Chapter 14: Problem 18
$$\text { Find } x \text { and } y \text { such that }\left(\begin{array}{l} 2 \\ x \\ y \end{array}\right) \text { is perpendicular to both }\left(\begin{array}{r} 3 \\ 1 \\ -1 \end{array}\right) \text { and }\left(\begin{array}{r} 4 \\ -1 \\ 2 \end{array}\right)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( x = -20 \) and \( y = -14 \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand Perpendicularity
For a vector \( \mathbf{v} \) to be perpendicular to another vector \( \mathbf{u} \), their dot product must equal zero. This means \( \mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v} = 0 \). We need to apply this to both given vectors.
02
Apply Dot Product Condition to First Vector
Find the dot product of \( \begin{pmatrix} 2 \ x \ y \end{pmatrix} \) and \( \begin{pmatrix} 3 \ 1 \ -1 \end{pmatrix} \):\[2 \cdot 3 + x \cdot 1 + y \cdot (-1) = 6 + x - y = 0\]This simplifies to the equation: \( x - y = -6 \).
03
Apply Dot Product Condition to Second Vector
Find the dot product of \( \begin{pmatrix} 2 \ x \ y \end{pmatrix} \) and \( \begin{pmatrix} 4 \ -1 \ 2 \end{pmatrix} \):\[2 \cdot 4 + x \cdot (-1) + y \cdot 2 = 8 - x + 2y = 0\]This simplifies to the equation: \( -x + 2y = -8 \).
04
Solve the System of Equations
Now solve the simultaneous equations:1. \( x - y = -6 \)2. \( -x + 2y = -8 \)Add the two equations to eliminate \( x \):\[(x - y) + (-x + 2y) = -6 - 8\]\[y = -14\]Plug \( y = -14 \) into the first equation:\[x - (-14) = -6 \x + 14 = -6 \x = -20\]
05
Verify the Solution
Substitute \( x = -20 \) and \( y = -14 \) back into both initial dot product equations to verify.For \( x - y = -6 \):\[-20 - (-14) = -6 \] (True)For \( -x + 2y = -8 \):\[-(-20) + 2(-14) = 20 - 28 = -8 \] (True)Both equations are satisfied, so \( x = -20 \) and \( y = -14 \) are correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Dot Product
The dot product is a fundamental concept in vector mathematics that serves as a tool for understanding the relationship between two vectors. It is calculated by multiplying the corresponding components of the vectors and summing the results. If you have vectors \( \mathbf{a} = \begin{pmatrix} a_1 \ a_2 \ a_3 \end{pmatrix} \) and \( \mathbf{b} = \begin{pmatrix} b_1 \ b_2 \ b_3 \end{pmatrix} \), the dot product is expressed as:
- \( \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 + a_3b_3 \)
- If the dot product is zero, the vectors are perpendicular, meaning they meet at a right angle.
- If the dot product is positive, the vectors point in a generally similar direction.
- If the dot product is negative, they point in opposite directions.
Perpendicular Vectors
When two vectors are perpendicular, they intersect at a 90-degree angle. This relationship is mathematically captured by the condition that their dot product equals zero. Let's take two vectors, \( \mathbf{u} = \begin{pmatrix} u_1 \ u_2 \ u_3 \end{pmatrix} \) and \( \mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} v_1 \ v_2 \ v_3 \end{pmatrix} \). They are perpendicular if:
- \( \mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v} = u_1v_1 + u_2v_2 + u_3v_3 = 0 \)
- In physics, for determining orthogonality in force directions.
- In engineering, for ensuring stability in structures.
- In computer graphics, for calculating normals to surfaces which affect lighting and shading.
System of Equations
A system of equations is a set of equations with multiple variables that you solve together. Each equation represents a constraint on the variables, and the solution satisfies all conditions simultaneously. Consider two linear equations:
- \( ax + by = c \)
- \( dx + ey = f \)
- Substitution: Solve one equation for one variable and substitute into the other.
- Elimination: Add or subtract equations to eliminate one variable, simplifying the system to a single equation with one unknown.
- Graphical Method: Plotting each equation on a graph helps visualize where solutions might lie.