SOLUTION: #6. We know that |[3,4]| = 5; how do we find a vector that points in the same direction and has length 1?

Algebra ->  Length-and-distance -> SOLUTION: #6. We know that |[3,4]| = 5; how do we find a vector that points in the same direction and has length 1?      Log On


   

Question 146808: #6. We know that |[3,4]| = 5; how do we find a vector that points in the same direction and has length 1?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You need to keep the same ratio of 3:4 so multiply both by a and set the length equal to 1.
[3a,4a]
%283a%29%5E2%2B%284a%29%5E2=1
9a%5E2%2B16a%5E2=1
25a%5E2=1
a%5E2=1%2F25
a=1%2F5
[3/5,4/5] has the same direction and now has a length of 1.