EXERCISE SET 3.

1.

(a)

(c)
(3, 4, 5)

(3, 4, 5)

y
x

(e)

( 3, 4, 5)

( j)

(3, 0, 3)
y

y
x
x

2.

(a)

(c)
v1= (3, 6)

v3 = ( 4, 3)

147

148

Exercise Set 3.1

(g)

(i)
v7= (3, 4, 5)

y
y

x
v9= (0, 0, 3)

3.

(a)
(e)

5.

P
P
1 2

P1 P2 = (3 4, 7 8) = (1, 1)
= (2 3, 5 + 7, 4 2) = (5, 12, 6)

(a) Let P = (x, y, z) be the initial point of the desired vector and assume that this vector

has the same length as v. Since PQ has the same direction as v = (4, 2, 1), we have
the equation

PQ = (3 x, 0 y, 5 z) = (4, 2, 1)

If we equate components in the above equation, we obtain

x = 1, y = 2, and z = 4

Thus, we have found a vector PQ which satises the given conditions. Any positive

multiple k PQ will also work provided the terminal point remains xed at Q. Thus, P
could be any point (3 4k, 2k, k 5) where k > 0.
(b) Let P = (x, y, z) be the initial point of the desired vector and assume that this vector

has the same length as v. Since PQ is oppositely directed to v = (4, 2, 1), we

have the equation

PQ = (3 x, 0 y, 5 z) = (4, 2, 1)

If we equate components in the above equation, we obtain

x = 7, y = 2, and z = 6

Thus, we have found a vector PQ which satises the given conditions. Any positive

multiple k PQ will also work, provided the terminal point remains xed at Q. Thus,
P could be any point (3 + 4k, 2k, k 5) where k > 0.

Exercise Set 3.1

6.

149

(a) v w = (4 6, 0 (1), 8 (4)) = (2, 1, 4)

(c) v + u = (4 3, 0 + 1, 8 + 2) = (7, 1, 10)
(e) 3(v 8w) = 3(4 48, 0 + 8, 8 + 32) = (132, 24, 72)

7.

Let x = (x1, x2, x3). Then

2u v + x = (6, 2, 4) (4, 0, 8) + (x1, x2, x3)
= (10 + x1, 2 + x2, 12 + x3)
On the other hand,
7x + w = 7(x1, x2, x3) + (6, 1, 4)
= (7x1 + 6, 7x2 1, 7 x3 4)
If we equate the components of these two vectors, we obtain
7x1 + 6 = x1 10
7x2 1 = x2 + 2
7x3 4 = x3 + 12
Hence, x = (8/3, 1/2, 8/3).

9.

Suppose there are scalars c1, c2, and c3 which satisfy the given equation. If we equate
components on both sides, we obtain the following system of equations:
2c1 3c2 + c3 = 0
9c1 + 2c2 + 7c3 = 5
6c1 + c2 + 5c3 = 4
The augmented matrix of this system of equations can be reduced to

0
0

3
2
0

1
2
0

1
1

The third row of the above matrix implies that 0c1 + 0c2 + 0c3 = 1. Clearly, there do not
exist scalars c1, c2, and c3 which satisfy the above equation, and hence the system is
inconsistent.

150

10.

Exercise Set 3.1

If we equate components on both sides of the given equation, we obtain

c1 + 2c2
2c1 +

=0

c2 + 3c3 = 0
c2 + c3 = 0

The augmented matrix of this system of equations can be reduced to

1

0
0

0
1
0

0
0
1

0
0
0

Thus the only solution is c1 = c2 = c3 = 0.

11.

We work in the plane determined by the three points O = (0, 0, 0), P = (2, 3, 2), and Q =

(7, 4, 1). Let X be a point on the line through P and Q and let t PQ (where t is a positive,
real number) be the vector with initial point P and terminal point X. Note that the length

of t PQ is t times the length of PQ . Referring to the gure below, we see that

OP + t PQ = OX

and

OP + PQ = OQ

tPQ
X

Exercise Set 3.1

151

Therefore,

OX = OP + t ( OQ OP )

= (1 t) OP + t OQ

(a) To obtain the midpoint of the line segment connecting P and Q, we set t =1/2. This
gives

1 1
OP + OQ
2
2
1
1
= ( 2, 3, 2) + (7, 4,1)
2
2
9 1 1
= , ,
2 2 2

OX =

(b) Now set t = 3/4.This gives

23 9 1
3
1
OX = ( 2, 3, 2) + (7, 4,1) = , ,
4
4
4 4 4

12.

The relationship between the xy-coordinate system and the xy-coordinate system is given
by

x = x 2, y = y (3) = y + 3

(a) x = 7 2 = 5 and y = 5+ 3 = 8
(b) x = x + 2 = 1 and y = y 3 = 3

152

Exercise Set 3.1

(c)
y
5

y'
8

x
7

x'
3

(d) (1, 10)

(e) v1 = v1 2, v2 = v + 3

13.

Q = (7, 3, 19)

14.

Let (x0, y0, z0) denote the origin in the x y z-coordinate system with respect to the xyzcoordinate system. Suppose that P1 and P2 are the initial and terminal points, respectively,
for a vector v. Let (x1, y1, z1) and (x2, y2, z2) be the coordinates of P1 and P2 in the xyzcoordinate system, and let (x1, y1, z1) and (x2, y2, z2) be the coordinates of P1 and P2 in the
xyz-coordinate system. Further, let (v1, v2, v3) and (v1, v2, v3) denote the coordinates of
v with respect to the xyz- and xyz-coordinate systems, respectively. Then
v1 = x2 x1, v2 = y2 y1, v3 = z2 z1
and
v1 = x2 x1, v2 = y2 y1, v3 = z2 z1
However,
x1 = x1 x0, y1 = y1 y0, z1 = z1 z0
and
x2 = x2 x0, y2 = y2 y0, zz2 = z2 z0

Exercise Set 3.1

153

If we substitute the above expressions for x1 and x2 into the equation for v1, we obtain
v1 = (x2 x0) (x1 x0 ) = x2 x1 = v1
In a similar way, we can show that v2 = v2 and v3 = v3.

