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Vectors Scalar Product

This document defines the scalar product (also called the dot product) of two vectors a and b. The scalar product is equal to a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3 and represents the magnitude of a multiplied by the magnitude of b multiplied by the cosine of the angle between the two vectors. Some key properties are that the scalar product is 0 if the vectors are perpendicular and largest if the vectors are parallel. Examples are provided to calculate the scalar product and angle between vectors. Exercises at the end practice calculating scalar products and identifying perpendicular vectors.

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Ali khan7
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33 views

Vectors Scalar Product

This document defines the scalar product (also called the dot product) of two vectors a and b. The scalar product is equal to a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3 and represents the magnitude of a multiplied by the magnitude of b multiplied by the cosine of the angle between the two vectors. Some key properties are that the scalar product is 0 if the vectors are perpendicular and largest if the vectors are parallel. Examples are provided to calculate the scalar product and angle between vectors. Exercises at the end practice calculating scalar products and identifying perpendicular vectors.

Uploaded by

Ali khan7
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

VE1.

2: SCALAR PRODUCT
Definition
The scalar, or dot, product of two vectors a ( a1 , a2 , a3 ) and b ( b1 , b2 , b3 )
is a scalar, defined by:

a b = a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3


or geometrically
a

a b = a b cos

where is the angle between a and b.

Properties
1. If a and b are non-zero vectors and
a is perpendicular to b then a b = 0 , (cos(/2)= 0).
2. If a is parallel to b then

a b = a b (cos(0)=1)

3. The dot product does not depend on the order of multiplication.

ab

Therefore

ba

i j = j k = k i =0

i i = j j = k k = 1

Examples
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
See

(2i + 3j + 4k) ( i 2j + k) = (2 1) + (3 2) + (4 1) = 4
(2, 3, 3) (1, 1, 2) = 2 3 + 6 = 5
(5, 0, 1) (1, 4, 3) = 5 + 0 3 = 2
(2i + 4k) ( 3i 2j) = 6 + 0 + 0 = 6
Exercises 1, 2, and 3.

VE1.2 Vectors: Scalar Product

Page 1 of 3

June 2012

Angle between two vectors


The angle,, (0
), between two vectors can be found using the definition of the dot product.

a b = a b cos
therefore cos =

= cos 1

a b
and
ab
a b
a b
or = cos 1
ab
a

Examples
1. If a = (2, 3, 1) and b = (5, 2, 2) find the angle , between a and b.

= cos

ab =

a =

a b
ab
(2, 3, 1) (5, 2, 2) = 6

2 2 + 32 + 12 = 14

b = 25 + 4 + 4 = 33
6
1
cos
cos 1 0.2791
=
=
33 14
= 74
The angle between a and b is 740.
2. Find the angle , between a, (1, 0, 1) and b, (2, 1, 1).

a b = (1, 0, 1) (2, 1 , 1) = 1

a=
=

b =

2
cos 1

a b
1
1
= cos
= cos 1 ( 0.2887 )
ab
2 6

= 106.80

The angle between a and b is 106.80


See Exercises 4 and 5.

VE1.2 Vectors: Scalar Product

Page 2 of 3

June 2012

Exercises
Exercise 1.
Calculate the dot product of:
(a) (2, 5, 1) and (4, 1,1)

(b) 3i and 5j

Exercise 2.
Find:
(a) (2, 0, 4) ( 3, 1, 3)

(c) 5k and (j + 2k)

(b) (0, 5, 1) (4, 0, 0)

(c) (2i + 3k) (7i + 2j + 4k)

Exercise 3.
Which of the following vectors are perpendicular?
(i) (5, 2, 3),
(ii) (0,1, 1),
(iii) ( 2, 2, 2)
Exercise 4.
Find the angle between the following pairs of vectors:
(a) (1, 2, 3) and (4, 1, 0)
(b) (2, 1, 2) and (1,5, 1)
(c) (0, 5, 1) and (2,0,0)
(d) (1, 2, 3) and (4, 1, 3)
(e) (2, 1, 2) and ( 0,4,0)
(f) ( 0, 3 0) and (0, 1, 0)
Exercise 5.
If a = (2, 2 ,2), b = (3, 2, 1), and c = ( 1, 4, 1), find:
(a) Show

ab = ac

(b) Rearranging a b =

a c gives a (b - c) = 0.

As

b c what is the relationship between

a and (b - c) ?

Answers
1. (a) 12

(b) 0

(c) 10

2. (a) 6

(b) 0

(c) 26

3. (i) and (iii) , (ii) and (iii)


4. (a) 82.60,
5. (a) a b =

(b) 54.70 , (c) 900 ,

ac = 8

VE1.2 Vectors: Scalar Product

(d) 141.80, (e) 70.50,

(b) a is perpendicular to

(f) 00

(b - c) .

Page 3 of 3

June 2012

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