How to perform wedge product












1














I have heard all kinds of great things about Clifford/Geometric algebra, but I can't find any good resources. I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers! Every article and video just talks about properties, which is fine, but I have a hard time understand how to use something without a solid example.



Could you please actually compute a wedge product between some vectors?
Like [1, 3, -2] ∧ [5, 2, 8] ? Or any other example with values. The more examples the better!



Thank so much!!










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  • 1




    I share your frustration. My introduction to wedge products is Muirhead's "Aspects of Multivariate Statistical Theory", where they arise in only a differential sense (dealing with dx's and dy's). I am unaware of anyplace they arise in an absolute sense.
    – John Polcari
    Jul 6 at 15:15


















1














I have heard all kinds of great things about Clifford/Geometric algebra, but I can't find any good resources. I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers! Every article and video just talks about properties, which is fine, but I have a hard time understand how to use something without a solid example.



Could you please actually compute a wedge product between some vectors?
Like [1, 3, -2] ∧ [5, 2, 8] ? Or any other example with values. The more examples the better!



Thank so much!!










share|cite|improve this question


















  • 1




    I share your frustration. My introduction to wedge products is Muirhead's "Aspects of Multivariate Statistical Theory", where they arise in only a differential sense (dealing with dx's and dy's). I am unaware of anyplace they arise in an absolute sense.
    – John Polcari
    Jul 6 at 15:15
















1












1








1


1





I have heard all kinds of great things about Clifford/Geometric algebra, but I can't find any good resources. I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers! Every article and video just talks about properties, which is fine, but I have a hard time understand how to use something without a solid example.



Could you please actually compute a wedge product between some vectors?
Like [1, 3, -2] ∧ [5, 2, 8] ? Or any other example with values. The more examples the better!



Thank so much!!










share|cite|improve this question













I have heard all kinds of great things about Clifford/Geometric algebra, but I can't find any good resources. I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers! Every article and video just talks about properties, which is fine, but I have a hard time understand how to use something without a solid example.



Could you please actually compute a wedge product between some vectors?
Like [1, 3, -2] ∧ [5, 2, 8] ? Or any other example with values. The more examples the better!



Thank so much!!







exterior-algebra clifford-algebras






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asked Jul 6 at 14:57









Dr. Snow

563




563








  • 1




    I share your frustration. My introduction to wedge products is Muirhead's "Aspects of Multivariate Statistical Theory", where they arise in only a differential sense (dealing with dx's and dy's). I am unaware of anyplace they arise in an absolute sense.
    – John Polcari
    Jul 6 at 15:15
















  • 1




    I share your frustration. My introduction to wedge products is Muirhead's "Aspects of Multivariate Statistical Theory", where they arise in only a differential sense (dealing with dx's and dy's). I am unaware of anyplace they arise in an absolute sense.
    – John Polcari
    Jul 6 at 15:15










1




1




I share your frustration. My introduction to wedge products is Muirhead's "Aspects of Multivariate Statistical Theory", where they arise in only a differential sense (dealing with dx's and dy's). I am unaware of anyplace they arise in an absolute sense.
– John Polcari
Jul 6 at 15:15






I share your frustration. My introduction to wedge products is Muirhead's "Aspects of Multivariate Statistical Theory", where they arise in only a differential sense (dealing with dx's and dy's). I am unaware of anyplace they arise in an absolute sense.
– John Polcari
Jul 6 at 15:15












5 Answers
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2















I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers!




The reason why this is the case is because the wedge product of two vectors is not just some array of numbers. Sure, every finite dimensional vector space is isomorphic to the vector space of the tuples of that length, hence you can describe it as array of numbers (by mapping it with that isomorphism which simply maps the basis of your space to some basis of the tuples). However is that meaningful thing to do? In some cases it might be but in general you have to realize that this is just an arbitrary choice. There are a lot of bases so you can do this in many ways.



In the three dimensional case there's important map, the Hodge isomorphism, that gives you a way to represent the wedge of two vectors with a vector from your original space (this is actually the cross product, if you chose the right parameters for the map), however this map requires two extra parameters that introduce more structure to your space (namely inner product and a choice of volume form).



In the case of $(1, 3, -2) wedge (5, 2, 8)$, there's not much else that you can do other than picking an arbitrary basis of your original space and expressing that product in terms of the wedged basis vectors. For example
$$(1,3,-2) = 1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1)$$
$$ (5,2,8) = 5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1) $$
$$ (1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1))
wedge (5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1))
=
5 (1, 0, 0) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 15 (0,1,0) wedge (1, 0, 0) - 10 (0,0,1) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) - 4 (0,0,1) wedge (0,1,0) +
8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) - 16 (0,0,1) wedge (0,0,1)
=
-15 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 10 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24(0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) +
4 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1)
=
28 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) + 18 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) - 13 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0)
$$



Or now using the mentioned arbitrary isomorphism (mapping that chosen basis to the chosen basis of tuples) you can map it to just array of numbers hence (28,18, -13) but that's not too meaningful because it doesn't explicitly show the basis.






