Find Vector \overrightarrow{B_1B} for Triangle ABC

In summary, the vector \overrightarrow{B_1B} can be found by first finding the point B_1 using vector projection and then using the point B_1 and point B to find the vector \overrightarrow{B_1B} using vector addition.
  • #1
gruba
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Homework Statement


Given points of a triangle: [itex]A(4,1,-2),B(2,0,0),C(-2,3,-5)[/itex]. Line [itex]p[/itex] contains point [itex]B[/itex], is orthogonal to [itex]\overline{AC}[/itex], and is coplanar with [itex]ABC[/itex]. Intersection of [itex]p[/itex] and [itex]\overline{AC}[/itex] is the point [itex]B_1[/itex].
Find vector [itex]\overrightarrow{B_1B}[/itex].

Homework Equations


-Vector projection
- Dot product
-Magnitude of a vector

The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]proj_{\overrightarrow{AC}}\overrightarrow{AB}=\overrightarrow{AB_1}=\frac{\overrightarrow{AB}\cdot \overrightarrow{AC}}{|\overrightarrow{AC}|^2}\cdot \overrightarrow{AC}[/tex]
[tex]\overrightarrow{AB}=[-2,-1,2],\overrightarrow{AC}=[-6,2,-3],|\overrightarrow{AC}|=7[/tex]
[tex]\overrightarrow{AB}\cdot \overrightarrow{AC}=4[/tex]
[tex]\Rightarrow proj_{\overrightarrow{AC}}\overrightarrow{AB}=\overrightarrow{AB_1}=\left[-\frac{24}{49},\frac{8}{49},-\frac{12}{49}\right][/tex]

From [itex]\overrightarrow{AB_1}[/itex] we can find the point [itex]B_1\Rightarrow B_1=\left(\frac{172}{49},\frac{8}{49},-\frac{-110}{49}\right)[/itex] [tex]\Rightarrow \overrightarrow{B_1B}=\left[-\frac{74}{49},-\frac{57}{49},\frac{110}{49}\right][/tex]

Is this correct?
 
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  • #2
The reasoning is good, and the answer is correct if a scalar product evaluates to 0
 
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  • #3
gruba said:

Homework Statement


Given points of a triangle: [itex]A(4,1,-2),B(2,0,0),C(-2,3,-5)[/itex]. Line [itex]p[/itex] contains point [itex]B[/itex], is orthogonal to [itex]\overline{AC}[/itex], and is coplanar with [itex]ABC[/itex]. Intersection of [itex]p[/itex] and [itex]\overline{AC}[/itex] is the point [itex]B_1[/itex].
Find vector [itex]\overrightarrow{B_1B}[/itex].

Homework Equations


-Vector projection
- Dot product
-Magnitude of a vector

The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]proj_{\overrightarrow{AC}}\overrightarrow{AB}=\overrightarrow{AB_1}=\frac{\overrightarrow{AB}\cdot \overrightarrow{AC}}{|\overrightarrow{AC}|^2}\cdot \overrightarrow{AC}[/tex]
[tex]\overrightarrow{AB}=[-2,-1,2],\overrightarrow{AC}=[-6,2,-3],|\overrightarrow{AC}|=7[/tex]
[tex]\overrightarrow{AB}\cdot \overrightarrow{AC}=4[/tex]
[tex]\Rightarrow proj_{\overrightarrow{AC}}\overrightarrow{AB}=\overrightarrow{AB_1}=\left[-\frac{24}{49},\frac{8}{49},-\frac{12}{49}\right][/tex]
From [itex]\overrightarrow{AB_1}[/itex] we can find the point [itex]B_1\Rightarrow B_1=\left(\frac{172}{49},\frac{8}{49},-\frac{-110}{49}\right)[/itex] [tex]\Rightarrow \overrightarrow{B_1B}=\left[-\frac{74}{49},-\frac{57}{49},\frac{110}{49}\right][/tex]
Is this correct?
Notice that once you have, ##\ \overrightarrow{AB_1}\ ## and ##\ \overrightarrow{AB}\ ##, you can get ##\ \overrightarrow{B_1 B}\ ## from ##\ \overrightarrow{B_1 B}=\overrightarrow{B_1 A}+\overrightarrow{AB}\ ##
 
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1. What is a vector?

A vector is a mathematical quantity that has both magnitude (length) and direction. It is typically represented by an arrow pointing in the direction of its magnitude.

2. How is a vector represented in a triangle?

In a triangle, a vector is typically represented by a line segment with an arrow pointing from one vertex to another. The length of the line segment represents the magnitude of the vector, and the direction of the arrow represents its direction.

3. How do I find the vector \overrightarrow{B_1B} for Triangle ABC?

To find the vector \overrightarrow{B_1B} for Triangle ABC, you will need to first identify the vertices B and B1 on the triangle. Then, you can calculate the difference between the coordinates of these two points to determine the magnitude and direction of the vector.

4. Why is finding the vector \overrightarrow{B_1B} important?

Finding the vector \overrightarrow{B_1B} is important because it allows you to understand the relationship between the points B and B1 in Triangle ABC. It can also be used to calculate other important quantities, such as the magnitude and direction of the vector from B to B1.

5. Are there any special formulas or methods for finding \overrightarrow{B_1B}?

Yes, there are several methods for finding the vector \overrightarrow{B_1B} in Triangle ABC, such as using the Pythagorean theorem or using trigonometric functions. However, the most common method is to simply calculate the difference between the coordinates of the two points, as mentioned in question 3.

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