Why are the coefficients of the equation of a plane the normal vector of a plane?

Solution 1:

Given a point $O=(x_0,y_0,z_0)$ and a vector $\vec n=\langle a,b,c\rangle$, we can describe a plane as the set of points $P=(x,y,z)$ such that $\vec{OP}\cdot \vec n=0$. In other words, the set of vectors, perpedicular to $\vec n$.

$$a(x-x_0)+b(y-y_0)+c(z-z_0)=0\implies ax+by+cz=ax_0+by_0+cz_0.$$

Letting $d=ax_0+by_0+cz_0$ gives the usual equation of the plane.