Vector Projections
Topics You Need To Understand For This Page |
---|
Recommended Books on Amazon (affiliate links) | ||
---|---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Projection
We know from basic trigonometry, the projection of vector \(\vec{A}\) onto vector \(\vec{B}\) (see figure to the right) is just \( \|\vec{A}\| \cos(\theta)\). However, what if we don't know the value of angle \(\theta\)? We can use the dot product to find the projection of one vector onto another. Let's derive the equation.
From the picture on the right, it is easy to see that the magnitude of the projection of vector \(\vec{A}\) onto vector \(\vec{B}\) is \( \|proj_{\vec{B}} \vec{A} \| = \|\vec{A}\| \cos(\theta)\). Since we don't know the angle \(\theta\), we can use the angle between vectors formula to substitute for \(\cos(\theta)\) as follows.
\(\begin{array}{rcl} \| proj_{\vec{B}} \vec{A}\| & = & \|\vec{A}\| \cos(\theta) \\ & = & \displaystyle{ \|\vec{A}\| \frac{\vec{A} \cdot \vec{B}}{\|\vec{A}\| \|\vec{B}\|} } \\ & = & \displaystyle{ \frac{\vec{A} \cdot \vec{B}}{\|\vec{B}\|} } \end{array}\)
Notice that this result is just the magnitude of the projection of vector \(\vec{A}\) onto \(\vec{B}\). If we want to find the projection vector itself, we can multiply this result by the unit vector in the direction of \(\vec{B}\) and end up with \[ proj_{\vec{B}} \vec{A} = \frac{\vec{A} \cdot \vec{B}}{\|\vec{B}\|} \frac{\vec{B}}{\|\vec{B}\|} = \frac{\vec{A} \cdot \vec{B}}{\|\vec{B}\|^2} \vec{B} \] This last equation is the preferred equation since calculating \(\|\vec{B}\|\) requires taking a square root, so squaring it removes that difficulty.
Here is a great video explaining vector projection in more detail.
video by Dr Chris Tisdell |
---|
Vector Component
Now that we have the projection vector, it is a simple matter to find the vector component of \(\vec{A}\) orthogonal to \(\vec{B}\) (the dashed line in the above picture) using basic addition of vectors. Let's call our unknown vector \(\vec{v}\). We know that \( proj_{\vec{B}} \vec{A} + \vec{v} = \vec{A}\). Solving for \(\vec{v}\), we have the vector component of \(\vec{A}\) that is orthogonal to \(\vec{B}\) which is \[ \vec{v} = \vec{A} - proj_{\vec{B}} \vec{A} \]
Study Note
We highly recommend that you spend some going through this section carefully until you understand it well. When you get to lines and planes, you will need to understand and be able to use this concept.
Notation
You may find different notation for the projection vector than we used here. The notation \( proj_{\vec{B}} \vec{A} \) is fairly common but not used exclusively.
Okay, time for some practice problems.
Practice
Find the projection of \(\vec{u}=\langle 25, 25\sqrt{3} \rangle\) onto \(\vec{v}=\langle 11,4 \rangle\).
Problem Statement |
---|
Find the projection of \(\vec{u}=\langle 25, 25\sqrt{3} \rangle\) onto \(\vec{v}=\langle 11,4 \rangle\).
Final Answer |
---|
\(\langle 36,13 \rangle\)
Problem Statement
Find the projection of \(\vec{u}=\langle 25, 25\sqrt{3} \rangle\) onto \(\vec{v}=\langle 11,4 \rangle\).
Solution
These videos are part of a longer video and this is just part of the example. You do not need to know the missing parts in order to extract the solution. The explanation is shown in three video clips.
video by Larson Calculus |
---|
video by Larson Calculus |
---|
video by Larson Calculus |
---|
Final Answer
\(\langle 36,13 \rangle\)
Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating. |
---|
Let \(\vec{u} = \langle 1, -2, 2 \rangle \) and let \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle e^{2t} - 2\sin^2t - 4, e^t + \cos^2t + t, t-1 \rangle \). Find a formula for \( proj_{\vec{u}}( \vec{r}(t) ) \) and determine all times when the projection is the zero vector \( \vec{0} \).
Problem Statement
Let \(\vec{u} = \langle 1, -2, 2 \rangle \) and let \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle e^{2t} - 2\sin^2t - 4, e^t + \cos^2t + t, t-1 \rangle \). Find a formula for \( proj_{\vec{u}}( \vec{r}(t) ) \) and determine all times when the projection is the zero vector \( \vec{0} \).
Solution
video by Steve Butler |
---|
Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating. |
---|
Really UNDERSTAND Calculus
Log in to rate this page and to see it's current rating.
To bookmark this page and practice problems, log in to your account or set up a free account.
Do you have a practice problem number but do not know on which page it is found? If so, enter the number below and click 'page' to go to the page on which it is found or click 'practice' to be taken to the practice problem.
| |
I recently started a Patreon account to help defray the expenses associated with this site. To keep this site free, please consider supporting me. |
---|
Support 17Calculus on Patreon |
|
---|