Animated Solution for Mathematics - Three Dimensional Geometry: The radius of the circle in which the sphere x2+y2+z2+2x−2y−4z−19=0 is cut by the plane x+2y+2z+7=0 is
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Visualized Solution
Visualizing the Sphere-Plane Intersection
The intersection of a sphere and a plane is always a circle.
Let O be the center of the sphere and R be its radius.
Let C be the center of the intersection circle and r be its radius.
The distance OC=d is the perpendicular distance from O to the plane.
The Geometry of the Cut
In the right-angled triangle △OCA, the angle at C is 90∘.
By Pythagoras Theorem, we have: OA2=OC2+AC2
This simplifies to the relation: R2=d2+r2
Solving for the circle's radius: r=R2−d2
Finding the Center of the Sphere O
The general equation of a sphere is x2+y2+z2+2ux+2vy+2wz+dsphere=0.
Comparing with x2+y2+z2+2x−2y−4z−19=0:
2u=2⟹u=1
2v=−2⟹v=−1
2w=−4⟹w=−2
The center is O(−u,−v,−w)=(−1,1,2).
Calculating the Sphere's Radius R
The radius of the sphere is given by: R=u2+v2+w2−dsphere
Substitute u=1, v=−1, w=−2, and dsphere=−19:
R=12+(−1)2+(−2)2−(−19)
R=1+1+4+19=25=5
Perpendicular Distance Formula
The perpendicular distance d from a point (x1,y1,z1) to a plane ax+by+cz+dplane=0 is:
d=a2+b2+c2∣ax1+by1+cz1+dplane∣
This formula gives the shortest distance from the sphere's center to the cutting plane.
Calculating the Distance d
Substitute the center O(−1,1,2) and the plane x+2y+2z+7=0 into the formula:
d=12+22+22∣1(−1)+2(1)+2(2)+7∣
d=1+4+4∣−1+2+4+7∣=912=312=4
Finding the Circle's Radius r
Now substitute R=5 and d=4 into the Pythagoras relation:
r=R2−d2
r=52−42=25−16
r=9=3
Summary of Sphere-Plane Intersections
The radius of the intersection circle is r=3.
If d=0, the plane passes through the center, forming a Great Circle (r=R).
If d=R, the plane is tangent to the sphere (r=0).
If d>R, the plane does not intersect the sphere.
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The Sigma Insight: Equation of a Plane
Analyzing the Setup
Welcome, fellow traveler of the mathematical cosmos! Today, we are embarking on a journey into the heart of three-dimensional geometry.
Imagine a perfect sphere defined by the equation:
x2+y2+z2+2x−2y−4z−19=0
Our mission is to determine the radius of the circle formed when the plane x+2y+2z+7=0 slices through this sphere. This exploration relies on the fundamental symmetry of spatial relationships.
Phase 1
Unmasking the Sphere
To understand the sphere, we compare the given equation to the general form x2+y2+z2+2ux+2vy+2wz+dsphere=0. By identifying the coefficients, we find u=1, v=−1, and w=−2.
The center of the sphere, O(−u,−v,−w), is located at (−1,1,2). This point serves as the heart of our sphere.
Next, we calculate the radius R using the formula R=u2+v2+w2−dsphere:
R=12+(−1)2+(−2)2−(−19)
R=1+1+4+19=25=5
Phase 2
The Plane's Intrusion
The plane x+2y+2z+7=0 acts as our cutting tool. To find the radius of the intersection circle, we must first determine the perpendicular distance d from the center O(−1,1,2) to this plane.
Using the distance formula d=a2+b2+c2∣ax1+by1+cz1+dplane∣, we substitute our values:
d=12+22+22∣1(−1)+2(1)+2(2)+7∣
Simplifying this expression yields:
d=1+4+4∣−1+2+4+7∣=912=4
Phase 3
The Geometric Bridge
We now utilize the geometric relationship between the sphere's center O, the circle's center C, and a point A on the circle's circumference. These points form a right-angled triangle where the hypotenuse is the sphere's radius R, one leg is the distance d, and the other leg is the circle's radius r.
By the Pythagorean theorem, R2=d2+r2, which implies r=R2−d2. Substituting our known values:
r=52−42
r=25−16=9=3
The radius of the intersection circle is 3. This journey demonstrates that even complex 3D problems can be resolved through simple, elegant geometric steps.