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A unit vector is a vector that has a length of 1. For any given vector, it’s possible to find the unit vector that has the same direction as the given vector.
For example, suppose a given vector a = (2, 5, -9). To find the unit vector, we first find the magnitude of vector a, which can be found using the formula:
Magnitude of vector a = √(22+52+ -92) = 10.488.
Next, we divide each of the original vector’s components by the magnitude:
x = 2 / 10.488 = .191
y = 5 / 10.488 = .477
x = -9 / 10.488 = -.858
Thus, the unit vector = (.191, .477, -.858), which has a length of 1 and is along the same direction as the original vector.
To find the unit vector for a given vector, simply enter the coordinates of the original vector below and then click the “Calculate” button.
Explanation:
Magnitude of original vector = √(22+52+-92) = 10.48808848
x = 2 / 10.48808848 = 0.19069252
y = 5 / 10.48808848 = 0.47673129
z = -9 / 10.48808848 = -0.85811633
Unit vector = (0.19069252, 0.47673129, -0.85811633)