Math Problem Statement

Suppose u = <3, -2, -1> and v = <2, -3, -1>. Then: 1. The projection of u along v is _____. 2. The projection of u orthogonal to v is _____.

Solution

Let's go through the problem step by step to find both the projections requested.

Given:

u=3,2,1andv=2,3,1\mathbf{u} = \langle 3, -2, -1 \rangle \quad \text{and} \quad \mathbf{v} = \langle 2, -3, -1 \rangle

1. Projection of u\mathbf{u} along v\mathbf{v}:

The formula for the projection of vector u\mathbf{u} onto vector v\mathbf{v} is: projvu=uvvvv\text{proj}_{\mathbf{v}} \mathbf{u} = \frac{\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v}}{\mathbf{v} \cdot \mathbf{v}} \mathbf{v}

Step 1: Dot product uv\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v}

uv=(3)(2)+(2)(3)+(1)(1)=6+6+1=13\mathbf{u} \cdot \mathbf{v} = (3)(2) + (-2)(-3) + (-1)(-1) = 6 + 6 + 1 = 13

Step 2: Dot product vv\mathbf{v} \cdot \mathbf{v}

vv=(2)2+(3)2+(1)2=4+9+1=14\mathbf{v} \cdot \mathbf{v} = (2)^2 + (-3)^2 + (-1)^2 = 4 + 9 + 1 = 14

Step 3: Projection of u\mathbf{u} onto v\mathbf{v}

projvu=1314v=13142,3,1\text{proj}_{\mathbf{v}} \mathbf{u} = \frac{13}{14} \mathbf{v} = \frac{13}{14} \langle 2, -3, -1 \rangle Multiplying each component by 1314\frac{13}{14}: projvu=2614,3914,1314=1.857,2.786,0.929\text{proj}_{\mathbf{v}} \mathbf{u} = \langle \frac{26}{14}, -\frac{39}{14}, -\frac{13}{14} \rangle = \langle 1.857, -2.786, -0.929 \rangle

2. Projection of u\mathbf{u} orthogonal to v\mathbf{v}:

This projection is found using: uv=uprojvu\mathbf{u}_{\perp \mathbf{v}} = \mathbf{u} - \text{proj}_{\mathbf{v}} \mathbf{u}

Subtracting the projection from u\mathbf{u}: uv=3,2,11.857,2.786,0.929\mathbf{u}_{\perp \mathbf{v}} = \langle 3, -2, -1 \rangle - \langle 1.857, -2.786, -0.929 \rangle uv=31.857,2+2.786,1+0.929=1.143,0.786,0.071\mathbf{u}_{\perp \mathbf{v}} = \langle 3 - 1.857, -2 + 2.786, -1 + 0.929 \rangle = \langle 1.143, 0.786, -0.071 \rangle


Final Answers:

  1. The projection of u\mathbf{u} along v\mathbf{v} is approximately: 1.857,2.786,0.929\langle 1.857, -2.786, -0.929 \rangle
  2. The projection of u\mathbf{u} orthogonal to v\mathbf{v} is approximately: 1.143,0.786,0.071\langle 1.143, 0.786, -0.071 \rangle

Would you like further details or clarification on any steps?


Here are 5 related questions to explore further:

  1. How can the projection formula be derived geometrically?
  2. What is the significance of the dot product in vector projections?
  3. How would the projections change if the vectors u\mathbf{u} and v\mathbf{v} were in 2D instead of 3D?
  4. How do vector projections relate to the concept of orthogonality?
  5. Can projections be used to solve systems of linear equations?

Tip: Vector projections are useful in breaking down vectors into components in the direction of another vector and perpendicular to it, often applied in physics and engineering problems.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector Projections
Dot Product
Orthogonality

Formulas

Projection of u onto v: proj_v(u) = (u · v / v · v) * v
Orthogonal projection: u_perp_v = u - proj_v(u)

Theorems

Dot Product
Vector Projection Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grade 11-12, University