Plane containing line and point/vector

Questions asking to find the equation of a plane that contains a given line and either passes through a point or is parallel/perpendicular to a vector.

21 questions · Standard +0.5

4.04a Line equations: 2D and 3D, cartesian and vector forms4.04b Plane equations: cartesian and vector forms
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE P3 2015 June Q10
11 marks Standard +0.3
10 The points \(A\) and \(B\) have position vectors given by \(\overrightarrow { O A } = 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O B } = \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k }\). The line \(l\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } )\).
  1. Show that \(l\) does not intersect the line passing through \(A\) and \(B\).
  2. Find the equation of the plane containing the line \(l\) and the point \(A\). Give your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
CAIE P3 2016 June Q9
10 marks Standard +0.3
9 The points \(A , B\) and \(C\) have position vectors, relative to the origin \(O\), given by \(\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k }\), \(\overrightarrow { O B } = 4 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O C } = 2 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }\). A fourth point \(D\) is such that the quadrilateral \(A B C D\) is a parallelogram.
  1. Find the position vector of \(D\) and verify that the parallelogram is a rhombus.
  2. The plane \(p\) is parallel to \(O A\) and the line \(B C\) lies in \(p\). Find the equation of \(p\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
CAIE P3 2017 June Q10
10 marks Standard +0.3
10 The points \(A\) and \(B\) have position vectors given by \(\overrightarrow { O A } = \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) and \(\overrightarrow { O B } = 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\). The line \(l\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + m \mathbf { k } + \mu ( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } )\), where \(m\) is a constant.
  1. Given that the line \(l\) intersects the line passing through \(A\) and \(B\), find the value of \(m\).
  2. Find the equation of the plane which is parallel to \(\mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k }\) and contains the points \(A\) and \(B\). Give your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\).
CAIE Further Paper 1 2024 November Q2
7 marks Standard +0.3
2 The line \(l _ { 1 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } )\).
The plane \(\Pi\) contains \(l _ { 1 }\) and is parallel to the vector \(2 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k }\).
  1. Find the equation of \(\Pi\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{beb9c1f1-1676-4432-a42a-c418ff9f45d8-05_2723_33_99_22} The line \(l _ { 2 }\) is parallel to the vector \(5 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k }\).
  2. Find the acute angle between \(l _ { 2 }\) and \(\Pi\).
OCR FP3 2007 June Q6
10 marks Standard +0.8
6 Lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations $$\frac { x - 3 } { 2 } = \frac { y - 4 } { - 1 } = \frac { z + 1 } { 1 } \quad \text { and } \quad \frac { x - 5 } { 4 } = \frac { y - 1 } { 3 } = \frac { z - 1 } { 2 }$$ respectively.
  1. Find the equation of the plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) which contains \(l _ { 1 }\) and is parallel to \(l _ { 2 }\), giving your answer in the form r.n \(= p\).
  2. Find the equation of the plane \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) which contains \(l _ { 2 }\) and is parallel to \(l _ { 1 }\), giving your answer in the form r.n \(= p\).
  3. Find the distance between the planes \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\).
  4. State the relationship between the answer to part (iii) and the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
OCR FP3 2012 June Q1
4 marks Standard +0.8
1 The plane \(p\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } . ( \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k } ) = 4\) and the line \(l _ { 1 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } + t ( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } )\). The line \(l _ { 2 }\) is parallel to \(p\) and perpendicular to \(l _ { 1 }\), and passes through the point with position vector \(\mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\). Find the equation of \(l _ { 2 }\), giving your answer in the form \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { a } + t \mathbf { b }\).
CAIE FP1 2011 June Q10
13 marks Standard +0.8
10 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations $$l _ { 1 } : \mathbf { r } = 6 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \quad \text { and } \quad l _ { 2 } : \mathbf { r } = 6 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( 4 \mathbf { i } + 6 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) .$$ Find a cartesian equation of the plane \(\Pi\) containing \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\). Find the position vector of the foot of the perpendicular from the point with position vector \(\mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k }\) to \(\Pi\). The line \(l _ { 3 }\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } + v ( 2 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } )\). Find the shortest distance between \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 3 }\).
CAIE FP1 2014 June Q11 OR
Standard +0.8
With respect to an origin \(O\), the point \(A\) has position vector \(4 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) and the plane \(\Pi _ { 1 }\) has equation $$\mathbf { r } = ( 4 + \lambda + 3 \mu ) \mathbf { i } + ( - 2 + 7 \lambda + \mu ) \mathbf { j } + ( 2 + \lambda - \mu ) \mathbf { k } ,$$ where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are real. The point \(L\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { O L } = 3 \overrightarrow { O A }\) and \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) is the plane through \(L\) which is parallel to \(\Pi _ { 1 }\). The point \(M\) is such that \(\overrightarrow { A M } = 3 \overrightarrow { M L }\).
