Condition for Planes to be Parallel

Theorem
Let $P: \alpha_1 x_1 + \alpha_2 x_2 + \alpha_3 x_3 = \gamma$ be a plane in $\R^3$.

Then the plane $P'$ is parallel to $P$ there is a $\gamma' \in \R$ such that:
 * $P' = \set {\tuple {x_1, x_2, x_3} \in \R^3 : \alpha_1 x_1 + \alpha_2 x_2 + \alpha_3 x_3 = \gamma'}$

Sufficient Condition
Let $P' \ne P$ be a plane given by the equation:


 * $\alpha_1 x_1 + \alpha_2 x_2 + \alpha_3 x_3 = \gamma'$

we have a point:
 * $\mathbf x = \tuple {x_1, x_2, x_3} \in P \cap P'$

Then, as $\mathbf x \in P$, it also satisfies:


 * $\alpha_1 x_1 + \alpha_2 x_2 + \alpha_3 x_3 = \gamma$

It follows that $\gamma = \gamma'$, so $P = P'$.

This contradiction shows that $P \cap P' = \O$, that is, $P$ and $P'$ are parallel.

The remaining case is when $P' = P$.

By definition, $P$ is parallel to itself.

The result follows.

Also see

 * Condition for Straight Lines in Plane to be Parallel