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 xz=y=zx - z = y = z. 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: xz=y=zx - z = y = z This can be split into two parts:

  1. y=zy = z
  2. x=2zx = 2z (because xz=zx - z = z)

Let z=tz = t where tt is a parameter. Now we can express the coordinates xx, yy, and zz in terms of tt: x=2t,y=t,z=tx = 2t, \quad y = t, \quad z = t

Step 2: Parametric form of the line

So, the parametric form of the line is: (x,y,z)=(2t,t,t)(x, y, z) = (2t, t, t) The direction vector of the line is obtained by considering the change in xx, yy, and zz with respect to the parameter tt, which gives us the vector: v=2,1,1\vec{v} = \langle 2, 1, 1 \rangle

Step 3: Find the unit vector

To find the unit vector parallel to the line, we first need the magnitude of the direction vector v=2,1,1\vec{v} = \langle 2, 1, 1 \rangle: v=22+12+12=4+1+1=6|\vec{v}| = \sqrt{2^2 + 1^2 + 1^2} = \sqrt{4 + 1 + 1} = \sqrt{6}

Now, the unit vector v^\hat{v} is found by dividing each component of v\vec{v} by v|\vec{v}|: v^=162,1,1=26,16,16\hat{v} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}} \langle 2, 1, 1 \rangle = \langle \frac{2}{\sqrt{6}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}} \rangle

To simplify, multiply the components by 66\frac{\sqrt{6}}{6} to get the unit vector in a simpler form: v^=63,66,66\hat{v} = \langle \frac{\sqrt{6}}{3}, \frac{\sqrt{6}}{6}, \frac{\sqrt{6}}{6} \rangle

Thus, the unit vector parallel to the given line is: 26,16,16\boxed{\langle \frac{2}{\sqrt{6}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}} \rangle}


Would you like more details on any of the steps? Here are some related questions you might explore:

  1. How do you find the parametric form of more complex lines?
  2. What is the importance of unit vectors in vector mathematics?
  3. Can you explain how to normalize a vector in more detail?
  4. What are some applications of unit vectors in physics or engineering?
  5. 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