Final answer:
The smallest possible value of the magnitude of vectors a and b is 0 units.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Parallel Vectors:
When the vectors a and b are parallel, the angle between them is 0 degrees. The sine of 0 degrees is 0, which means the magnitude of the vector product is 0.
2. Antiparallel Vectors:
When the vectors a and b are antiparallel, the angle between them is 180 degrees. The sine of 180 degrees is also 0, which means the magnitude of the vector product is 0.
Therefore, the smallest possible value of the magnitude of a × b is 0, which occurs when the vectors a and b are either parallel or antiparallel to each other.