Scalar, Vector and Triple Products of Vectors

This course delves into the essential topic of vector multiplication. We systematically explore the four main types of vector products, beginning with the scalar (dot) and vector (cross) products of two vectors. You will then advance to products involving three vectors: the scalar triple product and the vector triple product, uncovering their unique properties and applications. Vector products are the key to unlocking the geometric power of vector analysis. They provide the tools to calculate angles, projections, areas, and volumes with elegant algebraic formulas. This course focuses on revealing these deep connections, showing how abstract multiplication rules translate into powerful methods for solving real-world problems in physics and engineering. This is an intermediate course designed for students who have a solid grasp of foundational vector algebra and components. It is the perfect next step for students in A-Level or university STEM programmes looking to deepen their understanding of vector analysis. A strong foundation in the topics from our introductory course is highly recommended for success.

10

15 hrs

Payment required for enrolment
Enrolment valid for 12 months
This course is also part of the following learning tracks. You may join a track to gain comprehensive knowledge across related courses.
[OAU, Ife] MTH 104: Vectors
[OAU, Ife] MTH 104: Vectors
This comprehensive learning track guides you through the complete world of vector analysis. We begin with the fundamentals of vector algebra and its application to foundational geometry. You will then master scalar, vector, and triple products before using them to construct the vector equations of lines, planes, and conics. The journey culminates in advanced topics, including vector calculus, its applications in classical mechanics, and an introduction to differential geometry. Vectors are the essential language used to describe our physical world, making their mastery non-negotiable for any serious student of science or engineering. This track is designed to build your intuition for spatial reasoning and equip you with a powerful problem-solving toolkit. You will see direct applications in mechanics, analyzing forces and motion; in geometry, calculating angles and distances; and in calculus, modeling dynamic change over time. While this track is tailored to the first-year university curriculum for MTH 104 at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, it is an invaluable resource for a wide range of learners. It is ideal for any undergraduate student in mathematics, physics, engineering, or computer science seeking a comprehensive understanding of vector analysis. Furthermore, it serves as an excellent and thorough refresher for professionals who wish to solidify their foundational knowledge of this critical subject.

This comprehensive learning track guides you through the complete world of vector analysis. We begin with the fundamentals of vector algebra and its application to foundational geometry. You will then master scalar, vector, and triple products before using them to construct the vector equations of lines, planes, and conics. The journey culminates in advanced topics, including vector calculus, its applications in classical mechanics, and an introduction to differential geometry. Vectors are the essential language used to describe our physical world, making their mastery non-negotiable for any serious student of science or engineering. This track is designed to build your intuition for spatial reasoning and equip you with a powerful problem-solving toolkit. You will see direct applications in mechanics, analyzing forces and motion; in geometry, calculating angles and distances; and in calculus, modeling dynamic change over time. While this track is tailored to the first-year university curriculum for MTH 104 at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, it is an invaluable resource for a wide range of learners. It is ideal for any undergraduate student in mathematics, physics, engineering, or computer science seeking a comprehensive understanding of vector analysis. Furthermore, it serves as an excellent and thorough refresher for professionals who wish to solidify their foundational knowledge of this critical subject.

[FUTA, Akure] MTS 104: Introductory Applied Mathematics
[FUTA, Akure] MTS 104: Introductory Applied Mathematics
This learning track is designed for first-year students at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and aligns with the second-semester coverage of introductory applied mathematics. It opens with vectors—what they are, how they work, and where they show up in real-world problems. From there, you’ll explore the geometry of circles and conic sections, gradually building up to the core ideas in basic dynamics. The lessons are short, clear, and practical—just the way we like it on UniDrills. Everything’s broken down to help you build strong intuition and problem-solving skills, especially if this is your first time engaging with applied math in this form. If you're not a FUTA student, no worries. The structure and explanations are broadly relevant, and the track works just as well for anyone looking to master these foundational topics in science and engineering.

