Is there a connection between cross product and determinant?

In summary, the cross product is a mathematical operation that takes two vectors and produces a third vector that is perpendicular to both of the original vectors. It can be calculated using a specific formula and has various applications in mathematics, physics, and engineering. The determinant of a matrix is a numerical value used to determine properties of the matrix and can be calculated using different methods, such as Gaussian elimination.
  • #1
kidsasd987
143
4
Is this just a coincidence that cross product can be found from determinant of 3*3 matrix? what is the differences between wedge product and cross product?Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Is this just a coincidence that cross product can be found from determinant of 3*3 matrix?
No.
It is another way of writing the definition.

what is the differences between wedge product and cross product?
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/wedge-product-cross-product.117231/
Basically the wedge product is a generalization of the cross-product to any vector space.
 
  • #3
For one, the wedge product is defined on forms, and the cross-product is defined on vectors.
 

1. What is the cross product?

The cross product, also known as the vector product, is a mathematical operation that takes two vectors and produces a third vector that is perpendicular to both of the original vectors. It is denoted by a × b and is defined as |a| |b| sinθ n, where |a| and |b| are the magnitudes of the two vectors, θ is the angle between them, and n is a unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing a and b.

2. How is the cross product calculated?

The cross product can be calculated using the following formula: a × b = (ay bz − az by)i + (az bx − ax bz)j + (ax by − ay bx)kwhere i, j, and k are the unit vectors in the x, y, and z directions, respectively.

3. What is the significance of the cross product?

The cross product has several applications in mathematics, physics, and engineering. It is commonly used to calculate the torque on an object, determine the direction of a magnetic field, and find the normal vector to a plane. It is also used in 3D graphics and computer vision to calculate lighting and shading effects.

4. What is the determinant of a matrix?

The determinant of a matrix is a numerical value that is calculated from the elements of the matrix. It is denoted by det(A) or |A| and is used to determine various properties of the matrix, such as whether it is invertible or singular, and to solve systems of linear equations. The determinant is equal to the sum of the products of the elements in each row or column of the matrix, multiplied by their respective cofactors.

5. How is the determinant of a matrix calculated?

The determinant of a matrix can be calculated using various methods, such as expansion by minors, row reduction, or using the Leibniz formula. One common method is the Gaussian elimination method, which involves performing elementary row operations on the matrix until it is in upper triangular form. The determinant is then equal to the product of the elements on the main diagonal of the upper triangular matrix.

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