I know how to prove the formula |vec(a) xx vec(b)|^2=|vec(a)|^2 * |vec(b)|^2−(vec(a) * vec(b))^2, but my teacher asked me to prove it by using the formula (vec(a) xx vec(b)) xx vec(c) =(vec(a) * vec(c)) vec(b) −(vec(b) * vec(c))vec(a) , how to prove it?

Bruce Sherman

Bruce Sherman

Answered question

2022-10-09

Another proof of | a × b | 2 = | a | 2 | b | 2 ( a b ) 2
I know how to prove the formula | a × b | 2 = | a | 2 | b | 2 ( a b ) 2 ,but i need to prove it using the formula ( a × b ) × c = ( a c ) b ( b c ) a , how to prove it?

Answer & Explanation

cegukwt

cegukwt

Beginner2022-10-10Added 10 answers

Assume without loss of generality a 0 . Set c = a so
( a × b ) × a = a 2 b ( a b ) a .
This is a cross product of perpendicular vectors, so its square modulus is
| a × b | 2 a 2 = a 4 b 2 + ( a b ) 2 a 2 2 a 2 ( a b ) 2 = a 2 ( a 2 b 2 ( a b ) 2 ) .
Now cancel the a 2 factors.
Tiana Hill

Tiana Hill

Beginner2022-10-11Added 1 answers

Slightly differently:
Let c = a × b ,and use ( P × Q ) . R = P . ( Q × R ), and P × ( Q × R ) = ( P . R ) Q ( P . Q ) R , then
| a × b | 2 = ( a × b ) . ( a × b ) = ( a × b ) . c = a . ( b × c ) = a . [ b × ( a × b ) ]
= a . [ b 2 a ( b . a ) b ] = a 2 b 2 ( a . b ) 2 .

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