Section 3.

2: Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
University of Johannesburg

MATEAA2 : ENGINEERING LINEAR ALGEBRA

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Contents

The Dot Product

Length (or norm)
Unit vectors
Normalizing a vector
Standard unit vectors
Cauchy-Swartz Inequality and Triangle Inequality
Distance between vectors
Angles between vectors

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

The Dot Product

Definition
If u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) and v = (v1 , v2 , . . . , vn ) then the dot
product u • v of u and v is defined by

u • v = u1 v1 + u2 v2 + . . . + un vn

Take note:
To be able to take the dot product of two vectors u and v ,
the vectors u and v must have the same number of
components.
The dot product u • v is a number, not a vector.
The dot product of vectors u and v can be viewed as
matrix multiplication: u • v = u T v = v T u.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

The Dot Product

Definition
If u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) and v = (v1 , v2 , . . . , vn ) then the dot
product u • v of u and v is defined by

u • v = u1 v1 + u2 v2 + . . . + un vn

Take note:
To be able to take the dot product of two vectors u and v ,
the vectors u and v must have the same number of
components.
The dot product u • v is a number, not a vector.
The dot product of vectors u and v can be viewed as
matrix multiplication: u • v = u T v = v T u.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

The Dot Product

Definition
If u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) and v = (v1 , v2 , . . . , vn ) then the dot
product u • v of u and v is defined by

u • v = u1 v1 + u2 v2 + . . . + un vn

Take note:
To be able to take the dot product of two vectors u and v ,
the vectors u and v must have the same number of
components.
The dot product u • v is a number, not a vector.
The dot product of vectors u and v can be viewed as
matrix multiplication: u • v = u T v = v T u.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

The Dot Product

Definition
If u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) and v = (v1 , v2 , . . . , vn ) then the dot
product u • v of u and v is defined by

u • v = u1 v1 + u2 v2 + . . . + un vn

Take note:
To be able to take the dot product of two vectors u and v ,
the vectors u and v must have the same number of
components.
The dot product u • v is a number, not a vector.
The dot product of vectors u and v can be viewed as
matrix multiplication: u • v = u T v = v T u.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Examples
Example
1 Compute (3, −2) • (2, 1). 4
2 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, −3, −1). −5
√ √ √
3 Compute (1, 2, 3, 0) • (4, − 2, 0, −5). 2
4 Compute (1, −2, 3) • (1, −2, 3). 14
5 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, 3, −1).

Note that if u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) then

u • u = u12 + u22 + . . . + un2 .

Solution for Example 3

√ √ √
(1, 2, 3,√0) • (4,√
− 2, 0,√−5) =
(1 × 4) + ( 2 × − 2) + ( 3 × 0) + (0 × −5)
= 4 − 2 = 2.
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Examples
Example
1 Compute (3, −2) • (2, 1). 4
2 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, −3, −1). −5
√ √ √
3 Compute (1, 2, 3, 0) • (4, − 2, 0, −5). 2
4 Compute (1, −2, 3) • (1, −2, 3). 14
5 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, 3, −1).

Note that if u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) then

u • u = u12 + u22 + . . . + un2 .

Solution for Example 3

√ √ √
(1, 2, 3,√0) • (4,√
− 2, 0,√−5) =
(1 × 4) + ( 2 × − 2) + ( 3 × 0) + (0 × −5)
= 4 − 2 = 2.
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Examples
Example
1 Compute (3, −2) • (2, 1). 4
2 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, −3, −1). −5
√ √ √
3 Compute (1, 2, 3, 0) • (4, − 2, 0, −5). 2
4 Compute (1, −2, 3) • (1, −2, 3). 14
5 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, 3, −1).

Note that if u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) then

u • u = u12 + u22 + . . . + un2 .

Solution for Example 3

√ √ √
(1, 2, 3,√0) • (4,√
− 2, 0,√−5) =
(1 × 4) + ( 2 × − 2) + ( 3 × 0) + (0 × −5)
= 4 − 2 = 2.
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Examples
Example
1 Compute (3, −2) • (2, 1). 4
2 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, −3, −1). −5
√ √ √
3 Compute (1, 2, 3, 0) • (4, − 2, 0, −5). 2
4 Compute (1, −2, 3) • (1, −2, 3). 14
5 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, 3, −1).

