Chapter 9: Problem 33
Two vectors \(u\) and \(v\) are given. Find the angle (expressed in degrees) between \(\mathbf{u}\) and \(v\) $$\mathbf{u}=\langle 2,-2,-1\rangle, \quad \mathbf{v}=\langle 1,2,2\rangle$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The angle between the vectors is approximately 116.57 degrees.
Step by step solution
01
Calculate the Dot Product
The dot product of two vectors \( \mathbf{a} = \langle a_1, a_2, a_3 \rangle \) and \( \mathbf{b} = \langle b_1, b_2, b_3 \rangle \) can be calculated using the formula \( \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 + a_3b_3 \). For \( \mathbf{u} = \langle 2, -2, -1 \rangle \) and \( \mathbf{v} = \langle 1, 2, 2 \rangle \), the dot product is:\[ \mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v} = (2)(1) + (-2)(2) + (-1)(2) = 2 - 4 - 2 = -4 \]
02
Calculate the Magnitude of Vectors
The magnitude of a vector \( \mathbf{a} = \langle a_1, a_2, a_3 \rangle \) is given by \( ||\mathbf{a}|| = \sqrt{a_1^2 + a_2^2 + a_3^2} \).- For \( \mathbf{u} \): \[ ||\mathbf{u}|| = \sqrt{2^2 + (-2)^2 + (-1)^2} = \sqrt{4 + 4 + 1} = \sqrt{9} = 3 \]- For \( \mathbf{v} \): \[ ||\mathbf{v}|| = \sqrt{1^2 + 2^2 + 2^2} = \sqrt{1 + 4 + 4} = \sqrt{9} = 3 \]
03
Use Cosine Formula to Find the Angle
The angle \( \theta \) between two vectors can be found using the formula: \( \cos \theta = \frac{\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v}}{||\mathbf{u}|| \, ||\mathbf{v}||} \).Substitute the dot product and magnitudes from above:\[ \cos \theta = \frac{-4}{3 \times 3} = \frac{-4}{9} \]
04
Calculate the Angle in Degrees
To find \( \theta \), take the inverse cosine (or arccos) of \( \frac{-4}{9} \) and then convert the angle from radians to degrees using the conversion factor \( \frac{180}{\pi} \).\[ \theta = \cos^{-1} \left( \frac{-4}{9} \right) \approx 116.57^{\circ} \]
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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 operation in vector algebra that helps in analyzing the relationship between two vectors. Imagine two vectors, \( \mathbf{a} = \langle a_1, a_2, a_3 \rangle \) and \( \mathbf{b} = \langle b_1, b_2, b_3 \rangle \). To find their dot product, you use the formula:
\[\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 + a_3b_3\]This expression essentially involves multiplying each corresponding component of the vectors and then summing the results.
\[\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 + a_3b_3\]This expression essentially involves multiplying each corresponding component of the vectors and then summing the results.
- Example: For vectors \( \mathbf{u} = \langle 2, -2, -1 \rangle \) and \( \mathbf{v} = \langle 1, 2, 2 \rangle \), the dot product is calculated as \( (2)(1) + (-2)(2) + (-1)(2) = -4 \).
- The result tells you something about the orientation of the vectors; when the dot product is zero, the vectors are perpendicular.
Magnitude of Vectors
The magnitude of a vector gives you an idea about its 'length' or 'size' in the space it occupies. For a vector \( \mathbf{a} = \langle a_1, a_2, a_3 \rangle \), its magnitude is computed through:
\[||\mathbf{a}|| = \sqrt{a_1^2 + a_2^2 + a_3^2}\]This formula involves squaring each of the vector's components, summing these squares, and then taking the square root of the result.
\[||\mathbf{a}|| = \sqrt{a_1^2 + a_2^2 + a_3^2}\]This formula involves squaring each of the vector's components, summing these squares, and then taking the square root of the result.
- For vector \( \mathbf{u} = \langle 2, -2, -1 \rangle \), the magnitude is calculated as \( \sqrt{4 + 4 + 1} = 3 \).
- Similarly, for vector \( \mathbf{v} = \langle 1, 2, 2 \rangle \), its magnitude is also \( 3 \).
Angle Between Vectors
Finding the angle between two vectors is a powerful way to understand their spatial relationship. The angle \( \theta \) can be calculated by using the dot product and the magnitudes of the vectors. The formula used is:
\[\cos \theta = \frac{\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v}}{||\mathbf{u}|| \, ||\mathbf{v}||}\]This involves dividing the dot product of the two vectors by the product of their magnitudes.
\[\cos \theta = \frac{\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v}}{||\mathbf{u}|| \, ||\mathbf{v}||}\]This involves dividing the dot product of the two vectors by the product of their magnitudes.
- For vectors \( \mathbf{u} = \langle 2, -2, -1 \rangle \) and \( \mathbf{v} = \langle 1, 2, 2 \rangle \), using the previously calculated dot product \( -4 \) and magnitudes \( 3 \), you find \( \cos \theta = \frac{-4}{9} \).
- To find the actual angle \( \theta \), take the arccosine of \( \frac{-4}{9} \), which gives approximately \( 116.57^{\circ} \).