SOLUTION: prove that the points whos position vectors are 4i j 3k, i 3j 2k and 2i 7k are vertices of a right angle triangle

Algebra.Com
Question 1046902: prove that the points whos position vectors are 4i j 3k, i 3j 2k and 2i 7k are vertices of a right angle triangle
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20060)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

The signs are missing from the components of the vectors.
There are a number of ways the signs could have been so 
that the claim would be true.  I will choose one way that 
works.

There are two ways to show that a right triangle is
formed by the vectors, by 
1. showing that the three magnitudes satisfy the Pythagorean 
theorem 
2. showing that the dot product of two of the vectors is zero.
 
I'll use the Pythagorean theorem
method.  Let the three vectors be:

A = 4i-j-3k, B = i-3j-2k, and C = 2i-7k  

If vectors P and Q have a common tail, then the
vector P-Q can have its tip at the tip of P and
its tail at the tip of Q.

Therefore, 

the vector that can have its tip at the
tip of A and its tail at the tip of B is A-B, and
its magnitude is the same as the vector B-A.

A-B = [(4)-(1)]i+[(-1)-(-3)]j+[(-3)-(-2)]k =
[4-1]i+[-1+3]j+[-3+2]k = 3i+2j-k
∥A-B∥ = ∥B-A∥ = 

the vector that can have its tip at the
tip of A and its tail at the tip of C is A-C, and
its magnitude is the same as the vector A-C.

A-C = [(4)-(2)]i+[(-1)-(0)]j+[(-3)-(-7)]k =
[4-2]i+[-1]j+[-3+7]k = 2i-j+4k
∥A-C∥ = ∥C-A∥ = 

the vector that can have its tip at the
tip of B and its tail at the tip of C is B-C, and
its magnitude is the same as the vector B-C.

B-C = [(1)-(2)]i+[(-3)-(0)]j+[(-2)-(-7)]k =
[1-2]i+[-3]j+[-2+7]k = -i-3j+5k
∥B-C∥ = ∥C-B∥ = 

By the inverse of the Pythagorean theorem,

∥A-B∥2+∥A-C∥2 =  ∥B-C∥2

So the 3 vectors joining the tips of A,B, and C form
a right triangle.

Edwin

RELATED QUESTIONS

show that the vectors a=2i+3j-k and b=3i-j+3k are... (answered by Alan3354)
given a=2i-j+2k and b=i+3j-2k, find a) the cosine of the angle between the two vectors... (answered by richard1234)
The points A, B, C and D have position vectors i +j +k, 2i+3j, 3i+5j-2k and -j+k... (answered by Fombitz)
Evening All. Struggling on this vectors problem. i)If a and b are perpendicular, (answered by Edwin McCravy)
Find the vector equation for the line of intersection between r.(4i + 3j + 7k) = 12 and... (answered by Fombitz)
1) If p=2i-3j, q=3i+5j and r=i+j find 2p+q-3r. 2) The position vectors of the points... (answered by Edwin McCravy)
Helloo amazing tutors, can you guys help me out in answering this? Thank youu The... (answered by robertb,Fombitz)
Question – 5: Consider the vectors,a=12i + 2j, b= -2i + 3j, and c = a-b (a) Find the... (answered by stanbon)
Two sides of a triangle are formed by the vector A=3i+6j-2k and vector B=4i-j+3k... (answered by Alan3354)