Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2015 / Prelims / Mathematics IV / 1

LetThe vector triple product identity $(\mathbf{a}\wedge \mathbf{b})\wedge \mathbf{a}=|\mathbf{a}{|}^2\mathbf{b}-(\mathbf{a}\cdot \mathbf{b})\mathbf{a}$ shows that ${\mathbf{r}}_0\wedge \mathbf{a}=\mathbf{b}$. Moreover, $(\mathbf{r}-{\mathbf{r}}_0)\wedge \mathbf{a}=0$ exactly when $\mathbf{r}-{\mathbf{r}}_0$ is a scalar multiple of $\mathbf{a}$. Thus the given line isAlso $\mathbf{a}\wedge {\mathbf{r}}_0=-\mathbf{b}$, so $\mathbf{N}=\mathbf{a}\wedge (\mathbf{y}-{\mathbf{r}}_0)$. The assumption $\mathbf{N}\ne 0$ says precisely that $\mathbf{y}$ is outside $L$. Consequently $L$ and $\mathbf{y}$ determine a unique plane, with normal vector $\mathbf{N}$.

To identify its equation, use cyclic invariance of the scalar triple product:For $\mathbf{r}\in L$, this equals $\mathbf{y}\cdot \mathbf{b}$, while $\mathbf{r}\cdot \mathbf{b}=\mathbf{r}\cdot (\mathbf{r}\wedge \mathbf{a})=0$. Hence $\mathbf{r}\cdot \mathbf{N}=\mathbf{y}\cdot \mathbf{b}$ throughout $L$. The point $\mathbf{y}$ also satisfies that equation because $\mathbf{y}\cdot (\mathbf{a}\wedge \mathbf{y})=0$. Since $\mathbf{N}\ne 0$, the required plane is therefore exactlyThis also proves the reusable plane through a point and a line given by a cross product construction.

The three lines have the convenient parametric equationsFor $L_1$, substitute $\mathbf{a}=\mathbf{i}$, $\mathbf{b}=\mathbf{j}$ in the plane through a point and a line given by a cross product formula. Its normal vector is $\mathbf{j}+\mathbf{i}\wedge \mathbf{y}=(0,1-y_3,y_2)$. Cyclically permuting the coordinates gives all three planes:Each normal vector is nonzero because $\mathbf{y}$ is not on the corresponding line. Thus these are genuine planes, and each is unique.

Suppose a line $T$ through $\mathbf{y}$ meets each $L_i$. Its intersection with $L_i$ is different from $\mathbf{y}$, so $T$ lies in ${\Pi }_i$. A nonzero direction vector $\mathbf{d}$ for $T$ must therefore satisfyA square matrix admitting a nonzero vector $\mathbf{d}$ with $M\mathbf{d}=0$ has zero determinant. Expanding givesThus the necessary condition isThe condition is not sufficient. Take $\mathbf{y}=(2,1,0)$, which is on none of the three original lines. It satisfies the condition, since $2+1-2=1$. The three plane equations becomeTheir common intersection is the single line $T=\{(s,1,0):s\in \mathbb{R}\}$. Any proposed line through $\mathbf{y}$ meeting all three original lines would have to be this $T$. But $T$ never meets $L_1=\{(s,0,1):s\in \mathbb{R}\}$: their second and third coordinates differ. The zero determinant guarantees a common direction for the three planes; it does not guarantee the required intersections. This is a parallel obstruction to a transversal of three skew lines.