3 – Dimensional Coordinate Geometry - By Gautam murthy

In our study of coordinate geometry, we used coordinates to study planar geometry. We

can easily extend the use of coordinate geometry to study geometry in three dimension.

We need three non-coplanar directions as our reference axis to specify the position of
any point. It is most convenient to take the three non-coplanar directions (denoted
conventionally by x, y and z directions) as being mutually perpendicular to each other

Such a reference axes is termed a rectangular coordinate axis. Any point P in space
can now be specified with respect to this frame by specifying the components
(coordinates) of P along each axis.

The coordinates of P along the x – axis, y – axis, z – axis are given to be a, b and c. where
𝑃(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐) represents the point P
In two dimensions, two coordinates were sufficient to uniquely determine any point; in
three dimensions, we need three coordinates.

A three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is formed by a point called the origin

(denoted by O) and a basis consisting of three mutually perpendicular vectors. These
vectors define the three coordinate axes: the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠, 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 and 𝑧 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠. They are
also known as the abscissa, ordinate and applicate axis, respectively. The coordinates of
any point in space are determined by three real numbers: 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧
Distance formula: The distance between two points A (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) and B (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 )in
space is determined by the formula

𝒅 = |𝑨𝑩| = √[(𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 )𝟐 + (𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏 )𝟐 + (𝒛𝟐 − 𝒛𝟏 )𝟐 ]

Section Formula: Suppose that the point C(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0 ) divides the segment A
(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1) and B (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) in the ratio λ. The coordinates of the point C are given by the
expressions

𝒙𝟏 + 𝝀𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟏 + 𝝀𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝟏 + 𝝀𝒛𝟐

𝒙𝟎 = , 𝒚𝟎 = , 𝒛𝟎 =
𝟏+𝝀 𝟏+𝝀 𝟏+𝝀

𝐴𝐶
where 𝜆 = 𝐶𝐵 , 𝜆 ≠ −1, If 𝜆 is +𝑣𝑒 then C divides the line AB internally and if 𝜆 is −𝑣𝑒
then C divides the line AB externally.
Midpoint formula: The coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment are obtained
from the previous formulas at λ=1 and are written as

𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒚𝟐 𝒛 𝟏 + 𝒛𝟐 𝑨𝑪
𝒙𝟎 = , 𝒚𝟎 = , 𝒛𝟎 = , 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝝀 = = 𝟏.
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝑪𝑩

Area of the triangle : The area of the triangle with vertices A

(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) B(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) and C(𝑥3 , 𝑦3 , 𝑧3 )

𝟏 𝒙𝟏 𝒚𝟏 𝟏𝟐 𝒚𝟏 𝒛𝟏 𝟏𝟐 𝒛𝟏 𝒙𝟏 𝟏𝟐
∆= [|𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝟏| + | 𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝟐 𝟏| + |𝒛𝟐 𝒙𝟐 𝟏| ]
𝟐 𝒙 𝒚𝟑 𝟏 𝒚𝟑 𝒛𝟑 𝟏 𝒛𝟑 𝒙𝟑 𝟏
𝟑

Volume of the Pyramid : The volume of the pyramid with vertices A (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) B
(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ), C (𝑥3 , 𝑦3 , 𝑧3 ) and D (𝑥4 , 𝑦4 , 𝑧4 )

Centroid of Triangle : To find the Centroid of the triangle(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0 ) with vertices

A(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) B(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) and C(𝑥3 , 𝑦3 , 𝑧3 )
 𝒙𝟏 +𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝟑 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒚𝟑 𝒛𝟏 + 𝒛𝟐 + 𝒛𝟑
𝒙𝟎 = , 𝒚𝟎 = , 𝒛𝟎 =
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑

Centroid of Pyramid: To find the Centroid of the pyramid (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 , 𝑧0, ) with vertices
A(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) B(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) C(𝑥3 , 𝑦3 , 𝑧3 ) and D (𝑥4 , 𝑦4 , 𝑧4, )

𝒙𝟏 +𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝟑 + 𝒙𝟒 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒚𝟑 + 𝒚𝟒 𝒛𝟏 + 𝒛𝟐 + 𝒛𝟑 + 𝒛𝟒
𝒙𝟎 = , 𝒚𝟎 = , 𝒛𝟎 =
𝟒 𝟒 𝟒

Example: Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line joining points (2, 3, 4)
and (3, –4, 7) in ratio 3: 5.

