If w is the vector projection o [2,-3,1] onto [1,2,5], find the components of w.

We can find the components of w by using the formula for vector projection, which is given by:

proj_v(u) = (u · v / ||v||^2) * v

where u and v are vectors, · denotes the dot product, and ||v|| represents the magnitude of v.

Given:
u = [2, -3, 1]
v = [1, 2, 5]

First, find the dot product of u and v:
u · v = (2*1) + (-3*2) + (1*5) = 2 - 6 + 5 = 1

Next, find the magnitude squared of v:
||v||^2 = (1)^2 + (2)^2 + (5)^2 = 1 + 4 + 25 = 30

Now, plug these values into the formula for vector projection:
proj_v(u) = (1 / 30) * [1, 2, 5]

Therefore, the components of w are [1/30, 2/30, 5/30] which simplifies to [1/30, 1/15, 1/6].

To find the components of vector projection w, we can use the formula:

w = ((A · B) / (|B|^2)) * B

where A is the vector being projected (in this case [2, -3, 1]) and B is the vector onto which A is being projected (in this case [1, 2, 5]).

Let's calculate step-by-step:

1. Calculate the dot product of A and B:
A · B = (2 * 1) + (-3 * 2) + (1 * 5) = 2 - 6 + 5 = 1

2. Calculate the magnitude (length) of vector B:
|B| = sqrt((1^2) + (2^2) + (5^2)) = sqrt(1 + 4 + 25) = sqrt(30)

3. Calculate the scalar projection of A onto B:
((A · B) / (|B|^2)) = (1 / 30)

4. Multiply the scalar projection by vector B:
w = ((A · B) / (|B|^2)) * B
= (1 / 30) * [1, 2, 5]

The components of w are [1/30, 2/30, 5/30] or simplifying, [1/30, 1/15, 1/6].