School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney
 9. The scalar product
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The scalar product in terms of components

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If u = u1i + u2j + u3k and v = v1i + v2j + v3k then

u · v = u1v1 + u2v2 + u3v3.

For vectors in the plane you need to drop the third terms. We often call the above formula the Cartesian representation of the scalar product.

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Main menu Section menu   Previous section Next section The scalar product in terms of magnitude and angles Proof of the formula