Past exam of the year 1 of the computer science course of the University of Oxford / 2019 / Digital systems, linear algebra, introduction to formal proof / 5 / a / Solution

For nonzero $x$, let $\varphi$ be its angle to the unit vector $q_1$. The scalar projection on the oriented $q_1$ axis is $\Vert x\Vert \cos \varphi$. Since $\Vert q_1\Vert =1$, the dot product identity gives $q_1^{T}x=\Vert x\Vert \cos \varphi$. Multiplying that signed scalar by $q_1$ places the foot at $p=(q_1^{T}x)q_1$.

The residual is perpendicular to the axis, because $q_1^T(x-p)=q_1^{T}x-(q_1^{T}x)(q_1^T{q}_1)=0$. An obtuse angle gives a negative scalar and a foot on the negative side of the line; $x=0$ has projection zero without needing an angle.

The first panel is a constructed geometric illustration. The second illustrates the directional stretch used later in Question 6.