Lin. Alg. Projections conceptual question

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around the properties of projection matrices, specifically regarding the inner products of projected vectors. It addresses why the inner product of x with Py equals the inner product of Px with y, suggesting that using orthogonal projections simplifies the analysis. The angles between the vectors are also examined, with the conclusion that the angle between Px and Py is zero. Participants express confusion about which angles to calculate and how to demonstrate the equality of inner products without complex calculations. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity on the geometric interpretations of projections and their relationships.
Jarvis323
Messages
1,247
Reaction score
988

Homework Statement



16. Suppose P is the projection matrix onto the line through a.
(a) Why is the inner product of x with Py equal to the inner product of Px with y?
(b) Are the two angles the same? Find their cosines if a = (1;1;¡1), x = (2;0;1),
y = (2;1;2).
(c) Why is the inner product of Px with Py again the same? What is the angle
between those two?

Homework Equations



Px = (a^t x / a^t a)a
Py = (a^t y / a^t a)a

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to multiply out the general vectors of size n and then do their dot product, but it got way to complicated.

I'm not sure which angles they want me to find the angles between. Obviously the angle between Px and Py is 0. But the angles between x and y could be arbitrary ( not talking about the specific ones in part b ), and I can't see which angles between which vectors should make it obvious that part a is true.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
tAllan said:

Homework Statement



16. Suppose P is the projection matrix onto the line through a.
(a) Why is the inner product of x with Py equal to the inner product of Px with y?

Is P given to be an orthogonal projection? If so try writing ##x = u_1 + v_1## where ##u_1## is on the line and ##v_1## is perpendicular to it. Similarly for ##y##. Then try working out those inner products, without getting down to the component level.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
11K
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K