Note that if u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) then

u • u = u12 + u22 + . . . + un2 .

Solution for Example 3

√ √ √
(1, 2, 3,√0) • (4,√
− 2, 0,√−5) =
(1 × 4) + ( 2 × − 2) + ( 3 × 0) + (0 × −5)
= 4 − 2 = 2.
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Examples
Example
1 Compute (3, −2) • (2, 1). 4
2 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, −3, −1). −5
√ √ √
3 Compute (1, 2, 3, 0) • (4, − 2, 0, −5). 2
4 Compute (1, −2, 3) • (1, −2, 3). 14
5 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, 3, −1).

Note that if u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) then

u • u = u12 + u22 + . . . + un2 .

Solution for Example 3

√ √ √
(1, 2, 3,√0) • (4,√
− 2, 0,√−5) =
(1 × 4) + ( 2 × − 2) + ( 3 × 0) + (0 × −5)
= 4 − 2 = 2.
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Examples
Example
1 Compute (3, −2) • (2, 1). 4
2 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, −3, −1). −5
√ √ √
3 Compute (1, 2, 3, 0) • (4, − 2, 0, −5). 2
4 Compute (1, −2, 3) • (1, −2, 3). 14
5 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, 3, −1).

Note that if u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) then

u • u = u12 + u22 + . . . + un2 .

Solution for Example 3

√ √ √
(1, 2, 3,√0) • (4,√
− 2, 0,√−5) =
(1 × 4) + ( 2 × − 2) + ( 3 × 0) + (0 × −5)
= 4 − 2 = 2.
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Examples
Example
1 Compute (3, −2) • (2, 1). 4
2 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, −3, −1). −5
√ √ √
3 Compute (1, 2, 3, 0) • (4, − 2, 0, −5). 2
4 Compute (1, −2, 3) • (1, −2, 3). 14
5 Compute (1, 2, 0) • (1, 3, −1).

Note that if u = (u1 , u2 , . . . , un ) then

u • u = u12 + u22 + . . . + un2 .

Solution for Example 3

√ √ √
(1, 2, 3,√0) • (4,√
− 2, 0,√−5) =
(1 × 4) + ( 2 × − 2) + ( 3 × 0) + (0 × −5)
= 4 − 2 = 2.
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Properties of the dot product
Theorem (Theorem 3.2.2)
Let u, v and w be vectors in Rn and let c be a scalar. Then
1 u•v =v •u Commutativity
2 u • (v + w) = u • v + u • w Distributivity
3 (cu) • v = c(u • v )
4 u • u ≥ 0 and u • u = 0 if and only if u = 0.

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.3)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , and if k is a scalar, then:
1 0•v =v •0=0
2 (u + v ) • w = u • w + v • w
3 u • (v − w) = u • v − u • w
4 (u − v ) • w = u • w − v • w
5 k (u • v ) = u • (k v )
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Properties of the dot product
Theorem (Theorem 3.2.2)
Let u, v and w be vectors in Rn and let c be a scalar. Then
1 u•v =v •u Commutativity
2 u • (v + w) = u • v + u • w Distributivity
3 (cu) • v = c(u • v )
4 u • u ≥ 0 and u • u = 0 if and only if u = 0.

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.3)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , and if k is a scalar, then:
1 0•v =v •0=0
2 (u + v ) • w = u • w + v • w
3 u • (v − w) = u • v − u • w
4 (u − v ) • w = u • w − v • w
5 k (u • v ) = u • (k v )
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Properties of the dot product
Theorem (Theorem 3.2.2)
Let u, v and w be vectors in Rn and let c be a scalar. Then
1 u•v =v •u Commutativity
2 u • (v + w) = u • v + u • w Distributivity
3 (cu) • v = c(u • v )
4 u • u ≥ 0 and u • u = 0 if and only if u = 0.

