Calculus and Vectors How to get an A+

7.5 Scalar and Vector Projections

A Scalar Projection
r
r
The scalar projection of the vector a onto the vector b is a
scalar defined as:
r
r
r
r r
SProj (a onto b ) =|| a || cos where = (a , b )

Ex 1. Given two vectors with the magnitudes

r
r
|| a ||= 10 and || b ||= 16 respectively, and the angle
between them equal to = 120 , find the scalar
projection
r
r
a) of the vector a onto the vector b
r
r
b) of the vector b onto the vector a

B Special Cases
r
r
Consider two vectors a and b .
r
r
r
r
r
a) If a b ( cos = 1 ), then SProj (a onto b ) =|| a ||
r
r
r
r
r
b) If a b ( cos = 1 ), then SProj (a onto b ) = || a ||
r
r
r r
c) If a b then SProj (a onto b ) = 0

r
Ex 2. Find the scalar projection of the vector a onto:

C Dot Product and Scalar Projection

r
r
Recall that the dot product of the vectors a and b is defined
as:
r r r r
a b =|| a || || b || cos
r
r
So, the scalar projection of the vector a onto the vector b
can be written as:
r r
r
r
r
a b
SProj (a onto b ) =|| a || cos = r
|| b ||
Note:
For a Cartesian (Rectangular) coordinate system, the scalar
r
components a x , a y , and a z of a vector a = (a x , a y , a z ) are
r
r
the scalar projections of the vector a onto the unit vectors i ,
r
r
j , and k .
Proof:
r
r ar i (a x , a y , a z ) (1,0,0)
r
SProj (a onto i ) = r =
= ax
1
|| i ||

r
Ex 3. Given the vector a = (2,3,4) , find the scalar
projection:
r
r
a) of a onto the unit vector i

D Vector Projection
r
r
The vector projection of the vector a onto the vector b is a
vector defined as:
r
r
r
r
b
VProj (a onto b ) =|| a || cos r
|| b ||

E Dot Product and Vector Projection

r
The vector projection of the vector a onto the vector
r
b can be written using the dot product as:
r r
r (ar b )b
r
VProj (a onto b ) = r 2
|| b ||
Note:
For a Cartesian (Rectangular) coordinate system, the
r
r r
r
r
r
vector components a x = a x i , a y = a y j , and a z = a z k of
r
a vector a = (a x , a y , a z ) are the vector projections of the
r
r r
r
vector a onto the unit vectors i , j , and k .

a) itself
r
b) the opposite vector a

r r
r
b) of a onto the vector i j

r
r
r r
r
c) of a onto the vector b = i + 2 j + k

r
r
d) of the unit vector i onto the vector a

7.5 Scalar and Vector Projections

2010 Iulia & Teodoru Gugoiu - Page 1 of 2

Calculus and Vectors How to get an A+

r
r
Ex 4. Given two vectors a = (0,1,2) and b = (1,0,3) , find:
r
r
a) the vector projection of the vector a onto the vector b

Ex 5. Find an expression using the dot product of the

r
vector components of the vector a along to the vector
r
b and along to a direction perpendicular to the direction
r
of the vector b but in the same plan containing the
r
r
vectors a and b .

r
r
b) the vector projection of the vector b onto the vector a

r
r
c) the vector projection of the vector a onto the unit vector k

r
r
d) the vector projection of the vector i onto the vector a

Reading: Nelson Textbook, Pages 390-398

Homework: Nelson Textbook: Page 399 # 6, 11, 13, 14

7.5 Scalar and Vector Projections

2010 Iulia & Teodoru Gugoiu - Page 2 of 2