& testbook.com Cross Product: Meaning, Formula, Properties and Solved Examples 2021/11/26 In vector algebra, various types of vectors are described and various operations can be conducted on these vectors such as addition, subtraction, product or multiplication. The multiplication of vectors can be performed in two ways, ie. dot product and cross product. The cross product of vector algebra assists in the calculation of orthogonality of two given vectors, calculation of torque, and more In this article, we will aim to learn about the cross product of two vectors, with definition, rules, solved examples and cross-product properties. Cross product of 2 vectors is the process of multiplication of two vectors. A cross product is expressed by the multiplication sign(x) between two vectors. Itis a binary vector operation, illustrated ina three-dimensional system. What is Cross Product? Cross product is a sort of veetor multiplication, executed between two vectors of varied nature. A vector possesses both magnitude and direction. We can multiply two or more vectors by cross product and dot product. ‘The cross product of two vectors results in the third vector that is perpendicular to the two principal vectors. Its magnitude is presented by the area of the parallelogram amongst them and its direction can be decided by the right-hand thumb rule. The Cross produet of 2 vectors is also recognised as a vector product as the resultant of the vector product of two vectors is a veetor quantity. Learn more about Sets here. Cross Product of Two VectorsWhen two vectors are multiplied with each other and the final product of the given vectors is also a vector quantity, then the obtained vector is termed the cross product of two vectors or the vector product. The resultant vector is perpendicular to the face carrying the two given vectors. ‘The vector produet or the cross product of two vectors say vector “a” and vector “b” is denoted by a x b, and its, resultant vector is perpendicular to the vectors a and b. The cross product is principally applied to determine the vector that is perpendicular to the plane surface spanned by two vectors. However, the dot product is applied to determine the angle between two vectors or the length of the vector. The cross product of two vectors say a x b, is equivalent to another vector at right angles to both, and it appears in the three-dimensional space. Cross Product Formula Cross product formula between any two given vectors provides the area between those vectors. The cross product formula reflects the magnitude of the resultant vector which is the area of the parallelogram that is spanned by the two vectors. 1f9 is the angle between the given two vectors a and b, then the formula for the cross product of veetors is a vector cross b vector. Mathematically expressed as a@xb= a b sinoa Where @ and © denotes the magnitude of the vectors @ and & and 9 is the angle between the vectors @ and ® and is the unit vector which is perpendicular to both the vectors @ and ®. ax B= [al|b|sin(@yA 7 >Check out this article on Determinants, The angle between @ and the resultant vector is always” i.., both the vectors are orthogonal. 90° j.c., both the vectors are orthogonal. ‘The angle between ® and the resultant vector is always We can place 4 and ® parallel to each other or at an angle of®”, giving the resultant vector a zero vector. To obtain the greatest magnitude, the primary vectors must be perpendicular(ie at an angle of 9” so that the eross product of the two vectors will be maximum. We can surmise this with an illustration that if we have two vectors extending in the X-Y plane, then their cross product will provide a final resultant vector in the direction of the Z-axis, which is perpendicular to the X-Y plane. ‘The x symbol is used within the original vectors. How to Find Cross Product of Two Vectors? Consider two vectors 4 = 418 + 43) + agh ang B = byi + buf + yk, pop 9 be the angle formed between 4 and é and “is the unit veetor perpendicular to the plane containing both 4 and & , The cross product of the two vectors can be determined as follows: Gx B= (i+ aj + ash) x (4+ 0,5 + 58) ax d=ab, (i x i) + ayby (i x i) + aybs (2 x i) + ah, (ix i), ap, (jx i) + abs (3 x ’) + agby (b> 2) + agby (x By the property of cross multiplication vectors: Hence the equation becomes: a x B= aybgh — aybgj — agbyk + agbyi + agb,j — agbyi % B= (agbs ~ agbs)i + (asb, ~ ayb3)9 + (aby ~ ab, he a oR G x B= (agbs — agb,)i — (abs — 3b,)) + (aby — agb,)h Check out this article on matrices. Cross Product Matrix ‘The same obtained cross product result can be formulated in matrix form as follows: axb= (ari + aj + as) x (of + 645+ 048) Which is equivalent to:x B= a,dgh — a,bgj — agbyk + agbyi + asb,j — agbyi a & x B= (ayby ~ aghy)i + (agb, ~ aby) + (ayby ~ a36,)h OR B= (aby ~ agh)i ~ (aby ~ a3b)3 + (abe — ah) The matrix representation is: sali 3 HI Gxb='a a a La, 2 tJ Also, read about statistics with this article. Right-Hand Rule — Cross Product of Two Vectors We can determine the direction of the unit vector with the aid of the right-hand rule. In this particular rule extend out your right hand such that the index finger of your right hand is in the direction of the first vector ie vector “A” plus the middle finger is in the direction of the second vector that is vector “B”. ‘Then, the thumb of the right-hand shows the direction of the unit vector n. That is the thumb positions in the direction of the cross product of two vectors. By applying the right-hand rule, we can simply show that vectors’ cross product is not commutative. Check out the below image to understand this approach completely. Cross Product Properties To obtain the cross product of two veetors, we can apply properties. The properties such as anti-commutative property, associative property, distributive property, zero vector property plays a vital part in obtaining the cross product of two vectors. So let us check out these properties one by one: The length of the cross product of two vector:axbd=a 0 sintn Vector products are not commutative. If and ¥ are any two vectors then: ExG=-(G x2) Vector product is associative concerning scalar multiplication. If and ¥ are any two vectors and A is a scalar, then; A(E XH) = (M4) x F= Fx (09) The Vector product is distributive concerning vector addition. 