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.3)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , and if k is a scalar, then:
1 0•v =v •0=0
2 (u + v ) • w = u • w + v • w
3 u • (v − w) = u • v − u • w
4 (u − v ) • w = u • w − v • w
5 k (u • v ) = u • (k v )
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Properties of the dot product
Theorem (Theorem 3.2.2)
Let u, v and w be vectors in Rn and let c be a scalar. Then
1 u•v =v •u Commutativity
2 u • (v + w) = u • v + u • w Distributivity
3 (cu) • v = c(u • v )
4 u • u ≥ 0 and u • u = 0 if and only if u = 0.

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.3)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , and if k is a scalar, then:
1 0•v =v •0=0
2 (u + v ) • w = u • w + v • w
3 u • (v − w) = u • v − u • w
4 (u − v ) • w = u • w − v • w
5 k (u • v ) = u • (k v )
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Properties of the dot product
Theorem (Theorem 3.2.2)
Let u, v and w be vectors in Rn and let c be a scalar. Then
1 u•v =v •u Commutativity
2 u • (v + w) = u • v + u • w Distributivity
3 (cu) • v = c(u • v )
4 u • u ≥ 0 and u • u = 0 if and only if u = 0.

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.3)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , and if k is a scalar, then:
1 0•v =v •0=0
2 (u + v ) • w = u • w + v • w
3 u • (v − w) = u • v − u • w
4 (u − v ) • w = u • w − v • w
5 k (u • v ) = u • (k v )
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn
Length

Definition
The length (or norm) of a vector

v = (v1 , v2 , . . . , vn )

in Rn is the nonnegative scalar ||v || defined by

√ q
||v || = v • v = v12 + v22 + . . . + vn2

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.1)

Let v be a vector in Rn and let c be a scalar. Then
1 kv k ≥ 0
2 ||v || = 0 if and only if v = 0
3 ||cv || = |c|||v ||

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Length

Definition
The length (or norm) of a vector

v = (v1 , v2 , . . . , vn )

in Rn is the nonnegative scalar ||v || defined by

√ q
||v || = v • v = v12 + v22 + . . . + vn2

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.1)

Let v be a vector in Rn and let c be a scalar. Then
1 kv k ≥ 0
2 ||v || = 0 if and only if v = 0
3 ||cv || = |c|||v ||

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Examples

Example
Find ||u|| if
√
1 u = (−1, 6) 37
√
2 u = (3, 0, −2) 13

Solution for Example 2

q √
k(3, 0, −2)k = (3)2 + (0)2 + (−2)2 = 13.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Examples

Example
Find ||u|| if
√
1 u = (−1, 6) 37
√
2 u = (3, 0, −2) 13

Solution for Example 2

q √
k(3, 0, −2)k = (3)2 + (0)2 + (−2)2 = 13.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Examples

Example
Find ||u|| if
√
1 u = (−1, 6) 37
√
2 u = (3, 0, −2) 13

Solution for Example 2

q √
k(3, 0, −2)k = (3)2 + (0)2 + (−2)2 = 13.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Examples

Example
Find ||u|| if
√
1 u = (−1, 6) 37
√
2 u = (3, 0, −2) 13

Solution for Example 2

q √
k(3, 0, −2)k = (3)2 + (0)2 + (−2)2 = 13.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , n ≥ 2, and c is a scalar, explain
why the following expressions make no sense:
1 ||u • v || u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
2 u•v +w u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
3 u • (v • w) v • w is a scalar, not a vector.
4 c • (u + w) c is a scalar, not a vector.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , n ≥ 2, and c is a scalar, explain
why the following expressions make no sense:
1 ||u • v || u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
2 u•v +w u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
3 u • (v • w) v • w is a scalar, not a vector.
4 c • (u + w) c is a scalar, not a vector.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , n ≥ 2, and c is a scalar, explain
why the following expressions make no sense:
1 ||u • v || u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
2 u•v +w u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
3 u • (v • w) v • w is a scalar, not a vector.
4 c • (u + w) c is a scalar, not a vector.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , n ≥ 2, and c is a scalar, explain
why the following expressions make no sense:
1 ||u • v || u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
2 u•v +w u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
3 u • (v • w) v • w is a scalar, not a vector.
4 c • (u + w) c is a scalar, not a vector.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , n ≥ 2, and c is a scalar, explain
why the following expressions make no sense:
1 ||u • v || u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
2 u•v +w u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
3 u • (v • w) v • w is a scalar, not a vector.
4 c • (u + w) c is a scalar, not a vector.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , n ≥ 2, and c is a scalar, explain
why the following expressions make no sense:
1 ||u • v || u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
2 u•v +w u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
3 u • (v • w) v • w is a scalar, not a vector.
4 c • (u + w) c is a scalar, not a vector.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , n ≥ 2, and c is a scalar, explain
why the following expressions make no sense:
1 ||u • v || u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
2 u•v +w u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
3 u • (v • w) v • w is a scalar, not a vector.
4 c • (u + w) c is a scalar, not a vector.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , n ≥ 2, and c is a scalar, explain
why the following expressions make no sense:
1 ||u • v || u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
2 u•v +w u • v is a scalar, not a vector.
3 u • (v • w) v • w is a scalar, not a vector.
4 c • (u + w) c is a scalar, not a vector.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Unit vectors

