At what value of a is the vector p {3; -a; 0} perpendicular to the vector q {6; 8; 1}?

univerkov | June 21, 2021 | education

1) Find the scalar product of vectors p and q. We have: p * q = 3 * 6 + (-a) * 8 + 0 * 1 = 18 – 8a.
2) Vectors p and q will be perpendicular if their dot product equals zero. Let’s solve the equation and find at what value of a this happens: 18 – 8a = 0, hence a = 18/8 = 2.25.
ANSWER: 2.25.

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