Solving a System of Vector Equations












0












$begingroup$


I'm trying to solve a system of vector equations, but I have no idea how to do it. The following is a basic example of what I'm trying to solve:



$p = a*x + b*y$



$x = (p - y).normalize() + z$



where p, x, y, and z are 3D vectors.



I want to be able to solve this without making it a system of six equations by writing out how to evaluate the normalize function. I'm fine with solving three pairs of a system of two equations (one for each component of the vector) as long as I can solve the system of two equations once for one component and then input the corresponding values for the other two components.



My Original Problem



I want to take the formula for the force of a spring ($F_k = -kx$) and combine it wither Newton's second law ($F = ma$) and the kinematic formula ($p_{new} = p_{old} + v_{old} * t + frac{1}{2} at^2$) to get a formula for the positions for two masses connected by a spring after a certain amount of time given their start positions and velocities.



$p = p_o + v_o * t + frac{at^2}{2}$ (kinematic formula for the first end of the spring)



$q = q_o + w_o * t + frac{a_2t^2}{2}$ (kinematic formula for the second end of the spring)



The force on both ends of the springs are equal opposites, so



$a = F_k / m$ where m is the mass of the first end



$a_2 = - F_k / n$ where n is the mass of the second end



Then you can replace $a$ and $a_2$ with their values in the first two equations:



$p = p_o + v_o * t + frac{F_kt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t - frac{F_kt^2}{2n}$



Using Hooke's law, we can calculate the force



$F_k = -kx$



$p = p_o + v_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t + frac{kx_2t^2}{2n}$



$x$ is the distance vector between the mass and the equilibrium of the spring. For example, if the spring at rest has a length of 10, then $x$ would be the distance vector between the end of the spring and 10 length units from the other end. In other words, $x$ is the distance between the ends of the spring minus the normal length of the spring (10)



$x = (p - q) - l$



However, $(p - q)$ is a vector, and $l$ is a scalar. The direction of $l$ should be the same as $(p - q)$. Therefore, the equation should be



$x = (p - q) - (p - q).normalize() * l$



Actually, this is the $x$ for the first end of the spring (since $p - q$ points toward the second end). However, the $x$ for the other end will just be $-x_1$



So we get



Final System of Equations



$p = p_o + v_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2n}$ I replaced $x_2$ with $-x$



$x = (p - 1) - (p - q).normalize() * l$



(PS. Please tell me if I made any errors forming this. I seem to come up with something slightly different each time. So I may have made a mistake)










share|cite|improve this question











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  • $begingroup$
    $x$ is clearly a multiple of $p$, so if nonzero they are parallel. If $y$ is also nonzero and not parallel to $x$, then $b$ must be zero.
    $endgroup$
    – amd
    Jan 6 at 22:07










  • $begingroup$
    @amid interesting, but that unfortunately won't help with my original problem. I'll change $x = p.normalize()$ to $x = p.normalize + z$ so that $x$ and $p$ don't have to be parallel.
    $endgroup$
    – ElliotThomas
    Jan 6 at 22:20










  • $begingroup$
    Perhaps you might provide a description of the problem that you’re actually trying to solve for context instead of introducing more mysterious unexplained variables into your question.
    $endgroup$
    – amd
    Jan 6 at 22:23












  • $begingroup$
    @amid alright, I'll do that.
    $endgroup$
    – ElliotThomas
    Jan 6 at 22:27
















0












$begingroup$


I'm trying to solve a system of vector equations, but I have no idea how to do it. The following is a basic example of what I'm trying to solve:



$p = a*x + b*y$



$x = (p - y).normalize() + z$



where p, x, y, and z are 3D vectors.



I want to be able to solve this without making it a system of six equations by writing out how to evaluate the normalize function. I'm fine with solving three pairs of a system of two equations (one for each component of the vector) as long as I can solve the system of two equations once for one component and then input the corresponding values for the other two components.



My Original Problem



I want to take the formula for the force of a spring ($F_k = -kx$) and combine it wither Newton's second law ($F = ma$) and the kinematic formula ($p_{new} = p_{old} + v_{old} * t + frac{1}{2} at^2$) to get a formula for the positions for two masses connected by a spring after a certain amount of time given their start positions and velocities.



$p = p_o + v_o * t + frac{at^2}{2}$ (kinematic formula for the first end of the spring)



$q = q_o + w_o * t + frac{a_2t^2}{2}$ (kinematic formula for the second end of the spring)



The force on both ends of the springs are equal opposites, so



$a = F_k / m$ where m is the mass of the first end



$a_2 = - F_k / n$ where n is the mass of the second end



Then you can replace $a$ and $a_2$ with their values in the first two equations:



$p = p_o + v_o * t + frac{F_kt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t - frac{F_kt^2}{2n}$



Using Hooke's law, we can calculate the force



$F_k = -kx$



$p = p_o + v_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t + frac{kx_2t^2}{2n}$



$x$ is the distance vector between the mass and the equilibrium of the spring. For example, if the spring at rest has a length of 10, then $x$ would be the distance vector between the end of the spring and 10 length units from the other end. In other words, $x$ is the distance between the ends of the spring minus the normal length of the spring (10)



