Final answer:
To find the cross product of two vectors, a and b, you can use the formula a x b = (aybz - azby)î - (axbz - azbx)ĵ + (axby - aybx)k. Using this formula, we can calculate the cross product of the given vectors a = <2, -1, 5> and b = <7, 2, 1>. The cross product of a and b is -7î - 9ĵ + 9k.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the cross product of two vectors, a and b, you can use the formula a x b = (aybz - azby)î - (axbz - azbx)ĵ + (axby - aybx)k. Using this formula, we can calculate the cross product of the given vectors a = <2, -1, 5> and b = <7, 2, 1>.
a x b = ((-1 * 1) - (5 * 2))î - ((2 * 7) - (1 * 5))ĵ + ((2 * 1) - (-1 * 7))k
a x b = (-7)î - (9)ĵ + (9)k
Therefore, the cross product of a and b is -7î - 9ĵ + 9k.