Calculate a vector wich forma an angle alpha with another vector

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germangb
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Homework Statement



Looks very simple, but I need help.
I have a 2D vector, v, and I need to calculate a vector which forms an angle [itex]\alpha[/itex] with it.

Thank you very much

Homework Equations



I think that the equations should be, for 2 given vector u and v:
\dpi{150}%20\vec{v}%20\cdot%20\vec{u}%20=%20|\vec{v}|%20\cdot%20|\vec{u}|%20\cdot%20cos%20\alpha.png


png.latex?\dpi{150}%20\vec{v}%20\cdot%20\vec{u}%20=%20v_x%20\cdot%20u_x%20+%20v_y%20\cdot%20u_y.png


thanks
 
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There are, of course, an infinite number of such vectors- of different lengths as well as on either side of u. If you are given vector [itex]\vec{u}= u_x\vec{i}+ u_y\vec{j}[/itex], taking [itex]\vec{v}= v_x\vec{i}+ v_y\vec{v}[/itex], then we must have, as you say, [itex]v_xu_x+ v_yu_v= \sqrt{u_x^2+ u_y^2}cos(\alpha)[/itex].

There is no "[itex]\sqrt{v_x^2+ v_y^2}[/itex]" in that because I have decided, for simplicity, to look for a unit vector making angle [itex]\alpha[/itex] with [itex]\vec{u}[/itex]. And, of course, that means that [itex]v_x^2+ v_y^2= 1[/itex].

Solve those two equations for [itex]u_x[/itex] and [itex]u_y[/itex].
 
thanks for the help, HallsofIvy, now I see my error. I wasn't using the second equation