Perpendicular Vectors

Discussions for the Core part of the syllabus. Algebra, Functions and equations, Circular functions and trigonometry, Vectors, Statistics and probability, Calculus. IB Maths HL Revision Notes

Perpendicular Vectors

Vectors, Scalar Product, Perpendicular vectors - IB Maths HL

How can we find the value of the parameter $n$ for which the vectors

$v= \begin{pmatrix} 3n \\ -4n \\ 7 \end{pmatrix}$ and

$w= \begin{pmatrix} 6 \\ -8 \\ 4 \end{pmatrix}$ are perpendicular?

Thanks
lora

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Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:36 pm

Re: Perpendicular Vectors

IB Maths HL – Vectors, dot Product, perpendicular vectors

We know that two vectors are perpendicular if and only their scalar product equals zero.

Therefore,

$v \cdot w=(3n \cdot 6) + (-4n \cdot (-8)) + (7 \cdot 4) =18n+32n+28=0$

$\Rightarrow 50n= -28 \Rightarrow n=\frac{-28}{50}=\frac{-14}{25}$

Hope these help!!
lily

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Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:04 pm

Re: Perpendicular Vectors

Thanks Lily!!
lora

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Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:36 pm