16.

Let v = (v1, v2) and u = kv = (u1, u2). Let P and Q be the points (v1, v2) and (u1, u2),
respectively. Since the triangles OPR and OQS are similar (see the diagram),

y
Q(u1, u2)
kv
P(v1, v2)

x
O

we have

u1 length of OS length of OQ
=
=
=k

1 length of
OR length of OP
Thus, u1 = kv1. Similarly, u2 = kv2.

17.

The vector u has terminal point Q which is the midpoint of the line segment connecting P1
and P2.
1
(OP2
2

OP1)

P2

P1

OP1

OP2

OP2 OP1

OP1

154

18.

Exercise Set 3.1

We have x + y + z + w = 0 where

y
z
x
w

19.

Geometrically, given 4 nonzero vectors attach the tail of one to the head of another and
continue until all 4 have been strung together.The vector from the tail of the rst vector
to the head of the last one will be their sum.

y
z
w

x
x+y+z+w

EXERCISE SET 3.2

1.

(a)
v
= (42 + (3)2)

(c)
v
= [(5)2 + 02]

1/2

1/2

=5

=5

(e)
v
= [(7)2 + 22 + (1)2]

2.

(a) d = [(3 5)2 + (4 7)2]

(c) d =

3.

1/2

1/2

54

13

[(7 (7))2 + ((5) (2))2 + (1 (1))2]1/2 =

209

(a) Since u + v = (3, 5, 7), then

u + v
= [32 + (5)2 + 72]

1/2

83

(c) Since

2u
= [(4)2 + 42 + (6)2]

1/2

=2

17

and
2
u
= 2 [22 + (2)2 + 32]

1/2

=2

then

2u
+ 2
u
= 4
(e) Since
w
= [32 + 62 + (4)2]

1/2

17

61,
then

3
1
6
4
w=
,
,

w
61 61 61

155

17

156

Exercise Set 3.2

4.
wv
2

3
v

2
w

3
w

1 =
v w
5

5.

(a) k = 1, l = 3
(b) no possible solution

6.

l=4

7.

Since kv = (k, 2k, 5k), then

kv
= [k2 + 4k2 + 25k2]

1/2

= |k| 30

If
kv
= 4, it follows that |k| 30

= 4 or k = 4/ 30.

9.

(b) From Part (a), we know that the norm of v/
v
is 1. But if v = (3, 4), then
v
= 5.
Hence u = v/
v
= (3/5, 4/5) has norm 1 and has the same direction as v.

10.

(b) By the result of Part (a), we have 4u = 4(
u
cos 30,
u
sin 30) = 4(3( 3/2),
3(1/2))

= (6 3,
6) and 5 v = 5(
v
cos(135),
v
sin(135)) = 5(2(1/ 2),
2(1/ 2))

= (10/ 2,
10/ 2)
= (5 2,
5 2).
Thus 4u 5v = (6 3 + 5 2,
6 5 2).

11.

Note that
p p0
= 1 if and only if
p p0
2 = 1. Thus

(x x0)2 + (y y0)2 + (z z0)2 = 1
The points (x, y, z) which satisfy these equations are just the points on the sphere of radius
1 with center (x0, y0, z0); that is, they are all the points whose distance from (x0, y0, z0)
is 1.

Exercise Set 3.2

12.

157

First, suppose that u and v are neither similarly nor oppositely directed and that neither is
the zero vector.
If we place the initial point of v at the terminal point of u, then the vectors u, v, and u
+ v form a triangle, as shown in (i) below.

(i)

(ii)
v
v
u+v

u+v

u+v

u+v
u

Since the length of one side of a trianglesay
u + v
cannot exceed the sum of the
lengths of the other two sides, then
u + v
<
u
+
v
.
Now suppose that u and v have the same direction. From diagram (ii), we see that

u + v
=
u
+
v
. If u and v have opposite directions, then (again, see diagram (ii))

u + v
<
u
+
v
.
Finally, if either vector is zero, then
u + v
=
u
+
v
.
13.

These proofs are for vectors in 3-space. To obtain proofs in 2-space, just delete the 3rd
component. Let u = (u1, u2, u3) and v = (v1, v2, v3). Then
(a) u + v = (u1 + v1, u2 + v2, u3 + v3)
= (v1 + u1, v2 + u2, v3 + u3) = v + u
(c) u + 0 = (u1 + 0, u2 + 0, u3 + 0)
= (0+ u1, 0 + u2, 0 + u3)
= (u1, u2, u3) = 0 + u = u
(e) k(lu) = k(lu1, lu2, lu3) = (klu1, klu2, klu3) = (kl)u

14.

Again, we work in 3-space. Let u = (u1, u2, u3).

(d) u + (u) = (u1 + (u1), u2 + (u2), u3 + (u3)) = (0, 0, 0) = 0
(g) (k + l)u = ((k + l)u1, (k + l)u2, (k + l)u3)
= (ku1 + lu1, ku2 + lu2, ku3 + lu3)
= (ku1, ku2, ku3) + (lu1, lu2, lu3)
= ku + lu
(h) 1u = (1u1, 1u2, 1u3) = (u1, u2, u3) = u

158

Exercise Set 3.2

15.

