Chapter 11: Problem 3
Find the cosine of the angle between \(\mathbf{a}\) and \(\mathbf{b}\) and make a sketch. (a) \(\mathbf{a}=\langle 1,-3\rangle, \mathbf{b}=\langle-1,2\rangle\) (b) \(\mathbf{a}=\langle-1,-2\rangle, \mathbf{b}=\langle 6,0\rangle\) (c) \(\mathbf{a}=\langle 2,-1\rangle, \mathbf{b}=\langle-2,-4\rangle\) (d) \(\mathbf{a}=\langle 4,-7\rangle, \mathbf{b}=\langle-8,10\rangle\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Step 1a: Find Dot Product (a)
Step 2a: Find Magnitudes (a)
Step 3a: Calculate Cosine (a)
Step 4a: Sketch Vectors (a)
Step 1b: Find Dot Product (b)
Step 2b: Find Magnitudes (b)
Step 3b: Calculate Cosine (b)
Step 4b: Sketch Vectors (b)
Step 1c: Find Dot Product (c)
Step 2c: Find Magnitudes (c)
Step 3c: Calculate Cosine (c)
Step 4c: Sketch Vectors (c)
Step 1d: Find Dot Product (d)
Step 2d: Find Magnitudes (d)
Step 3d: Calculate Cosine (d)
Step 4d: Sketch Vectors (d)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Dot Product
- Multiply the x-components: \( x_1 \times x_2 \)
- Multiply the y-components: \( y_1 \times y_2 \)
- Add these products: \( a \cdot b = x_1 y_1 + x_2 y_2 \)
Magnitude of Vectors
- Square each component: \( x^2, y^2 \)
- Add the squared values: \( x^2 + y^2 \)
- Take the square root of the sum: \( ||\mathbf{a}|| = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} \)
Vector Sketch
- Start at the origin, or the tail of the vector, in a coordinate system.
- From there, plot the x-component along the x-axis.
- Next, plot the y-component upwards or downwards based on the positive or negative sign.
- Draw an arrow from the origin to this point. The arrow’s tip marks the vector’s head.
- Always indicate direction, as this conveys more than just length.
Perpendicular Vectors
- Two vectors \( \mathbf{a} \) and \( \mathbf{b} \) are perpendicular if: \( \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = 0 \)
- This means \( \cos(\theta) = 0 \) since \( \theta = 90^{\circ} \)
- Perpendicular vectors are common in coordinate systems, simplifying vector component analysis.