- Home
- Calculus 3
- Three Dimensions
Dot product
- Intro Lesson: a5:18
- Intro Lesson: b3:31
- Intro Lesson: c4:39
- Lesson: 12:07
- Lesson: 21:55
- Lesson: 33:07
- Lesson: 410:40
- Lesson: 53:37
- Lesson: 65:21
Dot product
Lessons
Notes:
Dot Product
Let u=<a,b,c> and v=<d,e,f>. Then the dot product of these two vectors will be:
If the dot product of two vectors u and v gives 0, then the vectors are perpendicular. In other words,
Suppose we have two vectors a and b. Suppose they create an angle θ such that we get the following picture:
Let u,v,w be vectors and c be a scalar. Then the properties of dot products are:
Dot Product
Let u=<a,b,c> and v=<d,e,f>. Then the dot product of these two vectors will be:
u⋅v=ad+be+df
Dot Product PropertyIf the dot product of two vectors u and v gives 0, then the vectors are perpendicular. In other words,
u⋅v=0→ perpendicular vectors
Scalar and Vector ProjectionSuppose we have two vectors a and b. Suppose they create an angle θ such that we get the following picture:

∣v∣=∣b∣a⋅b
To find the vector projection a onto b (which is v), we use the formula:v=b⋅ba⋅bb
Additional Dot Product PropertiesLet u,v,w be vectors and c be a scalar. Then the properties of dot products are:
- u⋅u=∣u∣2
- u⋅v=v⋅u
- u⋅(v+w)=u⋅v+u⋅w
- (cu)⋅v=u⋅(cv)=c(u⋅v)
- IntroductionDot Product Overview:a)Dot Product and its Special Property
- Multiplying the corresponding entries, and adding
- Dot product = 0 → vectors are perpendicular
b)Application to Dot Product- What is scalar projection? Vector projection
- Formula for scalar projection: ∣v∣=∣b∣a⋅b
- Formula for vector projection v=b⋅ba⋅bb
c)More Properties of Dot Product- Order
- Length
- Distribution
- Scalar
- 1.Using the Dot Product
Find the dot product of u=<−1,−2,7> and v=<−2,1,−2>. - 2.Find the dot product of u=<1,−5,−3> and v=<−1,1,2>.
- 3.Using the Dot Product Property
Suppose two vectors u=<a,4,−3>and v=<1,2,3> are perpendicular. Find a. - 4.Finding Scalar and Vector Projections
Find the scalar and vector projection of BA onto CA if A=(1,0,2), B=(3,−2,1) and C=(−4,1,5). - 5.Verifying Properties of Dot Product
Use the two vectors u=<3,1,5> and v=<1,4,−6> to show that:u⋅u=∣u∣2
- 6.Use the 3 vectors u=<3,1,5>, v=<1,4,−6>, and w=<1,0,3> to show that:
u⋅(v+w)=u⋅v+u⋅w