Q .12.

Question

. If a, b, and c are nonzero, find the points where the line r(t)=x0+at,y0+bt,z0+ct intersects each of the coordinate planes. If a = 0, explain why the line is parallel to the y z-plane. 

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

 The required answer is, 

0,y0-bx0a,z0-cx0ax0-ay0b,0,z0-cy0bx0-az0c,y0-bz0c,0.

1Step 1:Given information

A line r(t)=x0+at,y0+bt,z0+ct and a=0

2Step 2:Calculation

 Consider the line L determined by the equations r(t)=x0+at,y0+bt,z0+ct

Then,r(t)=x0+at,y0+bt,z0+ct

 So, x=x0+at,y=y0+bt,z=z0+ct

When the line intersect in yz-plane the value of x=0

 Now substitute x=0 in x=x0+at

0=x0+at

-x0=at

-x0a=t

 Substitute t=-x0a in r(t)=x0+at,y0+bt,z0+ct

r-x0a=x0+a·-x0a,y0+b·-x0a,z0+c·-x0a

r-x0a=x0-x0,y0+b·-x0a,z0+c·-x0a

r-x0a=0,y0-bx0a,z0-cx0a

 Thus the point in yz-plane is 0,y0-bx0a,z0-cx0a


When the line intersect in zx -plane the value of y=0 

 Now substitute y=0 in y=y0+bt

0=y0+bt

0-y0=y0+bt-y0

-y0=bt

t=-y0b

 Substitute t=-y0b in r(t)=x0+at,y0+bt,z0+ct

r-y0b=x0+a·-y0b,y0+b·-y0b,z0+c·-y0b

r-y0b=x0-ay0b,0,z0-cy0b

 Thus the point in zx-plane is x0-ay0b,0,z0-cy0b


 When the line intersects in  xy -plane the value of  z=0

 Now substitute z=0 in z=z0+ct

0=z0+ct

-z0=ct

t=-z0c

 Substitute t=-z0c in r(t)=x0+at,y0+bt,z0+ct

r-z0c=x0+a·-z0c,y0+b·-z0c,z0+c·-z0c

r-z0c=x0+-az0c,y0+-bz0c,z0-z0

r-z0c=x0-az0c,y0-bz0c,0

 Thus the point in xy-plane is x0-az0c,y0-bz0c,0

 Thus the points where the line intersects the coordinate planes  yz, zx, xy  are,

0,y0-bx0a,z0-cx0ax0-ay0b,0,z0-cy0bx0-az0c,y0-bz0c,0

 When a=0, the equation is r(t)=x0+0·t,y0+bt,z0+ct

r(t)=x0,y0+bt,z0+ct

The x component becomes zero in yz-plane.

Thus, when a=0 the line is parallel to yz-plane.

Therefore, the required answer is,

0,y0-bx0a,z0-cx0ax0-ay0b,0,z0-cy0bx0-az0c,y0-bz0c,0.