See Exercise 9. Equality occurs only when u and v have the same direction or when one is
the zero vector.

16.

(a) For p = (a, b, c) to be equidistant from the origin and the xz-plane, we must have
a 2 + b2 + c2 = |b|. Thus, a2 + b2 + c2 = b2 or a2 + c2 = 0, so that a = c = 0. That is,
p must lie on the y-axis.
(b) For p = (a, b, c) to be farther from the origin than the xz-plane, we must have
a 2 + b2 + c2 > |b|. Thus a2 + b2 + c2 > b2 or a2 + c2 > 0, so that a and c are not both
zero. That is, p cannot lie on the y-axis.

17.

(a) If
x
< 1, then the point x lies inside the circle or sphere of radius one with center at
the origin.
(b) Such points x must satisfy the inequality
x x0
> 1.

18.

The two triangles pictured are similar since u and ku and v and kv are parallel and their
lengths are proportional; i.e.,
ku
= k
u
and k
v
= k
v
. Therefore
ku + kv
= k
u + v
.
That is, the corresponding sides of the two triangles are all proportional, where k is the
constant of proportionality. Thus, the vectors k(u + v) and ku + kv have the same length.
Moreover, u + v and ku + kv have the same direction because corresponding sides of the
two triangles are parallel. Hence, k(u + v) and ku + kv have the same direction. Therefore,
k(u + v) = ku + kv.

EXERCISE SET 3.3

1.

(a) u v = (2)(5) + (3)(7) = 11

(c) u v = (1)(3) + (5)(3) + (4)(3) = 0

2.

(a) We have
u
= [22 + 32]

1/2

13
and
v
= [52 + (7)2]

1/2

74.
From Problem

1(a), we know that u v = 11. Hence,

cos =

11
13 74

110.8

(c) From Problem 1(c), we know that u v = 0. Since neither u nor v is the zero vector,
this implies that cos = 0.

3.

(a) u v = (6)(2)+ (1)(0)+ (4)(3) =0. Thus the vectors are orthogonal.
(b) u v = 1 < 0. Thus is obtuse.

4.

(a) Since u a = 0 and
a
0, then w1 = (0, 0).

(c) Since u a = (3)(1) + (1)(0) + (7)(5) = 32 and
a
2 = 12 + 02 + 52 = 26, we have

w1 =

5.

80
32
16
(1, 0, 5) = , 0,
13
13
26

(a) From Problem 4(a), we have

w2 = u w1 = u = (6, 2)

159

160

5.

Exercise Set 3.3

(c) From Problem 4(c), we have

w2 = (3, 1, 7) (16/13, 0, 80/13) = (55/13, 1, 11/13)

6.

(a) Since |u a| = |4 + 6| = |2| = 2 and
a
= 5, it follows from Formula (10) that
projau

= 2/5.
(d) Since |u a| = |3 4 42| = |43| and
a
=
43/ 54.

54,
Formula (10) implies that
projau
=

8.

(c) From Part (a) it follows that the vectors (4, 3) and (4, 3) are orthogonal to (3, 4).
Divide each component by the norm, 5, to obtain the desired unit vectors.

10.

We look for vectors (x, y, z) such that (x, y, z) (5, 2, 3) = 0. That is, such that 5x 2y
+ 3z = 0. One such vector is (0, 3, 2). Another is (1, 1, 1). To nd others, assign arbitrary
values, not both zero, to any two of the variables x, y, and z and solve for the remaining
variable.

12.

Since the three points are not collinear (Why?), they do form a triangle. Since

AB

BC = (1, 3, 2) (4, 2, 1) = 0

the right angle is at B.

13.

Let w = (x, y, z) be orthogonal to both u and v. Then u w = 0 implies that x + z = 0 and

v w = 0 implies that y + z = 0. That is w = (x, x, x). To transform into a unit vector, we
divide each component by
w
= 3x
2 . Thus either (1/ 3,
1/ 3,
1/ 3)
or (1/ 3,

1/ 3,
1/ 3)
will work.

16.

(a) We look for a value of k which will make p a nonzero multiple of q. If p = cq, then
(2, k) = c(3, 5), so that k/5 = 2/3 or k = 10/3.
(c) We want k such that
p q =
p

q
cos 3

Exercise Set 3.3

161

or
1
6 + 5 k = 4 + k 2 32 + 5 2
2
If we square both sides and use the quadratic formula, we nd that

k=

60 34 3
33

The minus sign in the above equation is extraneous because it yields an angle of 2/3.

17.

(b) Here
D=

18.

4( 2) + 1( 5) 2
( 4 )2 + (1)2

1
17

From the denition of the norm, we have

u + v
2 = (u + v) (u + v)
Using Theorem 3.3.2, we obtain

u + v
2 = (u u) + (u v) + (v u)+ (v v)
or
(*)

u + v
2 =
u
2 + 2(u v) +
v
2

Similarly,
(**)

u v
2 =
u
2 2(u v) +
v
2

If we add Equations (*)and (**), we obtain the desired result.

19.

If we subtract Equation (**) from Equation (*) in the solution to Problem 18, we obtain

u + v
2
u v
2 = 4(u v)
If we then divide both sides by 4, we obtain the desired result.

162

20.

