Equation of a Plane Passing Through Three Non-collinear Points

The physical quantities which have magnitude, as well as directly attached to them, are known as vectors. Position vectors simply denote the position or location of a point in the three dimensional Cartesian systems with respect to a reference origin. In the upcoming discussion, we shall study about vectors and the Cartesian equation of a plane in three dimensions.

In the previous section we have already discussed that to a given vector there lie infinite planes which are perpendicular to it. But for a particular point there exist one and only one unique plane which is perpendicular to it passing through the given point. The vector equation of a plane in this case is given as

\begin{array}{l} (\vec{r} - \vec{a}) . \vec{N} = 0 \end{array}

Here,

\begin{array}{l} \vec{r} \end{array}

and

\begin{array}{l} \vec{a} \end{array}

represent the position vectors.

The Cartesian equation of such a plane is represented by:

\begin{array}{l} A (x - x_{1}) + B (y - y_{1}) + C (z - z_{1}) = 0 \end{array}

Here, A, B, and C are the direction ratios.

Let us now discuss the equation of a plane passing through three points which are non-collinear.

Equation of a Plane Passing through Three Non Collinear Points

Let us consider three non collinear points P, Q, R lying on a plane such that their position vectors are given by

\begin{array}{l} \vec{a} \end{array}

\begin{array}{l} \vec{b} \end{array}

and

\begin{array}{l} \vec{c} \end{array}

as shown in the figure given below.

equation of a plane - non collinear point

The vectors

\begin{array}{l} \vec{P Q} \end{array}

and

\begin{array}{l} \vec{P R} \end{array}

lie in the same plane. The vector lying perpendicular to plane containing the points P, Q and R is given by

\begin{array}{l} \vec{P Q} \end{array}

\begin{array}{l} \vec{P R} \end{array}

. If is the position vector of any point A lying in the plane containing P, Q, R then using the vector equation of a plane as mentioned above, the equation of the plane passing through P and perpendicular to the vector

\begin{array}{l} \vec{P Q} \end{array}

\begin{array}{l} \vec{P R} \end{array}

is given by

(

\begin{array}{l} \vec{r} \end{array}

–

\begin{array}{l} \vec{a} \end{array}

). (

\begin{array}{l} \vec{P Q} \end{array}

\begin{array}{l} \vec{P R}) = 0 \end{array}

Also, from the above figure, and . Substituting these values in the above equation, we have

\begin{array}{l} (\vec{r} - \vec{a}) . [(\vec{b} - \vec{a}) \times (\vec{c} - \vec{a})] = 0 \end{array}

This represents the equation of a plane in vector form passing through three points which are non- collinear.

To convert this equation in Cartesian system, let us assume that the coordinates of the point P, Q and R are given as (x₁, y₁, z₁), (x₂, y₂, z₂) and (x₃, y₃, z₃) respectively. Also let the coordinates of point A be x, y and z.

PA vec

Substituting these values in the equation of a plane in Cartesian form passing through three non-collinear points, we have

matrix x

This is the equation of a plane in Cartesian form passing through three points which are non- collinear.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Equation of a Plane Passing Through 3 Non-collinear Points

What is meant by the equation of a plane?

The equation of a plane defines the plane surface in the three-dimensional space.

Mention two different forms of the equation of a plane?

The equation of a plane can be expressed in two different forms such as vector form and cartesian form.

What are the different methods to derive the equation of a plane?

The equation of a plane can be derived using different methods, such as
Equation of a plane in normal form
Equation of a plane perpendicular to a given vector and through a point
Equation of a plane passing through three non-collinear points
Equation of a plane passing through the intersection of two given planes.

Is one normal and one point sufficient to form the equation of a plane?

Yes, one normal and one point is sufficient to form the equation of a plane.

What is the intercept form of the equation of a plane?

The intercept form of the equation of a plane is (x/a) +(y/b) +(z/c) =1. Here, a, b and c are the x-intercept, y-intercept and z-intercept respectively.

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MATHS Related Links

Constructing Triangles, ASA

Value Of Cos 30

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Formula To Find Circumference

Equation Of A Plane: 3 Non-Collinear Points