ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Specialist Mathematics => Topic started by: smiley_1332 on March 28, 2011, 11:33:56 pm

Title: Vector question urgent!!!
Post by: smiley_1332 on March 28, 2011, 11:33:56 pm

How do you find a unit vector that is perpendicular to two other vectors given? Please answer ASAP!!!

Title: Re: Vector question urgent!!!
Post by: xZero on March 28, 2011, 11:44:35 pm

vector cross product, the resulting vector will be perpendicular to the 2 given vectors, but for a unit vector you just divide the new vector by its magnitude

Title: Re: Vector question urgent!!!
Post by: Asx4Life on March 29, 2011, 12:29:44 am

Multiply the unit vector with the 2 other vectors giving you 2 equations. Then you third vector is x^2+y^2=z^2=1 since magnitude of a unit vector is 1. These type of questions are very common.

Title: Re: Vector question urgent!!!
Post by: xZero on March 29, 2011, 07:42:45 am

Quote from: Asx4Life on March 29, 2011, 12:29:44 am

Multiply the unit vector with the 2 other vectors giving you 2 equations. Then you third vector is x^2+y^2=z^2=1 since magnitude of a unit vector is 1. These type of questions are very common.

I believe x^2+y^2+z^2=1 describes a plane, which is not a part of the course. Heck even the cross product is not a part of the course

Title: Re: Vector question urgent!!!
Post by: /0 on March 29, 2011, 08:15:57 am

Well it's just meant to be seen as an equation, not a sphere... so yeah this question is within spesh.