Exercise Set 3.3

Let u1, u2, and u3 be three sides of the

cube as shown. The diagonal of the face
of the cube determined by u1 and u2 is b
= u1 + u2; the diagonal of the cube itself
is a = u1 + u2 + u3. The angle between
a and b is given by

cos =
=

a
a

b
b
( u1 + u 2 + u 3 ) ( u1 + u 2 )

( u1 + u 2 + u 3 ) ( u1 + u 2 + u 3 ) ( u1 + u 2 ) ( u1 + u 2 )

Because u1, u2, and u3 are mutually orthogonal, we have ui

ui ui =
ui
2 and
u1
=
u2
=
u3
. Thus
2

u1

cos =
u1

+ u2

3 u1

+ u3

uj = 0 whenever i j. Also

u1

+ u2

2 u1

+ u2

2 u1

2
6

That is, =arccos(2/ 6).

21.

(a) Let i = (1, 0, 0), j = (0, 1, 0), and k = (0, 0, 1) denote the unit vectors along the x, y,
and z axes, respectively. If v is the arbitrary vector (a, b, c), then we can write v = ai
+ bj + ck. Hence, the angle between v and i is given by
cos =

v
v

i
=
i

since
i
= 1 and i j = i k = 0.

a
a 2 + b2 + c 2

a
v

Exercise Set 3.3

23.

163

By the results of Exercise 21, we have that if vi = (ai, bi, ci) for i = 1 and 2, then cos i =
bi
ai
ci
, and cos i =
. Now
, cos i =
vi
vi
vi
v1 and v 2 are orthogonal v 1 v 2 = 0
a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0

a1a2
v1

v2

b1b2
v1

v2

c1c2
v1

v2

=0

cos 1 cos 2 + cos 1 cos 2 + cos 1 cos 2 = 0

24.

(a) Area = 19 units

(b) B(3, 12); area = 2 19 = 38 units

25.

Note that
v (k1w1 + k2w2) = k1(v w1) + k2(v w2) = 0
because, by hypothesis, v w1 = v w2 = 0. Therefore v is orthogonal to k1w1 + k2w2 for any
scalars k1 and k2.

26.

Note that w is a multiple of u plus a multiple of v and thus lies in the plane determined by
u and v. Let be the angle between u and w and let be the angle between v and w. Then
ku v + lu u
uw
=
u v
k w

cos =

ku

=
=

v + lk2

k w

v + lk
w

Similarly, we can show that

cos =

vw
u v + kl
=
v w
w

Since both and lie between 0 and , then cos = cos implies that = .

27.

(a) The inner product x y is dened only if both x and y are vectors, but here v w is a
scalar.
(b) We can add two vectors or two scalars, but not one of each.

164

27.

Exercise Set 3.3

(c) The norm of x is dened only for x a vector, but u v is a scalar.

(d) Again, the dot product of a scalar and a vector is undened.

28.

Assume that neither a nor u is the zero vector. If projau = projua, then
ua
a

au

a=

ua

u=

Thus, either u a = 0 and the two vectors are orthogonal, or

a
a

In this case, a is clearly a scalar multiple of u. If we let a = ku, then

a
2

ku
k2 u

k u

Hence, k = 1, so that a = u.

29.

If, for instance, u = (1, 0, 0), v = (0, 1, 0) and w = (0, 0, 1), we have u v = u w = 0, but
v w.

27.

Suppose that r = c1u + c2v + c3w. Then

u r = c1u u + c2u v + c3u w = c1
u
2
since u v = u w = 0. Similarly, v r = c2
v
2 and w r = c3
w
2. Since we know u
v r, and w r, this allows us to solve for c1, c2, and c3. We nd that
r=

ur
u

31.

u+

vr
v

v+

wr
w

This is just the Pythagorean Theorem.

u+v

r,

EXERCISE SET 3.4

1.

2
(a) v w =
6

3
0
,
7
2

3
,
7

0
2

2
= ( 32, 6, 4 )
6

(c) Since
2
u v =
2

3
1
,
0
3

1
,
3

3
0

= ( 4, 9, 6)

2
2

we have
9
(u v ) w =
6

6
4
,
7
2

6
,
7

4
2

9
= ( 27, 40, 42)
6

(e) Since
v 2w = (0, 2, 3) (4, 12, 14) = (4, 10, 17)
we have

2
u (v 2w ) =
10

2.

1
3
,
17
4

1
,
17

3
4

2
= ( 44, 55, 22)
10

(a) By Theorem 3.4.1, u v will be orthogonal to both u and v where

4
u v =
1

2
6
,
5
3

2
,
5

6
3

4
1

6, 18 )
= (18, 36

so (1, 2, 1), for instance, is orthogonal to both u and v.

3.

(a) Since u v = (7, 1, 3), the area of the parallelogram is
u v
=

165

59.

166

Exercise Set 3.4

3.

(c) Since u and v are proportional, they lie on the same line and hence the area of the
parallelogram they determine is zero, which is, of course,
u v
.

4.

(a) We have u = PQ = (1, 5, 2) and v = PR = (2, 0, 3). Thus

5
u v =
0

2
1
,
3
2

2
,
3

1
2

= ( 15, 7, 10)

5
0

so that

u v
= [(15)2 + 72 + 102]
Thus the area of the triangle is

6.

1/2

374

1
0

2, 6)
= ( 2, 22

374/2.

