation of the path of the emitted laser beam. [1]
reflective surface
 
Device
It is known that the reflective surface has equation x  y  z  4 .

(i) Find  . [3]
(ii) Show that the laser beam meets the reflective surface at the point  0, 2, 2  . [3]
(iii) Find the vector equation of the path of the reflected laser beam. [5]
7. N97/I/11 (FM)
With respect to an origin O, the point A has position vector 30i – 3j – 5k. The line l passes
through O and is parallel to the vector 4i – 5j – 3k. The point B on l is such that AB is
perpendicular to l. In either order,
(i) find the length of AB,
(ii) find the position vector of B.
The plane  passes through A and is parallel to both l and the vector –2i + 2j + k. The point
1
Q on AB is such that AQ = QB. Find, correct to two decimal places, the perpendicular
4
distance from Q to .

8. AJC/2012/Prelim I/10(modified)
The two planes p1 and p2, given by the equations 2x + y = 1 and 8x +ay + z =4 respectively,
meet at a line L which contains the point A(0,1,0).
(i) Show that a = 4 and hence find the vector equation of the line L. [3]
(ii) Another point B lies in the plane p1 such that AB is perpendicular to the line L. Show
0
  
that AB is parallel to  0  .
1
 
If the distance of B from p2 is 5 units, find the possible position vectors of point B. [5]
(iii) Find the acute angle between line AB and p2. [2]
9. In the figure, the line segments QR, OQ and QP have lengths 8, 20 and 5 units, and are
parallel to the mutually perpendicular unit vectors i , j and k respectively. QP is parallel
to RS. S
8
5
8
R
k Q
20
j
O i
(i) Show that the vector 3i  2 j  8k is perpendicular to the plane OPS.
(ii) Find the acute angle between the planes OPS and OPR.
(iii) Find the angle the line OS makes with the plane OPR.
(iv) Find the position vector of the point of reflection of Q in the plane OPR.

*10. RI/2017/Prelim/I/11
Screen
D C
C
k j
O
i
P
A B
A right opaque pyramid with square base ABCD and vertex V is placed at ground level Cfor
a shadow display, as shown in the diagram. O is the centre of the square base ABCD, and

 
 

perpendicular unit vectors i, j, k are in the directions of AB , AD and OV respectively.
The length of AB is 8 units and the length of OV is 2h units.
A point light source for this shadow display is placed at the point P(20, 4, 0) and a screen
of height 35 units is placed with its base on the ground such that the screen lies on a plane
1
 
with vector equation r .  0    where   4 (see diagram).
0
 
(i) Find a vector equation of the line depicting the path of the light ray from P to V in
terms of h. [2]
(ii) Find an inequality between  and h so that the shadow of the pyramid cast on the
screen will not exceed the height of the screen. [3]
The point light source is now replaced by a parallel light source whose light rays are
perpendicular to the screen and it is also given that h = 10.
(iii) Find the exact length of the shadow cast by the edge VB on the screen. [3]
A mirror is placed on the plane VBC to create a special effect during the display.
(iv) Find a vector equation of the plane VBC and hence find the angle of inclination made
by the mirror with the ground. [4]

11. HCI/2018/CT/8
The planes p1 , p2 and p3 have equations
p1 :  x  2 y  4 z  5 ,
p2 : 3 x  ay  6 z  6 ,
p3 : 2 x  4 y  8 z  b ,
where a and b are real constants, b  0 .
x  5 3  y z 1
(i) The line l has equation   . Given that the planes p1 and p2
8 6 5
intersect at l , show that a  1 . [3]
(ii) Find the acute angle between p1 and p2 . [2]
1
 
(iii) The plane p4 has equation r.  2   0 . Given that p1 and p3 are equidistant
 4 
 
from p4 , find the value of b . [2]
(iv) The point A with coordinates  1, 0,1  lies on p1 , and F is the foot of the
perpendicular from A to l . The point B is the reflection of F in the plane p3 .
Find the length of AF and hence find the area of triangle AFB . [5]
*12. N97/I/12(partial) (FM)

The lines l1 and l2 meet at P. The line l3 is coplanar with l1 and l2 , and is perpendicular to
l1 . Given that l1 and l2 are parallel to the vectors a and b respectively, show that l3 is
 ab 
parallel to the vector b   2  a .
 a 
 
The equations of l1 and l2 are r  3i  5 j  2k  t 11i  10 j  2k  and

r  3i  5 j  2k  s 17i  3 j  4k  respectively.
Find the equation of l3 , given that l3 also passes through P.
The line l4 has equation r  10i  3j  k  u  3i  4 j  k  . The line l5 is perpendicular to

both l3 and l4 . Find the acute angle between l5 and the plane containing l1 and l2 , giving
your answer in degrees correct to one decimal place.

