Angle between U and V when given perpendicular vectors A and B

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the angle between two vectors U and V, given that two derived vectors A and B are perpendicular. The context includes vector operations and properties of dot products.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the dot product of vectors A and B to establish a relationship that leads to the angle between U and V. They express concern over an unexpected result when substituting the relationship between the magnitudes of U and V.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the implications of the calculations and questioning the assumptions made regarding the vectors. There is an acknowledgment of potential issues with the results derived from the calculations.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes the possibility that U and V could be the zero vector, which raises questions about the validity of the assumptions in the problem setup.

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Homework Statement



vector A = 3U-V
vector B = U+2V
U and V are vectors
|U| = 3|V|
Given that vector A and vector B are perpendicular vectors, find the angle between vector U and vector V.

Homework Equations



A*B = |A||B|cos(∠AB)
A*A = |A|^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Since A and B are perpendicular to each other that means that the dot product will equate zero because cos 90 deg = 0.
So substituting in the vectors I end up with something like

(3U-V)*(U+2V) = 0 = 3U*U + 5U*V - 2V*V

Given that any vector dot product itself gives you the magnitude of the vector squared and that we are trying to figure out the angle UV:
U*U = |U|^2
U*V = |U||V|cosθ
V*V = |V|^2
3U*U + 5U*V - 2V*V = 3|U|^2 + 5|U||V|cosθ - 2|V|^2

Rearrange: cosθ = (2|V|^2 - 3|U|^2)/(5|U||V|)

Substitute in |U| = 3|V| and you get -25/15. I can't get the inverse cos of a number greater than 1 and I can't figure out where I went wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Deleted - suggestion was wrong.
 
Last edited:
Oh I was trying to figure out what you meant by that, but I see you changed your suggestion. It's a real head scratcher, of all the stuff I've done with vectors, this question should work out the way I did it but nothing seems to yield a realistic result.
 
Of course, ##U## and ##V## could also be the zero vector...
 

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