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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) x + y + z = 1
(c) 2x + 3y – z = 5
(d) 5y + 8 = 0



Answer -

(a) z = 2

Given:

The equation of theplane, z = 2 or 0x + 0y + z = 2 …. (1)

Direction ratio of thenormal (0, 0, 1)

By using the formula,

[(0)2 +(0)2 + (1)2] = √1

= 1

Now,

Divide both the sidesof equation (1) by 1, we get

0x/(1) + 0y/(1) + z/1= 2

So this is of the formlx + my + nz = d

Where, l, m, n are thedirection cosines and d is the distance

The direction cosinesare 0, 0, 1

Distance (d) from theorigin is 2 units

(b) x + y + z = 1

Given:

The equation of theplane, x + y + z = 1…. (1)

Direction ratio of thenormal (1, 1, 1)

By using the formula,

[(1)2 +(1)2 + (1)2] = √3

Now,

Divide both the sidesof equation (1) by √3, weget

x/(√3) + y/(√3) + z/(√3) = 1/√3

So this is of the formlx + my + nz = d

Where, l, m, n are thedirection cosines and d is the distance

The direction cosinesare 1/√3, 1/√3, 1/√3

Distance (d) from theorigin is 1/√3 units

(c) 2x + 3y – z = 5

Given:

The equation of theplane, 2x + 3y – z = 5…. (1)

Direction ratio of thenormal (2, 3, -1)

By using the formula,

[(2)2 +(3)2 + (-1)2] = √14

Now,

Divide both the sidesof equation (1) by √14, weget

2x/(√14) + 3y/(√14) – z/(√14) = 5/√14

So this is of the formlx + my + nz = d

Where, l, m, n are thedirection cosines and d is the distance

The direction cosinesare 2/√14, 3/√14, -1/√14

Distance (d) from theorigin is 5/√14 units

(d) 5y + 8 = 0

Given:

The equation of theplane, 5y + 8 = 0

-5y = 8 or

0x – 5y + 0z = 8…. (1)

Direction ratio of thenormal (0, -5, 0)

By using the formula,

[(0)2 +(-5)2 + (0)2] = √25

= 5

Now,

Divide both the sidesof equation (1) by 5, we get

0x/(5) – 5y/(5) –0z/(5) = 8/5

So this is of the formlx + my + nz = d

Where, l, m, n are thedirection cosines and d is the distance

The direction cosinesare 0, -1, 0

Distance (d) from theorigin is 8/5 units

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