Additional Practice Questions
1. N92/II/15 (partial)
The equation of a plane  is x  6 y  2 z  5, and the point A has coordinates (3,–12,1).
Write down
(i) a vector perpendicular to  ,
(ii) a vector equation for the straight line  which passes through A and is perpendicular
to  .
Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of  and  , and hence show that the
perpendicular distance from A to  is 2 41.
2. N90/II/15
 8   6 
The point A has coordinates (3, 1,5) and the line  has equation r   0   t  1  .
 1  4 
   
Find the coordinates of the point B on such that AB is perpendicular to  .

1
The plane  has equation r 1  15 .
3
 
Find the coordinates of the point C where  intersects  .
Find a vector perpendicular to the plane ABC. Hence show that the acute angle between 
and the plane ABC is 68 , correct to the nearest degree.

3. VJC/2018 MYE/Q6
p1 A
B
p2
D
C
The diagram above shows the vertical cross-section of a slab of glass in the form of a
trapezoidal prism, where the top surface is a plane p1 and the left side of the glass is a
plane p2 . C and D are points in p2 . The light from a particle placed at C travels in a
straight line to B in the glass. The light is refracted at B and travels in a straight line to
A (3,1, 2) in the air. To an observer at A, the particle at C appears to be at D (0,7, 4 ).
The plane p1 has equation z  0 and AB is parallel to i  2 j  2k .
(i) Find the coordinates of B. [3]

BC is in the direction of 4i  aj  k , where a is a positive constant. The line BC makes
1
an angle of cos1   with the normal to p1 at B.
9
(ii) Find the value of a. [3]
(iii) Given that the distance BC is 18, show that the position vector of C is 6i  19 j  2k .
[2]
The plane p2 has equation r  n  34 .

(iv) Given that p2 is perpendicular to a plane with equation 2 x  y  7 , find n. [4]

*4. TPJC 10/II/4

The figure below shows a cuboid positioned on level ground so that it rests on one of its
vertices, O. The vectors i and j are on the ground.
  

Given that OA  3i  12 j  3k , OB  2i + j  2k and OC  2i  2k
(i) Show that the position vector of X is i  12 j  5k .
(ii) State the height of X above the ground. Hence find the angle between OX and the
level ground, giving your answer to nearest 0.1o.
(iii) Find the equation of plane BDX in the form of r  n  d
(iv) Find the acute angle between planes BDX and OBDC.
5. JJC/2012/Prelim II/4
The planes 1 and 2 have equations r  i  2j  k   4 and
r  3i  j  k   (i  j  k )   (4i  j) respectively, and meet in a line l1.
(i) Find the acute angle between  1 and  2 . [3]
(ii) Find a vector equation of l1. [2]
(iii) The points A and B have coordinates  6, 3,  5 and  2, 3, 1 respectively. Find

the length of projection of AB onto the line l1. [2]
The line l2 passes through the point C with position vector pi  (2 p  1) j  3k and is
parallel to 3qi  3 j  qk , where p and q are positive constants.
15
Given that the perpendicular distance from C to  1 is and that the acute angle
6
 2 
between l2 and  1 is sin 1   , find the values of p and q. [6]
 6

6. 2022 HC1 / MYE / Q7

D E
C B
G F
k
j
O i A
Taking the point O as the origin, the diagram above shows a right trapezoidal prism that is
made up of 2 congruent trapeziums OAFG and BCDE that are joined by 4 rectangles
OABC, DEFG, ABEF and OCDG. Perpendicular unit vectors i, j and k are such that i and j
are parallel to OA and OC respectively. The length of OA is 8 units, the length of AB is 10
units and the length of GF is 4 units. The 2 rectangles ABEF and OCDG are inclined to the
horizontal plane OABC at an angle of 45.
(i) Show that the equation of the plane ABEF may be expressed as x  z  8 . [2]
 1 
 
