(i) For vectors a,b,c∈R3, show that
a×(b×c)=(a⋅c)b−(a⋅b)c.
Show that the plane (r−a)⋅n=0 and the line (r−b)×m=0, where m⋅n=0, intersect at the point
r=m⋅n(a⋅n)m+n×(b×m)
and only at that point. What happens if m⋅n=0 ?
(ii) Explain why the distance between the planes (r−a1)⋅n^=0 and (r−a2)⋅n^=0 is ∣(a1−a2)⋅n^∣, where n^ is a unit vector.
(iii) Find the shortest distance between the lines (3+s,3s,4−s) and (−2,3+t,3−t) where s,t∈R. [You may wish to consider two appropriately chosen planes and use the result of part (ii).]