If a^2 + b^2 = 4 and c^2 + d^2 = 8, what is ac + bd?

Question image

Understand the Problem

The question is asking to find the value of the expression 'ac + bd' given the equations a^2 + b^2 = 4, c^2 + d^2 = 8. This requires applying algebraic techniques possibly related to the identities involving squares and products.

Answer

The maximum value of \( ac + bd \) is \( 4\sqrt{2} \).
Answer for screen readers

The maximum value of ( ac + bd ) is ( 4\sqrt{2} ).

Steps to Solve

  1. Use the identity for squares We can use the identity that relates the squares of sums to the products: $$(a + bi)(c + di) = ac + adi + bci - bd$$ From this, we can derive that: $$ a^2 + b^2 = (a + bi)(a - bi) $$

  2. Relate to given equations Given:

  • ( a^2 + b^2 = 4 )
  • ( c^2 + d^2 = 8 )

We want to find the value of ( ac + bd ).

  1. Apply the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality According to the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, we have: $$(a^2 + b^2)(c^2 + d^2) \geq (ac + bd)^2$$ Substituting the known values: $$(4)(8) \geq (ac + bd)^2$$

  2. Simplify the inequality This simplifies to: $$32 \geq (ac + bd)^2$$

  3. Take square roots Taking the square root of both sides gives: $$ \sqrt{32} \geq |ac + bd| $$ So, we have: $$ ac + bd \leq 4\sqrt{2} $$

  4. Setting maximum condition The maximum value ( ac + bd ) can reach is when the vectors formed by ( (a, b) ) and ( (c, d) ) are parallel. Thus, the best outcome we are looking for from our setup is: $$ ac + bd = 4\sqrt{2} $$

The maximum value of ( ac + bd ) is ( 4\sqrt{2} ).

More Information

The inequality utilized here is related to the concept of dot products in vector spaces. The Cauchy-Schwarz inequality provides a significant insight into the relationship between magnitudes and angles in multi-dimensional spaces.

Tips

  • Misapplying the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality by ignoring the conditions of equality which would require the vectors to be in the same direction.
  • Not substituting the given values accurately into the identities or inequalities.

AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information

Thank you for voting!
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser