# Unit vector of a plane

Let's say that we have a plane in 3 dimensions and that we know 2 vectors that belong in this plane. I want to find a unit vector of this plane. My teacher proceeds to taking the cross product of these 2 vectors and then normalising the resulting vector by dividing it with it's norm.

But..Isn't the cross product of the two vectors, a vector perpendicular to the plane that our 2 initial vectors belong? If a vector is perpendicular to a plane, doesn't that mean that the vector is not in the plane?

• What does "unit vector of a plane" mean? Is it not the unit normal projecting perpendicularly outward from the plane, since it uniquely identifies the plane? Once you clarify what this phrase means, then we can debate as to whether the given procedure is correct or not. EDIT : Looking at the answer below, I am inclined to say this approach is correct. – астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг Jun 6 '18 at 14:09
• What I mean is vector of length 1 that is in my plane. But yeah the comment below is correct, I just don't know what my teacher wanted to do. – Thomas Jun 6 '18 at 14:27
• Hi Thomas, I think your question was very nicely written, and you have shown interest throughout. For this reason, +1. – астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг Jun 7 '18 at 2:53
• Thank you ! Have a nice day – Thomas Jun 7 '18 at 9:07
• Same to you as well, friend. – астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг Jun 7 '18 at 11:02

• @Thomas I don't use that definition but I suppose that with the term "unit vector of a plane" your professor means one of the 2 normal unitary vectors to the plane. That is $n=\pm(a,b,c)$ with $\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2}=1$ for the plane $ax+by+cz+d=0$. – gimusi Jun 6 '18 at 15:02
• Great. Also, is $n$ always perpendicular to the plane? I am from Greece so I don't know exactly how to call it in English. Can you tell me if there is a proper definition for it? – Thomas Jun 6 '18 at 15:51