Calculus: Early Transcendentals 8th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285741552
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-155-0

Chapter 12 - Section 12.4 - The Cross Product - 12.4 Exercises - Page 821: 23

Answer

$a \times b=-b \times a$

Work Step by Step

Let $a=\lt a_1,a_2,a_3\gt$ and $b=\lt b_1,b_2,b_3\gt$ $a \times b=\begin{vmatrix} i&j&k \\ a_1&a_2&a_3\\b_1&b_2&b_3\end{vmatrix}$ $b \times a=\begin{vmatrix} i&j&k \\b_1&b_2&b_3 \\a_1&a_2&a_3\end{vmatrix}$ Switching two rows in a determinant reverses the sign of the determinant. $\begin{vmatrix} i&j&k \\a_1&a_2&a_3 \\b_1&b_2&b_3\end{vmatrix}=-\begin{vmatrix} i&j&k \\b_1&b_2&b_3 \\a_1&a_2&a_3\end{vmatrix}$ Hence, $a \times b=-b \times a$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.