Vectors a, b and c are such that a + b + c = 0 and |a| = 3, |b| = 5 and |c| = 7. Find the angle between a and b.
Solution:
Given a + b + c = 0 |a| = 3, |b| = 5, |c| = 7 a + b = -c (a + b) · (a + b) = (-c) · (-c) a · a + a · b + a · b + b · b = |c|^2 |a|^2 + 2a · b + |b|^2 = |c|^2 9 + 2(3)(5)cosθ + 25 = 49 30cosθ = 49 - 34 30cosθ = 15 cosθ = 1/2 θ = π/3