Question

Learning goal: to understand the rules for computing dot products. let vectors a=(2,1,−4), b=(−3,0,1), and c=(−1,−1,2). part a - dot product of the vectors a and b calculate a⋅b. express your answer numerically. view available hint(s)

Answer 1

For this case we have the following vectors:
 $a = (2,1, -4) b = (- 3,0,1) c = (- 1, -1,2)$
 The dot product of two vectors is a scalar.
 The point product consists of multiplying component by component and then adding the result of the multiplication of each component.
 For the product point of the vectors a and b we have:
 $a.b = (2,1, -4). (- 3,0,1) a.b = (2) (- 3) + (1) (0) + (-4) (1) a.b = - 6 + 0 - 4 a.b = - 10$
 Answer:
 The product point of the vectors a and b is: 
 $a.b = - 10$