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    I assume your notation $[v^1,v^2,v^3]$ means a vector $mathbf v in V = mathbb R^3$ where
    $$mathbf v = v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3. $$
    The wedge operator is a bilinear, antisymmetric operator takes in two vectors $mathbf v, mathbf w in V$ and outputs a bivector $mathbf v wedge mathbf w in Lambda^2(V)$ such that
    $$begin{split}
    mathbf v wedge mathbf w &= (v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3) wedge (w^1 mathbf e_1 + w^2 mathbf e_2 + w^3 mathbf e_3) \
    &= v^1 w^1 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1 + (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 \ &quad + v^2w^2 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 + v^3w^3 mathbf e_3 wedge mathbf e_3 \
    &= (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3.
    end{split}tag1$$
    If you're wondering why I have made these simplifications:




    • The wedge is bilinear, i.e. $(amathbf v + b mathbf w) wedge mathbf x = a(mathbf v wedge mathbf x) + b(mathbf w wedge mathbf x)$ and the same in the second slot, so this allows us to distribute it through the linear combinations in parentheses after the first equal sign, and take out the coefficients;

    • The wedge is antisymmetric, i.e. $mathbf v wedge mathbf w = - mathbf w wedge mathbf v$, which implies $mathbf v wedge mathbf v = mathbf 0$, so this allows us to "reorder" $a(mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_1) = - a (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2)$, etc., in the second line, and simplify $b (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1) = b mathbf 0 = mathbf 0$, etc., in the third.


    Notice that if you set $$begin{split}
    mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 &mapsto mathbf e_3, \
    mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto - mathbf e_2, \
    mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto mathbf e_1,
    end{split}tag2$$
    you get the cross product $mathbf v times mathbf w$! Since ${mathbf e_i wedge mathbf e_j, 1leq i < jleq n}$ turns out to be a basis for $Lambda^2(V)$ when $dim V = n$, $(2)$ defines a bilinear map $star : Lambda^2(V) to V$ which is called Hodge dual and can actually be generalized to higher dimensions. However it is basically only in dimension $3$ that it takes this simple, familiar form (this is because $dim Lambda^2 V = dim V$ when $n=3$).



    In the specific case where
    $$mathbf v = mathbf e_1 + 3 mathbf e_2 -2 mathbf e_3, qquad mathbf w = 5 mathbf e_1 + 2 mathbf e_2 + 8 mathbf e_3, $$
    you get, from $(1)$,
    $$begin{split}
    mathbf v wedge mathbf w
    &= -13 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + 18 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 +28 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 .
    end{split}$$
    As a confirmation, notice $star(mathbf v wedge mathbf w) = mathbf v times mathbf w$.



    If you are interested in the "concrete" side of exterior algebra, I suggest you give a look at Sergei Winitzki's Linear Algebra via Exterior Products, which is available online for free. He introduces these very abstract concepts, like tensor products, wedge products, hodge duality, etc., but always manages to include simple computational examples that show how they work. You can find the book here.






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      1














      Wedge product refers to the exterior algebra, not clifford algebra (though it can be emulated in the latter).



      So, suppose you have vectors $x=(1,3,-2)$ and $y=(5,2,8)$. Let ${e_1,e_2,e_3}$ be the basis of our vector space $mathbb R^3$, so $x=1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3$ and $y=5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3$.



      The wedge product of two vectors, strictly speaking, is not itself a vector of the same space $V$, but of the exterior square $Lambda ^2V$. If $dim V=n$, then $dim Lambda^2 V = frac{n(n-1)}{2}$. In three dimensions, however, it happens that $dim Lambda^2 V=frac{3cdot 2}{2}=3$.



      The main rules for wedge products are $a wedge b=0$ and $a wedge b = - b wedge a$. One common basis for $Lambda^2 mathbb R^3$ is ${e_2 wedge e_3, e_3 wedge e_1, e_1 wedge e_2}$.



      So, let's plug everything in (and remember that $wedge$ is bilinear):



      $$xwedge y=(1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3) wedge (5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3) = \
      1cdot 5 cdot e_1 wedge e_1 + 1cdot 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 + 1cdot 8 cdot e_1 wedge e_3 + \
      3cdot 5 cdot e_2wedge e_1 +3cdot 2 cdot e_2wedge e_2 +3cdot 8 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
      2cdot 5 cdot e_3wedge e_1 -2cdot 2 cdot e_3wedge e_2 -2cdot 8 cdot e_3wedge e_3 = \
      5 cdot mathbb O + 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 - 8 cdot e_3 wedge e_1 - \
      15 cdot e_1wedge e_2 +6 cdot mathbb O +24 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
      10 cdot e_3wedge e_1 +4 cdot e_2wedge e_3 -16 cdot mathbb O = \
      28 cdot e_2wedge e_3-18 cdot e_3wedge e_1 - 13 cdot e_1wedge e_2
      $$



      Here, $mathbb O$ denotes the zero vector.






