We define the dot product and prove its algebraic properties.

VEC-0050: Dot Product and its Properties

Note that the dot product of two vectors is a scalar. For this reason, the dot product is sometimes called a scalar product.

Properties of the Dot Product

A quick examination of Example ex:dotex will convince you that the dot product is commutative. In other words, . This and other properties of the dot product are stated below.

We will prove Property  item:distributive. The remaining properties are left as exercises.

Proof of Property item:distributive:

We will illustrate Property item:norm with an example.

Practice Problems

Find the dot product of and if Answer:
Find the dot product of and if Answer:

Use vector to illustrate Property item:norm of Theorem th:dotproductproperties.
From the given list of vector pairs, identify ALL pairs of vectors that lie on perpendicular lines.
Compute for each pair. What do you observe?
For each part below
(a)
Find the value of that will make vectors and perpendicular.
(b)
Find .

Answer:

Answer:
Answer:
(a)
Vector that lies on the line , has the form . Assuming that , find the general form for a vector that lies on a line perpendicular to .
(b)
Find .
(c)
Formulate a conjecture about the dot product of perpendicular vectors.