(ii) Given that the equation of the plane OCDG is r   0   k , where k is a constant
1
 
to be determined, find the vector equation of the line l where the planes ABEF and
OCDG meet. Hence state the distance from l to the plane DEFG. [3]
(iii) The reflection of l in the plane DEFG is l’. Write down the Cartesian equation of
l’. [1]
y2
(iv) The line m, which passes through the point H, has equation x  1   z. Find
3
the possible coordinates of H such that the shortest distance from H to the planes
ABEF and OCDG is the same. [4]
(v) Determine if the point of intersection between the line m and the plane ABEF lies
on the rectangular surface ABEF. Justify your answer. [2]

7. SRJC/2018/MYE/II/Q7(modified)
The planes p1 , p2 and p3 have equations 2x  y  z  2 , 2 x  z  6 and
 x  3 y  2 z   respectively, where  ,    . Given that the plane p1 meets the
plane p2 at the line l ,
(i) find the equation of l . [1]
(ii) Find the values of  and  if p3 also contains l . [2]
(iii) The plane p4 is parallel to the plane p2 and has equation 2 x  z  k , where k  .
Find the possible values of k for which the plane p4 is 5 units away from the plane
p2 . [2]
8. ACJC/2018/MYE/Q7 E
H
F
G
A
B
m
D C
The diagram shows the structure of a building with a horizontal rectangular base ABCD,
whereby BC is m units. The structure consists of four vertical columns, AE, DH, CG and
BF which are parallel to the z-axis.
The roof EFGH has equation x  y  2 z  2  4 2 and the plane ABFE has equation
x  y  2 . The origin  0, 0, 0 is a point within the rectangular base ABCD.
(i) Find the cartesian equation of the plane DCGH in terms of m. [2]
(ii) Find the acute angle between the roof EFGH and the base ABCD. [2]
To ensure that the roof is sturdier, a beam needs to be added to connect point W  0, 2, 4 ,
which lies on column AE, to the nearest point on the roof.

(iii) Show that this nearest point on the roof is 1,1, 4  2 .  [3]
(iv) Hence find the exact cartesian equation of the beam EF. [3]
9. 2019 SAJC Prelim/P2/ Q3

1
The plane 1 has equation r   1  10 , and the coordinates of A and B are (2, a, 2),
 
3
(1, 0, 3) respectively, where a is a constant.
(i) Verify that B lies on  1 . [1]
(ii) Given that A does not lie on 1 , state the possible range of values for a. [1]

(iii) Given that a  9 , find the coordinates of the foot of the perpendicular from A to 1 .
Hence, or otherwise, find the vector equation of the line of reflection of the line AB
in 1 . [5]
1
The plane 2 has equation r   0   4 .
 
1
(iv) Find the acute angle between 1 and 2 . [2]
(v) Find the cartesian equations of the planes such that the perpendicular distance from
each plane to 2 is 5 22 . [3]
10. 2021 MYE SAJC/P1/Q1

A factory manufactures machine components by using laser beams to cut through metal
sheets which are placed in fixed positions. Laser beams travel in straight lines and the
widths of the beams can be neglected.
The source of the laser is from a fixed point X with coordinates (1, 2, 3) . The initial ray of
2
the laser beam is sent in the direction  1  . This laser beam makes an initial cut at point A
1
 
on a metal sheet that is part of the plane 4 x  y  z  39 .
(i) Find the coordinates of A. [3]
(ii) B is a point on the metal sheet such that XB is perpendicular to the plane. Starting
with its initial cut at A, the laser beam from X now changes its direction such that the
laser beam cuts out a circle with center B on the metal sheet. Find the exact area of
this circle. [3]
The metal sheet has been replaced with a new one that is put in the same fixed position as
the previous one. The factory worker operating the machine intends to programme the laser
beam such that there will be a straight line cut, l on the metal sheet given by the
y 5 z  2
equation x  8   .
2 2
(iii) Show that l lies on plane. [2]
(iv) To begin the cutting process, the laser beam has to make an initial point cut on the
metal sheet that can lie on any point along the line l. Let C be the initial point cut on
the metal sheet. Find the coordinates of C such that the length of laser beam XC is
minimised. [4]
(v) It is required that a triangle be cut out from the metal sheet. The cutting process
started from point C along line l towards the point D with coordinates (9, 3, 0). The
worker then decides that the points D, C and B will be the vertices of the triangle,
where B is the point on the metal sheet such that XB is perpendicular to the metal
sheet. Find the exact area of the triangle cut out. [2]