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        0














        I think your question is slightly vague. Do you mean the exterior product between $(1,3,-2)$ and $(5,2,8)$ in $mathbb{R}^3$? In that case, a concrete rule is
        $$(1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (3cdot8+2cdot 2, -(1cdot 8+2cdot5),1cdot2-3cdot5)=(28,-18,-13).$$



        In fact in general
        $$(a,b,c) wedge (a',b',c') = (bc'-b'c,-(ac'-ca'),ab'-ba').$$






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        • This is incorrect. The wedge product of two vectors in $mathbb{R}^3$ is not vector from $mathbb{R}^3$, you are implicitly using the linear isomorphism $phi$ that acts like $$phileft( (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) right) = (1, 0,0)$$ $$ phileft( (0,0,1) wedge (1,0,0) right) = (0, 1,0)$$ $$ phileft( (1,0,0) wedge (0,1,0) right) = (0, 0,1)$$
          – gcc-6.0
          Jul 6 at 16:12












        • Right. My first point is sometimes the symbol $wedge$ is used for the exterior product in $mathbb{R}^3$ - at least in my experience. That is why I said the question is slightly vague. I gave a 'concrete' way of doing this operation because I think it is a good starting point to understand the more abstract definition of wedge product. It sounds really strange to me that the OP did not find any reference about this topic - even on Wikipedia there is a very good dissertation on it. So I preferred to give my answer as 'down to earth' hint.
          – Gibbs
          Jul 6 at 19:24



















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        For those looking for a numerical way to play around with clifford algebras and the wedge product, I found this python package a good place to start: https://github.com/pygae/clifford



        Assuming you are interested in using a normal 3D euclidean space you can simply run:

        from clifford.g3 import *
        a = 1*e1 + 3*e2 - 2*e3
        b = 5*e1 + 2*e2 + 8*e3
        c = a^b

        This produces: c = -(13.0^e12) + (18.0^e13) + (28.0^e23) as @giobrach correctly calculates



        EDIT



        Full disclosure I am one of the core contributors to the clifford python package






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        • Welcome to the site. It is alright to mention ones own software but it should be disclosed.
          – quid
          Dec 7 at 17:39










        • Thanks @quid, I'm not totally sure what the form is for this, especially as I am not the original author of the software, but will add it as an edit
          – Hugo Hadfield
          Dec 8 at 12:35











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        I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers!




        The reason why this is the case is because the wedge product of two vectors is not just some array of numbers. Sure, every finite dimensional vector space is isomorphic to the vector space of the tuples of that length, hence you can describe it as array of numbers (by mapping it with that isomorphism which simply maps the basis of your space to some basis of the tuples). However is that meaningful thing to do? In some cases it might be but in general you have to realize that this is just an arbitrary choice. There are a lot of bases so you can do this in many ways.



        In the three dimensional case there's important map, the Hodge isomorphism, that gives you a way to represent the wedge of two vectors with a vector from your original space (this is actually the cross product, if you chose the right parameters for the map), however this map requires two extra parameters that introduce more structure to your space (namely inner product and a choice of volume form).



        In the case of $(1, 3, -2) wedge (5, 2, 8)$, there's not much else that you can do other than picking an arbitrary basis of your original space and expressing that product in terms of the wedged basis vectors. For example
        $$(1,3,-2) = 1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1)$$
        $$ (5,2,8) = 5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1) $$
        $$ (1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1))
        wedge (5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1))
        =
        5 (1, 0, 0) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 15 (0,1,0) wedge (1, 0, 0) - 10 (0,0,1) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) - 4 (0,0,1) wedge (0,1,0) +
        8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) - 16 (0,0,1) wedge (0,0,1)
        =
        -15 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 10 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24(0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) +
        4 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1)
        =
        28 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) + 18 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) - 13 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0)
        $$



        Or now using the mentioned arbitrary isomorphism (mapping that chosen basis to the chosen basis of tuples) you can map it to just array of numbers hence (28,18, -13) but that's not too meaningful because it doesn't explicitly show the basis.






        share|cite|improve this answer




























          2















          I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers!




          The reason why this is the case is because the wedge product of two vectors is not just some array of numbers. Sure, every finite dimensional vector space is isomorphic to the vector space of the tuples of that length, hence you can describe it as array of numbers (by mapping it with that isomorphism which simply maps the basis of your space to some basis of the tuples). However is that meaningful thing to do? In some cases it might be but in general you have to realize that this is just an arbitrary choice. There are a lot of bases so you can do this in many ways.



          In the three dimensional case there's important map, the Hodge isomorphism, that gives you a way to represent the wedge of two vectors with a vector from your original space (this is actually the cross product, if you chose the right parameters for the map), however this map requires two extra parameters that introduce more structure to your space (namely inner product and a choice of volume form).



