MATHEMATICS SPM

LINES AND PLANES IN

3-DIMENSIONS

“Open and Close” Method

to identify
i. Angles between Lines and
Planes (close method)
ii. Angles between Two Planes
(open method)

MOHD NAZAN BIN KAMARUL ZAMAN

SMK. KOTA KLIAS, BEAUFORT
Example 1
The following diagram shows a cuboid KLMNPQRS
Identify the angle between the line LP and the plane KLMN

S R

P Q

N M

K L
Solution
i. Draw the line LP and the plane KLMN

P
N M

K L
 ii. ‘Close’ the line LP and the plane KLMN together

N M

P K L

The line LP down straight to line KL, so the straight

line we use is line KL
 iii. ‘Open’ the line LP (180º)

M
N

p
K L P

Identify three points when we joint together become a straight

line.
The straight line is KLP or PLK ,
so the angle between the line LP and the plane KLMN
is ∠ KLP or ∠ PLK
Answer:

S R

P Q

N M

K L

The answer is ∠ KLP or ∠ PLK

Example 1
The following diagram shows a right prism ABCHED with a
horizontal plane ABCD. It is a uniform prism and its cross
section is an isosceles triangle of sides 4 cm. The thickness of
the prism, EA = 4 cm.

E D C

A B

Identify the angle between the plane ABH and the plane ABCD.
Solution
i. Draw the plane ABH and the plane ABCD

DD C

A B
iii. ‘Open’ the plane ABH (180º)

D C
D

A B

Therefore the angle between the two planes is

H ∠ DAH @ ∠ HAD