This learning track is designed for first-year students at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and aligns with the second-semester coverage of introductory applied mathematics. It opens with vectors—what they are, how they work, and where they show up in real-world problems. From there, you’ll explore the geometry of circles and conic sections, gradually building up to the core ideas in basic dynamics. The lessons are short, clear, and practical—just the way we like it on UniDrills. Everything’s broken down to help you build strong intuition and problem-solving skills, especially if this is your first time engaging with applied math in this form. If you're not a FUTA student, no worries. The structure and explanations are broadly relevant, and the track works just as well for anyone looking to master these foundational topics in science and engineering.

Course Chapters

1
Introduction

Welcome and overview of vector products.

Chapter lessons

1.Welcome6:04

Welcome to the course and course outline.

2.Overview11:23

Meaning, types and need for vector products.

2
Scalar Products

Scalar (dot) product of two vectors and its properties.

Chapter lessons

1.Definition3:34

Formal definition of the scalar or dot product of two vectors, and its relation to the projection of a vector on another vector.

2.Perpendicular vectors17:12

Scalar products of perpendicular vectors and unit vectors; scalar product of two vectors in terms of their mutually-perpendicular components.

3.Direction cosines24:18

Relationships between the scalar product, direction cosines of vectors and the angle between two vectors.

4.Properties16:14

Properties of the scalar product of two vectors.

5.Worked examples (1)17:00

Worked examples on the scalar product of two vectors.

6.Worked examples (2)20:42

More worked examples on the scalar product of two vectors.

7.Worked examples (3)8:24

More worked examples on the scalar product of two vectors.

8.Worked examples (4)19:59

More worked examples on the scalar product of two vectors.

9.Worked examples (5)37:04

More worked examples on the scalar product of two vectors.

3
Vector Products

Vector (cross) product of two vectors and its properties.

Chapter lessons

1.Definition24:07

Definition, notations and direction of the vector or cross product of two vectors.

2.Parallel vectors37:00

Vector product of parallel and anti-parallel (like and unlike) vectors and unit vectors; vector product of two vectors in terms of their Cartesian components.

3.Collinearity11:20

Re-examining the collinearity of two vectors (three points) in the light of cross products.

4.Geometric meaning9:44

A geometric interpretation of the magnitude of a cross product of two vectors as the area of some parallelogram.

5.Properties9:33

Properties of the vector product of two vectors.

6.Worked examples (1)23:39

Worked examples on the vector product of two vectors and its implications.

7.Worked examples (2)32:57

More worked examples on the vector product of two vectors and its implications.

8.Worked examples (3)45:47

More worked examples on the vector product of two vectors and its implications.

9.Worked examples (4)29:40

More worked examples on the vector product of two vectors and its implications.

4
Scalar Triple Products

Scalar triple product of three vectors and its properties.

Chapter lessons

1.Definition21:19

Formal definition of the scalar triple product and its definition in terms of Cartesian components.

2.Geometric meaning15:36

Geometric meaning of the scalar triple product of three vectors as the volume of some parallelepiped.

3.Linear dependence29:55

Examining the linear dependence (or coplanarity) of three vectors by their scalar triple product.

4.Properties12:58

Properties of the scalar triple product of three vectors.

5.Worked examples (1)22:03

Worked examples on the scalar triple product of three vectors.

6.Worked examples (2)29:35

More worked examples on the scalar triple product of three vectors.

7.Worked examples (3)17:51

More worked examples on the scalar triple product of three vectors.

8.Worked examples (4)20:59

More worked examples on the scalar triple product of three vectors.

5
Vector Triple Products

Vector triple product of three vectors and its properties.

Chapter lessons

1.Definition12:31

Formal definition of the vector triple product or box product of three vectors.

2.Formula40:20

Simplifying the vector triple product using scalar coefficients.

3.Properties8:40

Properties of the vector triple product of three vectors.

4.Worked examples (1)37:37

Worked examples on vector triple products.

5.Worked examples (2)16:45

More worked examples on vector triple products.

6.Worked examples (3)30:42

More worked examples on vector triple products.