For Part (a), we have

1
u v =
0

2
5
,
6
2

2
5
,
6
2

and
0
v u =
1

6
2
,
2
5

6
2
,
2
5

0
1

= ( 2, 22, 6)

5
7

1
2

Hence
u v = (v u)
For Part (b), we have v + w = (7, 2, 3). Hence
1
u (v + w ) =
2

2
5
,
7
3

2
,
3

= ( 1, 29, 17 )

On the other hand, from Part (a)we have

u v = (2, 22, 6)
Also
1
u w =
2

2
5
,
1
1

2
,
1

5
1

1
2

= ( 3,, 7, 11)

Exercise Set 3.4

167

Thus
(u v) + (u w) = (2, 22, 6) + (3, 7, 11)
= (1, 29, 17)
and we have that
u (v + w) = (u v) + (u w)
The proof of Part (c) is similar to the proof of Part (b).
For Part (d), we already have that u v = (2, 22, 6). Hence k(u v) = (10, 110, 30).
But ku = (25, 5, 10) and kv = (30, 0, 10). Thus
5
( ku
u ) v =
0

10
25
,
6
2

10
25
,
6
2

5
0

= (10, 110, 30)

and

1
u (kv ) =
0

2
5
,
10
30

2
,
10

5
30

1
0

= (10, 110, 30)

Thus
k(u v) = (ku) v = u (kv)
For Part (e), we have
1
u 0 =
0

2
5
,
0
0

2 5
,
0 0

1
0

= ( 0, 0, 0) = 0

Similarly 0 u = 0.
Finally, for Part (f), we have

1
u u =
1

2
5
,
2
5

2
5
,
2
5

1
1

= ( 0, 0, 0) = 0

168

Exercise Set 3.4

7.

Choose any nonzero vector w which is not parallel to u. For instance, let w = (1, 0, 0) or
(0, 1, 0). Then v = u w will be orthogonal to u. Note that if u and w were parallel, then
v = u w would be the zero vector.
Alternatively, let w = (x, y, z). Then w orthogonal to u implies 2x 3y + 5z = 0. Now
assign nonzero values to any two of the variables x, y, and z and solve for the remaining
variable.

8.

(a) We have

9.

10.

1
(v w) = 3
1

2
4
2

4
2 = ( 20 + 4 ) 2(15 2) + 4( 6 + 4 ) = 10
5

(e) Since (u w) v = v (u w) is a determinant whose rows are the components of v,

u, and w, respectively, we interchange Rows 1 and 2 to obtain the determinant which
represents u (v w). Since the value of this determinant is 3, we have (u
w) v = 3.

(a) Call this volume V. Then, since

2
0
2

6
4
2

2
4
2 = 2
2
4

2
6
+2
4
4

2
= 16
2

we have V = 16.

11.

(a) Since the determinant

1
3
5

2
0
4

1
2 = 16 0
0

the vectors do not lie in the same plane.

12.

For a vector to be parallel to the yz-plane, it must be perpendicular to the vector (1, 0, 0),
so we are looking for a vector which is perpendicular to both (1, 0, 0) and (3, 1, 2). Such
a vector is (1, 0, 0) (3, 1, 2) = (0, 2, 1). Since we want a unit vector, we divide through
by the norm to obtain the vector (0, 2/ 5,
1/ 5).
Obviously any vector parallel to this
one, such as (0, 2/ 5,
1/ 5),
will also work.

Exercise Set 3.4

15.

169

By Theorem 3.4.2, we have

(u + v) (u v)

= u (u v) + v (u v)
= (u u) + (u (v)) + (v u) + (v (v))
= 0 (u v) (u v) (v v)
= 2(u v)

17.

(a) The area of the triangle with sides AB and AC is the same as the area of the triangle
with sides (1, 2, 2) and (1, 1, 1) where we have moved A to the origin and
translated B and C accordingly. This area is 12
(1, 2, 2) (1, 1, 1)
= 12
(4, 1, 3)
=
26/2.

18.

If the vector u and the given line make an angle , then the distance D between the point
and the line is given by
D =
u
sin

(Why?)

=
u v
/
v

19.

(Why?)

(a) Let u = AP = (4, 0, 2) and v = AB = (3, 2, 4). Then the distance we want is

(4, 0, 2) (3, 2, 4)
/
(3, 2, 4)
=
(4, 22, 8)
/

20.

141/

29

We have that u v =
u

v
cos and
u v
=
u

v
sin . Thus if u v 0, then
u
,
v
,
and cos are all nonzero, and
tan =

21.

29.
=2

uv
sin
=
u v
cos

uv
uv
=
u v
uv

(b) One vector n which is perpendicular to the plane containing v and w is given by
n = w v = (1, 3, 3) (1, 1, 2) = (3, 1, 2)
Therefore the angle between u and n is given by

u n
1 9
= cos1
= cos
14
u n

0.8726 radians ( or 49.99 )

170

Exercise Set 3.4

Hence the angle between u and the plane is given by

= 2 .6982 radians (or 4019)

If we had interchanged the roles of v and w in the formula for n so that

9
n = v w = (3, 1, 2), then we would have obtained = cos1 2.269
14
radians or 130.0052. In this case, = 2.
In either case, note that may be computed using the formula
u
= cos1
u

24.

n
n

(a) By Theorems 3.4.2 and 3.2.1 and the denition of k0,

(u + kv) v = (u v) + (kv v)
= (u v) + k(v v)
= (u v) + k0
=uv
(b) Let u = (u1, u2, u3), v = (v1, v2, v3), and z = (z1, z2, z3). Then we know from the text
that
u1
u ( v z) = v1
z1

u2
v2
z2

u3
v3
z3

Since x y = y x for any vectors x and y, we have

Exercise Set 3.4

171

v1
u1
z1

v2
u2
z2

v3
u3
z3

u1
= v1
z1

u2
v2
z2

u3
v3
z3

(u z) v = v (u z) =

= u (v z)

25.

(a) By Theorem 3.4.1, we know that the vector v w is perpendicular to both v and w.
Hence v w is perpendicular to every vector in the plane determined by v and w;
moreover the only vectors perpendicular to v w which share its initial point must be
in this plane. But also by Theorem 3.4.1, u (v w) is perpendicular to v w for any
vector u 0 and hence must lie in the plane determined by v and w.
(b) The argument is completely similar to Part (a), above.

