How to Find a Vector Equation and Parametric Equations for a Line Segment Connecting Two Points?

To find the vector equation and parametric equations for the line segment that joins the points P(0, 1, 1) and Q(12, 13, 14), we can follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify the Direction Vector

First, we need to determine the direction vector, which is obtained by subtracting the coordinates of point P from those of point Q:

Direction Vector = Q - P = (12 - 0, 13 - 1, 14 - 1) = (12, 12, 13)

Step 2: Write the Vector Equation

The vector equation of the line segment can be expressed as:

R(t) = P + t(Q - P)

Here, R(t) is the position vector at parameter t, where t varies from 0 to 1, P is the position vector of point P, and (Q – P) is the direction vector.

Substituting the points, we get:

R(t) = (0, 1, 1) + t(12, 12, 13)

Step 3: Parametric Equations

Next, we can derive the parametric equations from the vector equation:

  • x(t) = 0 + 12t = 12t
  • y(t) = 1 + 12t
  • z(t) = 1 + 13t

Now, we specify the parameter t in the range [0, 1]:

  • When t = 0, we are at point P(0, 1, 1)
  • When t = 1, we reach point Q(12, 13, 14)

Final Result

Therefore, the vector equation for the line segment joining P and Q is:

R(t) = (0, 1, 1) + t(12, 12, 13)

And the parametric equations are:

  • x(t) = 12t
  • y(t) = 1 + 12t
  • z(t) = 1 + 13t

Where t is in the interval [0, 1].

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