Answers
BMQ
 0 1  1 
     
1.(i) Parametric form: r   1     2     0  , where  ,   
1 1 1
     
1
 
Scalar product form: r.  1  0 , Cartesian equation: x  y  z  0
1
 
1  0  0 
1.(ii) Parametric form: r   0   s  1   t  1  , s, t  
 1   0   1 
     
1
 
Scalar product form: r.  0   1 , Cartesian equation:  x  1 or x  1
0
 
 1  1  1 
1.(iii) Parametric form: r   2   s  7   t  2  , s, t  
 3   2   4
     
8
 
Scalar product form: r.  2   13 , Cartesian equation: 8 x  2 y  3 z  13
 3 
 
0 1  0
1.(iv) Parametric form: r   0     3     2  ,  ,   
   
1 0  5
     
 15 
 
Scalar product form: r.  5   2 , Cartesian equation:  15 x  5 y  2 z  2
 2 
 
1  0 2
2. l : r   3     1     1 where  ,   
   
1  0 1
     
o
4. (i) 16.8 (ii)  21,13, 11 , 9.49;
 1   10   21  10 
       
M : r   1    7  ,    OR r   13     7  ,   
 11   11   11  11 
       
Tutorial
 5 3 11  8
1. (i)  , ,  (ii) 78.8 (iii) units
2 2 2  14

3 6 9
2. (i) 36.7 (ii)  , ,  (iii) y  2 x
7 7 7
3. (i) x  y  2 z  3 (ii) k = –7 (iii) (1, 6, 4) (iv) 22.2
 1  7
1    35
4. (i) 40.4° (ii) r    4   10 ,  ℝ. (iii) c = -49 or c =
6  6  13
 0  6
5 8 19
5. (i)(a) t   ,    ,   (b) 2 x  y  2 z  35 and 2 x  y  2 z  37 (ii) a  4.5
9 9 18
1 1  0 1
6. r   2     0  ,    (i)   54.7 (iii) r   2     4  ,   
     
   1  2 1
 3      
7. (i) 22 (ii) 12i – 15j – 9k, 2.27
0 1 0  0 
        
8. (i) L : r   1     2  ,    (ii) OB   1  or  1  (iii) 6.4°
   0  45   45 
0      
1
9. (ii) 51.2 (iii) 16.8 (iv)  400i  1700 j  640k 
93
 20   10  5
350  
10. (i) r   4     2  ,    (ii) h  (iii) 4 26 (iv) r. 0  20 , 78.7
 

 0   h  20   1
     
21
11. (ii) 21.1 (iii) b  10 (iv) 3 [or 6.15 (3 s.f.)]
5
12. r  3i  5 j  2k    6i  7 j  2k  ; 83.9
APQ
1. (i) i  6 j  2k (ii) r  3i  12 j  k    i  6 j  2k  , (1, 0, –3)
2. (2, 1, 3) , (-4, 2, 7), 10i  16 j  11k
 1 
3. (i) (2, 3, 0) (ii) a = 8 (iv) n   2 
  
 5 
 13 
4. (ii) 5 units, 22.5 (iii) r   2   54 (iv) 76.7 o
o
 13 
 
 4   3
3 14
5. (i) 28.1° (ii) r  4    2  , where   
  (iii) ; p = 2, q = 2
    7
0 1
   

 4 0
   
6. (ii) l: r   0     1  ,    , 2 units (iii) x  4, z  0, y  (iv) (5,10, 4) and (4, 7, 3).
 4 0
   
6. (v) Not on surface.
1
 3   2   3  1 
   
7. (i) l : r   8     2  ,       
l : r   8     4  ,    
 OR
0 1  0 2 
         
 
7. (ii)   8 ,   0 (iii) k  11 or k 1
x 1 1 y 4  2  z 4 2  z
8. (i) x  y  2  m 2 (ii) 45 (iv)   , or x  1  1  y 
2 2 2 2
1  3
9. (ii) a  , a  2 (iii) lBA ' : r  0    7  ,    (iv) 31.5 (v) x  z  9 or x  z  1
 
   
 3  5
 23 17 8 
10. (i)  7, 5, 6  (ii) 4 (iv)  , ,  (iv) 4 2
 3 3 3

Assignment 8D – Vectors IV (Planes & 3D Geometry Problems)

