Scalar multiplication of two equal vectors

[transgalactic]

i have vector "a"

why a*a=1??

it make no sense

the formula says |a|*|a|*cos0=a^2 (not 1)

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi transgalactic!

i have vector "a"

why a*a=1??

it make no sense

the formula says |a|*|a|*cos0=a^2 (not 1)

But cos0 = 1,

so that means |a|*|a| = a^2, which is correct.

Where does your a*a=1 come from?

 

[transgalactic]

from my professor in physics :(

 

[tiny-tim]

from my professor in physics :(

Well, what was the context, then?

What else was he/she talking about at the time?

Unit vectors? Basis vectors? General vectors? Hilbert spaces?

 

[transgalactic]

he just stated that if we multiply scalarly a vector(in general) by itself
we will get 1

 

[tiny-tim]

he just stated that if we multiply scalarly a vector(in general) by itself
we will get 1

hmm … that's obviously rubbish …

i suppose he must have been thinking of applying that to some specific equation that he didn't actaully mention.

 

[transgalactic]

ill try to confront him with this problem

 

[HallsofIvy]

Are you sure he didn't say a unit vector?

 

[transgalactic]

unit vector represents a single unit with the direction of a certain axes
i think you are correct
why their multiplication equals 1?

nobody said their length is 1
only that its the smallest unit of length with a direction

??