          In the case of $(1, 3, -2) wedge (5, 2, 8)$, there's not much else that you can do other than picking an arbitrary basis of your original space and expressing that product in terms of the wedged basis vectors. For example
          $$(1,3,-2) = 1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1)$$
          $$ (5,2,8) = 5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1) $$
          $$ (1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1))
          wedge (5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1))
          =
          5 (1, 0, 0) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 15 (0,1,0) wedge (1, 0, 0) - 10 (0,0,1) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) - 4 (0,0,1) wedge (0,1,0) +
          8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) - 16 (0,0,1) wedge (0,0,1)
          =
          -15 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 10 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24(0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) +
          4 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1)
          =
          28 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) + 18 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) - 13 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0)
          $$



          Or now using the mentioned arbitrary isomorphism (mapping that chosen basis to the chosen basis of tuples) you can map it to just array of numbers hence (28,18, -13) but that's not too meaningful because it doesn't explicitly show the basis.






          share|cite|improve this answer


























            2












            2








            2







            I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers!




            The reason why this is the case is because the wedge product of two vectors is not just some array of numbers. Sure, every finite dimensional vector space is isomorphic to the vector space of the tuples of that length, hence you can describe it as array of numbers (by mapping it with that isomorphism which simply maps the basis of your space to some basis of the tuples). However is that meaningful thing to do? In some cases it might be but in general you have to realize that this is just an arbitrary choice. There are a lot of bases so you can do this in many ways.



            In the three dimensional case there's important map, the Hodge isomorphism, that gives you a way to represent the wedge of two vectors with a vector from your original space (this is actually the cross product, if you chose the right parameters for the map), however this map requires two extra parameters that introduce more structure to your space (namely inner product and a choice of volume form).



            In the case of $(1, 3, -2) wedge (5, 2, 8)$, there's not much else that you can do other than picking an arbitrary basis of your original space and expressing that product in terms of the wedged basis vectors. For example
            $$(1,3,-2) = 1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1)$$
            $$ (5,2,8) = 5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1) $$
            $$ (1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1))
            wedge (5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1))
            =
            5 (1, 0, 0) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 15 (0,1,0) wedge (1, 0, 0) - 10 (0,0,1) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) - 4 (0,0,1) wedge (0,1,0) +
            8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) - 16 (0,0,1) wedge (0,0,1)
            =
            -15 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 10 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24(0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) +
            4 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1)
            =
            28 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) + 18 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) - 13 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0)
            $$



            Or now using the mentioned arbitrary isomorphism (mapping that chosen basis to the chosen basis of tuples) you can map it to just array of numbers hence (28,18, -13) but that's not too meaningful because it doesn't explicitly show the basis.






            share|cite|improve this answer















            I have been looking EVERYWHERE for just one actual example of a wedge product being calculated and for a bi-, tri- or any multivector to be written out with actual numbers!




            The reason why this is the case is because the wedge product of two vectors is not just some array of numbers. Sure, every finite dimensional vector space is isomorphic to the vector space of the tuples of that length, hence you can describe it as array of numbers (by mapping it with that isomorphism which simply maps the basis of your space to some basis of the tuples). However is that meaningful thing to do? In some cases it might be but in general you have to realize that this is just an arbitrary choice. There are a lot of bases so you can do this in many ways.



            In the three dimensional case there's important map, the Hodge isomorphism, that gives you a way to represent the wedge of two vectors with a vector from your original space (this is actually the cross product, if you chose the right parameters for the map), however this map requires two extra parameters that introduce more structure to your space (namely inner product and a choice of volume form).



            In the case of $(1, 3, -2) wedge (5, 2, 8)$, there's not much else that you can do other than picking an arbitrary basis of your original space and expressing that product in terms of the wedged basis vectors. For example
            $$(1,3,-2) = 1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1)$$
            $$ (5,2,8) = 5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1) $$
            $$ (1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (1(1, 0, 0) + 3(0,1,0) -2(0,0,1))
            wedge (5(1, 0, 0) + 2(0,1,0) +8(0,0,1))
            =
            5 (1, 0, 0) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 15 (0,1,0) wedge (1, 0, 0) - 10 (0,0,1) wedge (1, 0, 0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) - 4 (0,0,1) wedge (0,1,0) +
            8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) - 16 (0,0,1) wedge (0,0,1)
            =
            -15 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 2 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0) + 10 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 8 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) + 24(0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) +
            4 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1)
            =
            28 (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) + 18 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,0,1) - 13 (1, 0, 0) wedge (0,1,0)
            $$



            Or now using the mentioned arbitrary isomorphism (mapping that chosen basis to the chosen basis of tuples) you can map it to just array of numbers hence (28,18, -13) but that's not too meaningful because it doesn't explicitly show the basis.







