I know that the equation of a hyperplane in n-dimensions is given by: w^T x+w_0=0 Where w is a vector that is perpendicular to the surface of the hyperplane and w_0 is a constant. I also know that if w_0=0, then the plane passes through the origin. My question is, what is the physical significance of the constant term w_0. Is it the distance of the plane to the origin? If not then what is its physical significance?

clovnerie0q

clovnerie0q

Answered question

2022-09-27

I know that the equation of a hyperplane in n-dimensions is given by:
w T x + w 0 = 0
Where w is a vector that is perpendicular to the surface of the hyperplane and w 0 is a constant. I also know that if w 0 = 0, then the plane passes through the origin. My question is, what is the physical significance of the constant term w 0 . Is it the distance of the plane to the origin? If not then what is its physical significance?

Answer & Explanation

Garrett Valenzuela

Garrett Valenzuela

Beginner2022-09-28Added 9 answers

Assume that the length of w is 1.
Since w is perpendicular to the hyperplane, the orthogonal projection of the origin to the hyperplane is λ w for a unique real number λ
The length of λ w is | λ | , this is the distance of the origin to the hyperplane, and since λ w is assumed to be on the hyperplane, it satisfies
w T ( λ w ) + w 0 = 0 λ = w 0
since w T w = w 2 = 1 by assumption.

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