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Determine if a given set of points all lie on the same line

In each of the following cases determine if the given set of points all lie on the same line.

  1. P = (2,1,1), Q = (4,1,-1), R = (3,-1,1).
  2. P = (2,2,3), Q = (-2,3,1), R = (-6,4,1).
  3. P = (2,1,1), Q = (-2,3,1), R = (5,-1,1).

  1. The points P,Q,R are not on the same line since the unique line containing P,R is given by

        \[ L = \{ P + t(P-R) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \} = \{ (2,1,1) + t(-1,2,0) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \} = \{ (2-t,1+2t,1) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \}. \]

    But, Q cannot be on this line since for any t, the third coordinate of every point on the line will be 1, while the third coordinate of Q is -1.

  2. The points P,Q,R are not on the same line since the unique line containing the points P,Q is given by

        \[ L = \{ P + t(P-Q) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \} = \{ (2,2,3) + t (4,-1,2) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \} = \{ (2+4t, 2-t, 3+2t) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \}. \]

    But, R is not on this line since if -6 = 2+4t then we must have t = -2. However, with t = -2 we have 3+2t = -1 \neq 1.

  3. The points P,Q,R are not on the same line since the unique line containing the points P,Q is given by

        \[ L = \{ P + t(P-Q) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \} = \{ (2,1,1) + t(4,-2,0) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \} = \{ (2+4t,1-2t,1) \mid t \in \mathbb{R} \}. \]

    But then R is not on this line since if 2+4t = 5 then t = \frac{3}{4}, but then 1-2t = -\frac{1}{2} \neq -1. Hence, R is not on the line.

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