Equation of line - given point and //vector
Equation of line - given point and //vector
Last updated at April 16, 2024 by Teachoo
Example 6 Find the vector and the Cartesian equations of the line through the point (5, 2, – 4) and which is parallel to the vector 3𝑖 ̂ + 2𝑗 ̂ – 8𝑘 ̂ . Vector equation Equation of a line passing through a point with position vector 𝑎 ⃗ , and parallel to a vector 𝑏 ⃗ is 𝒓 ⃗ = 𝒂 ⃗ + 𝜆𝒃 ⃗ Since line passes through (5, 2, −4) 𝒂 ⃗ = 5𝑖 ̂ + 2𝑗 ̂ − 4𝑘 ̂ Since line is parallel to 3𝒊 ̂ + 2𝒋 ̂ − 8𝒌 ̂ 𝒃 ⃗ = 3𝑖 ̂ + 2𝑗 ̂ − 8𝑘 ̂ Equation of line 𝑟 ⃗ = 𝑎 ⃗ + 𝜆𝑏 ⃗ 𝒓 ⃗ = (5𝒊 ̂ + 2𝒋 ̂ − 4𝒌 ̂) + 𝜆 (3𝒊 ̂ + 2𝒋 ̂ − 8𝒌 ̂) Cartesian equation Equation of a line passing through a point (x, y, z) and parallel to a line with direction ratios a, b, c is (𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏)/𝒂 = (𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏)/𝒃 = (𝒛 − 𝒛𝟏)/𝒄 Since line passes through (5, 2, −4) 𝒙1 = 5, y1 = 2 , z1 = −4 Also, line is parallel to 3𝒊 ̂ + 2𝒋 ̂ −8𝒌 ̂ , 𝒂 = 3, b = 2, c = −8 Equation of line in Cartesian form is (𝑥 − 𝑥1)/𝑎 = (𝑦 − 𝑦1)/𝑏 = (𝑧 − 𝑧1)/𝑐 (𝑥 − 5)/3 = (𝑦 − 2)/2 = (𝑧 − (−4))/( −8) (𝒙 − 𝟓)/𝟑 = (𝒚 − 𝟐)/𝟐 = (𝒛 + 𝟒)/(−𝟖)