Project one vector onto another — the vector and scalar projection. Enter both vectors.
Usage Tip
Projection splits a vector into a part along another and a part perpendicular to it — the basis of many physics and graphics calculations.
scalar projection = (A · B) ÷ |B|
The scalar projection is that shadow’s signed length.
The vector projection lies along B; the scalar projection is its length.
You cannot project onto the zero vector.
Projecting vector A onto vector B finds the part of A that points along B. The scalar projection is the length of that part, calculated as the dot product of A and B divided by the length of B. The vector projection multiplies that length by the unit vector in the direction of B, giving an actual vector lying along B.
Projection is used to split a force into components along and across a surface, to find the distance from a point to a line, and in graphics and physics generally. The projection is zero when the vectors are perpendicular, and the result points opposite to B when the angle between the vectors is greater than 90 degrees. B cannot be the zero vector.