- #1
haackeDc
- 15
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Find unit vector with a given angle to two other vectors in 3-space
We are given the vectors <1,0,-1> and <0,1,1>, and are told to find a unit vector that shares an angle of (pi/3) with both of these vectors.
a(dot)b = |a||b|cosθ
So, from the information givin, the only thing I could think to do was form a system of linear equations:
u(dot)<1,0,-1> = (√2)cos(pi/3)
u(dot)<0,1,1> = (√2)cos(pi/3)
u1 - u2 = (.5)(√2)
u2 + u3 = (.5)(√2)
giving us:
u1 = -u3 + (√2)
u2 = -u3 + (.5)(√2)
so I end up with u = <-u3 + (√2), -u3 + (.5)(√2), u3>
u = u3<-1, -1, 1>
Now... this is as far away from my answer as I can be! I know it's not right, because this is the equation for a line, not a vector!
For informational purposes, the answer in the back of the book is <1/(√2), 1/(√2), 0>
How do I get to that answer?
Homework Statement
We are given the vectors <1,0,-1> and <0,1,1>, and are told to find a unit vector that shares an angle of (pi/3) with both of these vectors.
Homework Equations
a(dot)b = |a||b|cosθ
The Attempt at a Solution
So, from the information givin, the only thing I could think to do was form a system of linear equations:
u(dot)<1,0,-1> = (√2)cos(pi/3)
u(dot)<0,1,1> = (√2)cos(pi/3)
u1 - u2 = (.5)(√2)
u2 + u3 = (.5)(√2)
giving us:
u1 = -u3 + (√2)
u2 = -u3 + (.5)(√2)
so I end up with u = <-u3 + (√2), -u3 + (.5)(√2), u3>
u = u3<-1, -1, 1>
Now... this is as far away from my answer as I can be! I know it's not right, because this is the equation for a line, not a vector!
For informational purposes, the answer in the back of the book is <1/(√2), 1/(√2), 0>
How do I get to that answer?