The angle between two vectors a = i + 2j – k and b = 2i + j + k ...
Angle between two vectors a and b
Vectors a = i + 2j - k and b = 2i + j + k can be represented as:
a = <1, 2,="" -1="">
b = <2, 1,="" 1="">
Dot product
To find the angle between the two vectors, we first need to calculate the dot product of vectors a and b. The dot product of two vectors a and b is given by the formula:
a · b = |a| |b| cos(theta)
Where |a| and |b| are the magnitudes of vectors a and b respectively, and theta is the angle between the two vectors.
Magnitude of vectors
The magnitude of a vector is given by the formula:
|a| = sqrt(a1^2 + a2^2 + a3^2)
Calculating the magnitudes of vectors a and b:
|a| = sqrt(1^2 + 2^2 + (-1)^2) = sqrt(6)
|b| = sqrt(2^2 + 1^2 + 1^2) = sqrt(6)
Calculating the dot product
Now, we can calculate the dot product of vectors a and b:
a · b = <1, 2,="" -1=""> · <2, 1,="" 1=""> = 1*2 + 2*1 + (-1)*1 = 1 + 2 - 1 = 2
Calculating the angle
Substitute the values of dot product, |a| and |b| in the dot product formula:
2 = sqrt(6) * sqrt(6) * cos(theta)
2 = 6 * cos(theta)
cos(theta) = 2/6 = 1/3
Therefore, theta = cos^(-1)(1/3) ≈ 70.53 degrees
The angle between vectors a and b is approximately 70.53 degrees. Since this value is not one of the options provided, the closest option is 60 degrees.2,>1,>2,>1,>