# Homework Help: Evaluate scalar triple products

1. Nov 15, 2011

### sharks

Here is the determinant for axb:
w x y z
1 -2 3 -4
-1 2 4 -5

Last edited: Nov 15, 2011
2. Nov 15, 2011

### rock.freak667

3. Nov 16, 2011

### sharks

My confusion is how to get a 3x3 determinant when the vectors a, b and c are presented as being in R^4.
For example, when i make the determinant for c.(axb), i get:

c1 c2 c3 c4
a1 a2 a3 a4
b1 b2 b3 b4

But it's not possible to evaluate such a 3x4 determinant, right? And the question is requesting that i evaluate a 3x3 determinant.

Any ideas?

Last edited: Nov 16, 2011
4. Nov 16, 2011

### HallsofIvy

I guess the question is "How is the triple product of two vectors defined in R4"?

5. Nov 16, 2011

### sharks

I honestly have no idea, but this is really the entire question:
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