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Grade 11Vectors

why is vector division undefined?

Profile image of sai nath
14 Years agoGrade 11
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4 Answers

Profile image of Deepali Singh
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer14 Years ago

Division basically refers to multiplication of reciprocal. For example a/b is same as a*1/b or we can say, is same as a*b-1, which is "a" multiplied to the inverse of "b". There is no way of finding an inverse to a vector, and even if you could, you cant necessarily know if division in case of vectors implies left multiplication of inverse or right multiplication of inverse as we know that multiplication is not commutative in case of vectors i.e. AB≠BA where A,B are vectors. Hence, division of vectors is not defined.

If A and B are vectors, A/B could be AB-1 or it could be B-1A. Which way we mean isnt certain, and commutativity is an issue. And then finding b-1 is also an issue. Therefore A/B cannot be found out.

Profile image of Kolla Raja Sekhar
14 Years ago

as a vector has direction

Profile image of sai nath
14 Years ago

when direction can be multiplied.then it should also be divided.

Profile image of KAPIL MANDAL
11 Years ago
Later in solid state physics, you will see it practically.