Applications of the Dot Product (Projections)

Applications of the dot product is part of the Vectors topic in NSW Year 12 Mathematics Extension 2 (NESA outcome ME2-12-02). This subtopic uses the scalar (dot) product to find the angle between two vectors, to test when vectors are perpendicular, and to resolve a vector into its projection onto another vector and the component perpendicular to it.

Students and teachers will cover how to compute a vector projection and use it to determine how much of one vector acts in the direction of another — an application that connects directly to resolving forces in mechanics later in the HSC Extension 2 course.