Writing orthogonal vectors as linear combinations

[thedemon13666]

Hello,

Quick question, not really homework but more of a general inquiry. Take three vectors: a,b and c such that a and c are orthogonal. Is it possible to write c as a linear combination of a and b such that:

c = ma + nb where m,n are scalars.

I was thinking not at first glance but reading around has made me think twice.
Is it possible?

Thanks

 

[klawlor419]

Vectors a and c define a plane. There is definitely a vector b such that c=ma+nb that lies in that plane. So yes it is possible

 

[haruspex]

Take three vectors: a,b and c such that a and c are orthogonal. Is it possible to write c as a linear combination of a and b such that:
c = ma + nb where m,n are scalars.

Did you mean, s.t. a and b are orthogonal? Yes: c = (a.c/a.a)a + (a.b/b.b)b
But if you meant a and c are orthogonal, not if a and b are collinear.
If a and b are neither collinear nor orthogonal, there's a range of solutions for the coefficients.

 

[thedemon13666]

I actually mean a and c are orthogonal.

I see now, as it is possible to define the vector b in terms of a and c, it is then just rearranging.

Cheers!