1. Vectors Problem

a) Describe the shape of the intersection of the plane z=-3 and the plane y=z in three-space.

b) list all the possibilities for the intersection of a line and a plane, and draw an example of each.

help is much appreciated

2. Originally Posted by notoriousmc

a) Describe the shape of the intersection of the plane z=-3 and the plane y=z in three-space.

b) list all the possibilities for the intersection of a line and a plane, and draw an example of each.

help is much appreciated
to a):
If two planes are not parallel then they will intersect in a straight line.

The given planes are not parallel therefore you'll get a straight line as the intersection between them:

$P_1: (0,0,1)\cdot (x,y,z) = -3$ that means: $z = -3
$

$P_": (0,1,-1) \cdot (x,y,z)=0$ that means: $y-z=0$

Calculate:

$P_1 \cap P_2 = \left\{\begin{array}{lr}x = &t \\y =& -3+0\cdot t \\z=& -3+0\cdot t\end{array}\right.~\implies~(x,y,z)=(0,-3,-3)+t\cdot(1,0,0)$

to b): Let l denote the line and p the plane then
1. $l\cap p = \{P\}\ if\ l \nparallel p$

2. $l\cap p = \emptyset\ if\ l \parallel p$

3. $l\cap p = l\ if\ l \in p$