# Vector projection and perpendicular

• Jun 25th 2012, 08:34 PM
M.R
Vector projection and perpendicular
Hi,

I am trying to solve the following problem:

1. Find the projection of $u=2i+j+3k$ on $v=-i+3j+2k$. Hence resolve $u$ into two vectors, one parallel to $v$ and the other perpendicular to $v$.

I can solve the the first part, just by using the projection formula = $(u . v / |v|) . v / |v|$

But how do I get it perpendicular to $v$? I know that if the dot product of two vectors = 0, then they are perpendicular. So:

projection dot ??? = 0. How do I calculate what to dot it with?
• Jun 26th 2012, 12:43 AM
biffboy
Re: Vector projection and perpendicular
By trial and error i+j-k is perpendicular to v
• Jun 26th 2012, 03:46 AM
Kmath
Re: Vector projection and perpendicular
• Jun 26th 2012, 04:15 AM
Plato
Re: Vector projection and perpendicular
Quote:

Originally Posted by M.R
1. Find the projection of $u=2i+j+3k$ on $v=-i+3j+2k$.
Hence resolve $u$ into two vectors, one parallel to $v$ and the other perpendicular to $v$.
I can solve the the first part, just by using the projection formula = $(u . v / |v|) . v / |v|$
But how do I get it perpendicular to $v$?

You need to know these two:

${u_{||}} = \frac{{u \cdot v}}{{v \cdot v}}v\;\& \;{u_ \bot } = u - {u_{||}}$

Those two are perpendicular and their sum is $u$.
• Jun 26th 2012, 04:23 AM
M.R
Re: Vector projection and perpendicular
Quote:

Originally Posted by Plato
$\;{u_ \bot } = u - {u_{||}}$

That's what I needed. Thanks
• Jun 27th 2012, 12:29 AM
earboth
Re: Vector projection and perpendicular
Quote:

Originally Posted by M.R
Hi,

I am trying to solve the following problem:

1. Find the projection of $u=2i+j+3k$ on $v=-i+3j+2k$. Hence resolve $u$ into two vectors, one parallel to $v$ and the other perpendicular to $v$.

I can solve the the first part, just by using the projection formula = $(u . v / |v|) . v / |v|$

But how do I get it perpendicular to $v$? I know that if the dot product of two vectors = 0, then they are perpendicular. So:

projection dot ??? = 0. How do I calculate what to dot it with?

This is a more geometrical explanation (if I understand your problem correctly!):

The vectors $\vec u$ und $\vec v$ span a plane. You are looking for a vector $\vec p$ which lies in this plane and is perpendicular to $\vec v$.

$\displaystyle{\vec p = (\vec u \times \vec v) \times \vec v}$

will do.
• Jun 27th 2012, 03:28 AM
M.R
Re: Vector projection and perpendicular
Quote:

Originally Posted by earboth
This is a more geometrical explanation (if I understand your problem correctly!):

The vectors $\vec u$ und $\vec v$ span a plane. You are looking for a vector $\vec p$ which lies in this plane and is perpendicular to $\vec v$.

$\displaystyle{\vec p = (\vec u \times \vec v) \times \vec v}$

will do.

Would that also mean that it is perpendicular to both vectors $\vec u$ and $\vec v$?
• Jun 27th 2012, 03:45 AM
Plato
Re: Vector projection and perpendicular
Quote:

Originally Posted by M.R
Would that also mean that it is perpendicular to both vectors $\vec u$ and $\vec v$?

Yes that is correct. The answer I gave you is a standard in as much as it is the decomposition of $\vec u$ into the sum of two vectors one parallel to $\vec v$ the other perpendicular to $\vec v$.
• Jun 27th 2012, 04:08 AM
M.R
Re: Vector projection and perpendicular
Thanks