Proving vectors are orthogonal

Because if you have (u, v, w) and you divide that by the length of that vector you get (u/length, v/length, w/length) and the magnitude of that vector is sqrt(u^2/length^2 + v^2/length^2 + w^2/length^2) = sqrt((u^2 + v^2 + w^2)/length^2) = length/length = 1.
  • #1
psycho81
13
0

Homework Statement



first the question asks find the jacobian matrix of

(ucosv)
(usinv )
( w )
i have the matrix

( cos(v) , -usin(v) , 0)
( sin(v) , ucos(v) , 0)
( 0 , 0 , 1)

the question asks to show that the columns are orthogonal vectors, doing the dot product column 1 and 2 with 3 is easy because of the 0's, but how do I dot product the 1st two vectors?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



(cosv x -usinv) + (sinv x ucosv) + (0 x 0) = 0

would just this suffice you think?
 
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  • #2
thats F(u,v,w) at the start
 
  • #3
psycho81 said:

Homework Statement



first the question asks find the jacobian matrix of

(ucosv)
(usinv )
( w )
i have the matrix

( cos(v) , -usin(v) , 0)
( sin(v) , ucos(v) , 0)
( 0 , 0 , 1)

the question asks to show that the columns are orthogonal vectors, doing the dot product column 1 and 2 with 3 is easy because of the 0's, but how do I dot product the 1st two vectors?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



(cosv x -usinv) + (sinv x ucosv) + (0 x 0) = 0

would just this suffice you think?
Well, why not do the multiplication:
-u cos v sin v+ u cos v sin v= 0.
 
  • #4
thanks, now I have to calculate the corresponding unit vectors

would that just be

eu= (sqrt( cos2v + sin2v+0)) = 1

ev = (sqrt(-usin2v + ucos2v +0)) =1

ew = (sqrt( 0 + 0 + 12) = 1

or have i done this wrong?
 
Last edited:
  • #5
in order to be a unit vector

sqrt(cos2v+sin2v)=1

sqrt(v) = 1

so v must be 1?

am in on the right track?
 
  • #6
You don't put it equal to one. Secondly, a vector is a vector, a set of coordinates. Not a scalar.
A unit vector is a vector whose absolute value of the magnitude is equal to one, meaning the square root of the coordinates squared and then summed up should be 1.
For example (1, 1, 0). sqrt((1^2)+(1^2)+(0^2))=sqrt(2) and is not equal to 1.
Therefor to turn it into a unit vector you have to divide it by the absolute value of the magnitude, which here is sqrt(2).
So (1, 1, 0) is a vector. (1/sqrt(2))*(1, 1, 0) is a unit vector.
Hope you understand. Good luck!
 
  • #7
how can you give it an absolute value of the magnitude when you don't know what u, v, or w is though? or do you just set them to 1
 
  • #8
ahhh so it would be over sqrt(v)??

and sqrt(uv)

and the last one already has length 1?

please be right I am starting to lose the will to live.
 
  • #9
You have your matrix:
( cos(v) , -usin(v) , 0)
( sin(v) , ucos(v) , 0)
( 0 , 0 , 1)

Your vectors are (cos(v), sin(v), 0), (-usin(v), ucos(v), 0) and (0, 0, 1)

(0, 0, 1) is obviously already a unit vector.

sqrt(cos^2(v) + sin^2(v)) = sqrt(1) = 1
=> so (cos(v), sin(v), 0) is already a unit vector as well.

sqrt((-usin(v))^2 + (ucos(v))^2) = sqrt(u^2 * sin^2(v) + u^2 + cos^2(v))
= sqrt(u^2 * (sin^2(v) + cos^2(v)) = sqrt(u^2) = u

Therefor 1/u * (-usin(v), ucos(v), 0) is a unit vector.

You can test this yourself, since you already know that the magnitude is u that means that the magnitude of 1/u * (-usin(v), ucos(v), 0) is equal to u/u which is equal to 1.
That's the reason you have to divide by the length of the vector to get a unit vector.
 

1. What does it mean for vectors to be orthogonal?

Orthogonal vectors are two or more vectors that are perpendicular to each other, meaning they form a 90-degree angle at their intersection. This is similar to how the x and y axes on a graph are orthogonal.

2. How do you prove that vectors are orthogonal?

To prove that vectors are orthogonal, you can use the dot product. If the dot product of two vectors is equal to 0, then they are orthogonal. Another way is to calculate the angle between the two vectors using trigonometric functions. If the angle is 90 degrees, then the vectors are orthogonal.

3. Can vectors be orthogonal in any number of dimensions?

Yes, vectors can be orthogonal in any number of dimensions. In three-dimensional space, two vectors are orthogonal if their dot product is equal to 0. In higher dimensions, the concept of orthogonality remains the same, but it is more difficult to visualize.

4. Why is it important to prove that vectors are orthogonal?

Proving that vectors are orthogonal is important because it allows us to determine if the vectors are independent of each other. This means that one vector does not depend on the other to exist or be defined. Orthogonal vectors are also useful in many mathematical and scientific applications, such as in physics and engineering.

5. What are some real-life examples of orthogonal vectors?

One example of orthogonal vectors in real life is the force of gravity and the normal force acting on an object on an inclined plane. These two forces are perpendicular to each other, making them orthogonal. Another example is the electric and magnetic fields in electromagnetic waves, which are also orthogonal to each other.

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