Problem 137
Medium Triple Products and Volume

Using vec a×(vec b×vec c)=(vec a·vec c)vec b-(vec a·vec…

Using $\vec a\times(\vec b\times\vec c)=(\vec a\cdot\vec c)\vec b-(\vec a\cdot\vec b)\vec c$, decompose $\vec a\times(\vec b\times\vec c)$ along $\vec b$ and $\vec c$ for $\vec a=\{2,0,1\}$, $\vec b=\{1,-1,0\}$, $\vec c=\{1,1,1\}$.

Explanation of Method

Decomposing a×(b×c) along b and c.

Step 1: Scalar products

\[ \vec a\cdot\vec c=2+0+1=3,\qquad \vec a\cdot\vec b=2+0+0=2. \]

\[\vec a\times(\vec b\times\vec c)=3\vec b-2\vec c=\{1,-5,-2\}\]

Step 2: Direct check

\[ \vec b\times\vec c=\begin{vmatrix}\vec i&\vec j&\vec k\\1&-1&0\\1&1&1\end{vmatrix}=\{-1,-1,2\}, \]

\[ \vec a\times\{-1,-1,2\}=\begin{vmatrix}\vec i&\vec j&\vec k\\2&0&1\\-1&-1&2\end{vmatrix}=\{1,-5,-2\}.\ \checkmark \]


Result

\[\boxed{\,\vec a\times(\vec b\times\vec c)=3\vec b-2\vec c=\{1,-5,-2\}\,}\]