Prove (u+v)dot(u-v)=0 iff |u|=|v|

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In summary, if u = x1, y1, and v = x2, y2, then u dot v= x1x2 + y1y2. If u=x1, y1, and v=x2, y2, then (x1+x2),(y1+y2) dot ((x1-x2),(y1-y2))= (x1x2+y1y2). If u=x1, y1, and v=x2, y2, then (x1^2-x2^2),(y1^2-y2^2)= (x2^2+y2^2). Finally,
  • #1
f25274
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Homework Statement


Show that (u+v)dot(u-v)=0 iff |u| = |v|


Homework Equations


if u= x1, y1
and if v= x2, y2
then u dot v= x1x2 + y1y2

The Attempt at a Solution


((x1+x2),(y1+y2)) dot ((x1-x2),(y1-y2))=
(x1^2-x2^2)+(y1^2-y2^2)=
if |u|=|v| then sqr(x1^2+y1^2)=sqr(x2^2+y2^2)
x1^2+y1^2=x2^2+y2^2
Now back to problem
x1^2+y1^2-x2^2-y2^2=0
let x1^2+y1^2=a
since x1^2+y1^2=x2^2+y2^2, x2^2+y2^2=a
a-a=0

i've shown the if part but how do I show the iff part?
 
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  • #2
f25274 said:

Homework Statement


Show that (u+v)dot(u-v)=0 iff |u| = |v|


Homework Equations


if u= x1, y1
and if v= x2, y2
then u dot v= x1x2 + y1y2

The Attempt at a Solution


((x1+x2),(y1+y2)) dot ((x1-x2),(y1-y2))=
(x1^2-x2^2)+(y1^2-y2^2)=
if |u|=|v| then sqr(x1^2+y1^2)=sqr(x2^2+y2^2)
x1^2+y1^2=x2^2+y2^2
Now back to problem
x1^2+y1^2-x2^2-y2^2=0
let x1^2+y1^2=a
since x1^2+y1^2=x2^2+y2^2, x2^2+y2^2=a
a-a=0

i've shown the if part but how do I show the iff part?
Assume that (u + v)[itex]\cdot[/itex](u - v) = 0.

Use the fact that (a + b)[itex]\cdot[/itex](c + d) = a [itex]\cdot[/itex] c + a [itex]\cdot[/itex] d + b [itex]\cdot[/itex] c + b [itex]\cdot[/itex] d.
 
  • #3
Mark44 said:
Assume that (u + v)[itex]\cdot[/itex](u - v) = 0.

Use the fact that (a + b)[itex]\cdot[/itex](c + d) = a [itex]\cdot[/itex] c + a [itex]\cdot[/itex] d + b [itex]\cdot[/itex] c + b [itex]\cdot[/itex] d.

ohhhhhhhh
u dot u= u^2 right?

(u+v) dot (u-v) = u2 + u dot -v + u dot v -v2
-x1x2-y1y2+x1x2+y1y2=0
(u+v) dot (u-v) = u^2-v^2
:eek: okay now what do I do...
 
  • #4
f25274 said:
ohhhhhhhh
u dot u= u^2 right?
No. u [itex]\cdot[/itex] u = |u|2
f25274 said:
(u+v) dot (u-v) = u2 + u dot -v + u dot v -v2
-x1x2-y1y2+x1x2+y1y2=0
(u+v) dot (u-v) = u^2-v^2
:eek: okay now what do I do...
 
  • #5
oh :I
ok I got it now thanks!
 

Related to Prove (u+v)dot(u-v)=0 iff |u|=|v|

1. How do you prove (u+v)dot(u-v)=0 iff |u|=|v|?

To prove this statement, we can use the dot product properties and the fact that |u| and |v| represent the magnitudes of vectors u and v, respectively.

2. What is the significance of proving (u+v)dot(u-v)=0 iff |u|=|v|?

This statement shows that the dot product of two vectors is equal to zero if and only if the magnitudes of the two vectors are equal. This can be useful in various mathematical and scientific applications.

3. Can you provide an example to illustrate this statement?

Sure, let's take u = [3, 4] and v = [4, 3]. The dot product of (u+v) and (u-v) would be (3+4)(3-4) + (4+3)(4-3) = 0. And we can see that |u| = |v| = 5.

4. Is this statement true for all types of vectors?

Yes, this statement holds true for all types of vectors, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional vectors.

5. How can we use this statement in real-life scenarios?

This statement can be used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and mathematics to prove relationships between vectors and their magnitudes. For example, in physics, this statement can be used to prove that the work done by a force is zero if the force is perpendicular to the displacement.

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