$x = (p - q) - l$



However, $(p - q)$ is a vector, and $l$ is a scalar. The direction of $l$ should be the same as $(p - q)$. Therefore, the equation should be



$x = (p - q) - (p - q).normalize() * l$



Actually, this is the $x$ for the first end of the spring (since $p - q$ points toward the second end). However, the $x$ for the other end will just be $-x_1$



So we get



Final System of Equations



$p = p_o + v_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2n}$ I replaced $x_2$ with $-x$



$x = (p - 1) - (p - q).normalize() * l$



(PS. Please tell me if I made any errors forming this. I seem to come up with something slightly different each time. So I may have made a mistake)










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    $x$ is clearly a multiple of $p$, so if nonzero they are parallel. If $y$ is also nonzero and not parallel to $x$, then $b$ must be zero.
    $endgroup$
    – amd
    Jan 6 at 22:07










  • $begingroup$
    @amid interesting, but that unfortunately won't help with my original problem. I'll change $x = p.normalize()$ to $x = p.normalize + z$ so that $x$ and $p$ don't have to be parallel.
    $endgroup$
    – ElliotThomas
    Jan 6 at 22:20










  • $begingroup$
    Perhaps you might provide a description of the problem that you’re actually trying to solve for context instead of introducing more mysterious unexplained variables into your question.
    $endgroup$
    – amd
    Jan 6 at 22:23












  • $begingroup$
    @amid alright, I'll do that.
    $endgroup$
    – ElliotThomas
    Jan 6 at 22:27














0












0








0





$begingroup$


I'm trying to solve a system of vector equations, but I have no idea how to do it. The following is a basic example of what I'm trying to solve:



$p = a*x + b*y$



$x = (p - y).normalize() + z$



where p, x, y, and z are 3D vectors.



I want to be able to solve this without making it a system of six equations by writing out how to evaluate the normalize function. I'm fine with solving three pairs of a system of two equations (one for each component of the vector) as long as I can solve the system of two equations once for one component and then input the corresponding values for the other two components.



My Original Problem



I want to take the formula for the force of a spring ($F_k = -kx$) and combine it wither Newton's second law ($F = ma$) and the kinematic formula ($p_{new} = p_{old} + v_{old} * t + frac{1}{2} at^2$) to get a formula for the positions for two masses connected by a spring after a certain amount of time given their start positions and velocities.



$p = p_o + v_o * t + frac{at^2}{2}$ (kinematic formula for the first end of the spring)



$q = q_o + w_o * t + frac{a_2t^2}{2}$ (kinematic formula for the second end of the spring)



The force on both ends of the springs are equal opposites, so



$a = F_k / m$ where m is the mass of the first end



$a_2 = - F_k / n$ where n is the mass of the second end



Then you can replace $a$ and $a_2$ with their values in the first two equations:



$p = p_o + v_o * t + frac{F_kt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t - frac{F_kt^2}{2n}$



Using Hooke's law, we can calculate the force



$F_k = -kx$



$p = p_o + v_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t + frac{kx_2t^2}{2n}$



$x$ is the distance vector between the mass and the equilibrium of the spring. For example, if the spring at rest has a length of 10, then $x$ would be the distance vector between the end of the spring and 10 length units from the other end. In other words, $x$ is the distance between the ends of the spring minus the normal length of the spring (10)



$x = (p - q) - l$



However, $(p - q)$ is a vector, and $l$ is a scalar. The direction of $l$ should be the same as $(p - q)$. Therefore, the equation should be



$x = (p - q) - (p - q).normalize() * l$



Actually, this is the $x$ for the first end of the spring (since $p - q$ points toward the second end). However, the $x$ for the other end will just be $-x_1$



So we get



Final System of Equations



$p = p_o + v_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2n}$ I replaced $x_2$ with $-x$



$x = (p - 1) - (p - q).normalize() * l$



(PS. Please tell me if I made any errors forming this. I seem to come up with something slightly different each time. So I may have made a mistake)










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




I'm trying to solve a system of vector equations, but I have no idea how to do it. The following is a basic example of what I'm trying to solve:



$p = a*x + b*y$



$x = (p - y).normalize() + z$



where p, x, y, and z are 3D vectors.



I want to be able to solve this without making it a system of six equations by writing out how to evaluate the normalize function. I'm fine with solving three pairs of a system of two equations (one for each component of the vector) as long as I can solve the system of two equations once for one component and then input the corresponding values for the other two components.



My Original Problem



I want to take the formula for the force of a spring ($F_k = -kx$) and combine it wither Newton's second law ($F = ma$) and the kinematic formula ($p_{new} = p_{old} + v_{old} * t + frac{1}{2} at^2$) to get a formula for the positions for two masses connected by a spring after a certain amount of time given their start positions and velocities.



$p = p_o + v_o * t + frac{at^2}{2}$ (kinematic formula for the first end of the spring)



$q = q_o + w_o * t + frac{a_2t^2}{2}$ (kinematic formula for the second end of the spring)



The force on both ends of the springs are equal opposites, so



$a = F_k / m$ where m is the mass of the first end



$a_2 = - F_k / n$ where n is the mass of the second end



Then you can replace $a$ and $a_2$ with their values in the first two equations:



$p = p_o + v_o * t + frac{F_kt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t - frac{F_kt^2}{2n}$



Using Hooke's law, we can calculate the force



$F_k = -kx$



$p = p_o + v_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t + frac{kx_2t^2}{2n}$



$x$ is the distance vector between the mass and the equilibrium of the spring. For example, if the spring at rest has a length of 10, then $x$ would be the distance vector between the end of the spring and 10 length units from the other end. In other words, $x$ is the distance between the ends of the spring minus the normal length of the spring (10)



$x = (p - q) - l$



However, $(p - q)$ is a vector, and $l$ is a scalar. The direction of $l$ should be the same as $(p - q)$. Therefore, the equation should be



$x = (p - q) - (p - q).normalize() * l$



Actually, this is the $x$ for the first end of the spring (since $p - q$ points toward the second end). However, the $x$ for the other end will just be $-x_1$



So we get



Final System of Equations



$p = p_o + v_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2m}$



$q = q_o + w_o * t - frac{kxt^2}{2n}$ I replaced $x_2$ with $-x$



$x = (p - 1) - (p - q).normalize() * l$



(PS. Please tell me if I made any errors forming this. I seem to come up with something slightly different each time. So I may have made a mistake)







vectors systems-of-equations norm






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share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




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edited Jan 7 at 1:22







ElliotThomas

















asked Jan 6 at 21:36









ElliotThomasElliotThomas

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186












  • $begingroup$
    $x$ is clearly a multiple of $p$, so if nonzero they are parallel. If $y$ is also nonzero and not parallel to $x$, then $b$ must be zero.
    $endgroup$
    – amd
    Jan 6 at 22:07










  • $begingroup$
    @amid interesting, but that unfortunately won't help with my original problem. I'll change $x = p.normalize()$ to $x = p.normalize + z$ so that $x$ and $p$ don't have to be parallel.
    $endgroup$
    – ElliotThomas
    Jan 6 at 22:20










  • $begingroup$
    Perhaps you might provide a description of the problem that you’re actually trying to solve for context instead of introducing more mysterious unexplained variables into your question.
    $endgroup$
    – amd
    Jan 6 at 22:23












  • $begingroup$
    @amid alright, I'll do that.
    $endgroup$
    – ElliotThomas
    Jan 6 at 22:27


















  • $begingroup$
    $x$ is clearly a multiple of $p$, so if nonzero they are parallel. If $y$ is also nonzero and not parallel to $x$, then $b$ must be zero.
    $endgroup$
    – amd
    Jan 6 at 22:07










  • $begingroup$
    @amid interesting, but that unfortunately won't help with my original problem. I'll change $x = p.normalize()$ to $x = p.normalize + z$ so that $x$ and $p$ don't have to be parallel.
    $endgroup$
    – ElliotThomas
    Jan 6 at 22:20










  • $begingroup$
    Perhaps you might provide a description of the problem that you’re actually trying to solve for context instead of introducing more mysterious unexplained variables into your question.
    $endgroup$
    – amd
    Jan 6 at 22:23












  • $begingroup$
    @amid alright, I'll do that.
    $endgroup$
    – ElliotThomas
    Jan 6 at 22:27
















$begingroup$
$x$ is clearly a multiple of $p$, so if nonzero they are parallel. If $y$ is also nonzero and not parallel to $x$, then $b$ must be zero.
$endgroup$
– amd
Jan 6 at 22:07




$begingroup$
$x$ is clearly a multiple of $p$, so if nonzero they are parallel. If $y$ is also nonzero and not parallel to $x$, then $b$ must be zero.
$endgroup$
– amd
Jan 6 at 22:07












$begingroup$
@amid interesting, but that unfortunately won't help with my original problem. I'll change $x = p.normalize()$ to $x = p.normalize + z$ so that $x$ and $p$ don't have to be parallel.
$endgroup$
– ElliotThomas
Jan 6 at 22:20




$begingroup$
@amid interesting, but that unfortunately won't help with my original problem. I'll change $x = p.normalize()$ to $x = p.normalize + z$ so that $x$ and $p$ don't have to be parallel.
$endgroup$
– ElliotThomas
Jan 6 at 22:20












$begingroup$
Perhaps you might provide a description of the problem that you’re actually trying to solve for context instead of introducing more mysterious unexplained variables into your question.
$endgroup$
– amd
Jan 6 at 22:23






$begingroup$
Perhaps you might provide a description of the problem that you’re actually trying to solve for context instead of introducing more mysterious unexplained variables into your question.
$endgroup$
– amd
Jan 6 at 22:23














$begingroup$
@amid alright, I'll do that.
$endgroup$
– ElliotThomas
Jan 6 at 22:27




$begingroup$
@amid alright, I'll do that.
$endgroup$
– ElliotThomas
Jan 6 at 22:27










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