Two vectors forming right handed set?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the confusion regarding the concept of a "right handed set" in relation to two vectors. It is established that a right handed set typically involves three vectors, but the question posed requires checking if two vectors are perpendicular and whether they can form a right handed system. The scalar triple product is identified as a method to determine the orientation of vectors, although its application with only two vectors is noted as challenging. The suggestion is made that if the vectors do not form a right handed set, the second vector should be multiplied by -1.

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Andrew Tom
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Homework Statement
Do the two vectors form a right handed set
Relevant Equations
Vectors
I am confused by a question. I thought "right handed set" only applied to sets of three vectors. However I have been given 2 vectors and asked "check whether they are perpendicular to each other and if they form a right handed set. If they don't form a right handed set, the second vector must be multiplied by -1".
 
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Can you post the question exactly as was given to you? Please include any accompanying diagrams. Thanks.
 
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Andrew Tom said:
Homework Statement:: Do the two vectors form a right handed set
Relevant Equations:: Vectors

I am confused by a question. I thought "right handed set" only applied to sets of three vectors. However I have been given 2 vectors and asked "check whether they are perpendicular to each other and if they form a right handed set. If they don't form a right handed set, the second vector must be multiplied by -1".
to check if vectors form a right handed system, we can use the scalar triple product. Please give the full problem statement when asking for help.
 
MidgetDwarf said:
to check if vectors form a right handed system, we can use the scalar triple product. Please give the full problem statement when asking for help.
That's very difficult using only two vectors.
 
Do the vectors belong to a two-dimensional vector space?
 

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