Three Dimensional Coordinate

Planes
y

Graphing Linear Equations in

Three Variables
x
Ms. Laster

Algebra II Algebra II

Three Dimensional Coordinate Three Dimensional Coordinate

Planes Planes
z
x x

y y

Algebra II Algebra II

Three Dimensional Coordinate Plotting Points in Three

Planes Dimensions
z
x
• The easiest way to plot an ordered
triple, is to plot the x- and y-
coordinates, then go up or down for
the z-coordinate.
y

Algebra II Algebra II

1
 Example: (3,-1,-5) Example: (3,-1,-5)
First, plot (3,-1). z First, plot (3,-1). Start z
x x
Remember, the arrows at the origin, go toward
point in positive the arrow on the x-axis.
directions.

y y

Algebra II Algebra II

Example: (3,-1,-5) Example: (3,-1,-5)

First, plot (3,-1). Start z First, plot (3,-1). Start z
x x
at the origin, go toward at the origin, go toward
the arrow on the x-axis. the arrow on the x-axis.
Move 1 unit to the left, Move 1 unit to the left,
parallel to the y-axis. parallel to the y-axis.

y Then move 5 units y

down, parallel to the
z-axis.

Algebra II Algebra II

Graphing a Linear Equation in

Example: (3,-1,-5)
Three Variables
First, plot (3,-1). Start z
x
• A linear equation in three variables
at the origin, go toward
the arrow on the x-axis. is: ax + by + cz = d, where x, y and
Move 1 unit to the left, z aren’t 0.
parallel to the y-axis.

Then move 5 units y

down, parallel to the All your moves should
z-axis. be parallel to the axes.

Algebra II Algebra II

2
 Graphing a Linear Equation in
Three Variables
• A linear equation in three variables
is: ax + by + cz = d, where x, y and
z aren’t 0.
• When you graph a linear equation in
3 variables, instead of a line, you get
a triangular plane – three connected
lines and everything inside them.
Algebra II
Graphing a Linear Equation in
Three Variables
• To graph a linear equation in three
variables, you find the three
intercepts, graph them, then connect
them.
• For example, 3x + 2y + 4z = 12
Algebra II
Graphing a Linear Equation in
Three Variables
• 3x + 2y + 4z = 12
ƒ 3(0) + 2(0) + 4z = 12
ƒ 0 + 0 + 4z = 12
ƒz=3
Algebra II
Graphing a Linear Equation in
Three Variables
• To graph a linear equation in three
variables, you find the three
intercepts, graph them, then connect
them.
Algebra II
Graphing a Linear Equation in
Three Variables
• To graph a linear equation in three
variables, you find the three
intercepts, graph them, then connect
them.
• For example, 3x + 2y + 4z = 12
ƒ To find each intercept, set the other two
variables equal to zero.
Algebra II
Graphing a Linear Equation in
Three Variables
• 3x + 2y + 4z = 12
ƒ z=3
ƒ 3(0) + 2y + 4(0) = 12
ƒ 0 + 2y + 0 = 12
ƒ y=6
Algebra II
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 Graphing a Linear Equation in Graphing a Linear Equation in
Three Variables Three Variables
• 3x + 2y + 4z = 12 • 3x + 2y + 4z = 12
ƒ z = 3, y = 6 ƒ z = 3, y = 6, x = 4
ƒ 3x + 2(0) + 4(0) = 12 • Our coordinates are:
ƒ 3x + 0 + 0 = 12 ƒ (0,0,3), (0,6,0), (4,0,0)
ƒ x=4

Algebra II Algebra II

(0,0,3), (0,6,0), (4,0,0) (0,0,3), (0,6,0), (4,0,0)

Plot the points…. …then connect the dots.

z z
x x

y y

Algebra II Algebra II

Functions of Two Variables Functions of Two Variables

• If you need to, you can rewrite a
Linear Equation in 3 Variables as a
Function of 2 Variables.
Algebra II
• If you need to, you can rewrite a
Linear Equation in 3 Variables as a
Function of 2 Variables.
• You would do this if, say, the values
for x and y were under your control,
and you needed to know what z
would be as x and y changed.
Algebra II

4
 Functions of Two Variables Functions of Two Variables
• If you need to, you can rewrite a • For example, we want the equation
Linear Equation in 3 Variables as a 3x-12y+5z = 30 rewritten as a function
Function of 2 Variables. of x and y.
• You would do this if, say, the values
for x and y were under your control,
and you needed to know what z
would be as x and y changed.
• This is also known as “solving for z”.
Algebra II Algebra II

Functions of Two Variables Functions of Two Variables

• For example, we want the equation • 3x-12y+5z = 30
3x-12y+5z = 30 rewritten as a function • 3x – 3x – 12y + 12y + 5z=30 – 3x + 12y
of x and y. • 5z = 30 – 3x + 12y
• First, we solve for z. • 5z/5 = 30/5 – 3x/5 + 12y/5

3 12
• z=6– x+ y or f(x,y)=1/5(30–3x+12y)
5 5
Algebra II Algebra II