In Exercises 5–8, let v = -5i + 2j and w = 2i - 4j Find the specified vector, scalar, or angle. v ⋅ w

Key Concepts

Dot Product

The dot product is a mathematical operation that takes two vectors and returns a scalar. It is calculated by multiplying the corresponding components of the vectors and then summing those products. For vectors v = (v1, v2) and w = (w1, w2), the dot product is given by v ⋅ w = v1 * w1 + v2 * w2. This operation is useful in determining the angle between two vectors and in various applications in physics and engineering.

Vector Components

Vectors can be expressed in terms of their components along the coordinate axes. For example, the vector v = -5i + 2j has components -5 in the i (x-axis) direction and 2 in the j (y-axis) direction. Understanding vector components is essential for performing operations like addition, subtraction, and the dot product, as it allows for straightforward calculations using the individual parts of the vectors.

Scalar Result

The result of the dot product operation is a scalar, which is a single numerical value rather than a vector. This scalar can provide information about the relationship between the two vectors, such as their directional alignment. If the scalar is positive, the vectors point in a similar direction; if it is negative, they point in opposite directions; and if it is zero, the vectors are orthogonal (perpendicular) to each other.