If →a+→b+→c=0, then show that →a×→b=→b×→c=→c×→a. Interpret the result geometrically.
Since, →a+→b+→c=0⇒ →b=−→c−→aNow, →a×→b=→a×(−→c−→a) =→a×(−→c)+→a×(−→a)=−→a×→c⇒ →a×→b=→c×→a ...(i)Also, →b×→c=(−→c−→a)×→c =(−→c×→c)+(−→a×→c)=−→a×→c⇒ →b×→c=→c×→a ...(ii)From Eqs.(i) and (ii),→a×→b=→b×→c=→c×→a
Geometrical interpretation of the result
If ABCD is a parallelogram such that −−→AB=→a and −−→AD=→b and these adjacent sides are making angle θ between each other, then we say that
Area of parallelogram ABCD = |→a||→b||sin θ|=|→a×→b|
Since, parallelogram on the same base and between the same parallels are equal in area.
We can say that, |→a×→b|=|→a×→c|=|→b×→c|
This also implies that, →a×→b=→a×→c=→b×→c
So, area of the parallelograms formed by taking any two sides represented by →a,→b and →c as adjacent are equal.