A system of equations is a collection of two or more equations with the same set of unknowns. When solving problems involving the intersection of lines in 3D space, it is often necessary to create such a system to find the point, if any, at which the lines cross.
In the case of the exercise provided, we can create a system of equations using the parametric equations of each line. By equating the x, y, and z components from each line, we're looking for a common solution that satisfies all equations simultaneously – this solution will correspond to the intersection point.
Steps to Solve a System
- Write Out the Equations: First, we express each line with its respective parameter.
- Combine Equations: Next, we set the parametric equations from both lines equal to each other along each dimension (x, y, and z).
- Solve The System: We manipulate the equations algebraically to solve for the parameters. This generally involves substitution or elimination methods.
Learning to solve these systems is critical, as it extends to finding solutions in various disciplines such as physics, engineering, and economics.