26.

Let u = (u1, u2, u3), v = (v1, v2, v3), and w = (w1, w2, w3). Following the hint, we nd
v i = (0, v3, v2)
and
u (v i) = (u2v2 u3v3, u1v2, u1v3)
But
(u i)v (u v)i = u1(v1, v2, v3) (u1v1 + u2v2 + u3v3)(1, 0, 0)
= (u1v1, u1v2, u1v3) (u1v1 + u2v2 + u3v3, 0, 0)
= (u2v2 u3v3 , u1v2, u1v3)
= u (v i)
Similarly,
u (v j) = (u j)v (u v)j
and
u (v k) = (u k)v (u v)k

172

Exercise Set 3.4

Now write w = (w1, w2, w3) = w1i + w2j + w3k. Then

u (v w) = u (v (w1i + w2j + w3k))
= w1[u (v i)] + w2[u (v j)] + w3[u (v k)]
= w1[(u i)v (u v)i] + w2[(u j)v (u v)j] + w3[(u k)v (u v)k]
= (u (w1i + w2j + w3k))v (u v)(w1i + w2j + w3k)
= (u w)v (u v)w

29.

If a, b, c, and d lie in the same plane, then (a b) and (c d) are both perpendicular to
this plane, and are therefore parallel. Hence, their cross-product is zero.

30.

Recall that |a (b c)| represents the volume of the parallelepiped with sides a, b, and c,
which is the area of its base times its height. The volume of the tetrahedron is just 13 (area
of its base) times (its height). The two heights are the same, but the area of the base of the
tetrahedron is half of the area of the base of the parallelepiped. Hence, the volume of the
tetrahedron is 13 (12|a (b c)|).

31.

(a) The required volume is

1
6

(1 3, 2 + 2, 0 3) (( 2 3, 1 + 2 , 3 3) (1 3, 0 + 2, 1 3))
=

1
6

(4, 4, 3) ( 6,10, 4 )

= 2/3

33.

Let u = (u1, u2, u3), v = (v1, v2, v3), and w = (w1, w2, w3).
For Part (c), we have
u w = (u2w3 u3w2, u3w1 u1w3, u1w2 u2w1)
and
v w = (v2w3 v3w2, v3w1 v1w3, v1w2 v2w1)

Exercise Set 3.4

173

Thus
(u w) + (v w)
= ([u2 + v2]w3 [u3 + v3]w2, [u3 + v3]w1 [u1 + v1]w3, [u1 + v1]w2 [u2 + v2]w1)
But, by denition, this is just (u + v) w.
For Part (d), we have
k(u v) = (k[u2v3 u3v2], k[u3v1 u1v3], k[u1v2 u2v1])
and
(ku) v = (ku2v3 ku3v3, ku3v1 ku1v3, ku1v2 ku2v1)
Thus, k(u v) = (ku) v. The identity k(u v) = u (kv) may be proved in an analogous
way.

35.

(a) Observe that u v is perpendicular to both u and v, and hence to all vectors in the
plane which they determine. Similarly, w = v (u v) is perpendicular to both v and
to u v. Hence, it must lie on the line through the origin perpendicular to v and in the
plane determined by u and v.
(b) From the above, v w = 0. Applying Part (d) of Theorem 3.7.1, we have
w = v (u v) = (v v)u (v u)v
so that
u w = (v v)(u u) (v u)(u v)
=
v
2
u
2 (u v)2

36.

It is not valid. For instance, let u = (1, 0, 0), v = (0, 1, 0), and w = (1, 1, 0). Then u v =
u w = (0, 0, 1), which is a vector perpendicular to u, v, and w. However, v w.

37.

The expression u (v w) is clearly well-dened.

Since the cross product is not associative, the expression u v w is not well-dened
because the result is dependent upon the order in which we compute the cross products,
i.e., upon the way in which we insert the parentheses. For example, (i j) j = k j = i
but i (j j) = i 0 = 0.

174

Exercise Set 3.4

The expression u v w may be deemed to be acceptable because there is only one

meaningful way to insert parenthesis, namely, u (v w). The alternative, (u v) w,
does not make sense because it is the cross product of a scalar with a vector.

38.

If either u or v is the zero vector, then u v = 0. If neither u nor v is the zero vector, then

u v
=
u

v
sin where is the angle between u and v. Thus if
u v
= 0, then sin
= 0, so that u and v are parallel.

EXERCISE SET 3.5

4.

(a) We have

PQ = (2, 1, 2) and PR = (3, 1, 2)

Thus PQ PR = (0, 10, 5) is perpendicular to the plane determined by PQ and

PR and P, say, is a point in that plane. Hence, an equation for the plane is
0(x + 4)+ 10(y + 1) 5(z + 1) = 0

or
2y z + 1 = 0

5.

(a) Normal vectors for the planes are (4, 1, 2) and (7, 3, 4). Since these vectors are not
multiples of one another, the planes are not parallel.
(b) Normal vectors are (1, 4, 3) and (3, 12, 9). Since one vector is three times the
other, the planes are parallel.

6.

(a) A normal vector for the plane is (1, 2, 3) and a direction vector for the line is (4, 1,
2). The inner product of these two vectors is 4 2 + 6 = 0, and therefore they are
perpendicular. This guarantees that the line and the plane are parallel.

7.

(a) Normal vectors for the planes are (3, 1, 1) and (1, 0, 2). Since the inner product of
these two vectors is not zero, the planes are not perpendicular.

8.

(a) A normal vector for the plane is (2, 1, 1) and a direction vector for the line is (4, 2,
2). Since one of these vectors is a multiple of the other, the line and the plane are
perpendicular.

