What Is the Error in My Gram-Schmidt Calculation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Gram-Schmidt process applied to two vectors, v1 = [4, 0, 3] and v2 = [25, 0, -25]. Participants are attempting to identify errors in their calculations and understand the normalization of the resulting vectors.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their process of applying Gram-Schmidt and expresses confusion over obtaining an answer different from the book.
  • Another participant suggests a method for projecting one vector onto another, but the clarity of this explanation is questioned by others.
  • Several participants emphasize the importance of careful calculation to avoid compounding errors in the Gram-Schmidt process.
  • There is a discussion about the normalization of the vector u2, with one participant noting that they obtained u2 = [21, 0, -28] and questioning how this relates to the book's answer of (1/5)[3, 0, -4].
  • Another participant points out that the vector u2 can be expressed as 7[3, 0, -4], leading to further questions about the normalization process.
  • Participants discuss the norm of the vector and the implications of scaling it to unit length.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express confusion and disagreement regarding the calculations and the normalization process. There is no consensus on the correct approach or final answer, as multiple interpretations and calculations are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' calculations depend on their interpretations of the Gram-Schmidt process, and there are unresolved questions about the normalization of vectors and the specific steps taken in the calculations.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in linear algebra, specifically the Gram-Schmidt process, and those looking for collaborative problem-solving in mathematical contexts may find this discussion beneficial.

helpm3pl3ase
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I am stuck on a problem.. I keep obtaining the incorrect answer and I am unsure of where my calculation went wrong? I have the 2 vectors v1 [4,0,3] and v2 [25,0,-25]

I first obtain (1/||v1||)v1 = [4/5 0 3/5] = z1

I then proceed to do: (v2 - (z1 . v2)z1)/||v2 - (z1 . v2)|| = [25 0 -25] - 5 [4/5 0 3/5] = [25 0 -25] + [-4 0 -3] = [21 0 -28] = u2

then 1/||u2|| = sqrt(21^2 + 0^2 + -28^2) = 35

So i should get (1/35)[25 0 -25]

But in the book it shows the correct answer to be:

(1/5)[3 0 -4]?? I don't see where I went wrong.. I went over it several times.. I just must be missing something??
 
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it's so difficult to understand what you wrote but if you want to project \vec{u_1} onto \vec{u_2} you do this:

\frac{\vec{u_1} \bullet \vec{u_2}}{\vec{u_1} \bullet \vec{u_1}} \vec{u_1}

then the orthogonal compliment is just u_1 - proj
 
blahh.. I don't get it.. I did and still not the right answer is produced.. can someone help.. I don't know what I am missing

The main question is to just perform Gram-Schmidt on those first two vectors:
4
0
3
and
25
0
-25

I did it in the first post and just did it again.. I still i get a different answer then what is in the book.
 
I suggest taking your sweet ass time when doing the Gram-Schmidt process. It's so easy to make a mistake and one mistake just carries on.

Do it slowly and double check and check again.
 
I did this.. just want to make sure my formula is right for vector 2.. where u1 = what you received for the first vector.

V2 =
v2 - (u1 (dot product) v2)u1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
||v2 - (u1 (dot product) v2)u1||

where ~~~~ = divide.

I did this over and over again and seem to get (1/35)v2
 
EDIT: Nevermind, your first post works out doesn't it?

You have u_2=[21 0 -28]=7[3 0 -4]

so normalize it to get the right answer.
 
Last edited:
i get how you got 7[3 0 -4]

but for the answer it shows:

(1/5) [3 0 -4]

So I am still not sure how the hell they got the (1/5)
 
What is 3^2+(-4)^2?

Jason: in this context, is 2000 or 2007 the more memorable number? :wink:
 
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh alright i think i got it.. thank you all for your help.. But what happens to the 7?
 
  • #10
You are just normalizing the vector, i.e. scale it so becomes of unit length.
If v is a nonzero vector, then clearly v/|v| is a unit vector, where |v| is the norm of v.
So what is the norm of 7[3 0 -4] ?
 

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