Understanding the Coordinate Planes

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 136 views

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Introduction

In three-dimensional space, points are represented by their coordinates in a three-dimensional coordinate system. The three planes in a 3D coordinate system are the $xy$ -plane, the $xz$ -plane, and the $yz$ -plane. Each plane is defined by the equation $z = 0$ , $y = 0$ , and $x = 0$ , respectively. In this article, we will discuss how to determine the plane on which a given point lies.

Understanding the Coordinate Planes

The three planes in a 3D coordinate system are:

$xy$ -plane: This plane is defined by the equation $z = 0$ . It is the plane that contains the $x$ and $y$ axes.
$xz$ -plane: This plane is defined by the equation $y = 0$ . It is the plane that contains the $x$ and $z$ axes.
$yz$ -plane: This plane is defined by the equation $x = 0$ . It is the plane that contains the $y$ and $z$ axes.

Determining the Plane of a Point

To determine the plane on which a point lies, we need to examine the coordinates of the point. If the $x$ coordinate of the point is 0, then the point lies on the $yz$ -plane. If the $y$ coordinate of the point is 0, then the point lies on the $xz$ -plane. If the $z$ coordinate of the point is 0, then the point lies on the $xy$ -plane.

Example Problem

The point $(0, -1, 5)$ lies on a plane in 3D space. To determine the plane on which this point lies, we need to examine its coordinates.

The $x$ coordinate of the point is 0, which means that the point does not lie on the $xy$ -plane.
The $y$ coordinate of the point is -1, which means that the point does not lie on the $xz$ -plane.
The $z$ coordinate of the point is 5, which means that the point does not lie on the $yz$ -plane.

Conclusion

Based on the coordinates of the point $(0, -1, 5)$ , we can conclude that it lies on the $xz$ -plane. The $xz$ -plane is defined by the equation $y = 0$ , and the point has a $y$ coordinate of -1, which is not equal to 0.

Answer

The correct answer is:

A. The $xy$ -plane: This is incorrect because the point has a $z$ coordinate of 5, which is not equal to 0.
B. The $xz$ -plane: This is correct because the point has a $y$ coordinate of -1, which is not equal to 0.
C. The $yz$ -plane: This is incorrect because the point has an $x$ coordinate of 0, which is not equal to 0.
D. The $xyz$ -plane: This is incorrect because the point has a $z$ coordinate of 5, which is not equal to 0.

The final answer is B.

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Q1: What is the equation of the $xy$ -plane?

A1: The equation of the $xy$ -plane is $z = 0$ . This plane contains the $x$ and $y$ axes.

Q2: What is the equation of the $xz$ -plane?

A2: The equation of the $xz$ -plane is $y = 0$ . This plane contains the $x$ and $z$ axes.

Q3: What is the equation of the $yz$ -plane?

A3: The equation of the $yz$ -plane is $x = 0$ . This plane contains the $y$ and $z$ axes.

Q4: How do I determine the plane on which a point lies?

A4: To determine the plane on which a point lies, you need to examine the coordinates of the point. If the $x$ coordinate of the point is 0, then the point lies on the $yz$ -plane. If the $y$ coordinate of the point is 0, then the point lies on the $xz$ -plane. If the $z$ coordinate of the point is 0, then the point lies on the $xy$ -plane.

Q5: What is the significance of the $xyz$ -plane?

A5: The $xyz$ -plane is the plane that contains all three axes ( $x$ , $y$ , and $z$ ). It is the origin of the 3D coordinate system.

Q6: Can a point lie on more than one plane?

A6: No, a point cannot lie on more than one plane. Each point in 3D space lies on exactly one plane.

Q7: How do I find the equation of a plane given a point and a normal vector?

A7: To find the equation of a plane given a point and a normal vector, you can use the formula:

ax + by + cz + d = 0

where $(a, b, c)$ is the normal vector and $(x, y, z)$ is the point.

Q8: What is the relationship between the $xy$ -plane, $xz$ -plane, and $yz$ -plane?

A8: The $xy$ -plane, $xz$ -plane, and $yz$ -plane are three mutually perpendicular planes in 3D space. They intersect at the origin of the coordinate system.

Q9: Can a plane be parallel to another plane?

A9: Yes, two planes can be parallel to each other. This means that they do not intersect and have the same normal vector.

Q10: How do I determine if two planes are parallel?

A10: To determine if two planes are parallel, you need to check if their normal vectors are parallel. If the normal vectors are parallel, then the planes are parallel.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the basics of determining the plane of a point in 3D space. We have also answered some frequently asked questions related to this topic. We hope that this article has been helpful in clarifying any doubts you may have had.