Calculus (3rd Edition)

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1464125260
ISBN 13: 978-1-46412-526-3

Chapter 13 - Vector Geometry - 13.4 The Cross Product - Exercises - Page 678: 62

Answer

If the vectors ${\bf{u}}$, ${\bf{v}}$, and ${\bf{w}}$ are mutually orthogonal, then $\left( {{\bf{u}} \times {\bf{v}}} \right) \times {\bf{w}} = {\bf{0}}$ and ${\bf{u}} \times \left( {{\bf{v}} \times {\bf{w}}} \right) = {\bf{0}}$.

Work Step by Step

Suppose that vectors ${\bf{u}}$, ${\bf{v}}$, and ${\bf{w}}$ are mutually orthogonal. Let $\left\{ {{\bf{u}},{\bf{v}},{\bf{w}}} \right\}$ forms a right-handed system. By Theorem 1, we have the vector ${\bf{u}} \times {\bf{v}} = {\bf{w}}$ orthogonal to ${\bf{u}}$ and ${\bf{v}}$. Thus, $\left( {{\bf{u}} \times {\bf{v}}} \right) \times {\bf{w}} = {\bf{w}} \times {\bf{w}}$ But ${\bf{w}} \times {\bf{w}} = {\bf{0}}$, since the angle between the vector ${\bf{w}}$ and itself is zero. Therefore, $\left( {{\bf{u}} \times {\bf{v}}} \right) \times {\bf{w}} = {\bf{0}}$. Similarly, by Theorem 1, we have the vector ${\bf{v}} \times {\bf{w}} = {\bf{u}}$ orthogonal to ${\bf{v}}$ and ${\bf{w}}$. Thus, ${\bf{u}} \times \left( {{\bf{v}} \times {\bf{w}}} \right) = {\bf{u}} \times {\bf{u}}$ But ${\bf{u}} \times {\bf{u}} = {\bf{0}}$, since the angle between the vector ${\bf{u}}$ and itself is zero. Therefore, ${\bf{u}} \times \left( {{\bf{v}} \times {\bf{w}}} \right) = {\bf{0}}$.
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