# Finding equation of a plane passing through a point and an intersection of two planes

I have to find equation of a plane passing through a point $M(3,1,2,1)$ and a line $l$ which is intersection of the planes $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

The elements are in the extended euclidean space $E_3^*$

$$l: \left\{ \begin{array}{c} \alpha: x+y=0 \\ \beta: y+z-t=0 \\ \end{array} \right.$$

OK, my reasoning is the following. I have to find two points passing through the line $l$, for example $N(1, -1, 1, 0)$ and $P(-2, 2, -1, 1)$ I can form a determinant

$$\begin{array}{|cccc|} x & y &z & t & \\ 3 & 1 &2 & 1 &\\ 1& -1 & 1 & 0 &\\ -2 & 2 & -1 & 1\\ \end{array}$$

which when solved will give the equation of the desired plane.

Is this reasoning correct? Also, is this like using the fact that the vector product of 3 point points is 0 when they are coplanar?

• What Kind of Point is this $$M(3,1,2,1)$$? – Dr. Sonnhard Graubner Apr 22 '18 at 12:49
• Your choice of words seems to hint that this happens in three-dimensional space, but your math is four-dimensional. You should get one of them straight. @Dr.SonnhardGraubner That notation usually means that the point $M$ has the coordinates $(3,1,2,1)$. – Arthur Apr 22 '18 at 12:50
• Yes, this is extended euclidean three dimensional space, so there's a forth dimension for t for infinite points. I'll add a comment clarifying this. – Nikola Apr 22 '18 at 12:51
• Oh, so we're in projective three-dimensional space. That's specifically not Euclidean, though. – Arthur Apr 22 '18 at 13:13
• Do you mean you work in projective space $\mathbf P^3(\mathbf R)$? – Bernard Apr 22 '18 at 13:14

A plane through the intersection line of planes $\alpha$ and $\beta$ belongs to the pencil of planes defined by $\alpha$ and $\beta$, and a plane in this pencil has equation $$\lambda(x+y)+\mu(y+z-t)=0$$ for some $\lambda,\mu$ not both $0$ (actually $(\lambda,\mu)$ are unique up to a non-zero factor, i.e. they define a point in $\mathbf P^1(\mathbf R)$.
Then, a plane in the pencil passes through $M(3,1,2,1)$ if and only if $$\lambda(3+1)+\mu(1+2-1)=0,$$ whence the ration $\lambda/\mu$.