Question:hard

The projection of the vector \(u=(2,-1,3) \in \mathbb{R}^3\) onto the vector \(v=(1,2,-1)\) of the vector space \(\mathbb{R}^3\) is ____.

Show Hint

Use the formula \(\text{proj}_v u = \frac{u\cdot v}{v\cdot v}v\).
Updated On: Jul 3, 2026
  • \((-1/2,-1,1/2)\)
  • \((1/3,2/3,-1/3)\)
  • \((2/3,4/3,-2/3)\)
  • \((1/5,2/5,-1/5)\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

An alternative route is to first find the unit vector along $v$ and then take the scalar (signed) projection of $u$ along it. $\|v\| = \sqrt{1^2+2^2+(-1)^2} = \sqrt{6}$, so the unit vector is $\hat v = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt6}(1,2,-1)$. The scalar projection of $u$ along $\hat v$ is \[u\cdot\hat v = \frac{1}{\sqrt6}(u\cdot v) = \frac{1}{\sqrt6}\big(2(1)+(-1)(2)+3(-1)\big) = \frac{-3}{\sqrt6} = -\frac{\sqrt6}{2}.\] The vector projection is this scalar times the unit vector: \[\text{proj}_v u = \left(-\frac{\sqrt6}{2}\right)\hat v = \left(-\frac{\sqrt6}{2}\right)\cdot\frac{1}{\sqrt6}(1,2,-1) = -\frac12(1,2,-1) = \left(-\frac12,\,-1,\,\frac12\right),\] which agrees with the direct formula computation. \[\boxed{\left(-\frac{1}{2},\,-1,\,\frac{1}{2}\right)}\]
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