Create orthonormal basis from a given vector

Hello,

I need to create an orthonormal basis from a given input vector. For example, say I have the vector u=[a b c]; In my new coordinate system, I'll let u be the x-axis. Now I need to find the vectors representing the y-axis and the z-axis. I understand that this problem doesn't have a unique solution (i.e., there are an infinite number of possible vectors that will represent the y and z axes). I really just need one solution, it doesn't have to be unique.

Any ideas?

(Just to clarify, in 2D if u=[1 1], the y-axis is v=[-1 1]. I need to do something similar in 3D and with arbitrary u)

Answer 1

[Matt J]

x=u(:).'/norm(u);
yz=null(x).';
xyz=[x;yz];  %The rows of this matrix are the axes

Answer 2

[Kye Taylor]

So, given vector

 v = [a;b;c];

in R^3, it follows that any point (x,y,z) that satisifies a*x + b*y + c*z = 0 (i.e. a point that lives on plane whos normal vector is v) will define components of a vector that is orthogonal to v.

One such vector is

u = [0;-c;b];

or, for example,

u = [-c,0,a];

(you can choose whatever you prefer, but it cannot be [0;0;0])

... Now, given u and v, compute the third vector that is orthogonal to both u and v with

w = cross(u,v);

To make an orthonormla basis use

u1 = u/norm(u);
v1 = v/norm(v);
w1 = w/norm(w);

Answer 3

[Justin Solomon]

Thanks! Both of these are fine solutions!