1. NYJC Promo 9758/2023/Q9
Referred to the origin O, the points A, B and C have position vectors 3i  j , 5i  3 j  4 k and
2i   j  2 k respectively, where  is a non-zero constant.
(a) Given that the acute angle between the x-axis and the line passing through A and C is
60o, find the value of . [3]
The line l passes through A and B.
(b) A point Q lies on l such that AQ is 3 units. Find the two possible position vectors of
Q. [4]
The plane  containing A has equation x + 2z = 3.
(c) Find the position vector of the point F on  that is closest to B. [3]
(d) Hence find a vector equation of the line of reflection of l in . [3]
2. RI Prelim 9758/2023/01/Q12
Diagram 1 below shows a model created to study the Ames Room illusion, where identical
objects are perceived to be different in height when seen from a viewing hole, V.
F
G
E
D
Diagram 1
C
B
k
j
O i A
Viewing hole V
The front facing wall of the room is modelled by the rectangle OADE which lies on the
x-z plane, where O is the origin, and the floor OABC lies on the x-y plane. OA and OE are
parallel to the unit vectors i and k respectively, with OA  8 units and OE  5 units.
The square ABGD is perpendicular to both OABC and OADE, with AB  5 units .

 
 

Given that OC  i  8j , OF  i  8j+ 8k and CF  8k ,
(a) show that triangle EFG lies on the plane 5x  8 y  23z  115. [4]

Upper tip of object Upper tip of object Y at (7, 4,5)

X at (0, 7,5)
G
E
D
C
Diagram 2 B
k
Image I j
O i A
Viewing hole V
at (4,0,1)
A vertically upright object X is placed in the model with its upper tip at (0,7,5) . Object Y,
also vertically upright and identical to X, is placed in the model with its upper tip at
(7, 4,5) . Their bottom tips touch the floor OABC and the viewing hole V is at (4, 0,1) .
Instead of seeing object X at its actual position, the illusion causes the viewer to see a
corresponding image I which is also vertically upright and has its bottom tip touching the
floor OABC (shown in dotted outline in Diagram 2 above).
It is further given that the image I and object Y lie on the plane y  4 .
(b) Find a vector equation of the line of sight connecting V and the upper tip of object X
and hence show that the ratio of the height of image I to the height of object Y is
23 : 35. [4]
(c) A point light source S is to be installed on edge BC, so that it is focused on the upper


tip of object Y. Find the position vector OS so that the distance between S and the
upper tip of object Y is minimised. [5]

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2024 JC2 H2 Mathematics 9758 RVHS Mathematics Department

Chapter 8: Vectors (Part IV)

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 1

4.1 Vector Equation (in Parametric Form) of a Plane

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 2

4.2 Vector Equation (in Scalar Product Form) of a Plane

The vector equation in scalar product form of a plane is given as

where n is a normal vector to the plane and p is a constant.

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 3

(See) We’ve seen how we can find a normal vector n.

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 4

In the scalar product form

| p’ | is the perpendicular distance of the plane from the origin O.

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 5

[solution] Parametric Form

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 6

4.3 Cartesian Equation of a Plane

and that means n1 x  n2 y  n3 z  p

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 7

Since the normals are the same, 1 and  2 are parallel. n

In scalar product form,

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 8

4.4 Foot of Perpendicular and Perpendicular Distance of a Point from a

Thus the equation of l is

Equating (1) and (2), we will have:

Therefore position vector of N,

Shortest distance from Q to  = Distance QN

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 9

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 10

4.5 Relationships Between a Line and a Plane

(1) (2) (3)

Suppose l : r  a   m and  : r n  p , where    .

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 11

Equation of  in scalar product form is

Solving l1 and  simultaneously,

, so l1 is perpendicular to the normal vector of  and thus parallel to  .

Thus l1 is parallel to  but does not lie in  .

Thus, l2 lies entirely on  and there is an infinite number of intersection points.

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 12

Thus, l2 lies entirely on  and there is an infinite number of intersection points.

Substitute (2) into (1),

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 13

Example 13 Find the point of intersection of the line l : r  i  2 j  3k    2i  3j  5k  and

which can be solved using “PlySmlt2” in GC:

Step 2 Select “SIMULT EQN SOLVER”.

Step 3 Enter the number of equations and unknowns. (3

Step 4 Key in the numerical data.

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 14

Step 5 Press [SOLVE] to get the answers “   2 ,

Using GC,   2 ,   1 and   1 .

4.6 Angle between a Line and a Plane

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 15

Let  be the acute angle between m and n .

4.7 Relationships between Two Planes

Sketch the possible intersections below:

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 16

Consider the possible intersections of two planes:

Let (0, a, b) be a point on the common line of intersection.

Ch 8 Vectors (IV) – Planes 17