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  3. Question about general equation for a line in 3d [modified]

Question about general equation for a line in 3d [modified]

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  • G GAMerritt

    Someone was asking about that a while back: Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ? http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=165472[^] I think the R-difference (from R3 to R1) in dimensionality accounts for it. That's why there's no form analogous to Ax + By + C that includes a z-coefficient. Any ideas ? The only equation that might come close to fitting the bill is this one: Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 If B2 - 4AC is zero this equation might represent a line, or two lines if less than zero. But this requires a section by a plane of a conic surface; and although it's a scalar equation, it still isn't linear; so I don't think it's suitable.

    modified on Monday, March 14, 2011 5:09 PM

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    NormDroid
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    42

    Software Kinetics - The home of good software

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    • G GAMerritt

      Someone was asking about that a while back: Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ? http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=165472[^] I think the R-difference (from R3 to R1) in dimensionality accounts for it. That's why there's no form analogous to Ax + By + C that includes a z-coefficient. Any ideas ? The only equation that might come close to fitting the bill is this one: Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 If B2 - 4AC is zero this equation might represent a line, or two lines if less than zero. But this requires a section by a plane of a conic surface; and although it's a scalar equation, it still isn't linear; so I don't think it's suitable.

      modified on Monday, March 14, 2011 5:09 PM

      A Offline
      A Offline
      AspDotNetDev
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      So, a 3D version of y = mx + b?

      y = mx + Mz + b

      Note that m and M are just constants that may not have the same meaning as m in the original equation. Also note that I didn't understand a word you said, so I could be completely off base.

      [WikiLeaks Cablegate Cables]

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      • A AspDotNetDev

        So, a 3D version of y = mx + b?

        y = mx + Mz + b

        Note that m and M are just constants that may not have the same meaning as m in the original equation. Also note that I didn't understand a word you said, so I could be completely off base.

        [WikiLeaks Cablegate Cables]

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        TheGreatAndPowerfulOz
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        y = ax + bz + c

        "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams "Let me get this straight. You know her. She knows you. But she wants to eat him. And everybody's okay with this?" - Timon

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        • G GAMerritt

          Someone was asking about that a while back: Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ? http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=165472[^] I think the R-difference (from R3 to R1) in dimensionality accounts for it. That's why there's no form analogous to Ax + By + C that includes a z-coefficient. Any ideas ? The only equation that might come close to fitting the bill is this one: Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 If B2 - 4AC is zero this equation might represent a line, or two lines if less than zero. But this requires a section by a plane of a conic surface; and although it's a scalar equation, it still isn't linear; so I don't think it's suitable.

          modified on Monday, March 14, 2011 5:09 PM

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          D Offline
          DaveAuld
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          whoooooooosh![^] [sound of that rapidly flying right over my head, in case youtube not working for you!]

          Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn


          Folding Stats: Team CodeProject

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          • G GAMerritt

            Someone was asking about that a while back: Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ? http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=165472[^] I think the R-difference (from R3 to R1) in dimensionality accounts for it. That's why there's no form analogous to Ax + By + C that includes a z-coefficient. Any ideas ? The only equation that might come close to fitting the bill is this one: Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 If B2 - 4AC is zero this equation might represent a line, or two lines if less than zero. But this requires a section by a plane of a conic surface; and although it's a scalar equation, it still isn't linear; so I don't think it's suitable.

            modified on Monday, March 14, 2011 5:09 PM

            L Offline
            L Offline
            Luc Pattyn
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            In 2D a line could be represented as Ax+By+C=0; this merely is a single constraint, reducing the 2D space to a one-dimensional collection of points. Similarly in 3D a plane could be Ax+By+Cz+D=0, and a line would be the intersection of two planes (it takes two constraints to reduce a 3D space to a one-dimensional object). Another approach is using a parameter, say t. Then a line would be the combination of: x=At+B, and y=Ct+D, and z=Et+F (take as many as you need for an N-dimensional space). One can think of t as time, and the point traveling along the intended line over time. :)

            Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum

            Please use <PRE> tags for code snippets, they preserve indentation, improve readability, and make me actually look at the code.

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            • A AspDotNetDev

              So, a 3D version of y = mx + b?

              y = mx + Mz + b

              Note that m and M are just constants that may not have the same meaning as m in the original equation. Also note that I didn't understand a word you said, so I could be completely off base.