            share|cite|improve this answer














            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer








            edited Jul 6 at 15:55

























            answered Jul 6 at 15:46









            gcc-6.0

            59517




            59517























                2














                I assume your notation $[v^1,v^2,v^3]$ means a vector $mathbf v in V = mathbb R^3$ where
                $$mathbf v = v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3. $$
                The wedge operator is a bilinear, antisymmetric operator takes in two vectors $mathbf v, mathbf w in V$ and outputs a bivector $mathbf v wedge mathbf w in Lambda^2(V)$ such that
                $$begin{split}
                mathbf v wedge mathbf w &= (v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3) wedge (w^1 mathbf e_1 + w^2 mathbf e_2 + w^3 mathbf e_3) \
                &= v^1 w^1 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1 + (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 \ &quad + v^2w^2 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 + v^3w^3 mathbf e_3 wedge mathbf e_3 \
                &= (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3.
                end{split}tag1$$
                If you're wondering why I have made these simplifications:




                • The wedge is bilinear, i.e. $(amathbf v + b mathbf w) wedge mathbf x = a(mathbf v wedge mathbf x) + b(mathbf w wedge mathbf x)$ and the same in the second slot, so this allows us to distribute it through the linear combinations in parentheses after the first equal sign, and take out the coefficients;

                • The wedge is antisymmetric, i.e. $mathbf v wedge mathbf w = - mathbf w wedge mathbf v$, which implies $mathbf v wedge mathbf v = mathbf 0$, so this allows us to "reorder" $a(mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_1) = - a (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2)$, etc., in the second line, and simplify $b (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1) = b mathbf 0 = mathbf 0$, etc., in the third.


                Notice that if you set $$begin{split}
                mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 &mapsto mathbf e_3, \
                mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto - mathbf e_2, \
                mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto mathbf e_1,
                end{split}tag2$$
                you get the cross product $mathbf v times mathbf w$! Since ${mathbf e_i wedge mathbf e_j, 1leq i < jleq n}$ turns out to be a basis for $Lambda^2(V)$ when $dim V = n$, $(2)$ defines a bilinear map $star : Lambda^2(V) to V$ which is called Hodge dual and can actually be generalized to higher dimensions. However it is basically only in dimension $3$ that it takes this simple, familiar form (this is because $dim Lambda^2 V = dim V$ when $n=3$).



                In the specific case where
                $$mathbf v = mathbf e_1 + 3 mathbf e_2 -2 mathbf e_3, qquad mathbf w = 5 mathbf e_1 + 2 mathbf e_2 + 8 mathbf e_3, $$
                you get, from $(1)$,
                $$begin{split}
                mathbf v wedge mathbf w
                &= -13 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + 18 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 +28 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 .
                end{split}$$
                As a confirmation, notice $star(mathbf v wedge mathbf w) = mathbf v times mathbf w$.



                If you are interested in the "concrete" side of exterior algebra, I suggest you give a look at Sergei Winitzki's Linear Algebra via Exterior Products, which is available online for free. He introduces these very abstract concepts, like tensor products, wedge products, hodge duality, etc., but always manages to include simple computational examples that show how they work. You can find the book here.






                share|cite|improve this answer




























                  2














                  I assume your notation $[v^1,v^2,v^3]$ means a vector $mathbf v in V = mathbb R^3$ where
                  $$mathbf v = v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3. $$
                  The wedge operator is a bilinear, antisymmetric operator takes in two vectors $mathbf v, mathbf w in V$ and outputs a bivector $mathbf v wedge mathbf w in Lambda^2(V)$ such that
                  $$begin{split}
                  mathbf v wedge mathbf w &= (v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3) wedge (w^1 mathbf e_1 + w^2 mathbf e_2 + w^3 mathbf e_3) \
                  &= v^1 w^1 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1 + (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 \ &quad + v^2w^2 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 + v^3w^3 mathbf e_3 wedge mathbf e_3 \
                  &= (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3.
                  end{split}tag1$$
                  If you're wondering why I have made these simplifications:




                  • The wedge is bilinear, i.e. $(amathbf v + b mathbf w) wedge mathbf x = a(mathbf v wedge mathbf x) + b(mathbf w wedge mathbf x)$ and the same in the second slot, so this allows us to distribute it through the linear combinations in parentheses after the first equal sign, and take out the coefficients;

                  • The wedge is antisymmetric, i.e. $mathbf v wedge mathbf w = - mathbf w wedge mathbf v$, which implies $mathbf v wedge mathbf v = mathbf 0$, so this allows us to "reorder" $a(mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_1) = - a (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2)$, etc., in the second line, and simplify $b (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1) = b mathbf 0 = mathbf 0$, etc., in the third.


