Question:medium

Intercepts of the plane \(\vec{r}\cdot\vec{n}=d \ (\ne0)\) on the coordinate axes respectively are:

Show Hint

To find the $x$-intercept of any vector plane equation, simply set the other coordinates to zero by evaluating $\vec{r} = x\hat{i}$. Substituting this into the plane equation gives $(x\hat{i})\cdot\vec{n} = d \implies x(\hat{i}\cdot\vec{n}) = d \implies x = \frac{d}{\hat{i}\cdot\vec{n}}$. This method allows you to verify the answer choice in a single step!
Updated On: May 28, 2026
  • $\frac{\hat{i}\cdot\vec{n}}{d}, \frac{\hat{j}\cdot\vec{n}}{d}, \frac{\hat{k}\cdot\vec{n}}{d}$
  • $\left|\frac{\hat{i}\cdot\hat{n}}{d}\right|, \left|\frac{\hat{j}\cdot\vec{n}}{d}\right|, \left|\frac{\hat{k}\cdot\vec{n}}{d}\right|$
  • $\frac{d}{\hat{i}\cdot\hat{n}}, \frac{d}{\hat{j}\cdot\hat{n}}, \frac{d}{\hat{k}\cdot\hat{n}}$
  • $\frac{d}{\hat{i}\cdot\vec{n}}, \frac{d}{\hat{j}\cdot\vec{n}}, \frac{d}{\hat{k}\cdot\vec{n}}$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
To find the intercept of a plane on a coordinate axis (say the X-axis), we set the position vector \( \vec{r} \) to represent a point on that axis. A point on the X-axis has the form \( \vec{r} = x\hat{i} \).
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. For X-intercept: Let \( \vec{r} = x\hat{i} \) and solve for \( x \).
2. For Y-intercept: Let \( \vec{r} = y\hat{j} \) and solve for \( y \).
3. For Z-intercept: Let \( \vec{r} = z\hat{k} \) and solve for \( z \).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Substitute \( \vec{r} = x\hat{i} \) into the plane equation \( \vec{r} \cdot \vec{n} = d \): \[ (x\hat{i}) \cdot \vec{n} = d \implies x(\hat{i} \cdot \vec{n}) = d \implies x = \frac{d}{\hat{i} \cdot \vec{n}} \] Similarly, for the Y-intercept, let \( \vec{r} = y\hat{j} \): \[ (y\hat{j}) \cdot \vec{n} = d \implies y(\hat{j} \cdot \vec{n}) = d \implies y = \frac{d}{\hat{j} \cdot \vec{n}} \] And for the Z-intercept, let \( \vec{r} = z\hat{k} \): \[ (z\hat{k}) \cdot \vec{n} = d \implies z(\hat{k} \cdot \vec{n}) = d \implies z = \frac{d}{\hat{k} \cdot \vec{n}} \] Step 4: Final Answer:
The intercepts are \( \frac{d}{\hat{i} \cdot \vec{n}}, \frac{d}{\hat{j} \cdot \vec{n}}, \frac{d}{\hat{k} \cdot \vec{n}} \), which is option (C).
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