Thread: Proof question - Orthogonal Vectors

I can never seem to prove these things. I have a practice question and I'm not sure how the layout should be.

Suppose a vector y is orthogonal to vectors u and v. Show that y is orthogonal to the vector u+v.

I know the basic rules for what makes vectors orthogonal but when I have to generalise that to show stuff like this i get totally lost. Any help please?

Ok, I am not sure i understand what you mean by <y,u>? is this the coordinate representation of a vector?

Originally Posted by Ife

Ok, I am not sure i understand what you mean by <y,u>? is this the coordinate representation of a vector?

It is one of the notations for the inner product: etc.

you may know <y,u> as the "dot product".

ohh. i haven't seen it like that as yet, i think.. thanks