The cross product of two vectors (not to be confused with dot product) is a vector which is perpendicular plane containing them. The cross product of vector \(\vec{V}\) and \(\vec{U}\) can be calculated thanks to the following formula:
$$ \vec{V} \times \vec{U} = \left ( \begin{matrix} V_y.U_z - V_z.U_y \\ V_z.U_x - V_x.U_z \\ V_x.U_y - V_y.U_x \end{matrix} \right ) $$
Properties |
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If \(\vec{V}\) and \(\vec{U}\) are collinear, \(\vec{V} \times \vec{U}\) is a null vector. |
If \(\vec{V}\) is null, \(\vec{V} \times \vec{U}\) is a null vector. |
If \(\vec{U}\) is null, \(\vec{V} \times \vec{U}\) is a null vector. |
\(\vec{V} \times \vec{U}\) is normal to the plane containing the vectors \(\vec{V}\) and \(\vec{U}\). |
\(\vec{V} \times \vec{U}=-(\vec{U} \times \vec{V}) = (-\vec{U}) \times \vec{V}\). |
The following C++ function return the cross product of two vectors :
/*!
* \brief Compute the cross product of two vectors (this x V)
* The current vector is the first operand
* \param V is the second operand
* \return a vector = the cross product of the current vector by V
*/
inline rOc_vector rOc_vector::cross(const rOc_vector V)
{
rOc_vector Res;
Res.x()=this->y()*V.z() - this->z()*V.y();
Res.y()=this->z()*V.x() - this->x()*V.z();
Res.z()=this->x()*V.y() - this->y()*V.x();
return Res;
}
With MATLAB, the cross product can easily be computed with the function cross(A, B)
:
>> u=[1,2,3];
>> v=[4,5,6];
>> cross (u,v)
ans =
-3 6 -3