Mathematics

Mathematics

Problem

Consider two non-zero vectors a\mathbf{a} and b\mathbf{b} in three-dimensional space. a. (i) State the relation between a⋅b\mathbf{a}\cdot\mathbf{b}, ∣a∣|\mathbf{a}|, ∣b∣|\mathbf{b}| and the angle θ\theta between the vectors. b. (ii) Prove that if a⋅b=∣a∣ ∣b∣\mathbf{a}\cdot\mathbf{b}=|\mathbf{a}|\,|\mathbf{b}|, then a\mathbf{a} and b\mathbf{b} are parallel and point in the same direction. c. (iii) Prove that if a⋅b=−∣a∣ ∣b∣\mathbf{a}\cdot\mathbf{b}=-|\mathbf{a}|\,|\mathbf{b}|, then a\mathbf{a} and b\mathbf{b} are parallel but point in opposite directions. d. (iv) Give one concrete numerical example in R3\mathbb R^{3} to illustrate each of the results obtained in parts (ii) and (iii).

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