Find values of a making one vector parallel to the other

[loganblacke]

Find values of "a" making one vector parallel to the other

Homework Statement

Find the value(s) of a making vector v = 4ai - 2j, parallel to vector w = a^2i +4j

Homework Equations

P= (a dot b/ magnitude b^2) (bi, bj)

The Attempt at a Solution

I can plug and chug, but at what point do you solve for a?

 

[Dick]

If you can find a vector that's perpendicular to v, then you can just plug and chug on finding when u.w=0.