Lesson 6c

VECTOR OPERATIONS
(CROSS PRODUCT AND
SCALAR TRIPLE
PRODUCT)
 Cross (Vector) Product of Two Vectors in 3-Space

In many applications of vectors in mathematics, physics and engineering, there is a

need to find a vector that is orthogonal to two given vectors. We will discuss a new
type of vector multiplication that can be used for this purpose.
The cross product (u cross v) of two vectors
is the vector
 Cross Product and Scalar Triple Product

DEFENITION: If and are vectors in

3-space, then the is defined by

or, equivalently,
Cross Product and Scalar Triple Product

Cross Product and Scalar Triple Product

 Scalar Triple Product

If and are vectors

in 3-space, then the number is called the triple product
of . It is not necessary to compute the dot product
and cross product to evaluate a scalar triple product—the value can be
obtained directly from the formula
 Geometric Interpretation of Scalar Triple Product

Theorem: Let vector in 3-space.

a. The volume of the parallelepiped that has as
adjacent edges is

b. if and only if lie in the same plane.

 Geometric Interpretation Scalar Triple Product

The geometric significance of the scalar triple product can be seen by

considering the parallelepiped determined by the vectors
a, b, and c.
The area of the base parallelogram is:
A = |b x c|

Geometric Interpretation of Scalar Triple

Product
 Geometric Interpretation Scalar Triple Product

If is the angle between a and b x c,

then the height h of the parallelepiped is:
h = |a||cos |
We must use |cos | instead of cosin case > π/2.

Hence, the volume of the parallelepiped is:

V = Ah = |b x c||a||cos |
Geometric Interpretation Scalar Triple
V = |a · (b Product
x c)|
Thus, we have proved the following formula.

The volume of the parallelepiped determined

by the vectors a, b, and c is the absolute value
of their scalar triple product:

V = |a ·(b x c)|
 EXAMPLES

1. Find and check that it is orthogonal to • 2. Find the two unit vectors that are
both and . orthogonal to both

Solution:
Solution:

Thus,
3. Find the area of the parallelogram that has as adjacent sides.
.
Solution:
 EXAMPLES

4. Consider the parallelepiped with adjacent edges.

Find the area of the face determined by

Solution:
 EXAMPLES

5. Find the volume of the parallelepiped that has as the adjacent sides.
Solution:
 EXAMPLES

6. Find a vector perpendicular to the plane that passes through the points P(1, 4, 6),
Q(-2, 5, -1), R(1, -1, 1).

Solution:
The vector is perpendicular to both and Therefore, it is perpendicular to the plane
through P, Q, and R.

Therefore, the vector ‹-40, -15, 15› is

We compute the cross product of these vectors perpendicular to the given plane.
the plane.
 EXERCISES

1. Consider the parallelepiped with adjacent edges

a. Find the volume.

b. Find the area of the face determined by
c. Find the angle between and the plane containing the face determined
by

2. In 3-space the distance d from a point P to the line L through points can
be expressed as

Find the distance between the point P and to the line through the points
A and B.
a.
b.