Question

In each of the following cases, determine the direction cosines of the normal to the plane and the distance from the origin.

(a)z = 2 (b)

(c) (d)5y + 8 = 0

Answer 1

(a) The equation of the plane is z = 2 or 0x + 0y + z = 2 … (1)

The direction ratios of normal are 0, 0, and 1.

∴

Dividing both sides of equation (1) by 1, we obtain

This is of the form lx + my + nz = d, where l, m, n are the direction cosines of normal to the plane and d is the distance of the perpendicular drawn from the origin.

Therefore, the direction cosines are 0, 0, and 1 and the distance of the plane from the origin is 2 units.

(b) x + y + z = 1 … (1)

The direction ratios of normal are 1, 1, and 1.

∴

Dividing both sides of equation (1) by, we obtain

This equation is of the form lx + my + nz = d, where l, m, n are the direction cosines of normal to the plane and d is the distance of normal from the origin.

Therefore, the direction cosines of the normal are and the distance of normal from the origin is units.

(c) 2x + 3y ­− z = 5 … (1)

The direction ratios of normal are 2, 3, and −1.

Dividing both sides of equation (1) by , we obtain

This equation is of the form lx + my + nz = d, where l, m, n are the direction cosines of normal to the plane and d is the distance of normal from the origin.

Therefore, the direction cosines of the normal to the plane are and the distance of normal from the origin is units.

(d) 5y + 8 = 0

⇒ 0x − 5y + 0z = 8 … (1)

The direction ratios of normal are 0, −5, and 0.

Dividing both sides of equation (1) by 5, we obtain

This equation is of the form lx + my + nz = d, where l, m, n are the direction cosines of normal to the plane and d is the distance of normal from the origin.

Therefore, the direction cosines of the normal to the plane are 0, −1, and 0 and the distance of normal from the origin is units.