Math Problem Statement

Write a unit vector perpendicular to both

Solution

To find a unit vector that is perpendicular to two given vectors, let's denote these vectors as A\vec{A} and B\vec{B}. A vector perpendicular to both A\vec{A} and B\vec{B} can be obtained using the cross product, A×B\vec{A} \times \vec{B}.

Here are the steps to find the unit vector perpendicular to both vectors:

  1. Find the cross product A×B\vec{A} \times \vec{B}:
    If A=a1,a2,a3\vec{A} = \langle a_1, a_2, a_3 \rangle and B=b1,b2,b3\vec{B} = \langle b_1, b_2, b_3 \rangle, then A×B=a2b3a3b2,a3b1a1b3,a1b2a2b1\vec{A} \times \vec{B} = \langle a_2 b_3 - a_3 b_2, a_3 b_1 - a_1 b_3, a_1 b_2 - a_2 b_1 \rangle

  2. Calculate the magnitude of A×B\vec{A} \times \vec{B}:
    Let C=A×B=c1,c2,c3\vec{C} = \vec{A} \times \vec{B} = \langle c_1, c_2, c_3 \rangle. The magnitude C|\vec{C}| is: C=c12+c22+c32|\vec{C}| = \sqrt{c_1^2 + c_2^2 + c_3^2}

  3. Normalize the cross product to make it a unit vector: C^=CC\hat{C} = \frac{\vec{C}}{|\vec{C}|} This C^\hat{C} is the unit vector perpendicular to both A\vec{A} and B\vec{B}.

Please provide the components of the two vectors if you need a specific solution.

Would you like to proceed with this, or do you have any other questions?

Here are some related questions for further exploration:

  1. What properties does the cross product vector have with respect to the original vectors?
  2. How would you find a vector perpendicular to only one given vector?
  3. What if the vectors A\vec{A} and B\vec{B} are parallel? What would the cross product be?
  4. Can the magnitude of a cross product ever be negative?
  5. How does the cross product differ in 2D and 3D spaces?

Tip: Remember that the direction of the cross product follows the right-hand rule, which can help determine its orientation in space.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Algebra
Cross Product
Unit Vector

Formulas

Cross Product: A × B = ⟨a2*b3 - a3*b2, a3*b1 - a1*b3, a1*b2 - a2*b1⟩
Magnitude of Cross Product: |A × B| = √(c1^2 + c2^2 + c3^2)
Unit Vector: Ć = C / |C| where C = A × B

Theorems

Right-Hand Rule for Cross Product

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12