MATHS THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Key Concepts
1. A point in space has three coordinates.

2. A three-dimensional system is an extension of the two-dimensional system. A third axis z is

added to the XY plane. There are two possible orientations of the X- and Y-axis.These two
orientations are known as the left-handed- and right-handed system.

Right-handed system is mostly used.

3. In three dimensions, the coordinate axes of a rectangular cartesian coordinate system are
threemutually perpendicular lines. The axes are called the X-, Y- and Z-axis, respectively.

4. The three planes determined by the pair of axes are the coordinate planes called XY-, YZ-
and ZX-planes.

5. There are 3 coordinate planes namely XOY, YOZ and ZOX also called the XY-, YZ- and ZX–
planes,respectively.
 MATHS THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

6. The three coordinate planes divide the whole space into 8 parts. Each of these parts is called
an‘octant’. The octants are numbered as roman numerals I, II, III etc.

7. To each point in space, there corresponds an ordered triplet (x, y, z) of real numbers. There
is a one toone correspondence between the points in space and ordered triplet (x, y, z) of
real numbers.

8. If P(x, y, z) is any point in space, then x, y and z are perpendicular distances from YZ-, ZX-
and XY–planes, respectively.

9. The coordinates of the origin O are (0, 0, 0).

10.The coordinates of any point on the X-axis are of the type (x, 0, 0)
The coordinates of any point on the Y-axis are of the type (0, y, 0).
The coordinates of any point on the Z-axis are of the type (0, 0, z).

11.The x coordinate of the point in the YZ-plane must be zero.

A point in the XY-plane will have its z coordinate zero.
A point in the XZ-plane will have its y coordinate zero.
 MATHS THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY
12.Three points are said to be collinear if the sum of distances between any two pairs of the
points isequal to the distance between the third pair of points. The distance formula can be
used to prove collinearity.
13.If we were dealing in one dimension, then x = a is a single point, and if it is in two
dimensions, then itwill be a straight line and in 3D it is a plane || to YZ-plane and passing
through point a.
14.The distance of any point from the XY-plane = | z coordinate | and is similarly obtained for
the other 2planes.
15.When a line segment is trisected, it means it is divided into three equal parts by two points
R and S.This is equivalent to saying that either R or S divides the line segment in the ratio 2:1
or 1:2.

Key Formulae
1.
Octants OXYZ OX'YZ OXY'Z OX'Y'Z OXYZ' OX'YZ' OXY'Z' OX'Y'Z'
Coordinates
x + − + − + − + −

y + + − − + + − −

z + + + + − − − −

2. Distance between two points P(x1, y1,z1) and Q (x2, y2, z2) is given by

3. Distance between two points P(x1, y1, z1) and Q (0, 0, 0) is given by 𝑃𝑄 = 𝑥 +𝑦 +𝑧 .

4. The coordinates of the point R which divides the line segment joining two points P (x 1, y1,
z1) and Q (x2,y2, z2) internally and externally in the ratio m:n are given by

5. The coordinates of the mid-point of the line segment joining two points P(x 1, y1, z1) and
Q(x2, y2, z2) are
MATHS THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY
6. The coordinates of the centroid of the triangle, whose vertices are

7. The coordinates of the point R which divides the line segment joining two points P (x 1, y1,
z1) in the ratio k:1 are
MATHS THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Important Questions

