Vectors in space (Part II)

Mixed product of three vectors

[ ]
Mixed product is (a × b)
c . Usually marked with a, b, c So: (a × b)
c = a, b, c [ ]
How it calculated?

If given vectors are: a = ( a1 , a 2 , a 3 ) , b = (b1 , b2 , b3 ) and c = (c1 , c 2 , c3 ) then:

a1 a2 a3
(a × b)
c = b1 b2 b3
c1 c2 c3

For what is it used?

i) Absolute value of mixed products three vectors is the same as the volume
parallelepiped constructed over them, that is: V (a, b, c) = (a × b)
c

ii) Volume of the pyramid (tetrahedra) constructed over vectors a, b, c, is:

1
V= ( a × b)
c
6

1
Why in the formula?
6
Since that from earlier we know the volume of the pyramid is :

1
V= BH
3

1
As the base is triangle, B = a × b And then:
2

1 1 1 1
V= BH= a × b H= ( a × b)
c
3 3 2 6

How to find the height H of the pyramid?

a1 a2 a3
1 1 1 3V
( a × b)
c = b1 b2 b3 , Then find the base B= a × b and replace in H = .
6 6 2 B
c1 c2 c3

iii) Vectors lie in a plane

Vectors a, b, c lie in a plane if and only if their mixed product is equal to zero.
a1 a 2 a3
b1 b2 b3 = 0
c1 c2 c3

Examples:

1. Calculate volume parallelepiped constructed over vectors: a (0,1,1), b(1,0,1), c(1,1,0)

Solution:

a1 a2 a3 0 1 1
V (a, b, c) = (a × b)
c = b1 b2 b3 = 1 0 1 =
c1 c2 c3 1 1 0
0 1 1 01
= 1 0 1 1 0 = (0 + 1 + 1) – (0+0+0)= 2 [see determinants]
1 1 0 11

Therefore, V = 2
2. Given vectors are vectors a (ln( p − 2),−2,6), b( p,−2,5), c(0,−1,3) . Determine the real number p,
for which vectors lie in a plane .

Solution:
a1 a2 a3
As we said, must be b1 b2 b3 = 0
c1 c2 c3
ln( p − 2) − 2 6
p − 2 5 = Develop is the first column= ln(p-2)[-6+5] – p [-6+6] = - ln(p-2)
0 −1 3

Must be - ln (P-2) = 0 [See file logarithms]

p - 2 = 1, and p = 3 is requested solution.

3. Given vectors are a (1,1,−1), b(−2,−1,2), c(1,−1,2) ,

Set apart vector c in directions of vectors a, b and a × b
Solution: First, we find a × b .

i j k i j k
a × b = a1 a2 a3 = 1 1 − 1 = 1 i - 0 j + 1 k = (1,0,1)
b1 b2 b3 − 2 −1 2

c = m a + n b + p ( a × b ) where m,n and p are constants that must be found.

(1,-1,2) = m (1,1,-1) + n (-2,-1,2) + p (1,0,1) crossing in the system of equations:

1 = 1m – 2n +1p m – 2n +p = 1

3
-1 = 1m – 1n +0p m–n = -1 gather first and third ... and p=
2

2 = -1m +2n +1p -m +2n +p = 2

3 3 1
Return p = in other two equations and obtain: m = − and n = −
2 2 2

Let's go back now:

c= ma + nb + p (a×b )

3 1 3
c=− a − b+ ( a × b ) is the final solution
2 2 2
4. Given vectors are a (m − 1,1,1), b(−1, m + 1,0), c(m,2,1) . Determine the value of parameter m

so that vectors a, b, c lie in a plane and decompose a in components by other two.

Solution:

a1 a2 a3 m −1 1 1
b1 b2 b3 = 0 , it is −1 m + 1 0 = 0 this determined develop by the third column ...=
c1 c2 c3 m 2 1

= -2 – m(m+1) + (m-1)(m+1) +1 = 0

= - 2 –m2 – m + m2 – 1 +1 = 0 So: m = - 2

When to replace m = -2:

a = (−3,1,1)
b = (−1,−1,0)
c = (−2,2,1)

Go to decompose :

a =m b+n c

(−3,1,1) = m (−1,−1,0) + n (−2,2,1) crossing in the system of equations

-3 = - m – 2n

1 = - m + 2n

1 = 0m + n here is n = 1 and to change in above two equations...m = 1

So a = m b + n c and a = b + c is final solution

5. We know that the vertices of a tetrahedron are A (2,3,1), B (4.1, -2), C (6,3,7) and D (-5, -4.8).
Determine volume tetrahedra and height devolved from the vertice D on the ABC.

Solution:
First, we draw picture and post the problem:

D(-5,-4,8)

H
C(6,3,7)

A(2,3,1) B(4,1,-2)

Create vectors AB, AC , AD

AB = (4-2,1-3,-2-1) = (2, -2, -3)

AC = (6-2,3-3,7-1) = (4, 0, 6)

AD = (-5-2,-4-3,8-1) = (-7,-7,7)

a1 a2 a3
1 1
Volume tetrahedra can be found by the formula: ( a × b)
c = b1 b2 b3 =
6 6
c1 c2 c3
2 −2 −3
1 308
4 0 6 =
6 6
−7 −7 7

1
Still looking for area ABC: B= a×b
2
i j k i j k
AB × AC = a1 a2 a3 = 2 − 2 − 3 = -12 i +24 j +8 k = (-12, 24, 8)
b1 b2 b3 4 0 6

1
B= (−12) 2 + 24 2 + 8 2 = 14
2

3V
Use the H = .
B
 308
3
H= 6 = 11 Therefore, the required height is H = 11
14

Note:
If you seek a different height, for example, from vertice C , is analogous.
3V
Volume find, then area AB × AD and replace in H = .
B