              [WikiLeaks Cablegate Cables]

              L Offline
              L Offline
              Luc Pattyn
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              Nope, that would be a plane, as for every pair (x,z) you get a y-value. :)

              Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum

              Please use <PRE> tags for code snippets, they preserve indentation, improve readability, and make me actually look at the code.

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              • D DaveAuld

                whoooooooosh![^] [sound of that rapidly flying right over my head, in case youtube not working for you!]

                Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn


                Folding Stats: Team CodeProject

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                Luc Pattyn
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                landing gear inspection? :)

                Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum

                Please use <PRE> tags for code snippets, they preserve indentation, improve readability, and make me actually look at the code.

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                • L Luc Pattyn

                  landing gear inspection? :)

                  Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum

                  Please use <PRE> tags for code snippets, they preserve indentation, improve readability, and make me actually look at the code.

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                  DaveAuld
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  so thats not the plane he's on about travelling from point a to b to c then.......... :rolleyes:

                  Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn


                  Folding Stats: Team CodeProject

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                  • D DaveAuld

                    so thats not the plane he's on about travelling from point a to b to c then.......... :rolleyes:

                    Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn


                    Folding Stats: Team CodeProject

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                    Luc Pattyn
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    No, mathematical planes are infinite; maybe slower than yours, but a lot bigger. :)

                    Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum

                    Please use <PRE> tags for code snippets, they preserve indentation, improve readability, and make me actually look at the code.

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                    • G GAMerritt

                      Someone was asking about that a while back: Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ? http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=165472[^] I think the R-difference (from R3 to R1) in dimensionality accounts for it. That's why there's no form analogous to Ax + By + C that includes a z-coefficient. Any ideas ? The only equation that might come close to fitting the bill is this one: Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 If B2 - 4AC is zero this equation might represent a line, or two lines if less than zero. But this requires a section by a plane of a conic surface; and although it's a scalar equation, it still isn't linear; so I don't think it's suitable.

                      modified on Monday, March 14, 2011 5:09 PM

                      I Offline
                      I Offline
                      Iain Clarke Warrior Programmer
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      GAMerritt wrote:

                      Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ?

                      I'm thinking you have the question back to front. Let's pretend a 1D universe. Then you have this equation:

                      ax = d

                      aka, in a 1D world, a scalar equation defines a point, or 0D object. In a 2D universe, you get this equation:

                      ax + by = d

                      aka, in a 2D world, a scalar equation defines a line, or 1D object. In a 3D universe, you get this equation:

                      ax + by + cz= d

                      aka, in a 3D world, a scalar equation defines a plane, or 2D object. To extrapolate... Σ(1->n) coeff [n] * axis [n] = d give an n-1 dimensional object. We just happen to have names for the previous things. I have no idea what you'd call a 3d scalar object in a 4d world. A hyper-plane? I hope that made some sense. Knowing how these things work, some italian mathematician will have written this all much more nicely and elegantly four hundred years ago. Iain. [Modified to fix typo - twice]

                      I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!

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                      • I Iain Clarke Warrior Programmer

                        GAMerritt wrote:

                        Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ?

                        I'm thinking you have the question back to front. Let's pretend a 1D universe. Then you have this equation:

                        ax = d

                        aka, in a 1D world, a scalar equation defines a point, or 0D object. In a 2D universe, you get this equation:

                        ax + by = d

                        aka, in a 2D world, a scalar equation defines a line, or 1D object. In a 3D universe, you get this equation:

                        ax + by + cz= d

                        aka, in a 3D world, a scalar equation defines a plane, or 2D object. To extrapolate... Σ(1->n) coeff [n] * axis [n] = d give an n-1 dimensional object. We just happen to have names for the previous things. I have no idea what you'd call a 3d scalar object in a 4d world. A hyper-plane? I hope that made some sense. Knowing how these things work, some italian mathematician will have written this all much more nicely and elegantly four hundred years ago. Iain. [Modified to fix typo - twice]

                        I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!

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                        TheGreatAndPowerfulOz
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:

                        ax + by + cy= d

                        did you mean ax + by + cz = d?

                        "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams "Let me get this straight. You know her. She knows you. But she wants to eat him. And everybody's okay with this?" - Timon

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                        • I Iain Clarke Warrior Programmer

                          GAMerritt wrote:

                          Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ?

