How could I find the exact coordinates of the point N for example which is the point of intersection of the line L=((0),(-1),(2))+t((-3),(-2),(-3)) and a perpendicular line that passes through a point C(1,2,3) not on the line.

ximblajy

ximblajy

Open question

2022-08-24

How to find the position vector for the point of intersection of a line and the perpendicular line through a point C
How could I find the exact coordinates of the point N for example which is the point of intersection of the line L = ( 0 1 2 ) + t ( 3 2 3 ) and a perpendicular line that passes through a point C(1,2,3) not on the line.
What I have done so far is find the value of point N in terms of t to find the vector C N :
N ( 3 t 2 t 1 3 t + 2 )
C N = ( 3 t 2 t 1 3 t + 2 ) ( 1 2 3 )
= ( 3 t 1 2 t 3 3 t 1 )
After this I made the scalar product eual zero:
C N ( 3 2 3 ) = 0
With this I find that,
t = 6 11
But my textbook says that
t = 5 11
Can anyone confirm which answer for t is right and if it is t = 5 11 then what did I do wrong?

Answer & Explanation

carponih7

carponih7

Beginner2022-08-25Added 13 answers

Your derivation seems correct indeed, by a direct check, for t = 6 11 we obtain
N = ( 0 1 2 ) 6 11 ( 3 2 3 ) = ( 18 11 1 11 40 11 )
then
C N = ( 7 11 21 11 7 11 )
and
( 7 11 21 11 7 11 ) ( 3 2 3 ) = 21 11 + 42 11 21 11 = 0

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?