How to Understand Dot Product and Cross-Product

The dot product outputs a scalar and captures the angle between two vectors. The cross product outputs a vector, which is perpendicular to the plane of the two input vectors and captures both the angle between the vectors and the plane in which they lie.
Both operations are foundational in physics, engineering, and computer science, especially in areas like mechanics, electromagnetism, and computer graphics.

Step-by-step Guide to Understand Dot Product and Cross-Product

Step 1: Introduction to the World of Vectors

1. Definition of a Vector:
   • An entity characterized by both magnitude (length) and direction.
   • Graphically represented as an arrow.
   • E.g., \( \overrightarrow \)\(=A_x​i+A_y​j​ \) where \( i \) and \( j \)​ are the unit vectors along the \(x\) and \(y\) axes, respectively.
2. Vector Operations:
   • Vectors can be added, subtracted, and scaled, leading to new vectors.

Step 2: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Dot Product

The dot product, also known as the scalar product, melds two vectors to produce a scalar. It’s the projection of one vector onto another.

1. Geometrical Interpretation:
   • The dot product of two vectors gives the product of their magnitudes and the cosine of the angle between them.
   • Formula: \( \overrightarrow⋅\overrightarrow=\overrightarrow \ \overrightarrowcos(θ)\)
   • If two vectors are perpendicular, their dot product is zero (because \( cos(90^\circ\)\(=0\)).
   • If they are parallel, the dot product gives the product of their magnitudes.
2. Algebraic Computation:
   • For \( \overrightarrow\)\(=A_x​i+A_y​j\)​ and \( \overrightarrow\)\(=B_x ​i+B_y ​j\)​:
   • Dot product: \( \overrightarrow⋅ \overrightarrow=A_x​B_x​+A_y​B_y​\)
3. Applications:
   • Checking orthogonality (perpendicularity) of vectors.
   • Computing work in physics: Work = Force (dot) Displacement.
   • Finding angles between vectors using the relationship with the cosine of the angle.

Step 3: The Cross-Product Conundrum in 2D

Though often associated with \(3\)-dimensional space, a variation of the cross-product can still be interpreted in \(2D\), albeit with certain peculiarities.

1. Geometrical Interpretation:
   • In \(3D\), the cross-product results in a vector. However, in \(2D\), it results in a scalar representing the (signed) area of the parallelogram spanned by two vectors.
   • Formula: \(Area= \overrightarrow \ \overrightarrowsin(θ)\)
2. Pseudo 2D Computation:
   • To compute this in \(2D\), imagine both vectors as \(3D\) vectors with \(z\)-components as zero. E.g., \( \overrightarrow\)\(=A_x​i+A_y​j​+0k\) and \( \overrightarrow\)\(=B_x​i+B_y​j​+0k\)
   • Then, compute the cross product as in \(3D\), but only consider the \(z\)-component (which will be a scalar in \(2D\) context): \( \overrightarrow× \overrightarrow=(A_x​B_y​−A_y​B_x​)k\)
   • The magnitude of this value represents the area of the parallelogram spanned by \( \overrightarrow\) and \( \overrightarrow\).
3. Applications:
   • Determining clockwise or counterclockwise orientation of points in computational geometry.
   • Finding the area bounded by two vectors.

Step 4: Wrapping Up & Reflection:

• While both dot and cross products involve angle relationships between vectors, they serve distinct purposes and yield different results: scalars vs. vectors (or in \(2D\), scalars vs. pseudo-scalars).
• This understanding lays the foundation for exploring more advanced vector topics, and its applications can be seen across diverse fields, from physics to computer graphics.

To truly grasp these concepts, one must not only understand them theoretically but also engage in practical exercises, visualizations, and real-world applications. Dive deep, and let the world of vectors unfold its wonders!

Examples:

Example 1:

Solution:

Example 2:

Given vectors \( \overrightarrow=(5,-2)\) and \( \overrightarrow=(-3,6)\), find \( \overrightarrow× \overrightarrow\).

Solution: