Vector Equations - Multivariable Calculus

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Question

Write down the equation of the line in vector form that passes through the points , and .

Answer

Remember the general equation of a line in vector form:

$\vec{r}=r_0+t\vec{v}=\left \langle x_0,y_0,z_0\right \rangle+t\left \langle a,b,c\right \rangle$ , where $\left \langle x_0,y_0,z_0\right \rangle$ is the starting point, and $\left \langle a,b,c\right \rangle$ is the difference between the start and ending points.

Lets apply this to our problem.

$\vec{r}=\left \langle 2, 10, -6\right \rangle+t\left \langle 5, 6, -20\right \rangle$

Distribute the

$\vec{r}=\left \langle 2, 10, -6\right \rangle+\left \langle 5t, 6t, -20t\right \rangle$

Now we simply do vector addition to get

$\vec{r}=\left \langle 2+5t, 10+6t, -6-20t\right \rangle$

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

Write down the equation of the line in vector form that passes through the points , and .

Answer

Remember the general equation of a line in vector form:

$\vec{r}=r_0+t\vec{v}=\left \langle x_0,y_0,z_0\right \rangle+t\left \langle a,b,c\right \rangle$ , where $\left \langle x_0,y_0,z_0\right \rangle$ is the starting point, and $\left \langle a,b,c\right \rangle$ is the difference between the start and ending points.

Lets apply this to our problem.

$\vec{r}=\left \langle 2, 10, -6\right \rangle+t\left \langle 5, 6, -20\right \rangle$

Distribute the

$\vec{r}=\left \langle 2, 10, -6\right \rangle+\left \langle 5t, 6t, -20t\right \rangle$

Now we simply do vector addition to get

$\vec{r}=\left \langle 2+5t, 10+6t, -6-20t\right \rangle$

Compare your answer with the correct one above

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