Write the equation of the tangent plane to the ellipsoid

geometry

I'm trying to solve this task:

Write the equation of the tangent plane to the ellipsoid $\dfrac{x^2}{32} + \dfrac{y^2}{18} + \dfrac{z^2}{5} = 1$ passing through the point $(-12, -3, -1)$ and parallel to the axis $Oz$.

I know that the equation to the ellipsoid in this case looks like this: $\dfrac{x * x_0}{32} + \dfrac{y * y_0}{18} + \dfrac{z * z_0}{5} = 1$.

All planes parallel to axis $Oz$ look like this: $Ax + By + D = 0$.

Answer is: $3x + 4y – 24 = 0$ and $3x – 28y – 120 = 0$. I don't understand why there're two of them and how I can get these equations.

Could somebody please give a hint?

Best Answer

A hint :

In fact, your 3D issue can be reduced to a 2D issue, by vertical projection onto the x-y plane.

I.e., by taking $z=0$, it is the same as finding the equations of the tangents to the ellipse with equation :

$$\dfrac{x^2}{32} + \dfrac{y^2}{18} = 1$$

issued from exterior point : $$(12,-3)$$.

Here is a graphical representation:

enter image description here

Is this hint sufficient ?

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