Activity Overview
Students manipulate two vectors as the corresponding dot product of the vectors is displayed graphically on the same page. By exploration students are able to explore the factors that affect the dot product, the conditions for which it is positive, zero and negative.
Objectives
This activity provides a dynamic and visual representation of the dot product where students can manipulate the two vectors to explore the conditions under which the dot product is positive, zero and negative in addition to understanding the formation of the dot product.
Vocabulary
- Vector
- Scalar
- Magnitude
- Dot Product
About the Lesson
Students are provided with a number of functions that help illustrate the geometric transformations associated with the absolute value function. Particular focus is drawn to notation such as f(|x|) and |f(x)|. Students can see the original function and the resulting absolute value function making it easier to draw comparisons.