Math Problem Statement
Find the unit vector parallel to the line x-z=y=z
Solution
We are given the equation of a line in the form . Let's break this down and rewrite it in parametric form, which will help us find the direction of the line, and from there, the unit vector parallel to it.
Step 1: Rewrite the equation of the line
The given equation is: This can be split into two parts:
- (because )
Let where is a parameter. Now we can express the coordinates , , and in terms of :
Step 2: Parametric form of the line
So, the parametric form of the line is: The direction vector of the line is obtained by considering the change in , , and with respect to the parameter , which gives us the vector:
Step 3: Find the unit vector
To find the unit vector parallel to the line, we first need the magnitude of the direction vector :
Now, the unit vector is found by dividing each component of by :
To simplify, multiply the components by to get the unit vector in a simpler form:
Thus, the unit vector parallel to the given line is:
Would you like more details on any of the steps? Here are some related questions you might explore:
- How do you find the parametric form of more complex lines?
- What is the importance of unit vectors in vector mathematics?
- Can you explain how to normalize a vector in more detail?
- What are some applications of unit vectors in physics or engineering?
- How do direction cosines relate to unit vectors?
Tip: Always double-check vector magnitudes when normalizing to ensure accuracy!
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Vector Algebra
Parametric Equations
Unit Vectors
Formulas
Parametric form of a line: (x, y, z) = (2t, t, t)
Magnitude of a vector: |v| = √(x^2 + y^2 + z^2)
Unit vector formula: v̂ = v / |v|
Theorems
Normalization of vectors
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 10-12