                          I'm thinking you have the question back to front. Let's pretend a 1D universe. Then you have this equation:

                          ax = d

                          aka, in a 1D world, a scalar equation defines a point, or 0D object. In a 2D universe, you get this equation:

                          ax + by = d

                          aka, in a 2D world, a scalar equation defines a line, or 1D object. In a 3D universe, you get this equation:

                          ax + by + cz= d

                          aka, in a 3D world, a scalar equation defines a plane, or 2D object. To extrapolate... Σ(1->n) coeff [n] * axis [n] = d give an n-1 dimensional object. We just happen to have names for the previous things. I have no idea what you'd call a 3d scalar object in a 4d world. A hyper-plane? I hope that made some sense. Knowing how these things work, some italian mathematician will have written this all much more nicely and elegantly four hundred years ago. Iain. [Modified to fix typo - twice]

                          I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!

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                          Soulus83
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:

                          ax + by + cyz= d

                          I suppose the number of dimensions is proportionally direct to the number of variables in a scalar equation XD

                          Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:

                          I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!

                          Then we are two! :-D

                          "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--either way, you are right." — Henry Ford

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                          • T TheGreatAndPowerfulOz

                            Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:

                            ax + by + cy= d

                            did you mean ax + by + cz = d?

                            "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams "Let me get this straight. You know her. She knows you. But she wants to eat him. And everybody's okay with this?" - Timon

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                            Iain Clarke Warrior Programmer
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            ahmed zahmed wrote:

                            did you mean ax + by + cz = d?

                            It is possible, I suppose...

                            I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!

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                            • I Iain Clarke Warrior Programmer

                              GAMerritt wrote:

                              Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ?

                              I'm thinking you have the question back to front. Let's pretend a 1D universe. Then you have this equation:

                              ax = d

                              aka, in a 1D world, a scalar equation defines a point, or 0D object. In a 2D universe, you get this equation:

                              ax + by = d

                              aka, in a 2D world, a scalar equation defines a line, or 1D object. In a 3D universe, you get this equation:

                              ax + by + cz= d

                              aka, in a 3D world, a scalar equation defines a plane, or 2D object. To extrapolate... Σ(1->n) coeff [n] * axis [n] = d give an n-1 dimensional object. We just happen to have names for the previous things. I have no idea what you'd call a 3d scalar object in a 4d world. A hyper-plane? I hope that made some sense. Knowing how these things work, some italian mathematician will have written this all much more nicely and elegantly four hundred years ago. Iain. [Modified to fix typo - twice]

                              I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:

                              ax + by + cz= d

                              That's the equation for a plane. A line in 3 dimensions is the intersection of two planes. Cheers, Drew.

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                              • G GAMerritt

                                Someone was asking about that a while back: Why is there no scalar equation for a line in three dimensions ? http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=165472[^] I think the R-difference (from R3 to R1) in dimensionality accounts for it. That's why there's no form analogous to Ax + By + C that includes a z-coefficient. Any ideas ? The only equation that might come close to fitting the bill is this one: Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 If B2 - 4AC is zero this equation might represent a line, or two lines if less than zero. But this requires a section by a plane of a conic surface; and although it's a scalar equation, it still isn't linear; so I don't think it's suitable.

                                modified on Monday, March 14, 2011 5:09 PM

                                S Offline
                                S Offline
                                Super Lloyd
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                the linear equation is, in "geometric term" OA . OM = 0 where OA is your line vector and M a point in the plane in 3D I guess you can try | OA ^ OM | = 0 So if AO = (a, b, c) and OM = (x, y, z) something along the lines of (IIR, might have some sign error) | (bz - cy, cx - az, ay - bx ) | = 0 (bz - cy)^2 + (cx - az)^2 + (ay -bx)^2 = 0

                                A train station is where the train stops. A bus station is where the bus stops. On my desk, I have a work station.... _________________________________________________________ My programs never have bugs, they just develop random features.

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                                • L Lost User

                                  Iain Clarke, Warrior Programmer wrote:

                                  ax + by + cz= d

                                  That's the equation for a plane. A line in 3 dimensions is the intersection of two planes. Cheers, Drew.

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                                  Iain Clarke Warrior Programmer
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  You are right, I did miswrite it. I do know it's a plane - that was kind of the central thesis. Seems I should not try to be deep near bedtime! Iain.

                                  I am one of "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs". Yay me!

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