Converting Between Vector and Coordinate Representations
This page delves deeper into the conversion process between vector and coordinate representations of plane equations.
Converting from vector to coordinate representation:
- Start with the vector form: n · = 0
- Expand using the distributive property
- Rearrange terms to match the coordinate form
Example: Vector form: · = 0 Expanded: 5x₁ - x₂ - 3x₃ - = 0 Coordinate form: 5x₁ - x₂ - 3x₃ = 0
Converting from coordinate to vector representation:
- Identify the normal vector from the coefficients of x₁, x₂, and x₃
- Choose a point on the plane (often by setting two variables to 1 and solving for the third)
- Construct the vector equation using the normal vector and chosen point
Highlight: When converting to vector form, any point satisfying the plane equation can be used as the reference point A.
The page also reviews the scalar product (dot product) of vectors, which is crucial for these conversions.
Definition: The scalar product of two vectors a and b is defined as a · b = a₁b₁ + a₂b₂ + a₃b₃




