The Point of Intersection of a Line and a Plane

Problem:

Find the point of intersection of the line having the position vector equation r1 = [2, 1, 1]  +  t[0, 1, 2] with the plane having the vector equation r2.[1, 1, 2] = 3

A diagram of this is shown on the right. O is the origin.

P is the point of intersection of the line and the plane.

[Graphics:Images/index_gr_1.gif] is the position vector of any point on the line.

[Graphics:Images/index_gr_2.gif] is the position vector of any point in the plane.
The position vectors are shown drawn at the point of intersection of the line and the plane where [Graphics:Images/index_gr_3.gif] =  [Graphics:Images/index_gr_4.gif]. Since, at the point of intersection, the two position vectors are identical it follows that;

we can substitute  [Graphics:Images/index_gr_5.gif] = [2, 1, 1]  +  t[0, 1, 2] for [Graphics:Images/index_gr_6.gif] in;
                   
[Graphics:Images/index_gr_7.gif].[1, 1, 2] = 3
                   
that is;   ([2, 1, 1]  +  t[0, 1, 2]) . [1, 1, 2] = 3
                   
from which t can be solved.
Substituting for t in [Graphics:Images/index_gr_8.gif] will give the required point. Solving for the value of  t which satisfies;

                                                                   ([2, 1, 1]  +  t[0, 1, 2]) . [1, 1, 2] = 3
                                                                  
                                                         
                            Carrying out the scalar (dot) product over the term in parentheses gives;
                            
                                                         [2, 1, 1] . [1, 1, 2]     +    t[0, 1, 2] . [1, 1, 2] = 3
                                                        
                                                           2  +  1  +  2     +     t  +  4t  = 3
                                                           
                                                                                                    t  = -[Graphics:Images/index_gr_9.gif]     
                                                                            
                        
Substituting for t in the equations [Graphics:Images/index_gr_10.gif] = [2, 1, 1]  +  t[0, 1, 2]              
                                                         
                                                       [Graphics:Images/index_gr_11.gif] = [2, 1, 1]  +  -[Graphics:Images/index_gr_12.gif][0, 1, 2]
                                                    
                                                            = [2 + 0,    1 + -[Graphics:Images/index_gr_13.gif],   1 +  -[Graphics:Images/index_gr_14.gif]]
                                                         
                                                           = [2,  [Graphics:Images/index_gr_15.gif],  [Graphics:Images/index_gr_16.gif]]
                                                         
      
The line therefore intersects the plane at the point  (2,  [Graphics:Images/index_gr_17.gif],  [Graphics:Images/index_gr_18.gif])                                                   
                                                         
 

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