Fill in R^2 scalar multiplication example

Former user ·

Added comprehensive worked example with positive, negative, and zero scalars, plus geometric interpretation

Changes to the content

# Example of vector-scalar multiplication in R^2

Put content here**Example:** Scalar multiplication in \(\mathbb{R}^2\).
⏎
Let \(\mathbf{v} = (2, 1) \in \mathbb{R}^2\). Consider several scalar multiples:
⏎
## Positive scalars
⏎
- \(2 \cdot \mathbf{v} = 2 \cdot (2, 1) = (4, 2)\) — doubles the length, same direction
- \(\frac{1}{2} \cdot \mathbf{v} = (1, 0.5)\) — halves the length, same direction
- \(3 \cdot \mathbf{v} = (6, 3)\)
⏎
## Negative scalars
⏎
- \(-1 \cdot \mathbf{v} = (-2, -1)\) — same length, opposite direction
- \(-2 \cdot \mathbf{v} = (-4, -2)\) — doubles the length, opposite direction
⏎
## Zero scalar
⏎
- \(0 \cdot \mathbf{v} = (0, 0) = \mathbf{0}\) — the zero vector
⏎
## Geometric interpretation
⏎
All scalar multiples of \(\mathbf{v} = (2, 1)\) lie on the line through the origin with slope \(1/2\). The scalar \(a\) determines:
- **Magnitude:** \(\|a\mathbf{v}\| = |a| \cdot \|\mathbf{v}\|\)
- **Direction:** same as \(\mathbf{v}\) if \(a > 0\), opposite if \(a < 0\)
⏎
The set \(\{a \cdot \mathbf{v} \mid a \in \mathbb{R}\}\) is the **span** of \(\mathbf{v}\), a 1-dimensional subspace of \(\mathbb{R}^2\).

# Parents

* Algebraic properties of R^n (or C^n)

Feedback00

No feedback yet. Say whether this change improves the node.

Sign in to add a new comment.