Point Vectors in 3D Space: Are Cross Products of Two Vectors Equal?

[bomba923]

If P , \; Q and R each represent a point in \mathbb{R} ^ 3, then is it true that

\left\| {\overrightarrow {PQ} \times \overrightarrow {PR} } \right\| = \left\| {\overrightarrow {PQ} \times \overrightarrow {QR} } \right\| \; {?}

 

[quasar987]

Almost any arbitrary choice of points is a counter exemple, the most obvious being with P = R = (0,0,0). If you meant "P,Q,R distincts", try it with P=(0,0,0), Q = (1,0,0), R = (0,3,0).

 

[bomba923]

Almost any arbitrary choice of points is a counter exemple, the most obvious being with P = R = (0,0,0). If you meant "P,Q,R distincts", try it with P=(0,0,0), Q = (1,0,0), R = (0,3,0).

Right, I meant distinct points P,Q, & R. :shy:

 

[rachmaninoff]

Almost any arbitrary choice of points is a counter exemple, the most obvious being with P = R = (0,0,0). If you meant "P,Q,R distincts", try it with P=(0,0,0), Q = (1,0,0), R = (0,3,0).

PQ x PR = (1,0,0) x (0,3,0) = (0,0,3)
PQ x QR = (1,0,0) x (-1,3,0) = (0,0,3)

seem to have the same magnitude...

 

[rachmaninoff]

If P , \; Q and R each represent a point in \mathbb{R} ^ 3, then is it true that

\left\| {\overrightarrow {PQ} \times \overrightarrow {PR} } \right\| = \left\| {\overrightarrow {PQ} \times \overrightarrow {QR} } \right\| \; {?}

It is always true. Furthermore, the resulting vectors are the same, not just their magnitude!
Rewrite your vectors as

\vec{A} \equiv \overrightarrow{PQ},
\vec{B} \equiv \overrightarrow{PR}, so that

(\vec{B} - \vec{A}) = \overrightarrow{QR}.

Take the same cross products algebraically, keeping in mind that
\vec{A} \times \vec{A} = 0, and that \vec{A} \times (\vec{B} - \vec{A}) = (\vec{A} \times \vec{B}) - (\vec{A} \times \vec{A}).

 

[quasar987]

eeek!

Sorry bomba.