Math Problem Statement

Obtain the projection of the vector P<1, 6, 5> in the vector Q<-3, -5, 5>

Solution

To find the projection of vector P\mathbf{P} onto vector Q\mathbf{Q}, you can use the formula:

ProjQP=PQQ2Q\text{Proj}_{\mathbf{Q}} \mathbf{P} = \frac{\mathbf{P} \cdot \mathbf{Q}}{|\mathbf{Q}|^2} \mathbf{Q}

Here's how we can solve this step by step:

  1. Calculate the dot product PQ\mathbf{P} \cdot \mathbf{Q}:

PQ=(1)(3)+(6)(5)+(5)(5)=330+25=8\mathbf{P} \cdot \mathbf{Q} = (1)(-3) + (6)(-5) + (5)(5) = -3 - 30 + 25 = -8

  1. Calculate the magnitude squared of Q\mathbf{Q}:

Q2=(3)2+(5)2+52=9+25+25=59|\mathbf{Q}|^2 = (-3)^2 + (-5)^2 + 5^2 = 9 + 25 + 25 = 59

  1. Use the projection formula:

ProjQP=859Q=8593,5,5\text{Proj}_{\mathbf{Q}} \mathbf{P} = \frac{-8}{59} \mathbf{Q} = \frac{-8}{59} \langle -3, -5, 5 \rangle

  1. Multiply the scalar by the vector Q\mathbf{Q}:

ProjQP=859×3,859×5,859×5=2459,4059,4059\text{Proj}_{\mathbf{Q}} \mathbf{P} = \left\langle \frac{-8}{59} \times -3, \frac{-8}{59} \times -5, \frac{-8}{59} \times 5 \right\rangle = \left\langle \frac{24}{59}, \frac{40}{59}, \frac{-40}{59} \right\rangle

So, the projection of vector P=1,6,5\mathbf{P} = \langle 1, 6, 5 \rangle onto vector Q=3,5,5\mathbf{Q} = \langle -3, -5, 5 \rangle is:

ProjQP=2459,4059,4059\text{Proj}_{\mathbf{Q}} \mathbf{P} = \left\langle \frac{24}{59}, \frac{40}{59}, \frac{-40}{59} \right\rangle

Would you like any more details or have any other questions?


Here are 5 related questions for further exploration:

  1. How do you interpret the projection of one vector onto another?
  2. What is the difference between the projection and the component of a vector?
  3. How do you find the perpendicular component of a vector relative to another vector?
  4. How does the projection formula change in two-dimensional space?
  5. What are some applications of vector projections in physics or engineering?

Tip: The projection of a vector P\mathbf{P} onto another vector Q\mathbf{Q} shows the shadow or footprint of P\mathbf{P} along Q\mathbf{Q}.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vectors
Dot Product
Projection

Formulas

Projection formula: Proj_Q P = (P · Q / |Q|^2) Q

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Advanced High School