Solution to vector equation involving vector product

[PcumP_Ravenclaw]

I want to find the solution of vector X. I am using text from Alan F. Beardon Algebra and Geometry as attached. I don't know how the solution is derived for the following equation.

$x + (x × a) = b$

The second solution when $a \times b \neq 0$ then X cannot be b. Is it possible to factorize x out from the Left-hand-side of the above equation?

 

[Mark44]

I want to find the solution of vector X. I am using text from Alan F. Beardon Algebra and Geometry as attached. I don't know how the solution is derived for the following equation.

$x + (x × a) = b$

The second solution when $a \times b \neq 0$ then X cannot be b. Is it possible to factorize x out from the Left-hand-side of the above equation?

It seems to me that you're missing the point, which is not to solve the equation, but only to determine whether it has one or more solutions.

The assumption is that you have two solutions -- let's call them x₁ and x₂. How they were obtained is not important. In the page whose image you included, they assume that y is the difference of any two solutions, so y = x₁ - x₂. Continue from here.

 

[mathman]

When you expand the vector equation as 3 scalars in terms of the components of x, you will have 3 linear equations in 3 unknowns. There is no way to factor out x.

 

[AdityaDev]

For solving vector equations like the one you got, there is a method. Since a,b and axb are 3 non-coplanar vectors, you can take
$x=ma+nb+p(a*b)$
Just like you take x=ai+bj+ck.
Where m,n,p are scalars.

Try finding the values of m,n,p by substituting the value of x in the given vector equation.

I am sorry @Mark44 for providing the solution.

 

[WWGD]

There is no natural multiplication of vectors in $\mathbb R^3$ that allows you to factor.
EDIT I meant other than the obvious dot and cross products; then some expressions containing
both may be at times factorable, but not otherwise.

 

[PcumP_Ravenclaw]

Hey @AdityaDev, A & B are not necessarily orthogonal so it is not exactly like ai + bj + ck where i, j & k are mutually orthogonal! so??

 

[AdityaDev]

Hey @AdityaDev, A & B are not necessarily orthogonal so it is not exactly like ai + bj + ck where i, j & k are mutually orthogonal! so??

It doesn't matter. I have solved many questions using this method.
In certain questions, you have to use logic.
Example: Solve $$ \vec{r}\times\vec{b}=\vec{a}\times\vec{b}$$
Given r.c=0

 

[PcumP_Ravenclaw]

Aditya's missing explanations in the above post can be found in this attachment!

Why do we want to find the vector X with basis $a, b, a \times b$ ?

Why not in simple $i, j, k$? Is it because it is simplest and cancels out easily in the equation $x + (x \times a) = b$

Then why is each component $x_1 , x_2 , x_3$ not divided by the scalar triple product $[a, b, a \times b]$ e.g.

$X = [X, b, a \times b]/[a, b, a \times b]*x_1 + [a, X, a \times b]/[a, b, a \times b]*x_2 + [a, b,X]/[a, b, a \times b]*x_3$

 

[AdityaDev]

Aditya's missing explanations in the above post can be found in this attachment!

It was a question for you to practice. I already knew the solution.

 

[PcumP_Ravenclaw]

I have attached my attempt at finding $x_1 , x_2, x_3$. How do I simplify further??

 

[AdityaDev]

I have attached my attempt at finding $x_1 , x_2, x_3$. How do I simplify further??

What you have done is correct.

Now, expand (axb)xa.
(axb)xa=(a.a)b-(a.b)a ---> Vector triple product.
Now you will get :

Then expand the last term to get $X_3|a|^2\vec{b}-X_3(a.b)\vec{a}$
Now you will get this expression :

then group axb and bxa terms as you can express axb as -bxa.
then group the terms with vector a.
also group the terms of vector b.
So you have three terms.
Then equate the coefficients of all vectors other than b like a and axb to find x1,x2,x3.

 

[PcumP_Ravenclaw]

Hey @AdityaDev, thanks for your help. I was not that familiar with vector triple product so I could not spot the expansion of $a \times b \times a$ into (a.a)b - (a.b)a.

 

[AdityaDev]

EDIT: equate the coefficients of all vectors other than b "to zero". Now you can find x1, x2, x3.
Did you get the correct answer?

 

[Ananya0107]

I want to find the solution of vector X. I am using text from Alan F. Beardon Algebra and Geometry as attached. I don't know how the solution is derived for the following equation.

$x + (x × a) = b$

The second solution when $a \times b \neq 0$ then X cannot be b. Is it possible to factorize x out from the Left-hand-side of the above equation?

I want to find the solution of vector X. I am using text from Alan F. Beardon Algebra and Geometry as attached. I don't know how the solution is derived for the following equation.

$x + (x × a) = b$

The second solution when $a \times b \neq 0$ then X cannot be b. Is it possible to factorize x out from the Left-hand-side of the above equation?

First take the cross product with a on both sides,
This should give you , (b-x) + (a.x)a - (|a|^2)x = b×a...(equation 1)here I have substituted x × a as b-x,
Substitute value of a.x by using a second equation , in which you take dot product on both sides of the original equation , x.a + (x×a).a= b.a
Which gives x.a + 0 = b.a
Now substitute a.x as b.a

This should allow you to collect terms of x.

 

[AdityaDev]

First take the cross product with a on both sides,
This should give you , (b-x) + (a.x)a - (|a|^2)x = b×a
Substitute value of a.x by using a second equation , in which you take dot product on both sides of the original equation , such tha
a.x + 0 = b.a
This should allow you to collect terms of x.

You will get (a.x)a=(b-x)×a + kx
also, you can't find a.x from this equation because it is grouped with a vector and if you thought this: $$a.x=\frac{(b-x)\times\vec{a}+kx}{\vec{a}}$$
Then you are wrong.
You can however find the value of vector a.

 

[Ananya0107]

Please see the edited post above .

 

[PcumP_Ravenclaw]

Hi, can you all answer my questions??

Why do we want to find the vector X with basis $a, b, a \times b$ ?

Why not in simple $i,j,k$? Is it because it is simplest and cancels out easily in the equation$x+(x×a)=bx + (x \times a) = b$

Then why is each component $x_1 , x_2 , x_3$ not divided by the scalar triple product $[a, b, a \times b]$ e.g.

$X=[X,b,a \times b]/[a,b,a \times b]∗x_1+[a,X,a \times b]/[a,b,a \times b]∗x_2+[a,b,X]/[a,b,a \times b]∗x_3$

Thanks!

 

[Ananya0107]

a, b, and a×b are a set of non coplanar vectors and any vector in three dimensional space can be expressed as a linear combination of three non-coplanar vectors,( just like i, j, k)

 

[PcumP_Ravenclaw]

Hey @Ananya0107, Can you explain why was a, b and a x b selected why not any other vector as you say " any vector in three dimensional space can be expressed as a linear combination of three non-coplanar vectors,( just like i, j, k)"?

Thanks!

 

[Ananya0107]

The question contained the vectors a and b so it is easier to express the required vector x in terms of a , b and a×b , it is just easier for computation .