Plane (mathematics)

In mathematics, a plane is the fundamental two-dimensional object. Intuitively, it may be visualized as a flat infinite piece of paper.

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Most of the fundamental work in geometry, trigonometry, and graphing is performed in two dimensions, or in other words, in a plane.

Related Topics:
Geometry - Trigonometry

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Given a plane, one can introduce a Cartesian coordinate system on it in order to label every point on the plane uniquely with two numbers, its coordinates.

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In a three-dimensional x-y-z coordinate system, one can define a plane as the set of all solutions of an equation

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:ax + by + cz + d = 0,

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where a, b, c and d are real numbers such that not all of a, b, c are zero. Alternatively, a plane may be described parametrically as the set of all points of the form u + s v + t w where s and t range over all real numbers, and u, v and w are given vectors defining the plane.

Related Topics:
Real number - Vector

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A plane is uniquely determined by any of the following combinations:

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• three non-collinear points (not lying on the same line)
• a line and a point not on the line
• a point and a line, which is normal (perpendicular) to the plane
• two lines which intersect
• two lines which are parallel

In three-dimensional space, two different planes are either parallel or they intersect in a line. A line which is not parallel to a given plane intersects that plane in a single point.

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Plane (mathematics): Plane determined by a point and a normal vector ►