Multiple Choice questions-

Question 1. The projections of a directed line segment on the coordinate axes are 12, 4,
3. The DCS of the line are:
(a) 12/13, -4/13, 3/13
(b) -12/13, -4/13, 3/13
(c) 12/13, 4/13, 3/13
(d) None of these
Question 2. The angle between the planes r . n 1 = d1 and r . n1 = d2 is:
(a) cos θ ={|n1| × |n2|}/ (n1. n2)
(b) cos θ = (n1 . n2)/{|n1| × |n2|}²
(c) cos θ = (n1. n2)/{|n1| × |n2|}
(d) cos θ = (n1 . n2)² /{|n1| × |n2|}
Question 3. For every point P(x, y, z) on the xy-plane
(a) x = 0
(b) y = 0
(c) z = 0
(d) None of these
Question 4. The locus of a point P(x, y, z) which moves in such a way that x = a and y = b,
is a.
(a) Plane parallel to xy-plane
(b) Line parallel to x-axis
(c) Line parallel to y-axis
(d) Line parallel to z-axis
Question 5. The equation of the plane containing the line 2x – 5y + z = 3, x + y + 4z = 5
and parallel to the plane x + 3y + 6z = 1 is
(a) x + 3y + 6z + 7 = 0
(b) x + 3y – 6z – 7 = 0
(c) x – 3y + 6z – 7 = 0
(d) x + 3y + 6z – 7 = 0
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Question 6. The coordinate of foot of perpendicular drawn from the point A(1, 0, 3) to
the join of the point B(4, 7, 1) and C(3, 5, 3) are
(a) (5/3, 7/3, 17/3)
(b) (5, 7, 17)
(c) (5/3, -7/3, 17/3)
(d) (5/7, -7/3, -17/3)
Question 7. The coordinates of the point where the line through (5, 1, 6) and (3, 4, 1)
crosses the YZ plane is
(a) (0, 17/2, 13/2)
(b) (0, -17/2, -13/2)
(c) (0, 17/2, -13/2)
(d) None of these
Question 8. If P is a point in space such that OP = 12 and OP inclined at angles 45 and 60
degrees with OX and OY respectively, then the position vector of P is
(a) 6i + 6j ± 6√2k
(b) 6i + 6√2j ± 6k
(c) 6√2i + 6j ± 6k
(d) None of these
Question 9. The image of the point P(1,3,4) in the plane 2x – y + z = 0 is
(a) (-3, 5, 2)
(b) (3, 5, 2)
(c) (3, -5, 2)
(d) (3, 5, -2)
Question 10. There is one and only one sphere through
(a) 4 points not in the same plane
(b) 4 points not lie in the same straight line
(c) none of these
(d) 3 points not lie in the same line
Very Short Questions:
1. Name the octants in which the following lie. (5,2,3)
2. Name the octants in which the following lie. (-5,4,3)
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

3. Find the image of (-2,3,4) in the y z plane.

4. Find the image of (5,2,-7) in the plane xy.
5. A point lie on X –axis what are co ordinate of the point
6. Write the name of plane in which x axis and y- axis taken together.
7. The point (4, -3, 6) lie in which octants.
8. The point (2, 0, 8) lie in which palne.
9. A point is in the XZ plane. What is the value of y co-ordinates?
10.What is the coordinates of XY plane?
Short Questions:
1. Given that P(3,2,-4), Q(5,4,-6) and R(9,8,-10) are collinear. Find the ratio in which Q divides
PR.
2. Determine the points in xy plane which is equidistant from these point A (2,0,3) B(0,3,2) and
C(0,0,1).
3. Find the locus of the point which is equidistant from the point A(0,2,3) and B(2,-2, 1)
4. Show that the points A(0,1,2) B(2,-1,3) and C(1,-3,1) are vertices of an isosceles right angled
triangle.
5. Using section formula, prove that the three points A(-2,3,5), B(1,2,3), and C(7,0,-1) are
collinear.
Long Questions:
1. Prove that the lines joining the vertices of a tetrahedron to the centroids of the opposite
faces are concurrent.
2. The mid points of the sides of a triangle are (1,5,-1), (0,4,-2) and (2,3,4). Find its vertices.
3. Let P(x1, y1, z1) and Q(x2, y2, z2) be two points in space find coordinate of point R which
divides P and Q in the ratio m1 : m2 by geometrically.
4. Show that the plane ax + by + cz + d = 0 divides the line joining the points (x1, y1, z1) and (x2,
y2, z2) in the ratios .
√
5. Prove that the points 0(0, 0, 0), A(2, 0, 0), B(1, √3, 0), and c 1, , are the vertices of a
√ √
regular tetrahedron.
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Answer Key:
MCQ:
1. (c) 12/13, 4/13, 3/13
2. (c) cos θ = (n1. n2)/{|n1| × |n2|}
3. (c) z = 0
4. (b) Line parallel to x-axis
5. (d) x + 3y + 6z – 7 = 0
6. (a) (5/3, 7/3, 17/3)
7. (c) (0, 17/2, -13/2)
8. (c) 6√2i + 6j ± 6k
9. (a) (-3, 5, 2)
10.(a) 4 points not in the same plane

