Difference between revisions of "Unit vectors"
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{{Example | {{Example | ||
− | |Title= | + | |Title=Determination of the unit vector to a given vector |
|Contents= | |Contents= | ||
− | + | The vector <math>\vec{\mathbf{b}}</math> is given and the corresponding unit vector shall be determined:<br/><br/> | |
+ | :<math> | ||
+ | \vec{\mathbf{b}}=\begin{bmatrix} 3\\ 0\\ 4 \end{bmatrix} | ||
+ | </math> | ||
:<math> | :<math> | ||
\vec{\textbf{e}}_{b} = \frac{\vec{\textbf{b}}}{|\vec{\textbf{b}}|} = | \vec{\textbf{e}}_{b} = \frac{\vec{\textbf{b}}}{|\vec{\textbf{b}}|} = | ||
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\begin{bmatrix} \frac{3}{5}\\ 0\\ \frac{4}{5} \end{bmatrix} | \begin{bmatrix} \frac{3}{5}\\ 0\\ \frac{4}{5} \end{bmatrix} | ||
</math> | </math> | ||
− | + | The calculation of the magnitude shows thats it equals 1 indeed: | |
:<math> | :<math> | ||
|\vec{\textbf{e}}_{b}| = | |\vec{\textbf{e}}_{b}| = |
Revision as of 16:11, 14 May 2014
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A unit vector is a vector with magnitude 1. The unit vector to a given vector can be determinde by dividing the given vector by its magnitude :
The vector has the magnitude 1 (so ) and is pointed to the direction of . So every vector can be described by its magnitude (so a scalar value) and the corresponding unit vector. Therefore can also be written as follows:
Example: Determination of the unit vector to a given vector
The vector is given and the corresponding unit vector shall be determined: The calculation of the magnitude shows thats it equals 1 indeed: |