Vector Lines and Planes

Express lines and planes using vectors for IB Maths HL. Find intersections, angles, and distances.

Vector equations of lines and planes are central to IB Math AA HL geometry.

Vector Line

r=a+td\mathbf{r} = \mathbf{a} + t\mathbf{d}

where a\mathbf{a} is a point on the line and d\mathbf{d} is the direction vector.

Vector Plane

rn=an\mathbf{r} \cdot \mathbf{n} = \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{n}

where n\mathbf{n} is the normal vector.

Cartesian form: ax+by+cz=dax + by + cz = d where n=(ab)c\mathbf{n} = \binom{a}{b}{c}.

Key Operations

Angle Between Lines

cosθ=d1d2d1d2\cos\theta = \frac{|\mathbf{d_1} \cdot \mathbf{d_2}|}{|\mathbf{d_1}||\mathbf{d_2}|}

Angle Between Line and Plane

sinθ=dndn\sin\theta = \frac{|\mathbf{d} \cdot \mathbf{n}|}{|\mathbf{d}||\mathbf{n}|}

Intersection of Line and Plane

Substitute parametric equations into the plane equation.

Practice Problems

    1. Find where r=(1,2,3)+t(2,1,1)\mathbf{r} = (1,2,3) + t(2,-1,1) meets x+y+z=12x + y + z = 12.
    1. Find the angle between r=t(1,1,0)\mathbf{r} = t(1,1,0) and the plane z=0z = 0.

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Key Takeaways

  • Line: r=a+td\mathbf{r} = \mathbf{a} + t\mathbf{d}. Plane: rn=d\mathbf{r} \cdot \mathbf{n} = d.

  • Use dot product for angles.

  • Substitute to find intersections.

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