                  Notice that if you set $$begin{split}
                  mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 &mapsto mathbf e_3, \
                  mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto - mathbf e_2, \
                  mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto mathbf e_1,
                  end{split}tag2$$
                  you get the cross product $mathbf v times mathbf w$! Since ${mathbf e_i wedge mathbf e_j, 1leq i < jleq n}$ turns out to be a basis for $Lambda^2(V)$ when $dim V = n$, $(2)$ defines a bilinear map $star : Lambda^2(V) to V$ which is called Hodge dual and can actually be generalized to higher dimensions. However it is basically only in dimension $3$ that it takes this simple, familiar form (this is because $dim Lambda^2 V = dim V$ when $n=3$).



                  In the specific case where
                  $$mathbf v = mathbf e_1 + 3 mathbf e_2 -2 mathbf e_3, qquad mathbf w = 5 mathbf e_1 + 2 mathbf e_2 + 8 mathbf e_3, $$
                  you get, from $(1)$,
                  $$begin{split}
                  mathbf v wedge mathbf w
                  &= -13 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + 18 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 +28 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 .
                  end{split}$$
                  As a confirmation, notice $star(mathbf v wedge mathbf w) = mathbf v times mathbf w$.



                  If you are interested in the "concrete" side of exterior algebra, I suggest you give a look at Sergei Winitzki's Linear Algebra via Exterior Products, which is available online for free. He introduces these very abstract concepts, like tensor products, wedge products, hodge duality, etc., but always manages to include simple computational examples that show how they work. You can find the book here.






                  share|cite|improve this answer


























                    2












                    2








                    2






                    I assume your notation $[v^1,v^2,v^3]$ means a vector $mathbf v in V = mathbb R^3$ where
                    $$mathbf v = v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3. $$
                    The wedge operator is a bilinear, antisymmetric operator takes in two vectors $mathbf v, mathbf w in V$ and outputs a bivector $mathbf v wedge mathbf w in Lambda^2(V)$ such that
                    $$begin{split}
                    mathbf v wedge mathbf w &= (v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3) wedge (w^1 mathbf e_1 + w^2 mathbf e_2 + w^3 mathbf e_3) \
                    &= v^1 w^1 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1 + (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 \ &quad + v^2w^2 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 + v^3w^3 mathbf e_3 wedge mathbf e_3 \
                    &= (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3.
                    end{split}tag1$$
                    If you're wondering why I have made these simplifications:




                    • The wedge is bilinear, i.e. $(amathbf v + b mathbf w) wedge mathbf x = a(mathbf v wedge mathbf x) + b(mathbf w wedge mathbf x)$ and the same in the second slot, so this allows us to distribute it through the linear combinations in parentheses after the first equal sign, and take out the coefficients;

                    • The wedge is antisymmetric, i.e. $mathbf v wedge mathbf w = - mathbf w wedge mathbf v$, which implies $mathbf v wedge mathbf v = mathbf 0$, so this allows us to "reorder" $a(mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_1) = - a (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2)$, etc., in the second line, and simplify $b (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1) = b mathbf 0 = mathbf 0$, etc., in the third.


                    Notice that if you set $$begin{split}
                    mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 &mapsto mathbf e_3, \
                    mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto - mathbf e_2, \
                    mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto mathbf e_1,
                    end{split}tag2$$
                    you get the cross product $mathbf v times mathbf w$! Since ${mathbf e_i wedge mathbf e_j, 1leq i < jleq n}$ turns out to be a basis for $Lambda^2(V)$ when $dim V = n$, $(2)$ defines a bilinear map $star : Lambda^2(V) to V$ which is called Hodge dual and can actually be generalized to higher dimensions. However it is basically only in dimension $3$ that it takes this simple, familiar form (this is because $dim Lambda^2 V = dim V$ when $n=3$).



                    In the specific case where
                    $$mathbf v = mathbf e_1 + 3 mathbf e_2 -2 mathbf e_3, qquad mathbf w = 5 mathbf e_1 + 2 mathbf e_2 + 8 mathbf e_3, $$
                    you get, from $(1)$,
                    $$begin{split}
                    mathbf v wedge mathbf w
                    &= -13 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + 18 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 +28 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 .
                    end{split}$$
                    As a confirmation, notice $star(mathbf v wedge mathbf w) = mathbf v times mathbf w$.



                    If you are interested in the "concrete" side of exterior algebra, I suggest you give a look at Sergei Winitzki's Linear Algebra via Exterior Products, which is available online for free. He introduces these very abstract concepts, like tensor products, wedge products, hodge duality, etc., but always manages to include simple computational examples that show how they work. You can find the book here.






