Chapter 11: Problem 50
Orthogonal vectors Let a and b be real numbers. Describe all unit vectors orthogonal to \(\mathbf{v}=\mathbf{i}+\mathbf{j}+\mathbf{k}\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
Question: Find all possible unit vectors orthogonal to the given vector \(\mathbf{v} = \mathbf{i}+\mathbf{j}+\mathbf{k}\).
Answer: The unit vectors orthogonal to \(\mathbf{v}\) must satisfy the equation \(a^2 + b^2 + ab = \dfrac{1}{2}\), where \(\mathbf{u} = a\mathbf{i} + b\mathbf{j} + c\mathbf{k}\) and \(c = -a - b\).
Step by step solution
01
Define Orthogonal Condition
For two vectors \(\mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{u}\) to be orthogonal, their dot product must be equal to 0. The dot product of two vectors \(\mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{u}\) is given by:
\( \mathbf{v} \cdot \mathbf{u} = \lVert \mathbf{v} \rVert \lVert \mathbf{u} \rVert \cos{\theta}\)
where \(\lVert \mathbf{v} \rVert\) and \(\lVert \mathbf{u} \rVert\) are the magnitudes of \(\mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{u}\), respectively, and \(\theta\) represents the angle between \(\mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{u}\). Since \(\mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{u}\) are orthogonal, \(\theta = 90 ^{\circ}\), which means \(\cos{\theta} = 0\). Thus, their dot product must be equal to 0.
02
Set Up the Dot Product
Let \(\mathbf{u} = a\mathbf{i} + b\mathbf{j} + c\mathbf{k}\) be a unit vector orthogonal to \(\mathbf{v} = \mathbf{i}+\mathbf{j}+\mathbf{k}\). Calculate the dot product \(\mathbf{v} \cdot \mathbf{u}\) as follows:
\(\mathbf{v} \cdot \mathbf{u} = (1)(a) + (1)(b) + (1)(c) = a + b + c\)
03
Apply the Orthogonal Condition
Since the vectors \(\mathbf{v}\) and \(\mathbf{u}\) are orthogonal, their dot product should be equal to 0. Substitute the dot product found in Step 2 and set it to 0:
\(a + b + c = 0\)
04
Apply the Unit Vector Condition
Since \(\mathbf{u}\) is a unit vector, its magnitude is equal to 1. Therefore, we have:
\(\lVert \mathbf{u} \rVert = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2 + c^2} = 1\)
Squaring both sides, we get:
\(a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 1\)
05
Find All Possible Unit Vectors
Now, we have two equations describing the unit vector \(\mathbf{u}\):
1. \(a + b + c = 0\)
2. \(a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 1\)
To describe all unit vectors orthogonal to \(\mathbf{v}\), combine the two equations:
\(a + b + c = 0 \Rightarrow c = -a - b\)
Substitute for \(c\) in the second equation:
\(a^2 + b^2 + (-a - b)^2 = 1\)
Simplify the equation:
\(a^2 + b^2 + a^2 + 2ab + b^2 = 1\)
Combine like terms:
\(2a^2 + 2b^2 + 2ab = 1\)
Divide the equation by 2:
\(a^2 + b^2 + ab = \dfrac{1}{2}\)
This equation describes all unit vectors \(\mathbf{u} = a\mathbf{i} + b\mathbf{j} + c\mathbf{k}\) orthogonal to the given vector \(\mathbf{v} = \mathbf{i}+\mathbf{j}+\mathbf{k}\).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Dot Product
The dot product is a way to multiply two vectors, which results in a scalar. This product is given by the formula:
- For vectors \( \mathbf{v} = x_1\mathbf{i} + y_1\mathbf{j} + z_1\mathbf{k} \) and \( \mathbf{u} = x_2\mathbf{i} + y_2\mathbf{j} + z_2\mathbf{k} \), the dot product is \( \mathbf{v} \cdot \mathbf{u} = x_1x_2 + y_1y_2 + z_1z_2 \).
Unit Vector
Unit vectors are vectors with a magnitude of exactly 1. These are often used to indicate direction because they don’t have any influence of length. The formula to find the length or magnitude of a vector \( \mathbf{u} = a\mathbf{i} + b\mathbf{j} + c\mathbf{k} \) is given by:
- \( \lVert \mathbf{u} \rVert = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2 + c^2} \)
Orthogonal Condition
The orthogonal condition is a criterion that determines when two vectors are perpendicular to each other. For two vectors, \( \mathbf{v} \) and \( \mathbf{u} \), to be orthogonal, their dot product must be zero:
- \( \mathbf{v} \cdot \mathbf{u} = 0 \)
Magnitude of Vector
The magnitude of a vector measures its length or size and is obtained using the formula:
- For a vector \( \mathbf{u} = a\mathbf{i} + b\mathbf{j} + c\mathbf{k} \), the magnitude is \( \lVert \mathbf{u} \rVert = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2 + c^2} \).