175

176

Exercise Set 3.5

10.

(a) Call the points P and Q and call the line
. Then the vector PQ = (2, 4, 8) is parallel
to
and the point P = (5, 2, 4) lies on
. Hence, one set of parametric equations for

is: x = 5 + t, y = 2 + 2t, z = 4 4t where t is any real number.

11.

(a) As in Example 6, we solve the two equations simultaneously. If we eliminate y, we

have x + 7z + 12 = 0. Let, say, z = t, so that x = 12 7t, and substitute these values
into the equation for either plane to get y = 41 23t.

Alternatively, recall that a direction vector for the line is just the cross-product of
the normal vectors for the two planes, i.e.,
(7, 2, 3) (3, 1, 2) = (7, 23, 1)
Thus if we can nd a point which lies on the line (that is, any point whose coordinates
satisfy the equations for both planes), we are done. If we set z = 0 and solve the two
equations simultaneously, we get x = 12 and y = 41, so that x = 12 7t, y = 41
23t, z = 0 + t is one set of equations for the line (see above).

13.

(a) Since the normal vectors (1, 2, 4) and (2, 4, 8) are parallel, so are the planes.
(b) Since the normal vectors (3, 0, 1) and (1, 0, 3) are not parallel, neither are the
planes.

14.

(a) Since (2, 1, 4) (1, 2, 1) = 0, the planes are perpendicular.

(b) Since (3, 0, 2) (1, 1, 1) = 1 0, the planes are not perpendicular.

16.

(a) Since 6(0) + 4t 4t = 0 for all t, it follows that every point on the line also lies in the
plane.
(b) The normal to the plane is n = (5, 3, 3); the line is parallel to v = (0, 1, 1). But n v
= 0, so n and v are perpendicular. Thus v, and therefore the line, are parallel to the
plane. To conclude that the line lies below the plane, simply note that (0, 0, 1/3) is in
the plane and (0, 0, 0) is on the line.
(c) Here n = (6, 2, 2) and v is the same as before. Again, n v = 0, so the line and the
plane are parallel. Since (0, 0, 0) lies on the line and (0, 0, 3/2) lies in the plane,
then the line is above the plane.

17.

Since the plane is perpendicular to a line with direction (2, 3, 5), we can use that vector
as a normal to the plane. The point-normal form then yields the equation 2(x + 2) + 3(y 1)
5(z 7) = 0, or 2x + 3y 5z + 36 = 0.

Exercise Set 3.5

177

19.

(a) Since the vector (0, 0, 1) is perpendicular to the xy-plane, we can use this as the
normal for the plane. The point-normal form then yields the equation z z0 = 0. This
equation could just as well have been derived by inspection, since it represents the set
of all points with xed z and x and y arbitrary.

20.

The plane will have normal (7, 4, 2), so the point-normal form yields 7x + 4y 2 z = 0.

21.

A normal to the plane is n = (5, 2, 1) and the point (3, 6, 7) is in the desired plane.
Hence, an equation for the plane is 5(x 3) 2(y + 6) + (z 7) = 0 or 5x 2y + z 34 = 0.

22.

If we substitute x = 9 5t, y = 1 t, and z = 3 + t into the equation for the plane, we nd

that t = 40/3. Substituting this value for t into the parametric equations for the line yields
x = 173/3, y = 43/3, and z = 49/3.

24.

The two planes intersect at points given by (5 2t, 7 6t, t). Two such points are (5, 7,
0) and (3, 1, 1). The plane ax + by + cz + d = 0 through these points and also through
(2, 4, 1) will satisfy the equations
5a 7b

+d=0

3a b c + d = 0
2a + 4b c + d = 0
This system of equations has the solution a = (1/2)t, b = (1/2)t, c = 2t, d = t where t is
arbitrary. Thus, if we let t = 2, we obtain the equation
x y 4z 2 = 0
for the desired plane.
Alternatively, note that the line of intersection of the two planes has direction given by
the vector v = (2, 6, 1). It also contains the point (5, 7, 0). The direction of the line
connecting this point and (2, 4, 1) is given by w = (7, 11, 1). Thus the vector v w = (5,
5, 20) is normal to the desired plane, so that a point-normal form for the plane is
(x 2) (y 4) 4(z + 1) = 0
or
x y 4z 2 = 0

178

Exercise Set 3.5

25.

Call the points A, B, C, and D, respectively. Since the vectors AB = (1, 2, 4) and BC =
(2, 1, 2) are not parallel, then the points A, B, and C do determine a plane (and not just

a line). A normal to this plane is AB BC = (0, 10, 5). Therefore an equation for the
plane is

2y z + 1 = 0
Since the coordinates of the point D satisfy this equation, all four points must lie in the
same plane.

Alternatively, it would sufce to show that (for instance) AB BC and AD DC

are parallel, so that the planes determined by A, B, and C and A, D, and C are parallel.
Since they have points in common, they must coincide.

27.

Normals to the two planes are (4, 2, 2) and (3, 3, 6) or, simplifying, n1 = (2, 1, 1) and
n2 = (1, 1, 2). A normal n to a plane which is perpendicular to both of the given planes
must be perpendicular to both n1 and n2. That is, n = n1 n2 = (1, 5, 3). The plane with this
normal which passes through the point (2, 1, 5) has the equation
(x + 2) + 5(y 1) + 3(z 5) = 0
or
x + 5y + 3z 18 = 0

28.

t
31 t
The line of intersection of the given planes has the equations x = 10
9 3 , y = 18 3,
z = t and hence has direction (1, 1, 3). The plane with this normal vector which passes
through the point (2, 1, 4) is the one we are looking for. Its equation is
(x 2) + (y + 1) 3(z 4) = 0
Note that the normal vector for the desired plane can also be obtained by computing the
cross product of the normal vectors of the two given planes.

