Prove the BAC-CAB rule by writing out both sides in component form.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The BAC-CAB rule, A×B×C=B(A.C)-C(A.B), is proven.

Step by step solution

01

Explain the concept and assume the vectors

To proveBAC-CAB rule, A×B×C=B(A.C)-C(A.B), firstly evaluate its left side,and right side saperately, then the results of both sides mst be compared.

Let the vectors are defined as A=Axi+Ayj+Azk,B=Bxi+Byj+Bzk, andC=Cxi+Cyj+Czk

02

find the value of A×B×C 

B×C=ijkBxByBzCxCyCz=ByCz-BzCyi -Cz-Bz-Cxj +BxCy-ByCxk

Now use the above result to evaluate A x B x C as,

A×B×C=ijkAxAyAzByCz-BzCyBxCz-BzCxBxCy-ByCx=AyBxCy-AyByCx-AzBzCx+AzBxCzi--AxBxCy-AxByCx-AzByCz+AzBzCyj+AxBzCx-AxBxCz-AyByCz+AyBzCyk

03

Find the value of  B (A - C) - C (A - B)

Substitute Axi+Ayj+Azkfor A, Bxi+Byj+Bzkfor B, and Cxi+Cyj+Czkfor C intoBA·C-CA·B

BA·C-CA·B=BxAyCy-CxAyBy-CxAzBz+BxAzCzi +-CyAxBx+ByAxCx+ByAzCz-CyAzBzj+BzAxCx-CzAyBy-CzAyBy+BzAyCyk …… (2)

04

Draw the conclusion

From equation (1) and (2) it can be concluded that the result of BA·C-CA·Band A×B×C is same. Thus A×B×C=BA·C-CA·B

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