Topic: Vectors equation of line in 3D, Distance from a point to a line

in 3D

Line in 2D (plane) and in 3D (Space)

A Line in plane (2D):
A line in the xy -plane is determined when y -coordinate of a point (y-
intercept) on the line and the direction of the line (its slope or angle of
inclination) are given. The equation of the line can then be written using the
point-slope form.

Recall: Point-slope form:

For any point (x 0 , y 0) on the line having slope m is given by the equation

y− y 0=m ( x−x 0 )

If we fix the point, to be any point on the y -axis ( y -intercept), then x 0=0 and
y 0=c , ∀ c ∈ R and above equation becomes

y−c=m x

or

y=m x +c
A Line in a Space (3D):
A line L in three-dimensional space is determined when we know a point
P0 (x 0 , y 0 , z 0 ) on L and the direction of line L. In three dimensions, the direction

of a line is conveniently described by a vector, so we let v⃗ be a vector parallel to

the line L.

Vector Equation for a Line in space:

Let P(x , y , z) be an arbitrary point on L and
let ⃗
r 0 and r⃗ be the position vectors of P0 and

P (that is, they have representations ⃗

O P0 and

⃗
OP ). If a⃗ is the vector with representation
⃗
P0 P, as in Figure 1, then the Triangle Law

for vector addition gives

Figure 1
r⃗ =⃗
r 0 +⃗a

But, since a⃗ and ⃗v are parallel vectors, there is a scalar t ∈ (−∞ ,+∞ ) such that a⃗ =t ⃗v .
Thus
r⃗ =⃗
r 0 +t ⃗v −−−−−−−−−−−−(1)

which is a vector equation of a line L.

Each value of the parameter t gives the

position vector r⃗ of a point on L. In other
words, as t varies, the line is traced out by
the tip of the vector r⃗ . As Figure 2
indicates, positive values of t correspond
to points on L that lie on one side of P0.
 Figure 2

If the vector ⃗v that gives the direction of the line L is written in component form as
⃗v =¿ a , b , c >¿, then we have t ⃗v =¿ ta ,tb , tc>¿.

We can also write r⃗ =¿ x , y , z >¿ and ⃗

r 0 =¿ x 0 , y 0 , z 0 >¿ , so the vector equation becomes

¿ x , y , z> ¿< x 0 +ta , y 0 +tb , z 0 +tc> ¿

Two vectors are equal if and only if corresponding components are equal.
Therefore, we have the three scalar equations:
x=x 0 +ta , y = y 0+ tb, z=z 0 +tc−−−−−−−−−(2)

where t ∈ R.
These equations are called parametric equations of the line L through the point
P0 (x 0 , y 0 , z 0 ) and parallel to the vector ⃗v =¿ a , b , c >¿. Each value of the parameter t
gives a point (x , y , z) on L.

Parametric Equation for a Line in space

Parametric equations for a line through the point P0 (x 0 , y 0 , z 0 ) and parallel to the
direction vector ⃗v =¿ a , b , c >¿ are
x=x 0 +ta

y= y 0+ tb

z=z 0 +tc

Note:
Two vectors u⃗ and ⃗v are parallel if u⃗ =t ⃗v , where t is scalar. We understand it with
the help of an example given below.
u⃗ =¿ 1, 2 , 3>¿
⃗v =¿ 2 , 4 , 6>¿

Then
⃗v =2<1 , 2, 3>¿
⃗v =2 ⃗u

This implies that u⃗ & v⃗ are parallel.

Example 1:
Find parametric equation & vector equation for the line through the point
(−2 , 0 , 4) and parallel to the vector

⃗v =2 ⃗i + 4 ⃗j −2 ⃗k

Solution:
Since the given point is
P=(x 0 , y 0 , z 0)=(−2 , 0 , 4)

and the vector is

⃗v =a i⃗ +b ⃗j + c ⃗k =v 1 ⃗i + v 2 ⃗j+ v 3 ⃗k=2 i⃗ +4 ⃗j−2 k⃗

Here we have
x 0=−2 , y 0=0 , z 0=4

a=2 , b=4 , c=−2

Parametric equation of line in space:

x=x o +t a=−2+2 t

y= y o+ t b=0+ 4 t=4 t

z=z o +t c=4−2 t

That is,
x=−2+2 t
y=4 t
z=4−2t

where −∞ <t <∞ .

Vector Equation of Line in space:

r⃗ =⃗r 0 +t ⃗v
 x i⃗ + y ⃗j + z ⃗k=(−2 ⃗i + 0 ⃗j+4 ⃗k )+ t(2 i⃗ +4 ⃗j−2 ⃗k ) ; −∞ <t <∞

x i⃗ + y ⃗j + z ⃗k=(−2 ⃗i + 0 ⃗j+4 ⃗k )+(2 t i⃗ +4 t ⃗j−2 t ⃗k)

x i⃗ + y ⃗j + z ⃗k= (−2+ 2t ) ⃗i + ( 0+ 4 t ) ⃗j+(4−2 t) ⃗k

x i⃗ + y ⃗j + z ⃗k= (−2+ 2t ) ⃗i + ( 4 t ) ⃗j+(4−2t) k⃗

Example 2:
Find the parametric equation and vector equation of the line through
P(−3 , 2 ,−3) and Q(1 ,−1 , 4 ).

