Find the volume of the tetrahedron formed with the following vertices: P(1,5,-2); Q(3,1,4); R(0,-1,1); and S(2,-2,5).
As you have noted the volume of the tetrahedron is (1/3)bh. So the approach to take is to choose three vertices to be the base and find the area of the base. Then find the equation of the plane thru the three points. Finally find the distance of the fourth point from the plane. That will be the height of the tetrahedron.
First, let's define the base of the tetrahedron with:
P(1,5,-2); Q(3,1,4); R(0,-1,1)
Let
u = PQ = <3-1, 1-5, 4+2> = <2, -4, 6>
v = PR = <0-1, -1-5, 1+2> = <-1, -6, 3>
Recall that the area of a triangle with sides u, v, and included angle θ is
Area = (1/2)uvsinθ.
Recall also that the magnitude of the cross product of two vectors u and v is:
| u X v | = | u | | v | sinθ
So the area of the triangle defined by
P(1,5,-2); Q(3,1,4); R(0,-1,1) is:
b = Area = (1/2)| u X v |
u X v = <2, -4, 6> X <-1, -6, 3> = <24, -12, -16>
| u X v | = √[24² + (-12)² + (-16)²] = √976 = 4√61
b = Area = (1/2)| u X v | = (1/2)(4√61) = 2√61
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Find the distance d, from the remaining point S(2,-2,5), to the plane defined by the first three points. It will be in the direction of the vector n = u X v.
Remember the point P(1,5,-2) and define the vector PS.
PS = <2-1, -2-5, 5+2> = <1, -7, 7>
Let θ be the angle of the vector PS to the plane PQR. Then:
cosθ = d / |PS| = d / | n |
d = |PS|cosθ
The dot product of PS and n is:
PS • n = |PS| | n | cosθ
cosθ = (PS • n) / (|PS| | n |)
d = |PS|cosθ = (PS • n) / | n |
Plugging in values we have:
d = (PS • n) / | n | = <1, -7, 7> • <24, -12, -16> / (4√61)
d = (24 + 84 - 112) / (4√61) = -4 / (4√61) = -1/√61
We want the absolute value of that d = 1/√61.
The volume of the tetrahedron is:
V = (1/3)bh = (1/3)(2√61)(1/√61) = 2/3
2007-05-01 10:32:26
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answer #1
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answered by Northstar 7
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i'm a Christian and persist with that passage (element be conscious: this is effective in case you basically replica and paste the passage or a link to it fairly than making your answerers do it). inspite of the undeniable fact that, although if i did no longer, there are various things interior the Bible that i'm particular i could factor to that i do no longer persist with and which you do no longer persist with simply by fact of areas of our own weak point, and that does no longer advise we at the instant are not Christians. The Lord has my finished existence to artwork on me and rework me by the renewing of my strategies. a million Timtothy 2: eleven-15 8 I want then that for the time of each and every place the adult males could pray, lifting holy arms with out anger or quarreling; 9 likewise additionally that girls could advance themselves in respectable clothing, with modesty and power of strategies, no longer with braided hair and gold or pearls or severe priced outfits, 10 yet with what's suitable for women who profess godliness—with reliable works. eleven permit a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 i do no longer permit a woman to coach or to exercising authority over a guy; fairly, she is to proceed to be quiet. thirteen For Adam became shaped first, then Eve; 14 and Adam became no longer deceived, however the lady became deceived and became a transgressor. 15 yet she will have the skill to be saved by way of childbearing—in the event that they proceed in faith and love and holiness, with power of strategies. (sorry, basically found out I copied and pasted some extra effective verses)
2016-12-10 15:10:24
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answer #2
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answered by ? 4
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