1f®, J and 7 are any three vectors, then: &x (§+2) = (@x 9) + (x2) Cross product of the zero vector or the zero vector property: @ * 9 ifaso orb=0. @ testbook Triple Cross Product The cross product of a vector with another two vectors stands for the triple cross product of the vectors. The final result of the triple cross product is a vector itself, (ax0) x@= @-9b~ (6-2)a porea, b,andeare the vectors, Check out this article on Relations and Funetions, Applications of Cross Product ‘Vectors being a combination of magnitude and direction can be applied to represent physical quantities, commonly in physics, vectors are used to denote displacement, velocity, and acceleration as it becomes helpful to analyze physical quantities (including both size and direction) as vectors. Cross product of veetors finds application in determining the orthogonality to two given vectors, computing torque, area of triangle, parallelogram and more. 1f# and ¥ are two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then the area of the parallelogram:= exy If and Yare the diagonals of a parallelogram, then the area of the parallelogram: Bxy tf and J are two adjacent sides of a triangle, then the area of the triangle: =1Lexg The angle between the two vectors # and can be determined using vector product through the formula= ab ie sind = — As the cross product of two vectors is orthogonal to each of the vectors. Cross Product of Perpendicular Vectors= axb= @ bsinon— 4 b sinvom— a BA Cross Product of Parallel veetors= axb= 4 bsinéi= a 6 sindba=0 Cheek more topies of Mathematics here. Cross Product Solved Examples Some of the solved examples regarding the topie for more practice is as follows: Solved Example 4: C = 4i + 5j and D = Gi ~ 4 Calculate the cross product of vectors C and Dis: EXPLANATIONS: We C x D = (4i + 5i) (61-4) = 24 (ix i) -16(i xj) +30( xi) - 206 xj) We know that: Hence we get: Cx D=-16k-gok = -46k 0, the cross product of C and D is a vector of magnitude 46 and in the negative z direction. Since C and D are in the XY-plane, it is obvious that the cross product must be perpendicular to this plane, that is it must be in the z-direction. Solved Example 2: What is the magnitude of the resultant cross product of two parallel vectors 4and®?ar CONCEPT: ‘Vector Product: It is also known as ;cross products whose magnitude is equal to the ;produets of the magnitude of two vectors and sine of the angle between them and whose direction is perpendicular to the plane of the two vectors. ‘Mathematically it is written as: axb=@ 6 sina Where 9 is the angle between a vector 4and®, and is the unit vector which is perpendicular to both the vectors @ 3 and? EXPLANATION: Mathematically itis written as: axb= @ 6 sina If the vector is parallel then the angle between a vector 4and? will be 9”. dg @ } sin0-A (sino = 0), a x o a xb= @ Db sinon=0, ‘We hope that the above article on Cross Product is helpful for your understanding and exam preparations. Stay tuned to the ‘'estbook App for more updates on related topies from Mathematics, and various such subjects. Also, reach out to the test series available to examine your knowledge regarding several exams. Geometric mean Unit vectorBar graph Measures of central tendency Significant figure Coefficient of variation Cross Product FAQs Qu What is the cross product definition? Ans.1 When two vectors are multiplied with each other and the final product of the given vectors is also a vector quantity, then the obtained vector is termed the cross product of two vectors or the veetor product. Q.2 How do you calculate cross product? Ans.2 The vector product or the cross product of two vectors say vector “a” and vector “b” is denoted bya x b, and its resultant vector is perpendicular to the vectors a and b. Q.3 Whats the cross product used for? Ans.3 Cross product used for calculating the angle between two given veetors, to estimate a vector normal to a plane, for calculating the moment of a force about a point, and to determine the moment of a force about a line. Q.4 What is the cross product of two vectors? Ans.4 The cross product of two vectors results in the third veetor that is perpendicular to the two principal vectors. Its magnitude is presented by the area of the parallelogram amongst them and its direction can be decided by the right-hand thumb rule. Q.5 How does cross-product work? Ans.5 The dot product operates in any number of dimensions, but the cross product simply works in 3D. The dot product measures how much two vectors lead in the same direction, but the cross product measures how much two vectors point in opposite directions. Q.6 What are the properties of the cross product? Ans.6 Some of the important properties of eross produets are as follows: 1, Vector products are not commutative, Vector product is associative concerning scalar multiplication. 2. 3g, The Vector product is distributive eonceming vector addition. 4g. (toss Product of Parallel veetor = 0, Q.7 What is the difference between dot product and cross product? Ans.7 Major difference between dot product and cross product is that dot product is defined as the product of the magnitude of the vectors and the cos of the angle between the veetors, on the other hand, the eross The product is the product of the magnitude of the vector and the sine of the angle.ee Ans.8 The various types of vectors are zero vector, unit vector, position vector, co-initial vector, like and vectors, coplanar vector, collinear veetor, equal vector, displacem nt vector and negative vectors. Q.9 Whatis the difference between a vector and a unit vector? Ans.g Any physical quantity which has both magnitude and direction is stated to be a veetor quantity. Whereas a vector that has a magnitude of one is called a unit vector Q.10 . What is a dot product? Ans.10 The dot product is one approach of multiplying two or more given vectors. The final result of the dot product of vectors is a scalar quantity. Therefore, the dot product is also identified as a scalar product, Algebraically, it is the summation of the produets of the identical entries of two strings of numbers. — s (ololo ane, a Co eat oa CURT = eee) aes General) aM 3) |) ad The Complete Exam Preparation aod