Solution:
P=(x 0 , y 0 , z 0)=(−3 , 2 ,−3)

Q=( x 1 , y 1 , z 1 )=(1 ,−1 , 4)

The vector parallel to line is

⃗v =⃗
PQ=¿ x 1−x 0 , y 1− y 0 , z 1−z 0 >¿

⃗v =⃗
PQ=¿ 1−(−3 ) ,−1−2 , 4−(−3 )> ¿

⃗v =⃗
PQ=¿ 4 ,−3 , 7>¿< a , b , c >¿

We can write the vector in standard form as

⃗v =a i⃗ +b ⃗j + c ⃗k =4 i⃗ −3 ⃗j+7 ⃗k

Parametric equation of a line in space:

x=x o +t v 1=−3+ 4 t

y= y o+ t v 2 =2−3 t

z=z o +t v 3=−3+7 t

where −∞ <t <∞ .

Vector equation for a line in space:
xi+ yj+ zk =(−3 i+2 j−3 k )+t (4 i−3 j+7 k ) , −∞ <t <∞

xi+ yj+ zk =(−3 i+2 j−3 k )+(4 t i−3 t j+7 t k )

xi+ yj+ zk =(−3+4 t ) i+ ( 2−3 t ) j+ (−3+7 t ) k
Do yourself Exercise 12.5 (Thomas Calculus): Q # 1 to 20.

Example 3:
Find the parametric equation of the line passing through the point (3 ,−2, 1) and
parallel to the line having parametric equations
x=1+2 t
y=2−t
z=3 t

Solution:
Since we have given the parametric equations as
x=1+2 t=x 0+ at

y=2−t= y 0 +bt

z=0+ 3t=z 0 +ct

This implies that

a=2 , b=−1 , c=3

which are the components of a vector v, given as

v=¿ a , b , c≥¿ 2 ,−1 , 3>¿

The given point is

P= (3 ,−2 ,1 )=P(x 0 , y 0 , z 0)

v=¿ a , b , c ≥< 2 ,−1 ,3> ¿

That is,
x 0=3 , y 0=−2 , z 0=1

a=2 , b=−1 , c=3

Then the parametric equation of the line passing through the point P(3 ,−2 ,1) and
parallel to the line with the given parametric equations are given below:
x=x 0 +at

y= y 0+ bt
 z=z 0 +ct

Putting the values, we have

x=3+2 t
y=−2−t
z=1+3 t

which are the required parametric equations of the line.

Example 4:
Find the parametric equation of the line passing through origin and parallel to the
vector
⃗v =2 ^j+ k^

Solution:
Given that
Origin=P=( 0 , 0 ,0 )=P(x 0 , y 0 , z 0 )

⃗v =0 i+ ^
^ 2 ^j+ k=a ^
^ b ^j+ ck
i+

Then the parametric equations of line are

x=x 0 +at=0+ 0 t=0

y ¿ y 0 +bt=0+2 t=2 t

z=z 0 +ct=0+t=t

Then the required parametric equations are

x=0
y=2t
z=t

Example 5:
Find the parametric equations of the line passing through the point (2 , 3 ,0), and
^ ^j+3 ^k and ⃗v =3 i+
perpendicular to the vectorsu⃗ =i+2 ^ 4 ^j+5 k^ .

Solution:
Since the line is perpendicular to the vectors u⃗ and ⃗v, therefore using the cross
product, we have

| |
i^ ^j k^
u⃗ × ⃗v = 1 2 3
3 4 5

u⃗ × ⃗v =i^ (10−12 )− ^j ( 5−9 ) + k^ ( 4−6 )

^
^ 4 ^j−2 k=a
u⃗ × ⃗v =−2 i+ ^ b ^j−c k^
i+

The given point is

P= (2 , 3 , 0 )=P (x 0 , y 0 , z 0 )

Then the parametric equations of line are

x=x 0 +at=2−2t

y ¿ y 0 +bt=3+ 4 t

z=z 0 +ct=0−2 t

Then the required parametric equations are

x=2−2t
y=3+ 4 t
z=−2 t

Practice questions:
Ex. 12.5: 1-7, 10.

Parameterization of a Line segment

Example:
Parameterize the line segment joining the points P(−3 , 2 ,−3) and Q(1 ,−1 , 4 ).