                    share|cite|improve this answer














                    I assume your notation $[v^1,v^2,v^3]$ means a vector $mathbf v in V = mathbb R^3$ where
                    $$mathbf v = v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3. $$
                    The wedge operator is a bilinear, antisymmetric operator takes in two vectors $mathbf v, mathbf w in V$ and outputs a bivector $mathbf v wedge mathbf w in Lambda^2(V)$ such that
                    $$begin{split}
                    mathbf v wedge mathbf w &= (v^1 mathbf e_1 + v^2 mathbf e_2 + v^3 mathbf e_3) wedge (w^1 mathbf e_1 + w^2 mathbf e_2 + w^3 mathbf e_3) \
                    &= v^1 w^1 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1 + (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 \ &quad + v^2w^2 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 + v^3w^3 mathbf e_3 wedge mathbf e_3 \
                    &= (v^1 w^2 - v^2 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + (v^1 w^3 - v^3 w^1) mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 + (v^2 w^3 - v^3 w^2) mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3.
                    end{split}tag1$$
                    If you're wondering why I have made these simplifications:




                    • The wedge is bilinear, i.e. $(amathbf v + b mathbf w) wedge mathbf x = a(mathbf v wedge mathbf x) + b(mathbf w wedge mathbf x)$ and the same in the second slot, so this allows us to distribute it through the linear combinations in parentheses after the first equal sign, and take out the coefficients;

                    • The wedge is antisymmetric, i.e. $mathbf v wedge mathbf w = - mathbf w wedge mathbf v$, which implies $mathbf v wedge mathbf v = mathbf 0$, so this allows us to "reorder" $a(mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_1) = - a (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2)$, etc., in the second line, and simplify $b (mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_1) = b mathbf 0 = mathbf 0$, etc., in the third.


                    Notice that if you set $$begin{split}
                    mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 &mapsto mathbf e_3, \
                    mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto - mathbf e_2, \
                    mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 &mapsto mathbf e_1,
                    end{split}tag2$$
                    you get the cross product $mathbf v times mathbf w$! Since ${mathbf e_i wedge mathbf e_j, 1leq i < jleq n}$ turns out to be a basis for $Lambda^2(V)$ when $dim V = n$, $(2)$ defines a bilinear map $star : Lambda^2(V) to V$ which is called Hodge dual and can actually be generalized to higher dimensions. However it is basically only in dimension $3$ that it takes this simple, familiar form (this is because $dim Lambda^2 V = dim V$ when $n=3$).



                    In the specific case where
                    $$mathbf v = mathbf e_1 + 3 mathbf e_2 -2 mathbf e_3, qquad mathbf w = 5 mathbf e_1 + 2 mathbf e_2 + 8 mathbf e_3, $$
                    you get, from $(1)$,
                    $$begin{split}
                    mathbf v wedge mathbf w
                    &= -13 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_2 + 18 mathbf e_1 wedge mathbf e_3 +28 mathbf e_2 wedge mathbf e_3 .
                    end{split}$$
                    As a confirmation, notice $star(mathbf v wedge mathbf w) = mathbf v times mathbf w$.



                    If you are interested in the "concrete" side of exterior algebra, I suggest you give a look at Sergei Winitzki's Linear Algebra via Exterior Products, which is available online for free. He introduces these very abstract concepts, like tensor products, wedge products, hodge duality, etc., but always manages to include simple computational examples that show how they work. You can find the book here.







                    share|cite|improve this answer














                    share|cite|improve this answer



                    share|cite|improve this answer








                    edited Jul 6 at 15:56

























                    answered Jul 6 at 15:41









                    giobrach

                    2,662419




                    2,662419























                        1














                        Wedge product refers to the exterior algebra, not clifford algebra (though it can be emulated in the latter).



                        So, suppose you have vectors $x=(1,3,-2)$ and $y=(5,2,8)$. Let ${e_1,e_2,e_3}$ be the basis of our vector space $mathbb R^3$, so $x=1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3$ and $y=5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3$.



                        The wedge product of two vectors, strictly speaking, is not itself a vector of the same space $V$, but of the exterior square $Lambda ^2V$. If $dim V=n$, then $dim Lambda^2 V = frac{n(n-1)}{2}$. In three dimensions, however, it happens that $dim Lambda^2 V=frac{3cdot 2}{2}=3$.



                        The main rules for wedge products are $a wedge b=0$ and $a wedge b = - b wedge a$. One common basis for $Lambda^2 mathbb R^3$ is ${e_2 wedge e_3, e_3 wedge e_1, e_1 wedge e_2}$.



                        So, let's plug everything in (and remember that $wedge$ is bilinear):



                        $$xwedge y=(1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3) wedge (5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3) = \
                        1cdot 5 cdot e_1 wedge e_1 + 1cdot 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 + 1cdot 8 cdot e_1 wedge e_3 + \
                        3cdot 5 cdot e_2wedge e_1 +3cdot 2 cdot e_2wedge e_2 +3cdot 8 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
                        2cdot 5 cdot e_3wedge e_1 -2cdot 2 cdot e_3wedge e_2 -2cdot 8 cdot e_3wedge e_3 = \
                        5 cdot mathbb O + 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 - 8 cdot e_3 wedge e_1 - \
                        15 cdot e_1wedge e_2 +6 cdot mathbb O +24 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
                        10 cdot e_3wedge e_1 +4 cdot e_2wedge e_3 -16 cdot mathbb O = \
                        28 cdot e_2wedge e_3-18 cdot e_3wedge e_1 - 13 cdot e_1wedge e_2
                        $$



                        Here, $mathbb O$ denotes the zero vector.






