Solve this vector system containing sum and dot product equations

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The discussion centers on solving a vector system involving sum and dot product equations, with an emphasis on the relationship between vectors and planes. The first equation defines a specific vector, while the second describes a plane, leading to potential intersections. Participants highlight the need for clarity regarding whether the problem is in 2D or 3D, as this affects the number of solutions. The conversation suggests that without additional information, determining the desired solution is challenging, and proposes defining a unit vector to simplify the problem. Overall, the complexity of the vector relationships and the lack of specificity in the problem statement are key concerns.
LCSphysicist
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Homework Statement
All below
Relevant Equations
All below
1594813352799.png


Seems to me the answer is a specific vector:

The second forms a plane, while the first X is just a vector. The intersection between the λX that generates the (properties of all vectors that lie in the...) plane (i am not saying X is the director vector!)

How to write this in vector language?
 
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What are you supposed to solve for? The first equation gives ##\vec x## precisely: ##\vec x = \vec u - \vec y##. What more is there to do?
 
LCSphysicist said:
Homework Statement:: All below
Relevant Equations:: All below

View attachment 266376

Seems to me the answer is a specific vector:

The second forms a plane, while the first X is just a vector. The intersection between the λX that generates the (properties of all vectors that lie in the...) plane (i am not saying X is the director vector!)

How to write this in vector language?
You didn't specify whether this is a 2D or 3D problem. You also didn't specify that ##\vec u, ~ \vec v,~ m## are given constants and the unknowns are ##\vec x## and ##\vec y##. Is that correct? Certainly, if it is a 3D problem there can be many solutions. For example if ##\vec v = \langle 0,0,1\rangle## and ##m=0##, so ##\vec x## is perpendicular to ##\vec v## so ##\vec x## can be any vector in the ##xy## plane. Then no matter what ##\vec u## is ##\vec y = \vec u - \vec x## is a solution. So ##\vec u## and ##\vec x ## can be all over the place.
 
The problem is not i didn't specify, the question is really just it.
Seeing the answer, it write x and y in terms of others vectors a and b.
The answers is right to me, but at same time a little biased, as you both said.

1594837952875.png
 
LCSphysicist said:
The problem is not i didn't specify, the question is really just it.
Seeing the answer, it write x and y in terms of others vectors a and b.
The answers is right to me, but at same time a little biased, as you both said.

View attachment 266391
Unless there was more info provided, I see no way to guess this 'solution' is what was wanted. Indeed, I would propose a better 'solution' is to omit ##\vec b## and define a as a unit vector. ##\frac{m\vec v}{|\vec v|^2}+\lambda\hat a##, where ##\vec v.\hat a=0##, generates all solutions of ##\vec x.\vec v=m##.
 
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