  1. Show that \(A\) is in \(\Pi _ { 1 }\).
  2. Find a vector perpendicular to \(\Pi _ { 2 }\).
  3. Find the position vector of the point \(N\) in \(\Pi _ { 2 }\) such that \(O N\) is perpendicular to \(\Pi _ { 2 }\).
  4. Show that the position vector of \(M\) is \(10 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } + 5 \mathbf { k }\) and find the perpendicular distance of \(M\) from the line through \(O\) and \(N\), giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
CAIE FP1 2018 June Q10
12 marks Challenging +1.2
10 The line \(l _ { 1 }\) is parallel to the vector \(a \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k }\), where \(a\) is a constant, and passes through the point whose position vector is \(9 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\). The line \(l _ { 2 }\) is parallel to the vector \(- a \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 4 \mathbf { k }\) and passes through the point whose position vector is \(- 6 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } + 10 \mathbf { k }\).
  1. It is given that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect.
    1. Show that \(a = - \frac { 6 } { 13 }\).
    2. Find a cartesian equation of the plane containing \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
    3. Given instead that the perpendicular distance between \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) is \(3 \sqrt { } ( 30 )\), find the value of \(a\).
CAIE FP1 2012 November Q9
12 marks Standard +0.3
9 The plane \(\Pi\) has equation $$\mathbf { r } = 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } ) + \mu ( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } )$$ The line \(l\), which does not lie in \(\Pi\), has equation $$\mathbf { r } = 3 \mathbf { i } + 6 \mathbf { j } + 12 \mathbf { k } + t ( 8 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } - 8 \mathbf { k } )$$ Show that \(l\) is parallel to \(\Pi\). Find the position vector of the point at which the line with equation \(\mathbf { r } = 5 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } + 7 \mathbf { k } + s ( 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } )\) meets \(\Pi\). Find the perpendicular distance from the point with position vector \(9 \mathbf { i } + 11 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) to \(l\).
Edexcel CP1 2019 June Q7
7 marks Standard +0.3
  1. The line \(l _ { 1 }\) has equation
$$\frac { x - 1 } { 2 } = \frac { y + 1 } { - 1 } = \frac { z - 4 } { 3 }$$ The line \(l _ { 2 }\) has equation $$\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { k } + t ( \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } )$$ where \(t\) is a scalar parameter.
  1. Show that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) lie in the same plane.
  2. Write down a vector equation for the plane containing \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\)
  3. Find, to the nearest degree, the acute angle between \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\)
Edexcel CP1 2024 June Q7
10 marks Standard +0.3
  1. The line \(l _ { 1 }\) has equation
$$\mathbf { r } = \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } + \lambda ( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k } )$$ and the line \(l _ { 2 }\) has equation $$\mathbf { r } = 5 \mathbf { i } + p \mathbf { j } - 7 \mathbf { k } + \mu ( 6 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 8 \mathbf { k } )$$ where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are scalar parameters and \(p\) is a constant.
The plane \(\Pi\) contains \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\)
  1. Show that the vector \(3 \mathbf { i } - 10 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }\) is perpendicular to \(\Pi\)
  2. Hence determine a Cartesian equation of \(\Pi\)
  3. Hence determine the value of \(p\) Given that
    • the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect at the point \(A\)
    • the point \(B\) has coordinates \(( 12 , - 11,6 )\)
    • determine, to the nearest degree, the acute angle between \(A B\) and \(\Pi\)
CAIE P3 2019 November Q7
9 marks Standard +0.8
  1. Find the value of \(a\).
  2. When \(a\) has this value, find the equation of the plane containing \(l\) and \(m\).
OCR Further Pure Core 1 2018 March Q4
7 marks Standard +0.8
4 The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations \(\frac { x - 7 } { 2 } = \frac { y - 1 } { - 1 } = \frac { z - 6 } { 3 }\) and \(\frac { x - 2 } { 1 } = \frac { y - 6 } { 2 } = \frac { z + 2 } { 1 }\) respectively.
  1. Show that \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect.
  2. Find the cartesian equation of the plane that contains \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
Edexcel FP3 Q7
9 marks Standard +0.3
7. The lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) have equations $$\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ - 1 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { r } - 1 \\ 3 \\ 4 \end{array} \right) \quad \text { and } \quad \mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } \alpha \\ - 4 \\ 0 \end{array} \right) + \mu \left( \begin{array} { l } 0 \\ 3 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) .$$ If the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) intersect, find
  1. the value of \(\alpha\),
  2. an equation for the plane containing the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\), giving your answer in the form \(a x + b y + c z + d = 0\), where \(a , b , c\) and \(d\) are constants. For other values of \(\alpha\), the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\) do not intersect and are skew lines.