Definition
A vector of length 1 is called a unit vector.
Finding a unit vector in the same direction as a vector is called
normalizing a vector. This is done by factoring a vector by its
length i.e. kv1k v

Example
1 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if u = (1, 0, 3, 4).
√1 (1, 0, 3, 4)
26
2 Give a unit vector that is oppositely directed to u if
u = (−1, 2, 0, 3).
− √114 (−1, 2, 0, 3)
3 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if
u = (4, −2, 1)

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Unit vectors

Definition
A vector of length 1 is called a unit vector.
Finding a unit vector in the same direction as a vector is called
normalizing a vector. This is done by factoring a vector by its
length i.e. kv1k v

Example
1 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if u = (1, 0, 3, 4).
√1 (1, 0, 3, 4)
26
2 Give a unit vector that is oppositely directed to u if
u = (−1, 2, 0, 3).
− √114 (−1, 2, 0, 3)
3 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if
u = (4, −2, 1)

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Unit vectors

Definition
A vector of length 1 is called a unit vector.
Finding a unit vector in the same direction as a vector is called
normalizing a vector. This is done by factoring a vector by its
length i.e. kv1k v

Example
1 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if u = (1, 0, 3, 4).
√1 (1, 0, 3, 4)
26
2 Give a unit vector that is oppositely directed to u if
u = (−1, 2, 0, 3).
− √114 (−1, 2, 0, 3)
3 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if
u = (4, −2, 1)

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Unit vectors

Definition
A vector of length 1 is called a unit vector.
Finding a unit vector in the same direction as a vector is called
normalizing a vector. This is done by factoring a vector by its
length i.e. kv1k v

Example
1 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if u = (1, 0, 3, 4).
√1 (1, 0, 3, 4)
26
2 Give a unit vector that is oppositely directed to u if
u = (−1, 2, 0, 3).
− √114 (−1, 2, 0, 3)
3 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if
u = (4, −2, 1)

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Unit vectors

Definition
A vector of length 1 is called a unit vector.
Finding a unit vector in the same direction as a vector is called
normalizing a vector. This is done by factoring a vector by its
length i.e. kv1k v

Example
1 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if u = (1, 0, 3, 4).
√1 (1, 0, 3, 4)
26
2 Give a unit vector that is oppositely directed to u if
u = (−1, 2, 0, 3).
− √114 (−1, 2, 0, 3)
3 Give a unit vector in the direction of u if
u = (4, −2, 1)

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Standard unit vectors

The standard unit vectors in R2 are

i = (1, 0), j = (0, 1);

and the standard unit vectors in R3 are

i = (1, 0, 0), j = (0, 1, 0), k = (0, 0, 1).

Every vector can easily be expressed as a linear combination

of the standard unit vectors:

v = (v1 , v2 , v3 )
= v1 (1, 0, 0) + v2 (0, 1, 0) + v3 (0, 0, 1)
= v1 i + v2 j + v3 k .

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Standard unit vectors

The standard unit vectors in R2 are

i = (1, 0), j = (0, 1);

and the standard unit vectors in R3 are

i = (1, 0, 0), j = (0, 1, 0), k = (0, 0, 1).

