quick question on normal vectors

acpodgorski

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Oct 8, 2007
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how do you find the normal vector of a plane if the equation doesn't contain one of the variables, like if the equation of the plane is x-z=1. thanks!
 
Think of the equation of the plane as:

1*x + 0*y + (-1)*z = 1
 
Then your missing value is 0.

\(\displaystyle \L\\x-z-1=0\)

\(\displaystyle \L\\ax+by+cz+d=0\) is the equation of a plane with normal vector \(\displaystyle \L\\n=<a,b,c>\)

Then you have <1,0,-1>
 
acpodgorski said:
how do you find the normal vector of a plane if the equation doesn't contain one of the variables, like if the equation of the plane is x-z=1. thanks!
The vector that is normal to that plane is <1,0,-1>.
What more do you want to know?
 
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