Solution:
 First of all, we will find the parametric equation of the line through the points
P(−3 , 2 ,−3) and Q(1 ,−1 , 4 ) and then restrict the domain of parameter t to obtain the
parametric equation of the line segment from P to Q .
Step 1: (Equation of line)

⃗v =⃗ ^
PQ=(1+3) i+(−1−2) ^j+(4 +3) k^

^
⃗v =4 i−3 ^j+7 k^ =a i+
^ b ^j+c k^

Let us consider the point P (−3 , 2,−3 )=P( x0 , y 0 , z 0 ). (NOTE: We can also consider point Q
here). Then the parametric equations of line are

x=x 0 +at=−3+ 4 t y= y 0+ bt=2−3 t z=z 0 +ct=−3+ 7 t

Step 2: (Line segment)

In order to find the value of t for which an arbitrary point (x , y , z) of the line is at P(−3 , 2 ,−3),
we solve the equation

}
¿−3=−3+ 4 t
¿ 2=2−3 t ⇒ t=0
¿−3=−3+7 t

Similarly, when (x , y , z) is at Q(1 ,−1 , 4 ), we solve

}
¿ 1=−3+4 t
¿−1=2−3 t ⇒ t=1
¿ 4=−3+7 t

So, the parametric equation of the line segment is

x=−3+ 4 t
y=2−3 t
z=−3+7 t ; 0≤t≤1

Question 19: Find the parametric equations of the line segment joining the points P(−2 , 0 , 2)
and Q(0 , 2 , 0).

Practice Questions
Ex. 12.5: 13-20.

The Distance from a Point to a Line in Space

Let L be a line, passing through the point P1
and let a vector v⃗ is parallel to the line L.
That is, ⃗v ∨¿ L. Let we have a point P0 in
space and we need to measure the distance
between P0 and L. We can see that, the
shortest distance between P0 and L is at
point P2 when P0 P2 is perpendicular
to the line L. i.e., P0 P2 ⊥ L.
Distance is a scalar which can be computed as follows:
From the figure, we can write
Perpandicular s
sin ( θ ) = =
Hypotenuse ¿⃗
r 0−⃗
r 1∨¿ ¿

s
sin ( θ ) =
¿ r⃗0−⃗
r 1∨¿ ¿

|r⃗0−⃗
r 1|sin ( θ )=s

s=|⃗ r 1|sin ( θ )
r 0−⃗

Here θ is the angle between ( r⃗0−⃗r 1 ) and ⃗v . As we know that P0 P2 ⊥ L and ⃗v ∨¿ L.

This implies that P0 P2 ⊥ ⃗v . Therefore, we can write
|(⃗ r 1) × ⃗v|=|(⃗
r 0−⃗ r 1)||⃗v|sin ( θ )
r 0−⃗

We can rearrange as
|(⃗ r 1) × ⃗v|=|(⃗
r 0−⃗ r 1)|sin ( θ )|v⃗|
r 0−⃗

|(⃗ r 1)× ⃗v|=s|⃗v|( ∴ s=|( r⃗0−⃗

r 0− ⃗ r 1 )|sin ( θ ) )

|( ⃗r 0−⃗r 1 ) × ⃗v|=s
|⃗v|

s=
|⃗
P 0 P1 × ⃗v|
( ∴⃗
P P =⃗
r −⃗
r)
|⃗v| 0 1 0 1

This implies that

 s=
|⃗
P 0 P1 × ⃗v|
|⃗v|

Example:
Find the distance from the point S (1, 1, 5) to the line:

{
x=1+t
L : y=3−t
z=2 t

Solution:
Since the given point is S ( 1 ,1 , 5 )=S( x1 , y 1 , z 1).

And the given parametric equations of line are

x=x 0+ at=1+t
y= y 0+ bt=3−t
z=z 0+ ct=2 t

This means that P=P ( x 0 , y 0 , z 0 )=P (1 ,3 , 0) and ⃗v =¿ a , b , c >¿<1 ,−1, 2>¿. Thus, the vector
parallel to the line L is
^ ^j+2 k^
⃗v =i−
The Line passes through the point P (1, 3, 0)
⃗ ^
PS=(1−1) i+(1−3) ^j+(5−0) k^

⃗ ^
PS=0 i−2 ^j+5 k^ .

Now,

| |
i^ ^j k^
⃗
PS × ⃗v = 0 −2 5
1 −1 2

⃗
PS × ⃗v =i^ |
−1 2
−j
1 2| | | |
−2 5 ^ 0 5 ^ 0 −2
+k
1 −1 |
⃗ ^
PS × ⃗v =i(−4+5)− ^j(0−5)+ k^ (0+2)

⃗ ^ ^j+2 k^
PS × ⃗v =i+5
Taking magnitude of ⃗
PS × ⃗v , we have

|⃗
PS × ⃗v|= √ ¿ ¿
 |⃗
PS × ⃗v|= √ 30

Similarly, taking magnitude of vector ⃗v , we have

|⃗v|= √¿ ¿
Now, apply the formula, we have

d=
|⃗
PS × ⃗v|
|⃗v|
Putting values, we have

d=
√6 √
√ 30 = 30 = 5
6
√

d= √ 5=2.24
Hence the distance of a point S to the line L is 2.24 units.

Practice Questions:
Ex. 12.5: 33-38