Chapter # 03

Vectors in 2 – Space and 3 - Space

•   PRODUCT
CROSS
If u = () and v = () are vectors in 3 – space, then the cross product u x v is the vector defined
uxv=(-,-, -)
Or, in determinant form
uxv=
• 
RELATIONSHIP INVOLVING DOT PRODUCT AND CROSS PRODUCT
If u, v and w are vectors in 3 – space, then
(a) u . (u x v) = 0 (u x v is orthogonal to u)
(b) v . (v x u) = 0 (v x u is orthogonal to v)
(c) = - (Lagrange’s Identity)
(d) u x (v x w) = (u . w) x v – (u . v) x w (relationship between dot and cross products)
(e) (u x v) x w = (u . w) v – (v . w) u (relationship between dot and cross products)

PROPERTIES OF CROSS PRODUCT

If u, v and w are vectors in 3 – space and k is any scalar, then
(f) u x v = - (v x u)
(g) u x (v + w) = (u x v) + (u x w)
(h) (u + v) x w = (u x w) + (v x w)
(i) k (u x v) = (k u) x v = u x (k v)
(j) u x 0 = 0 x u = 0
(k) u x u = 0
• 
DETERMINANT FORM OF CROSS PRODUCT

uxv= =

If u = (1, 2, -2) and v = (3, 0, 1), then find u x v.

Solution:
uxv=
=
= (2 - 0)i – (1 + 6)j + (0 - 6)k
u x v = 2i - 7j +6k
u x v = (2, -7, 6)
•   the Lagrange’s Identity
From
= - (1)
Also, we know that
u.v=

Replace the value of u . v in equation no. 1

= -
=-
= (1 - )
= (+ = 1)
Since 0 , it follows that 0, so this can be rewritten as

=
•   OF PARALLELOGRAM
AREA
If u and v are vectors in 3 – space, then is equal to the area of parallelogram determined by u and v.

SCALAR TRIPLE PRODUCT

If u, v and w are vectors in 3 – space, then u . (v x w) is called the scalar triple product. It can be computed as

u . (v x w) =

Calculate the scalar triple product u . (v x w) of vectors u = (3, 2, -5), v = (1, 4, -4) and w = (0, 3, 2)
Solution:
u . (v x w) = = 3
= 3(8 + 12) – 2 (2 + 0) -5 (3 - 0)
= 60 – 4 - 15
u . (v x w)= 41
•   absolute value of determinant
The

is equal to the area of parallelogram in 2- space determined by the vectors u and v.

The absolute value of determinant

is equal to the volume of parallelepiped in 3 – space determined by the vectors u, v and w.

Mathematically,
Volume of Parallelepiped = V =
• the
If   vectors u, v and w have the same initial point , then they lie in the same plane if and only if
= =0

PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE

EXERCIS: 3.4
Question # 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 16
•   the Lagrange’s identity for the vectors u = (4, 2, 1) and v = (-3, 2, 7)
Verify
Solution:
As we know that
= -

Take L.H.S.
= =k
= (14 - 2)i – (28 + 3)j + (8 + 6)k
= 12i – 31j + 14k
= (12, -31, 14)
= + + = 144 + 961 + 196 = 1301
•   R.H.S.
Take
= + + = 16 + 4 + 1 = 21
= + + = 9 + 4 + 49 = 62

= (4, 2, 1) . (-3, 2, 7) = - 12 + 4 + 7 = -1
==1

Now
- = (21)(62) – 1 = 1302 – 1 = 1301

L.H.S = R.H.S.
= - hence proved
•   the volume of parallelepiped with sides u = (2, -6, 2), v = (0, 4, -2) and w = (2, 2, -4).
Find
Solution:
V=
First we have to find scalar triple product =
=
=
= 2(-16 + 4) + 6(0 + 4) + 2 (0 - 8)
= 2(-12) + 6(4) + 2(-8)
= -24 + 12 -16
= -28
Now
V= =
V = 28
• 
Determine whether u, v, and w lie in the same plane when positioned so that their initial points coincide if
u = (-1, -2, 1), v = (3, 0, -2) and w = (5, -4, 0)
Solution:
Vectors lie on a same plane when positioned so that their initial points coincide iff = 0
=
= -1 + 2 + 1
= -1 (0 - 8) + 2 (0 + 10) + 1 (-12 - 0)
= -1 (-8) + 2 (10) -12
= 8 + 20 – 12
= 16 0
It is not lie on a same plane.
•   the cross product to find the sine of the angle between the vectors u = (2, 3, -6) and v = (2, 3, 6).
Use
Solution:
As we know that
=

First we have to find

= =k
= (18 + 18)i – (12 + 12)j + (6 - 6)k
= (36, - 24, 0)
= = 12
•=  = 49
=

Now
=
=
= 0.018021