Question

Find the equations of the planes that passes through three points.

(a) (1, 1, −1), (6, 4, −5), (−4, −2, 3)

(b) (1, 1, 0), (1, 2, 1), (−2, 2, −1)

Answer 1

(a) The given points are A (1, 1, −1), B (6, 4, −5), and C (−4, −2, 3).

Since A, B, C are collinear points, there will be infinite number of planes passing through the given points.

(b) The given points are A (1, 1, 0), B (1, 2, 1), and C (−2, 2, −1).

Therefore, a plane will pass through the points A, B, and C.

It is known that the equation of the plane through the points, , and , is

This is the Cartesian equation of the required plane.