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Vectors

Find the coordinates of a unit vector that is perpendicular to both of the vectors

x=(1,1,1) and y=(1,3,-1) and makes an obtuse angle with the z-axis.

Profile image of ilham rafie
15 Years agoGrade
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2 Answers

Profile image of vikas askiitian expert
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer15 Years ago

x = i + j + k

y = i + 3j - k

vector perpendicular to both is given by (yXx) ..let z = (yXx) then

Z = (i+3j-k)x(i+j+k)

Z = 4i - 2j  - 2k

unit vector = Z/modZ = (4i-2j-2k)/root24

x,y,z components are (4/root24 , -2/root24 , -2/root24 )

Profile image of Chetan Mandayam Nayakar
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer15 Years ago

let z be the required vector. z=±(x×y)/l(x×y)l, So there are two vectors. Consider their dot products with k, one of them will be positive and the other will be negative. The one that is negative makes an obtuse angle with the z-axis. This vector is the answer.