Thread: dot product property proof help

Hey guys, I need help proving the following two dot product properties using 3 space vectors.
1) s (a . b ) = sa . b = a . sb, s being a scalar, a and b being vectors

2) That it is distributive, i.e. a . (b . c) = a . b + a . c

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by TheJacksonater

Hey guys, I need help proving the following two dot product properties using 3 space vectors.
1) s (a . b ) = sa . b = a . sb, s being a scalar, a and b being vectors

2) That it is distributive, i.e. a . (b . c) = a . b + a . c

Thanks!!

these require some algebraic manipulation.

let , , and

now just plug them in on the right side of each equation and simplify so that you get the left side. or, alternatively, expand both sides and show that you get the same thing

Originally Posted by Jhevon

these require some algebraic manipulation.

let , , and

now just plug them in on the right side of each equation and simplify so that you get the left side. or, alternatively, expand both sides and show that you get the same thing

Yup, I follow along that I'm suppose to use a1, a2, etc.... but I am having trouble with the algebraic manipulation.

Edit: nvm, solved it.