Solving unit vectors equations

125 Views Asked by At

Let u and v be unit vectors. Prove that u+v is perpendicular to u − v.

What I did is:

Since they are unit vectors: $|u|$=$|v|$=1

If they are perpendicular, then $(u+v)$.$(u-v)$=$0$

Ans: $|u+v|$.$|u-v|$.$\cos\theta$

= (1+1).(1-1).$\cos\theta$

=$0$

proved.

Is this right?

1

There are 1 best solutions below

3
On

No, it is not right, because $|u+v|$ is not $|1+1|$.

Try this, instead: $$(u+v)\cdot(u-v)=u\cdot u+u\cdot v-v\cdot u-v\cdot v=\ldots$$