Every vector can easily be expressed as a linear combination

of the standard unit vectors:

v = (v1 , v2 , v3 )
= v1 (1, 0, 0) + v2 (0, 1, 0) + v3 (0, 0, 1)
= v1 i + v2 j + v3 k .

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Standard unit vectors

The standard unit vectors in R2 are

i = (1, 0), j = (0, 1);

and the standard unit vectors in R3 are

i = (1, 0, 0), j = (0, 1, 0), k = (0, 0, 1).

Every vector can easily be expressed as a linear combination

of the standard unit vectors:

v = (v1 , v2 , v3 )
= v1 (1, 0, 0) + v2 (0, 1, 0) + v3 (0, 0, 1)
= v1 i + v2 j + v3 k .

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Theorem (The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality)
For all vectors u and v in Rn ,

|u • v | ≤ ||u||||v ||

Theorem (The Triangle Inequality)

For all vectors u and v in Rn ,

||u + v || ≤ ||u|| + ||v ||

Example
Is it possible to have ||u + v || = ||u|| + ||v ||? Explain your
reasoning.
Yes, for example u or v could be 0.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Theorem (The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality)
For all vectors u and v in Rn ,

|u • v | ≤ ||u||||v ||

Theorem (The Triangle Inequality)

For all vectors u and v in Rn ,

||u + v || ≤ ||u|| + ||v ||

Example
Is it possible to have ||u + v || = ||u|| + ||v ||? Explain your
reasoning.
Yes, for example u or v could be 0.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Theorem (The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality)
For all vectors u and v in Rn ,

|u • v | ≤ ||u||||v ||

Theorem (The Triangle Inequality)

For all vectors u and v in Rn ,

||u + v || ≤ ||u|| + ||v ||

Example
Is it possible to have ||u + v || = ||u|| + ||v ||? Explain your
reasoning.
Yes, for example u or v could be 0.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Theorem (The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality)
For all vectors u and v in Rn ,

|u • v | ≤ ||u||||v ||

Theorem (The Triangle Inequality)

For all vectors u and v in Rn ,

||u + v || ≤ ||u|| + ||v ||

Example
Is it possible to have ||u + v || = ||u|| + ||v ||? Explain your
reasoning.
Yes, for example u or v could be 0.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Geometry in Rn

Theorem (Parallelogram Equation for vectors)

If u and v are vectors in Rn , then

||u + v ||2 + ||u − v ||2 = 2(||u||2 + ||v ||2 )

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.7)

If u and v are vectors in Rn with the Euclidean inner product
(dot product), then

1 1
u•v = ||u + v ||2 − ||u − v ||2
4 4

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Geometry in Rn

Theorem (Parallelogram Equation for vectors)

If u and v are vectors in Rn , then

||u + v ||2 + ||u − v ||2 = 2(||u||2 + ||v ||2 )

Theorem (Theorem 3.2.7)

If u and v are vectors in Rn with the Euclidean inner product
(dot product), then

1 1
u•v = ||u + v ||2 − ||u − v ||2
4 4

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Distance

Definition
The distance d(u, v ) between vectors u and v in Rn is defined
by
d(u, v ) = ||u − v ||

Example
1 Find the distance between u = (−3, 2) and v = (−1, 4).
√
2 2
2 Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
√
6

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Distance

Definition
The distance d(u, v ) between vectors u and v in Rn is defined
by
d(u, v ) = ||u − v ||

Example
1 Find the distance between u = (−3, 2) and v = (−1, 4).
√
2 2
2 Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
√
6

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Distance

Definition
The distance d(u, v ) between vectors u and v in Rn is defined
by
d(u, v ) = ||u − v ||

Example
1 Find the distance between u = (−3, 2) and v = (−1, 4).
√
2 2
2 Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
√
6

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Distance

Definition
The distance d(u, v ) between vectors u and v in Rn is defined
by
d(u, v ) = ||u − v ||

Example
1 Find the distance between u = (−3, 2) and v = (−1, 4).
√
2 2
2 Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
√
6

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Distance

Definition
The distance d(u, v ) between vectors u and v in Rn is defined
by
d(u, v ) = ||u − v ||

Example
1 Find the distance between u = (−3, 2) and v = (−1, 4).
√
2 2
2 Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
√
6

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
Solution:
For u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1):

d(u, v ) = ku − v k = k(1, 2, 3) − (2, 3, 1)k

√ √
= k(−1, −1, 2)k = 1 + 1 + 4 = 6.

