ASSIGNMENT: 2

ASSIGNMENT TITLE:
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOT
AND
CROSS PRODUCT
WHEN AND WHY WE USE DOT
AND
CROSS PRODUCT

DEPARTMENT: IT
SECTION: IT-18-B
COURSE CODE: MATH-314
COURSE TITLE: LINEAR ALGEBRA
SUBMITTED TO: Ms. SANA AFZAL
SUBMITTED BY: M. AHMAD
ROLL NO: 18661556-123
LINEAR ALGEBRA 5

ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to discuss “Why we use different products i.e. dot product and cross
product in vector multiplication?” and also the difference between dot product and cross
product in vector multiplication.
LINEAR ALGEBRA 5

CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION 3
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOT AND CROSS PRODUCT 4
 WHEN AND WHY TO USE DOT AND CROSS PRODUCT 4
 CONCLUSION 5
 REFRENCES 5
LINEAR ALGEBRA 5

INTRODUCTION
The “dot product” which is also known as “scalar product” is an algebraic expression which
returns the sum of products of the corresponding entries of two sequence of numbers. The term
“dot product” is derived from the “.” That is used to indicate the operation. Its alternative name
“scalar product” clears that the product would be scalar instead of a vector.
The “cross product” which is also known as the “vector product” which is denoted by the
symbol “x” is the binary operation on two vectors in three dimensional space. The cross
product of two vectors a and b is perpendicular to the plane of a and b which is also a vector.
Their applications are spread over the fields of Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics
and Physics etc.
LINEAR ALGEBRA 5

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOT AND CROSS PRODUCT

Dot Product
1. Result of dot product is scalar
quantity.
2. It follows cumulative law.
3. Dot product of vectors which are in
the same direction is maximum.
4. It doesn’t follow right hand system.
5. It is used to find projection of
vectors.
6. It is represented by a dot (.).
Cross Product
Result of cross product is vector quantity.
It doesn’t follow cumulative law.
Cross product of vectors in the same
direction is zero.
It follows right hand system.
It is used to find third vector.
It is represented by a cross (x).

WHEN AND WHY TO USE DOT AND CROSS PRODUCT

Dot Product:
 Dot product can be used to find the angle between two vectors which is a better way
than cross product because the cross product usually operates in three-dimensions.
 We would use dot product when we have to project one vector on another or we have to
find the length of a vector in the direction of other vector.
 When we have to find the magnitude of some force that is applied to move an object by
some angle, we won’t use cross product because it give vector quantity but here we have
to find the scalar quantity.
 We would use dot product in checking whether two vectors are perpendicular or not.
Cross Product:
 We would use cross product when we have to find third vector that is perpendicular to
two vectors.
 We would use cross product when we have to find the torque when a force is applied on
a spanner or some other rotating system in other words we would use cross product to
find the vector quantity.
 We would use cross product when we have to find the area of parallelogram or the area
of triangle which is not possible by dot product.
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CONCLUSION
The conclusion of this paper is that the cross and dot product both being vector multiplication
have some differences. Both have different properties and applications, One could never satisfy
the need for other so both are necessary and mandatory.
REFERENCES
1. Nelson Textbook, Pages 409-414.
2. Journal of Online Mathematics and Its Applications Volume 6. June 2006. Article ID
1156.