Question

Linear Algebra: Can you give me one or two examples of how the concept of orthogonality is applied in the real world?

Answer 1

1.Stereo vinyl records encode both the left and right stereo channels in a single groove. By making the groove a 90-degree cut into the vinyl, variation in one wall was independent of variations in the other wall. The cartridge senses the resultant motion of the stylus following the groove in two orthogonal directions: 45 degrees from vertical to either side

2.In board games such as chess which feature a grid of squares, 'orthogonal' is used to mean "in the same row/'rank' or column/'file'". This is the counterpart to squares which are "diagonally adjacent." In the ancient Chinese board game Go a player can capture the stones of an opponent by occupying all orthogonally-adjacent points.