Very Short Answer:

1. I
2. II
3. (2, 3, 4)
4. (5, 2, 7)
5. (a, 0, 0)
6. XY Plane
7. VIII
8. XZ
9. Zero
10.(x, y, 0)

Short Answer:
1. Suppose Q divides PR in the ratio λ:1. Then coordinator of Q are.

But, coordinates of Q are (5,4,-6). Therefore

MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

These three equations give

So Q divides PR in the ratio : 1 or 1:2

2. We know that Z- coordinate of every point on xy-plane is zero. So, let P(x, y, 0) be a point in
xy-plane such that PA = PB = PC
Now, PA = PB
⇒ PA2 = PB2

Putting y = 2 in (i) we obtain x = 3

Hence the required points (3,2,0).
3. Let P(x, y, z) be any point which is equidistant from A(0,2,3) and B(2,-2,1). Then
PA = PB
⇒ PA2 = PB2

4. We have

And
Clearly AB = BC and AB2 + BC2 = AC2
Hence, triangle ABC is an isosceles right angled triangle.
5. Suppose the given points are collinear and C divides AB in the ratio λ : 1.
Then coordinates of C are
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

But, coordinates of C are (3,0,-1) from each of there equations, we get 𝜆 =

Since each of there equation give the same value of V. therefore, the given points are
collinear and C divides AB externally in the ratio 3:2.

Long Answer:
1. Let ABCD be tetrahedron such that the coordinates of its vertices are A (x 1, y1, z1), B(x2, y2, z2)
C (x3, y3, z3) and D (x4, y4, z4)
The coordinates of the centroids of faces ABC, DAB, DBC and DCA respectively

Now, coordinates of point G dividing DG1 in the ratio 3:1 are

Similarly the point dividing CG2, AG3 and BG4 in the ratio 3:1 has the same coordinates.
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Hence they are concurrent.

2. Suppose vertices of ∆ABC are A (x1, y1, z1), B(x2, y2, z2) and C (x3, y3, z3) respectively
Given coordinates of mid point of side BC, CA, and AB respectively are D(1,5,-1), E(0,4,-2) and
F(2,3,4)
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

Adding eq. (i), (iv), (viii)

Subtracting eq. (i), (iv), (vii) from (x) we get

Similarly, adding eq. (ii), (v) and (viii)

Subtracting eq. (ii), (v) and (viii) from (ix)

Similarly z1 + z2 + z3 = 3

∴ Coordinates of vertices of ∆ABC are A(1,3,-1), B(2,4,6) and C(1,7,-5)

3. Let co-ordinate of Point R be (x, y, z) which divider line segment joining the point PQ in the
ratio m1 : m2
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

4. Suppose the plane ax + by + cz + d = 0 divides the line joining the points (x 1, y1, z1) and (x1, y2,
z2) in the ratio λ : 1

Hence Proved.
5. To prove O, A, B, C are vertices of regular tetrahedron.
We have to show that
|OA|=|OB|=|OC|=|AB|=|BC|=|CA|
MATHEMATICS INTRODUCTION TO THREE DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY

∴ |AB| = |BC| = |CA| = |OA| = |OB| = |OC| = 2 unit

∴ O, A, B, C are vertices of a regular tetrahedron.