Example
Find the distance between u = (−3, 2, 0) and v = (−1, 4, 1).

Theorem (Triangle inequality for distances)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , then

d(u, v ) ≤ d(u, w) + d(w, v ).

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
Solution:
For u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1):

d(u, v ) = ku − v k = k(1, 2, 3) − (2, 3, 1)k

√ √
= k(−1, −1, 2)k = 1 + 1 + 4 = 6.

Example
Find the distance between u = (−3, 2, 0) and v = (−1, 4, 1).

Theorem (Triangle inequality for distances)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , then

d(u, v ) ≤ d(u, w) + d(w, v ).

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
Solution:
For u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1):

d(u, v ) = ku − v k = k(1, 2, 3) − (2, 3, 1)k

√ √
= k(−1, −1, 2)k = 1 + 1 + 4 = 6.

Example
Find the distance between u = (−3, 2, 0) and v = (−1, 4, 1).

Theorem (Triangle inequality for distances)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , then

d(u, v ) ≤ d(u, w) + d(w, v ).

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Example
Find the distance between u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1).
Solution:
For u = (1, 2, 3) and v = (2, 3, 1):

d(u, v ) = ku − v k = k(1, 2, 3) − (2, 3, 1)k

√ √
= k(−1, −1, 2)k = 1 + 1 + 4 = 6.

Example
Find the distance between u = (−3, 2, 0) and v = (−1, 4, 1).

Theorem (Triangle inequality for distances)

If u, v and w are vectors in Rn , then

d(u, v ) ≤ d(u, w) + d(w, v ).

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Angles

Definition
For nonzero vectors u and v in Rn ,
u•v
cos θ =
||u||||v ||

Example
Find the angle between u = (3, 0) and v = (−2, 2).
θ = 43 π

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Angles

Definition
For nonzero vectors u and v in Rn ,
u•v
cos θ =
||u||||v ||

Example
Find the angle between u = (3, 0) and v = (−2, 2).
θ = 34 π

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Angles

Definition
For nonzero vectors u and v in Rn ,
u•v
cos θ =
||u||||v ||

Example
Find the angle between u = (3, 0) and v = (−2, 2).
θ = 34 π

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Matrix Multiplication

If u and v are column vectors in Rn then

u • v = u T v = v T u.
Moreover, if A is an n × n matrix and u and v are n × 1 vectors
then
Au • v = v T (Au) = u • AT v
and
u • Av = (Av )T u = AT u • v .

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

In conclusion: Do you know these concepts?

Angle between two

vectors in Rn
Norm (or length or
magnitude) of a vector. Dot product (or
Euclidean inner product)
Unit vector
of two vectors in Rn
Normalize vector
Cauchy-Schwarz
Standard unit vectors inequality
Distance between points Triangle Inequality
in Rn
Parallelogram equation
of vectors

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Can you?

Compute the norm of a vector in Rn .

Determine whether a given vector in Rn is a unit vector.
Normalize a nonzero vector in Rn .
Compute the dot product of two vectors in Rn .
Compute the angle between two nonzero vectors in Rn .
Prove basic properties pertaining to norms and dot
products.

Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn

Extra Exercises
Example
1 If u 6= 0, does u • v = u • w imply that v = w? Prove or
disprove.
2 If u • v = 0, does that imply that u = 0 or v = 0? Prove or
disprove.
3 Prove of disprove the following claim: For all vectors
u, v , w ∈ Rn we have

||u + v + w|| ≤ ||u|| + ||v || + ||w||.

4 If ||v || = 2 and ||w|| = 3, what are the largest and smallest

possible values for ||v − w||? Give a geometric explanation
of your results.
5 Let u = (2, k ) and v = (3, 5). Find k such that
1 u and v are parallel.
2 u and v are orthogonal.
Norm; Dot Product; Distance in Rn