    Given that \(\alpha = 2\),
  3. find the shortest distance between the lines \(l _ { 1 }\) and \(l _ { 2 }\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2012 June Q10
2 marks Standard +0.3
10 The line \(L\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { r } 1 \\ - 3 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { l } 3 \\ 4 \\ 6 \end{array} \right)\) and the plane \(\Pi\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } \cdot \left( \begin{array} { r } 2 \\ - 6 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) = k\).
  1. Given that \(L\) lies in \(\Pi\), determine the value of \(k\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the point, \(Q\), in \(\Pi\) which is closest to \(P ( 10,2 , - 43 )\). Deduce the shortest distance from \(P\) to \(\Pi\).
  3. Find, in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\), where \(a , b , c\) and \(d\) are integers, an equation for the plane which contains both \(L\) and \(P\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2016 Specimen Q10
12 marks Standard +0.3
10 The line \(L\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 1 \\ - 3 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { l } 3 \\ 4 \\ 6 \end{array} \right)\) and the plane \(\Pi\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } \cdot \left( \begin{array} { c } 2 \\ - 6 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) = k\).
  1. Given that \(L\) lies in \(\Pi\), determine the value of \(k\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the point, \(Q\), in \(\Pi\) which is closest to \(P ( 10,2 , - 43 )\). Deduce the shortest distance from \(P\) to \(\Pi\).
  3. Find, in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\), where \(a , b , c\) and \(d\) are integers, an equation for the plane which contains both \(L\) and \(P\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2019 Specimen Q10
8 marks Standard +0.3
10 The line \(L\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } = \left( \begin{array} { c } 1 \\ - 3 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + \lambda \left( \begin{array} { l } 3 \\ 4 \\ 6 \end{array} \right)\) and the plane \(\Pi\) has equation \(\mathbf { r } \cdot \left( \begin{array} { c } 2 \\ - 6 \\ 3 \end{array} \right) = k\).
  1. Given that \(L\) lies in \(\Pi\), determine the value of \(k\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the point, \(Q\), in \(\Pi\) which is closest to \(P ( 10,2 , - 43 )\). Deduce the shortest distance from \(P\) to \(\Pi\).
  3. Find, in the form \(a x + b y + c z = d\), where \(a , b , c\) and \(d\) are integers, an equation for the plane which contains both \(L\) and \(P\).
Edexcel FP3 Q20
12 marks Standard +0.3
The plane \(\Pi_1\) passes through the \(P\), with position vector \(\mathbf{i} + 2\mathbf{j} - \mathbf{k}\), and is perpendicular to the line \(L\) with equation $$\mathbf{r} = 3\mathbf{i} - 2\mathbf{k} + \lambda(-\mathbf{i} + 2\mathbf{j} + 3\mathbf{k}).$$
  1. Show that the Cartesian equation of \(\Pi_1\) is \(x - 5y - 3z = -6\). [4]
The plane \(\Pi_2\) contains the line \(L\) and passes through the point \(Q\), with position vector \(\mathbf{i} + 2\mathbf{j} + 2\mathbf{k}\).
  1. Find the perpendicular distance of \(Q\) from \(\Pi_1\). [4]
  2. Find the equation of \(\Pi_2\) in the form \(\mathbf{r} = \mathbf{a} + s\mathbf{b} + t\mathbf{c}\). [4]
OCR FP3 Q6
10 marks Standard +0.8
Lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) have equations $$\frac{x-3}{2} = \frac{y-4}{-1} = \frac{z+1}{1} \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{x-5}{4} = \frac{y-1}{3} = \frac{z-1}{2}$$ respectively.
  1. Find the equation of the plane \(\Pi_1\) which contains \(l_1\) and is parallel to \(l_2\), giving your answer in the form \(\mathbf{r} \cdot \mathbf{n} = p\). [5]
  2. Find the equation of the plane \(\Pi_2\) which contains \(l_2\) and is parallel to \(l_1\), giving your answer in the form \(\mathbf{r} \cdot \mathbf{n} = p\). [2]
  3. Find the distance between the planes \(\Pi_1\) and \(\Pi_2\). [2]
  4. State the relationship between the answer to part (iii) and the lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\). [1]
AQA Further Paper 2 2023 June Q11
9 marks Standard +0.8
The line \(l_1\) passes through the points \(A(6, 2, 7)\) and \(B(4, -3, 7)\)
  1. Find a Cartesian equation of \(l_1\) [2 marks]
  2. The line \(l_2\) has vector equation \(\mathbf{r} = \begin{pmatrix} 8 \\ 9 \\ c \end{pmatrix} + \mu \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}\) where \(c\) is a constant.
    1. Explain how you know that the lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) are not perpendicular. [2 marks]
    2. The lines \(l_1\) and \(l_2\) both lie in the same plane. Find the value of \(c\) [5 marks]