Assigned work:

pg.407 #1-13

Recall dot product produces a scalar from

two vectors.

Today we examine a Cross Product (or

Vector Product) which produces a vector
from two vectors.
 7.6 Cross Product

Cross Product of a and b will be a vector that is

perpendicular to both a and b . Therefore the cross
product is ONLY defined in R3.

It is useful in physical problems such as torque and

area of a parallelogram (applications we will discuss
tomorrow)
 7.6 Cross Product

Prove Cross Product formula :

 7.6 Cross Product

Cross Product of a (a1 , a2 , a3 ) and b (b1, b2 , b3 )

is the vector:

a b (a2b3 a3b2 , a3b1 a1b3 , a1b2 a2b1 )

 7.6 Cross Product
An easier method to remember the Cross
Product formula is:

a2 a3 a3 a1 a1 a2
ab , ,
b2 b3 b3 b1 b1 b2
where
a b
ad bc
c d
 7.6 Cross Product
Finding a Vector Perpendicular to Two Vectors:

If a and b are two non-collinear vectors in 3D,

then every vector perpendicular to both a and b
is of the form k (a b) where k R
 7.6 Cross Product
Ex 1:
a) Find a vector perpendicular to the vectors
(2,5,0) and (-4,0,9).

Answer: (45,-18,20)

b) Check your answer using Dot Product (since

dot product of 2 perpendicular vectors should
be 0).
 7.6 Cross Product
Magnitude of the Cross Product of a and b is:

a b a b sin

where is the angle between a and b

and 0 180
 7.6 Cross Product
Direction of Cross Product of a b is such that:

a, b, and a b form what we call a right handed

system

Place your right hand on the diagram so that your

finger curled in the direction from a to b is an angle
less than 180 . The direction of a b will be the
direction your thumb points.
 7.6 Cross Product
Direction of Cross Product of a b :

a Fingers curl b Fingers curl

this way this way

b a
Thumb is in so: Thumb is out so:

a b is into page a b is out of page

 7.6 Cross Product
Direction of Cross Product of a b :

Note there are other methods of this right hand

rule to find the direction. Some of you may be
used to using the first vector as the thumb, the
second vector as your fingers and the direction of
the cross product as the palm of your hand.
(Motor right hand rule in Grade 11 Physics)

Either method works use which one you like the

best.
 7.6 Cross Product
Ex 2:
If a 5 and b 6 and the angle between a and b
is 45 degrees Determine the magnitude and
direction of a b . (include a diagram).

Answer:
Magnitude is 15 2 and direction will depend on
how you drew your diagram.
 7.6 Cross Product
Ex 3:
Find the cross product of :
a i 3 j 2k and b 4i 6 j 7k

Answer:

33i 1 j 18k
 7.6 Cross Product
Properties of Cross Product:

Let a, b, and c be vectors in 3D

1) a b b a Order matters (anti-commutative)

2) a b c a b a c Distributive Law

3) k a b ka b a kb
 7.6 Cross Product
Ex 4:
Given: a (6, 2, 3) b (5,1, 4) c (4, 2,1)
Determine:
a b c
(Note: Think about what order it should be done. Cross
product MUST go 1st since you cannot do cross product of
a vector and a scalar)

Answer: 78
 7.6 Cross Product

Important READ 7.6 before doing the assigned

questions.

Make a note on:

1) What is a Triple Scalar Product?
2) What is a Triple Vector Product?