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If a = i - 2k and b = jk, find a × b?

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Final answer:

The cross product of the vectors a = i - 2k and b = jk is -3kĵ.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the cross product of the vectors a = i - 2k and b = jk, we can use the distributive property and the rules for the cross multiplication of unit vectors.

First, we multiply the vector components:

a × b = (i - 2k) × (jk) = i × jk - 2k × jk = i × j × k - 2k × jk = (i × j)k - 2(j × k)k = -k - 2ĵk = -k - 2kĵ = -3kĵ

Therefore, the cross product of a and b is -3kĵ.

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