MHB Calculating Orthogonal Projection: Proving AD and Formula Progress | \pi\rangle

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The discussion revolves around proving the formula for orthogonal projection, specifically focusing on the expression for \( AD \) as \( AC \cos(\theta) \). Participants clarify the use of dot products, with one emphasizing the need to clearly denote the cosine function's argument. The conversation highlights the importance of normalizing vectors and understanding the relationship between vector lengths and angles. A method for deriving the formula is discussed, with guidance on manipulating expressions involving dot products. The exchange concludes with one participant expressing gratitude for the clarification on the formula derivation.
Petrus
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Hello MHB,
I have hard to prove that AD, I did put on pic the formula for AD and my progress is at bottom.
35l7rzd.png


Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
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Re: orthogonal projection

What is $\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v}$? I object to the notation $\cos(AC)$. You take the cosine of an angle, not the length of a side. Of which angle are you taking the cosine?
 
Re: orthogonal projection

Ackbach said:
What is $\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v}$? I object to the notation $\cos(AC)$. You take the cosine of an angle, not the length of a side. Of which angle are you taking the cosine?
ops i meant $$\cos\theta*AC$$ Is my post unclear what I ask for?

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Re: orthogonal projection

Petrus said:
ops i meant $$\cos\theta*AC$$ Is my post unclear what I ask for?

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$

No, the post is not unclear. I agree that what you're trying to prove is actually true. I was asking a Socratic question. You should write $AC \, \cos(\theta)$, so that's it's crystal clear what is inside the argument of the cosine, and what is not.

So, let me repeat the question: can you write out what $\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v}$ is?
 
Re: orthogonal projection

Ackbach said:
No, the post is not unclear. I agree that what you're trying to prove is actually true. I was asking a Socratic question. You should write $AC \, \cos(\theta)$, so that's it's crystal clear what is inside the argument of the cosine, and what is not.

So, let me repeat the question: can you write out what $\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v}$ is?
$$u*v=|u||v|\cos\theta$$

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Re: orthogonal projection

Petrus said:
$$u*v=|u||v|\cos\theta$$

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$

Right. So why don't you use that to simplify the RHS, and see if you get the LHS? Then what could you do?
 
Re: orthogonal projection

Ackbach said:
Right. So why don't you use that to simplify the RHS, and see if you get the LHS? Then what could you do?
Hmm... One quest, could I get to that formula without knowing RHS ( I was more planing to learn how to get to that formula insted of 'memorize' it in exam)

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Re: orthogonal projection

Ah, I see. Well, here's how I would approach it. Start with a vector in the correct direction, $\vec{u}$. Normalize it by dividing by its length: $\vec{u}/|u|$. Now I have a unit vector (that is, a vector of length $1$), in the direction that I want. The goal is to compute $AD$, and multiply my unit vector by this length $AD$. Now, we know that
$$AD=AC \, \cos( \theta).$$
You'd like to write the RHS using the dot product. So, add in whatever is missing. Can you see how to finish?
 
Re: orthogonal projection

Ackbach said:
Ah, I see. Well, here's how I would approach it. Start with a vector in the correct direction, $\vec{u}$. Normalize it by dividing by its length: $\vec{u}/|u|$. Now I have a unit vector (that is, a vector of length $1$), in the direction that I want. The goal is to compute $AD$, and multiply my unit vector by this length $AD$. Now, we know that
$$AD=AC \, \cos( \theta).$$
You'd like to write the RHS using the dot product. So, add in whatever is missing. Can you see how to finish?
those normalize formula I don't understand how we get it but I understand what it is. I understand exemple $$1=\gamma u$$ then $$\frac{1}{u}= \gamma$$ that is so far I understand about but how do they do after?

so I got:
$$\frac{|v|cos\theta}{|u|}*u$$ then multiplicate both side with |u| and use dot product to write the top as u*v?
is this correct?

Regards
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
  • #10
Re: orthogonal projection

Petrus said:
those normalize formula I don't understand how we get it but I understand what it is. I understand exemple $$1=\gamma u$$ then $$\frac{1}{u}= \gamma$$ that is so far I understand about but how do they do after?

so I got:
$$\frac{|v|cos\theta}{|u|}*u$$ then multiplicate both side with |u| and use dot product to write the top as u*v?
is this correct?

Regards
$$|\pi\rangle$$

Basically correct, although I wouldn't multiply both sides by $|u|$, but I would multiply the top and bottom by $|u|$. Then you're done.
 
  • #11
Re: orthogonal projection

Ackbach said:
Basically correct, although I wouldn't multiply both sides by $|u|$, but I would multiply the top and bottom by $|u|$. Then you're done.
Thanks for the help and taking your time! Now I see how you got that formula :) Heh i meant top and bottom (Cool)

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 

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