# Thread: Projection of a vector onto a line

1. ## Projection of a vector onto a line

I need to find the projection of vector $\vec{a} = \sqrt{2}\cdot\vec{i}-3\cdot\vec{j}-5\cdot\vec{k}$ onto the line that makes $\alpha = 45^{\circ}$ angle with $Ox$, $\gamma = 60^{\circ}$ angle with $Oz$ and an acute angle with $Oy$

2. Originally Posted by sillyme
I need to find the projection of vector $\vec{a} = \sqrt{2}\cdot\vec{i}-3\cdot\vec{j}-5\cdot\vec{k}$ onto the line that makes $\alpha = 45^{\circ}$ angle with $Ox$, $\gamma = 60^{\circ}$ angle with $Oz$ and an acute angle with $Oy$
If a line makes angles $\alpha$, $\beta$, $\gamma$ with the x, y, and z axes respectively, then the "direction cosines" satisfy $cos^2(\alpha)+ cos^2(\beta)+ cos^2(\gamma)= 1$ and the vector $cos(\alpha)\vec{i}+ cos(\beta)\vec{j}+ cos(\gamma)\vec{k}$ is a unit vector in the direction of the line.

Here, $\alpha= 45$ so $cos(\alpha)= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$ and $cos^2(\alpha)= \frac{1}{2}$.

$\beta= 60$ so $cos(\beta)= \frac{1}{2}$ and $cos^2(\beta)= \frac{1}{4}$.

That means that $cos^2(\gamma)= 1- 1/2- 1/4= 1/4$ and so $cos(\gamma)= 1/2$

A unit vector in the direction of the line is $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\vec{i}+ \frac{1}{2}\vec{j}+ \frac{1}{2}\vec{k}$

Can you find the projection of your given vector onto that?

3. ## Thanks

Yes. Now I can calculate the projection. Thank you HallsofIvy!