Body diagonals -- unit vector notation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of body diagonals in a three-dimensional space using unit vector notation. The user incorrectly assumed that the x-component of the diagonal vector could be zero, leading to confusion about the endpoints of the diagonal. The correct approach involves determining the vector by subtracting the coordinates of the bottom left front vertex (a, 0, 0) from the top right back vertex, which does not yield a zero component. The consensus is that the user must correctly express the vector without any zero components.

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Iron_Man_123
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Homework Statement



I'm fully convinced that the zero values make sense, yet they are wrong, can somebody please explain why is that the case

4.png


Homework Equations


N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


Attempt in the image above
 
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(a,0,0) is the bottom, left and front vertex in the diagram, right? Where is the other end of the diagonal from there?
 
haruspex said:
(a,0,0) is the bottom, left and front vertex in the diagram, right? Where is the other end of the diagonal from there?

It's at the top right corner of the image, which has 0 x-coordinate, am i mistaken?
 
Iron_Man_123 said:
It's at the top right corner of the image, which has 0 x-coordinate, am i mistaken?
That's right. The vector along that diagonal is the difference between the endpoints, as vectors.
 
haruspex said:
That's right. The vector along that diagonal is the difference between the endpoints, as vectors.

However, I wrote zero in the i component in the answer space to part (b), does that mean the computer system is wrong and I am right?
 
Iron_Man_123 said:
However, I wrote zero in the i component in the answer space to part (b), does that mean the computer system is wrong and I am right?
No, zero is wrong. Write the vector expressions for the two endpoints of the diagonal and subtract the bottom left front one from the top right back one. No zeroes.
 

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