Solution: Let the coordinates of the required point be (x, y, z), then

2(3) + 3(5) 21
𝑥 = =
3+5 8

3(3) − 4(5) 11
𝑦= =−
3+5 8

4(3) + 7(5) 47
𝑧= =
3+5 8
21 −11 47
Hence the required point is ( 8 , , 8 ).
8

Example: Prove that the three points A (3, –2, 4), B (1, 1, 1) and C (–1, 4, –2) are
collinear.
Solution: The general coordinates of a point R which divides the line joining A (3, –2, 4)
𝜇+3 𝜇−2 𝜇+4
and B (1, 1, 1) in the ratio 𝜇 ∶ 1 are ( , , ) ……(1)
𝜇+1 𝜇+1 𝜇+1

If C (–1, 4, –2) lies on the line AB, then for some value of the coordinates of the point
R will be the same as those of C.

Let x-coordinate of point R = x-coordinate of point C.

𝜇+3
Then, = – 1 ⇒ 𝜇 = −2
𝜇+1

Now Putting 𝜇 = −2 in (1) the coordinates of R are (–1, 4, –2) which are also the
coordinates of C.

Hence the points A, B, C are collinear.

Example Find the locus of the point P equidistant from the four
points 𝑂(0,0,0), 𝐴(𝑥, 0,0), 𝐵(0, 𝑦, 0) and 𝐶(0,0, 𝑧).

Solution: Let 𝑃 ≡ (𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐) We have,

𝑂𝑃2 = 𝐴𝑃2 ⇒ 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 = (𝑎 − 𝑥)2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 ⇒ 𝑎2 = (𝑎 − 𝑥)2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑥 2 − 2𝑎𝑥 ⇒ 𝑎
𝑥
=
2
𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
Similarly, 𝑏 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 = 2. Thus, the point P is (2 , 2 , 2)

Example Find the locus of a point P which moves so that its distances from the
points 𝐴 (0, 2, 3) and B ( 2, –2, 1) are always equal.

Solution: P will obviously lie on the perpendicular bisector of AB. Let the co-ordinates
of P be (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧). Therefore,
𝑃𝐴2 = 𝑃𝐵 2 ⇒ 𝑥 2 + (𝑦 − 2)2 + (𝑧 − 3)2 = (𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 + 2)2 + (𝑧 − 1)2 ⇒ 𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 𝑧 + 1
⇒ 𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 𝑧 + 1 = 0
This is the required locus of P.

Example

The ratio in which yz-plane divides the line joining (2, 4, 5) and (3, 5, 7) is
(a) 2: 3 externally (b)2: 3 internally (c)3 : 2 externally (d) 3 : 2 internally

Solution: Ans. (a)

Let the ratio be λ: 1

3𝜆+2 2
x-coordinates is = 0 ⇒ 𝜆 = −3
𝜆+1
Example

A variable plane passes through a fixed point (a, b, c) and meets the coordinate axes in
A, B, C. The locus of the point common to plane through A, B, C parallel to coordinate
planes is
(a) ayz + bzx + cxy = xyz (b) axy + byz + czx = xyz
(c) axy + byz + czx = abc (d) bcx + acy + abz = abc

Solution: Ans. (a)

𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
Let the equation of the plane be 𝛼 + 𝛽 + 𝛾 = 1

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
 + 𝛽 + 𝛾 = 1 (as the plane passes through a, b, c)
𝛼

Now the points of intersection of the plane with the coordinate axes are
𝐴(𝛼, 0,0), 𝐵(0, 𝛽, 0), and 𝐶(0,0, 𝛾).

 Equation of planes parallel to the coordinate planes and passing through A, B and
C are 𝑥 = 𝛼, 𝑦 = 𝛽 and 𝑧 = 𝛾.
Therefore, the locus of the common points is
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
+ 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 1 (by eliminating    from the above equation)
𝑥

Directions Cosines and Direction Ratios

Direction ratios: Any three numbers that are proportional to the direction cosines of a
line are called the direction ratios of the line.

Direction Cosines :When a directed line OP passing through the origin makes α, βand γ
angles with the x, y and z axis respectively with O as the reference, these angles are
referred as the direction angles of the line and the cosine of these angles give us the
direction cosines. These direction cosines are usually represented as l, m and n.
The direction cosines (DCs) of the line OP are 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛾 which are represented by
𝑙, 𝑚, 𝑛

 𝑙 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 ; 𝑚 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 ; 𝑛 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛾

If 𝑙, 𝑚, 𝑛 are the DCs of a line in one direction, then the DCs of the same line in the
opposite direction will be −𝑙, −𝑚, −𝑛.

𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾 are known as the direction’s angles of the given line and satisfy 0 ≤ 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾 ≤ 𝜋

DIRECTION COSINES

The direction cosines of a (directed) line are the cosines of the angles which the line
makes with the positive directions of the coordinate axes.

Consider a line OL as shown, passing through the origin O. Let OL be inclined at

angles α, β, γ to the coordinate axes.

As the angles α, β, γ are not in the same plane, implies sum of the angles need not add
up to 2𝜋.

Direction cosines of 𝑥 −axis 𝑐𝑜𝑠0, 𝑐𝑜𝑠90, 𝑐𝑜𝑠90 = 1, 0, 0

Direction cosines of 𝑦 −axis 𝑐𝑜𝑠90, 𝑐𝑜𝑠0, 𝑐𝑜𝑠90 = 0, 1, 0
Direction cosines of 𝑧 −axis 𝑐𝑜𝑠90, 𝑐𝑜𝑠90, 𝑐𝑜𝑠0 = 0, 0, 1

If P(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) be any point in the space, then 𝑂𝑃 = 𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2

𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
- 𝑙 = 𝑟 ;𝑚 = ;𝑛 = 𝑟
𝑟
 - (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = (𝑙𝑟, 𝑚𝑟, 𝑛𝑟)
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
- The DCs of OP are , ,
√𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2 √𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2 √𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 +𝑧 2

We know that for the line OP

𝒙 𝒚 𝒛
𝒍 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶 = ; 𝒎 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜷 = ; 𝒏 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜸 =
𝒓 𝒓 𝒓

𝒙 𝟐 𝒚 𝟐 𝒛 𝟐 𝒙𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 +𝒛𝟐
 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛾 = (𝒓) + (𝒓) + (𝒓) = =𝟏
𝒓𝟐

 𝒍𝟐 + 𝒎 𝟐 + 𝒏 𝟐 = 𝟏

If any three numbers are proportional to Direction Cosines are called Direction Ratios

If a, b, c are the directions ratios of a line then for 𝛿 ≠ 0 then 𝛿𝑎, 𝛿𝑏, 𝛿𝑐 are also the
direction ratios of the line. If 𝑙. 𝑚. 𝑛 are the direction cosines of a line and a, b, c are the
directions ratios of a line then 𝑎 = 𝛿𝑙, 𝑏 = 𝛿𝑚, 𝑐 = 𝛿𝑛. The Directions cosines of the line
in terms of its Direction Ratios will be

𝒂 𝒃 𝒄
±( , 𝟐 , 𝟐 )
𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃 + 𝒄 𝒂 + 𝒃 + 𝒄 𝒂 + 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟐
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

The Directions ratios of the line joining A (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) and B (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) are given by

𝒙 𝟐 − 𝒙 𝟏 , 𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏 , 𝒛 𝟐 − 𝒛 𝟏

Therefore, the direction cosines of the line A (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) and B (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) will be

(𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 ) (𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏 ) (𝒛𝟐 − 𝒛𝟏 )

±( , , )
𝒓 𝒓 𝒓

Where 𝑟 = √(𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 )𝟐 + (𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏 )𝟐 + (𝒛𝟐 − 𝒛𝟏 )𝟐

If the direction cosines of two line are given by 𝑙1 , 𝑚1 , 𝑛1 and 𝑙2 , 𝑚2 , 𝑛2 then the angle
between the two lines is represented by

𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 = 𝒍𝟏 𝒍𝟐 + 𝒎𝟏 𝒎𝟐 + 𝒏𝟏 𝒏𝟐

- If the two line are perpendicular to each other then

𝒍𝟏 𝒍𝟐 + 𝒎𝟏 𝒎𝟐 + 𝒏𝟏 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟎

- If the two line are parallel to each other then

 𝒍𝟏 𝒎𝟏 𝒏𝟏
= =
𝒍𝟐 𝒎𝟐 𝒏𝟐

If the direction Ratios of two line are given by 𝑎1 , 𝑏1, 𝑐1 and 𝑎2 , 𝑏2, 𝑐2 then the angle
between the two lines is represented by

𝒂𝟏 𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟏 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟏 𝒄𝟐
𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 =
𝒓

Where 𝑟 = √𝑎1 2 + 𝑏1 2 + 𝑐1 2 × √𝑎2 2 + 𝑏2 2 + 𝑐2 2

- If the two line are perpendicular to each other then

𝒂𝟏 𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟏 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟏 𝒄𝟐 = 𝟎

- If the two line are parallel to each other then

𝒂𝟏 𝒃𝟏 𝒄𝟏
= =
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒄𝟐