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3D Vectors Updated Feb 2015 PDF
3D Vectors Updated Feb 2015 PDF
General Information
Given 𝑣 = 𝑎𝑖 + 𝑏𝑗 + 𝑐𝑘, the point V has coordinates 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and the vector 𝑣 has magnitude 𝑣 =
+ 1
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 = 𝑟 and so a unit vector in the direction of 𝑣 is 𝑣 = 𝑟 𝑎𝑖 + 𝑏𝑗 + 𝑐𝑘 .
Whereas the direction of a vector in 2 dimension could be determined by looking at the angle the vector
makes with the positive x-axis, the direction of a vector in 3 dimension is given by looking at the angle
the vector makes with each of the coordinate axes leading to what is known as the direction ratio or the
direction cosines of a vector.
The Direction Ratio of 𝑣 = 𝑎𝑖 + 𝑏𝑗 + 𝑐𝑘 is 𝑎: 𝑏: 𝑐. Looking at the angle the vector makes with each
coordinate axis the Cosine Ratios are developed
𝑎
cos 𝛼 = 𝑟 = 𝑙
𝑏 1) 𝑙 2 + 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 = 1
cos 𝛽 = 𝑟 = 𝑚 The cosine ratios lead to 2 additional relationships
2) 𝑎 = 𝑙𝑟, 𝑏 = 𝑚𝑟, 𝑐 = 𝑛𝑟
𝑐
cos 𝛾 = 𝑟 = 𝑛
𝑥 = 𝑎 + 𝜆𝑥1 = 𝑑 + 𝜇𝑥2 Solve the system of equations by solving two equations first and
𝑦 = 𝑏 + 𝜆𝑦1 = 𝑒 + 𝜇𝑦2 then testing the solutions obtained for λ and μ to see if the values
𝑧 = 𝑐 + 𝜆𝑧1 = 𝑓 + 𝜇𝑧2 satisfy all three equations.
If a value for 𝜆 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜇 that satisfies all three equations cannot be found the lines should be classified as
non-intersecting or skew lines.
Since n is perpendicular to Π, then the dot product of any vector on Π and n is zero.
I.e. 𝑃𝑁 ∙ 𝑂𝑁 = 0 and 𝐴𝑁 ∙ 𝑂𝑁 = 0 since 𝑃𝑁 and 𝑁𝐴 are perpendicular to 𝑂𝑁.
𝑃𝑁 and 𝑁𝐴 will also be perpendicular to a unit vector in the direction of n.
NB. If 𝑛 = 𝑑 then 𝑑𝑛 = 𝑛
E.g. Let a plane l be perpendicular to the vector 𝑛 = 2𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 4𝑘. Let the point A 2, 1, 3 be on the plane l.
a) Write the vector equation of the plane l.
b) Hence write the Cartesian equation of l.
Since the plane l is perpendicular to 𝑛 = 2𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 4𝑘 then the dot product of any vector on the plane l and
𝑛 = 2𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 4𝑘 is zero. Let R 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 be another point on the plane l and N be the point where 𝑛 = 2𝑖 + 3𝑗 −
4𝑘 touches the plane l.
So 𝐴𝑁 and 𝑅𝑁 are vectors on l that are both perpendicular to 𝑛 = 2𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 4𝑘 and their dot products are equal.
However, we do not have components for 𝐴𝑁 and 𝑅𝑁 but we can find them using the Triangle Law of vectors as
shown above. From the working above we know that 𝑟 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝑑 and 𝑎 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝑑 and by multiplying by d we get
𝑟 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑛.
𝑎 ∙ 𝑛 = 2 2 + 3 1 + −4 3 = 4 + 3 − 12 = −5
3
S. Kenny-Bennett March 12, 2014