Question

Dot Products

Find the indicated quantity, assuming that $\mathbf{u}=2\mathbf{i}+\mathbf{j},\mathbf{v}=\mathbf{i}-3\mathbf{j}\&\mathbf{w}=3\mathbf{i}+4\mathbf{j}$

$\mathbf{u}·(\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{w})$

Short answer

The required value of dot product is $9$

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given information

Vectors are given as

$\begin{array}{l}u=2i+j\\ v=i-3j\\ w=3i+4j\end{array}$

Step 2. Concept used

The dot product of two vectors $u$ and $v$ can be defined as-

$u·v=a_1{b}_1+a_2{b}_2$

Where $u=\left(a_1,a_2\right)\&v=\left(b_1,b_2\right)$

Properties of the dot product of vectors

$(u+v)·w=(u·w)+(v·w)$

Transform the required expression and find the value using the dot product of vectors.

Step 3. Calculation

Using Properties of the dot product of vectors,

$\begin{array}{l}(u+v)\cdot w=(u\cdot w)+(v\cdot w)\\ =\left[\right(2\left)\right(1)+(1\left)\right(-3\left)\right]+\left[\right(2\left)\right(3)+(1\left)\right(4\left)\right]\\ =(2-3)+(6+4)\\ =-1+10\\ =9\end{array}$