The planes

1
p ,
2
p and
3
p have equations 2 3 r i k , 3 3 r i j and
r i j respectively, where and are constants.
The planes
1
p and
2
p intersect in a line l.

(i) Show that the point (0,1,-3) lies on
1
p and
2
p . [1]

(ii) Find the vector equation of l. [2]

(iii) Given that the three planes have no point in common, find the value of . What
can be said about the value of ? [3]

(iv) Point P has position vector i + 2j + 4k. Given that PQ is perpendicular to
1
p and
distance PQ is 10 units. Find the possible coordinates of Q. [4]

Solution:
(i)

0 2
1 . 0 0 0 3 3
3 1
0 1
1 . 3 0 3 0 3
3 0
| | | |
| |
= + + =
| |
| |

\ . \ .
| | | |
| |
= + + =
| |
| |

\ . \ .

Thus the point (0,1,-3) lies on p
1
and p
2.
.
(ii)
1
: 2 3 p x z

2
: 3 3 p x y

2 1 3
0 3 1
1 0 6
| | | | | |
| | |
=
| | |
| | |

\ . \ . \ .

Since
0
1
3

lies on p
1
and p
2
, equation of l is

~
0 3
1 1 ,
3 6
r s s
| | | |
| |
= + e
| |
| |

\ . \ .

Do not use a graphing calculator in answering this question.

(iii)
3
1 . 1 0
0 6








3 1 0
1
3
0
1 . 1
3 0
1

+ =
=
| | | |
| |
=
| |
| |

\ . \ .
=


1
10
2
1
10 0
5
1
2 1
2 5 0 2
1 4
1 4 5 1 4 5
2 2
4 2 5 4 2 5
PQ n
OQ OP
OQ
OQ or
=
| |
|
=
|
|

\ .
| | | |
| |
= +
| |
| |

\ . \ .
| | | |
+
| |
=
| |
| |
+
\ . \ .

Coordinates of Q are ) 5 2 4 , 2 , 5 4 1 ( and ) 5 2 4 , 2 , 5 4 1 (