49.0k views
1 vote
Determine whether the vectors u and v are parallel, orthogonal, or neither.

u = <10,0>, V = <0,-9>

User Zoecarver
by
6.6k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

Orthogonal.

Explanation:

Given:

u = <10, 0>

v = <0, -9>

In unit vector notation, the above vectors can be re-written as:

u = 10i + 0j

v = 0i - 9j

Now, note the following:

(i) two vectors, u and v, are parallel to each other if one is a scalar multiple of the other. i.e

u = kv

or

v = ku

for some nonzero value of a scalar k.

(ii) two vectors are orthogonal if their dot product gives zero. i.e

u . v = 0

Let's use the explanations above to determine whether the given vectors are parallel or orthogonal.

(a) If parallel

u = k v

10i + 0j = k (0i - 9j) ?

When k = 1, the above equation becomes

10i + 0j ≠ 0i - 9j

When k = 2,

10i + 0j ≠ 2(0i - 9j)

10i + 0j ≠ 0i - 18j

Since we cannot find any value of k for which u = kv or v = ku, then the two vectors are not parallel to each other.

(b) If Orthogonal

u.v = (10i + 0j) . (0i - 9j)

[multiply the i components together, and add the result to the multiplication of the j components]

u.v = (10i * 0i) + (0j * 9j)

u.v = (0) + (0)

u.v = 0

Since the dot product of the two vectors gave zero, then the two vectors are orthogonal.

User Pitersmx
by
6.8k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.