Two systems of rectangular axes have the same origin. If a plane cuts them at distances $a, b, c$ and $a^{\prime}, b^{\prime}, c^{\prime}$ respectively from the origin,prove that $\frac{1}{a^{2}}+\frac{1}{b^{2}}+\frac{1}{c^{2}}=\frac{1}{a^{\prime 2}}+\frac{1}{b^{\prime 2}}+\frac{1}{c^{\prime 2}}$.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Let the two systems of rectangular axes be $S_1$ and $S_2$ with the same origin $O$.
The equation of the plane in the first system $S_1$ is given by $\frac{x}{a} + \frac{y}{b} + \frac{z}{c} = 1$.
The equation of the plane in the second system $S_2$ is given by $\frac{x}{a^{\prime}} + \frac{y}{b^{\prime}} + \frac{z}{c^{\prime}} = 1$.
The perpendicular distance $p$ from the origin $(0, 0, 0)$ to a plane $\frac{x}{A} + \frac{y}{B} + \frac{z}{C} = 1$ is given by $p = \frac{|-1|}{\sqrt{\frac{1}{A^2} + \frac{1}{B^2} + \frac{1}{C^2}}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\frac{1}{A^2} + \frac{1}{B^2} + \frac{1}{C^2}}}$.
Since the plane is the same,the perpendicular distance $p$ from the origin must be the same for both systems.
Therefore,$\frac{1}{\sqrt{\frac{1}{a^2} + \frac{1}{b^2} + \frac{1}{c^2}}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\frac{1}{a^{\prime 2}} + \frac{1}{b^{\prime 2}} + \frac{1}{c^{\prime 2}}}}$.
Squaring both sides,we get $\frac{1}{\frac{1}{a^2} + \frac{1}{b^2} + \frac{1}{c^2}} = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{a^{\prime 2}} + \frac{1}{b^{\prime 2}} + \frac{1}{c^{\prime 2}}}$.
Taking the reciprocal of both sides,we obtain $\frac{1}{a^2} + \frac{1}{b^2} + \frac{1}{c^2} = \frac{1}{a^{\prime 2}} + \frac{1}{b^{\prime 2}} + \frac{1}{c^{\prime 2}}$.
Hence proved.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Let $6x - 3y + 2z - 6 = 0$ be the given plane. If $a, b, c$ are the intercepts made by the plane on $X, Y, Z$-axes respectively; $l, m, n$ are the direction cosines of a normal drawn to the plane and $p$ is the perpendicular distance from the origin to the plane,then $|al + bm + cn|=$

If $L_1$ and $L_2$ are two lines which pass through the origin and have direction ratios $(3, 1, -5)$ and $(2, 3, -1)$ respectively,then the equation of the plane containing $L_1$ and $L_2$ is

The equations $x + y + z + 2 = 0$ and $x + y + z + 3 = 0$ together represent what in space?

The intercepts of the plane $5x - 3y + 6z = 60$ on the coordinate axes are

$A$ vector $\vec{n}$ is inclined to $X$-axis at $45^{\circ}$,$Y$-axis at $60^{\circ}$ and at an acute angle to $Z$-axis. If $\vec{n}$ is normal to a plane passing through the point $(-\sqrt{2}, 1, 1)$,then the equation of the plane is

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo