(a) Define the vector product x×y of the vectors x and y in R3. Use suffix notation to prove that
x×(x×y)=x(x⋅y)−y(x⋅x)
(b) The vectors xn+1(n=0,1,2,…) are defined by xn+1=λa×xn, where a and x0 are fixed vectors with ∣a∣=1 and a×x0=0, and λ is a positive constant.
(i) Write x2 as a linear combination of a and x0. Further, for n⩾1, express xn+2 in terms of λ and xn. Show, for n⩾1, that ∣xn∣=λn∣a×x0∣.
(ii) Let Xn be the point with position vector xn(n=0,1,2,…). Show that X1,X2,… lie on a pair of straight lines.
(iii) Show that the line segment XnXn+1(n⩾1) is perpendicular to Xn+1Xn+2. Deduce that XnXn+1 is parallel to Xn+2Xn+3.
Show that xn→0 as n→∞ if λ<1, and give a sketch to illustrate the case λ=1.
(iv) The straight line through the points Xn+1 and Xn+2 makes an angle θ with the straight line through the points Xn and Xn+3. Find cosθ in terms of λ.