Obtain the equation of the sphere circumscribing the tetrahedron formed by the Planes x = y = z = 0 and 2x + 3y + 4z - 12 = 0.?

1 Answer
May 24, 2018

# (x-3)^2+(y-2)^2+(z-3/2)^2=61/4, or, #

# x^2+y^2+z^2-6x-4y-3z=0#.

Explanation:

Observe that, the given line # x=y=0" (i.e., the Z-"# Axis ) and

the plane # 2x+3y+4z-12=0# intersects each other in the

point #C=C(0,0,3)#.

Clearly, #C# is one vertex of the tetrahedron in question.

Similarly, #A=A(6,0,0), B=B(0,4,0) and O=O(0,0,0)# are

the other vertices.

So, if #P(x,y,z) and r# are respectively the centre and the radius

of the sphere #S# circumscribing the tetrahedron #OABC#, then,

#OP^2=OA^2=OB^2=OC^2=r^2#.

#:. x^2+y^2+z^2=(x-6)^2+y^2+z^2=x^2+(y-4)^2+z^2=x^2+y^2+(z-3)^2#.

Now, #OP^2=OA^2 rArr x^2=(x-6)^2 rArr x=3#.

Likewise, #y=2, z=3/2," giving the centre "P=P(3,2,3/2)#.

#:. r^2=OP^2=3^2+2^2+(3/2)^2=61/4#.

#"Therefore, "S : (x-3)^2+(y-2)^2+(z-3/2)^2=61/4, or, #

# S : x^2+y^2+z^2-6x-4y-3z=0#.

Enjoy Maths.!