# Projection and Reflection of Vector WRT plane

1. May 14, 2012

### SP90

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Given a plane $\Pi$ with normal $n=i-2j+k$ and a vector $v=3i+4j-2k$ calculate the projection of $v$ onto $\Pi$ and the reflection of $v$ with respect to $\Pi$.

3. The attempt at a solution

I need to check that I'm doing this is right.

I think I need $v - (v \cdot n)n = 3i+4j-2k - 7(i-2j+k) = -4i +18j-9k$

And for the refection:

$v - 2(v \cdot n)n = 3i+4j-2k - 14(i-2j+k) = -11i +32j-16k$

Are those correct?

2. May 14, 2012

### vela

Staff Emeritus

The projection of v onto the plane should be perpendicular to the plane, right? So what should your answer dotted with $\vec{n}$ equal? That's how you can check your answer.

Same sign error.

3. May 14, 2012

### SP90

Makes sense, thanks for the quick response.

I get $10i-10k+5k$ which, when dotted with $n$ obviously gives 0.

Correcting the sign error for the second yields $17i-24j+12k$.

4. May 14, 2012

### vela

Staff Emeritus
That's not correct either. You need to normalize the normal vector before you use it in your formulas.

5. May 14, 2012

### SP90

Ah, I see.

So instead I use $\hat{n}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}(1i-2j+1k)$

and that gives $Pv=\frac{1}{6}(25i+10j-5k)$.

And $Tv=\frac{1}{6}(32i-4j+2k)$.

Is that right now?

6. May 14, 2012

### vela

Staff Emeritus
Yes, those are correct.