Vector dot product help!

[krugertown]

By evaluating their dot product, find the values of the scalar s for which the two vectors
b=\hat{x}+s\hat{y} and c=\hat{x}-s\hat{y}
are orthogonal.


I understand that for the two vecotrs to be perpindicular their dot product must be 0. however im confused how to go about this problem as there are unit vectors.

Any ideas are appreciated. thanks!

[lanedance]

gday krugertown

take the dot product & show me what you get...

the unit vectors are generally orthonormal - meaning orthogonal & unit magnitude, this should help...

[krugertown]

so something like \hat{x}-s^{2}\hat{y}?

[lanedance]

the results of a dot product should be a scalar not a vector quantity

try writing out the whole dot product