30.

The directions of the two lines are given by the vectors (2, 1, 1) and (2, 1, 1). Since
each is a multiple of the other, they represent the same direction. The rst line passes (for
example) through the point (3, 4, 1) and the second line passes through the points (5, 1,
7) and (7, 0, 8), among others. Either of the methods of Example 2 will yield an equation
for the plane determined by these points.

31.

If, for instance, we set t = 0 and t = 1 in the line equation, we obtain the points (0, 1, 3)
and (1, 0, 5). These, together with the given point and the methods of Example 2, will
yield an equation for the desired plane.

Exercise Set 3.5

33.

179

The plane we are looking for is just the set of all points P = (x, y, z) such that the distances
from P to the two xed points are equal. If we equate the squares of these distances, we
have
(x + 1)2 + (y + 4)2 + (z + 2)2 = (x 0)2 + (y + 2)2 + (z 2)2
or
2x + 1 + 8y + 16 + 4z + 4 = 4y + 4 4z + 4
or
2x + 4y + 8z + 13 = 0

34.

The vector v = (1, 2, 5) is parallel to the line and the vector n = (3, 1, 1) is
perpendicular to the plane. But n v = 0 and the result follows.

35.

We change the parameter in the equations for the second line from t to s. The two lines will
then intersect if we can nd values of s and t such that the x, y, and z coordinates for the
two lines are equal; that is, if there are values for s and t such that
4t + 3 = 12s 1
t + 4 = 6s + 7
1 = 3s + 5
This system of equations has the solution t = 5 and s = 4/3. If we then substitute t = 5
into the equations for the rst line or s = 4/3 into the equations for the second line, we nd
that x = 17, y = 1, and z = 1 is the point of intersection.

36.

The vector v1 = (4, 1, 0) is parallel to the first line and v2 = (4, 2, 1) is parallel to the
second line. Hence n = v1 v2 = (1, 4, 4) is perpendicular to both lines and is therefore a
normal vector for the plane determined by the lines. If we substitute t = 0 into the
parametric equations for the rst line, we see that (3, 4, 1) must lie in the plane. Hence, an
equation for the plane is
(x 3) 4(y 4) + 4(z 1) = 0
or
x 4y + 4z + 9 = 0

180

37.

Exercise Set 3.5

(a) If we set z = t and solve for x and y in terms of z, then we nd that

x=

38.

11 7
41 1
+ t, y = t, z = t
23 23
23 23

Call the plane Ax + By + Cz + D = 0. Since the points (a, 0, 0), (0, b, 0), and (0, 0, c) lie
in this plane, we have
aA + D = 0
bB + D = 0
cC + D = 0
Thus A = D/a, B = D/b, and C = D/c and an equation for the plane is
x y z
+ + =1
a b c
Alternatively, let P, Q, and R denote the points (a, 0, 0), (0, b, 0), and (0, 0, c),
respectively. Then

PQ = (a, b, 0) and QR = (0, b, c)

So

n = PQ QR = (bc, ac, ab)

is a normal vector for the plane. Since P, say, lies on the plane, we have
bc(x a)+ acy + abz = 0
Dividing the above equation by abc yields the desired result.

39.

(b) By Theorem 3.5.2, the distance is

D=

2 ( 1 ) + 3 ( 2 ) 4 ( 1 ) 1
22 + 32 + ( 4 )

1
29

Exercise Set 3.5

40.

181

(a) The point (0, 0, 1) lies in the first plane. The distance between this point and the
second plane is

D=

2 3
62 + ( 8 ) + ( 2 )
2

1
2 26

(b) The two planes coincide, so the distance between them is zero.

41.

(a)

d=

(b)

d=

(c)

42.

30
11

382
11
ne
d = 0 since point is on the lin

First observe that if we substitute the values for x, y, and z from the line equations into the
symmetric equations, we obtain the equations t = t = t, which hold for all values of t. Thus
every point on the line satises the symmetric equations.
It remains to show that every point (x, y, z) which satises the symmetric equations
also lies on the line. That is, we must nd a value of t for which the line equations hold.
Clearly
t=

x x0
a

y y0
b

z z0
c

is the desired value of t.

44.

(a) The symmetric equations for the line are

x7 y+5 z5
=
=
4
2
1
Thus, two of the planes are given by
x7
y+5
=
4
2

and

x7
z5
=
4
1

or, equivalently,
x 2y 17 = and x + 4z 27 = 0

182

Exercise Set 3.5

45.

(a) Normals to the two planes are (1, 0, 0) and (2, 1, 1). The angle between them is
given by

cos =

( 1, 0, 0 ) ( 2, 1,1 ) =
1 4 +1+1

2
6

Thus = cos1 (2/ 6)

351552.

47.

If we substitute any value of the parametersay t0into r = r0 + tv and t0 into r = r0 tv,

we clearly obtain the same point. Hence, the two lines coincide. They both pass through the
point r0 and both are parallel to v.

48.

Since the vector (a, b, c) is both a normal vector to the plane and a direction vector for the
line, the line must be perpendicular to the plane.

49.

The equation r = (1 t)r1 + tr2 can be rewritten as r = r1 + t(r2 r1). This represents a line
through the point P1 with direction r2 r1. If t = 0, we have the point P1. If t = 1, we have
the point P2. If 0 < t < 1, we have a point on the line segment connecting P1 and P2. Hence
the given equation represents this line segment.