S6.12.4.35 Find the volume of the parallelepiped

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter karush
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Volume
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the volume of a parallelepiped defined by three vectors corresponding to the edges from a common vertex. Participants explore the mathematical formulation and the geometric interpretation of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the volume can be calculated using the formula \( V = |a \cdot (b \times c)| \), where \( a, b, c \) are the vectors representing the edges of the parallelepiped.
  • Another participant clarifies that the three edges touch each other, implying a geometric relationship between them.
  • A participant attempts to graph the edges using an online tool but encounters difficulties due to not knowing the exact representation of the edges.
  • One participant provides a parametric representation of the edge \( PQ \) and calculates its direction vector, contributing to the understanding of the edges involved.
  • Vectors \( \vec{PQ}, \vec{PR}, \vec{PS} \) are defined, and the cross product \( \vec{PQ} \times \vec{PR} \) is computed, leading to a volume calculation involving the dot product with \( \vec{PS} \).
  • The computed volume is stated as 3, but the context of this result is not fully resolved within the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the edges and their representations. There is no consensus on the clarity of the graphical representation or the initial problem setup.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the edges' definitions and their graphical representation, which may affect the overall understanding of the problem.

karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
$\tiny{s6.12.4.35}$

$\textrm{Find the volume of theparallelepiped with adjacent edges
$PQ, PR$, and $PS$.}$

\begin{align*}\displaystyle
P(2,0,-1),& \, Q(4,1,0), \, R(3.-1.1), S(2,-2,2)\\
\end{align*}
ok I know the problem is basically solved with

\begin{align*}\displaystyle
V&=\left|a\cdot(b\times c)\right|
\end{align*}

but was ? about the edges thing!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
karush said:
$\tiny{s6.12.4.35}$

$\textrm{Find the volume of theparallelepiped with adjacent edges
$PQ, PR$, and $PS$.}$

\begin{align*}\displaystyle
P(2,0,-1),& \, Q(4,1,0), \, R(3.-1.1), S(2,-2,2)\\
\end{align*}
ok I know the problem is basically solved with

\begin{align*}\displaystyle
V&=\left|a\cdot(b\times c)\right|
\end{align*}

but was ? about the edges thing!

All that means is that the three edges touch each other...
 
Yes, you can't graph the edges because you don't know what the edges are!

PQ is the line segment from P(2, 0, -1) to Q(4, 1, 0). That line can be written, parametrically, as x= (4- 2)t+ 2= 2t+ 2, y= (1- 0)t+ 0= t, and z= (0- (-1))t- 1= t- 1. That way, when t= 0, x= 2, y= 0, and z= -1 and, if t= 1, x= 4, y= -1, and z= 0.

It has "direction vector", which is the "a" in your formula, (4- 2)i+ (1- 0)j+ (0-(-1))k= 2i+ j+ k.
 
$\vec{PQ} = 2i+j+k$

$\vec{PR} = i-j+2k$

$\vec{PS} = -2j+3k$

$$\vec{PQ} \times \vec{PR}=\begin{vmatrix}
i & j & k\\
2 & 1 & 1\\
1 & -1 & 2
\end{vmatrix}=3i-3j-3k$$

$|\vec{PS} \cdot (\vec{PQ} \times \vec{PR})| = |0 + 6 - 9| = 3$

graph shows edges translated to the origin ...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K