                        share|cite|improve this answer


























                          1














                          Wedge product refers to the exterior algebra, not clifford algebra (though it can be emulated in the latter).



                          So, suppose you have vectors $x=(1,3,-2)$ and $y=(5,2,8)$. Let ${e_1,e_2,e_3}$ be the basis of our vector space $mathbb R^3$, so $x=1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3$ and $y=5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3$.



                          The wedge product of two vectors, strictly speaking, is not itself a vector of the same space $V$, but of the exterior square $Lambda ^2V$. If $dim V=n$, then $dim Lambda^2 V = frac{n(n-1)}{2}$. In three dimensions, however, it happens that $dim Lambda^2 V=frac{3cdot 2}{2}=3$.



                          The main rules for wedge products are $a wedge b=0$ and $a wedge b = - b wedge a$. One common basis for $Lambda^2 mathbb R^3$ is ${e_2 wedge e_3, e_3 wedge e_1, e_1 wedge e_2}$.



                          So, let's plug everything in (and remember that $wedge$ is bilinear):



                          $$xwedge y=(1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3) wedge (5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3) = \
                          1cdot 5 cdot e_1 wedge e_1 + 1cdot 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 + 1cdot 8 cdot e_1 wedge e_3 + \
                          3cdot 5 cdot e_2wedge e_1 +3cdot 2 cdot e_2wedge e_2 +3cdot 8 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
                          2cdot 5 cdot e_3wedge e_1 -2cdot 2 cdot e_3wedge e_2 -2cdot 8 cdot e_3wedge e_3 = \
                          5 cdot mathbb O + 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 - 8 cdot e_3 wedge e_1 - \
                          15 cdot e_1wedge e_2 +6 cdot mathbb O +24 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
                          10 cdot e_3wedge e_1 +4 cdot e_2wedge e_3 -16 cdot mathbb O = \
                          28 cdot e_2wedge e_3-18 cdot e_3wedge e_1 - 13 cdot e_1wedge e_2
                          $$



                          Here, $mathbb O$ denotes the zero vector.






                          share|cite|improve this answer
























                            1












                            1








                            1






                            Wedge product refers to the exterior algebra, not clifford algebra (though it can be emulated in the latter).



                            So, suppose you have vectors $x=(1,3,-2)$ and $y=(5,2,8)$. Let ${e_1,e_2,e_3}$ be the basis of our vector space $mathbb R^3$, so $x=1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3$ and $y=5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3$.



                            The wedge product of two vectors, strictly speaking, is not itself a vector of the same space $V$, but of the exterior square $Lambda ^2V$. If $dim V=n$, then $dim Lambda^2 V = frac{n(n-1)}{2}$. In three dimensions, however, it happens that $dim Lambda^2 V=frac{3cdot 2}{2}=3$.



                            The main rules for wedge products are $a wedge b=0$ and $a wedge b = - b wedge a$. One common basis for $Lambda^2 mathbb R^3$ is ${e_2 wedge e_3, e_3 wedge e_1, e_1 wedge e_2}$.



                            So, let's plug everything in (and remember that $wedge$ is bilinear):



                            $$xwedge y=(1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3) wedge (5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3) = \
                            1cdot 5 cdot e_1 wedge e_1 + 1cdot 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 + 1cdot 8 cdot e_1 wedge e_3 + \
                            3cdot 5 cdot e_2wedge e_1 +3cdot 2 cdot e_2wedge e_2 +3cdot 8 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
                            2cdot 5 cdot e_3wedge e_1 -2cdot 2 cdot e_3wedge e_2 -2cdot 8 cdot e_3wedge e_3 = \
                            5 cdot mathbb O + 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 - 8 cdot e_3 wedge e_1 - \
                            15 cdot e_1wedge e_2 +6 cdot mathbb O +24 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
                            10 cdot e_3wedge e_1 +4 cdot e_2wedge e_3 -16 cdot mathbb O = \
                            28 cdot e_2wedge e_3-18 cdot e_3wedge e_1 - 13 cdot e_1wedge e_2
                            $$



                            Here, $mathbb O$ denotes the zero vector.






                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            Wedge product refers to the exterior algebra, not clifford algebra (though it can be emulated in the latter).



                            So, suppose you have vectors $x=(1,3,-2)$ and $y=(5,2,8)$. Let ${e_1,e_2,e_3}$ be the basis of our vector space $mathbb R^3$, so $x=1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3$ and $y=5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3$.



                            The wedge product of two vectors, strictly speaking, is not itself a vector of the same space $V$, but of the exterior square $Lambda ^2V$. If $dim V=n$, then $dim Lambda^2 V = frac{n(n-1)}{2}$. In three dimensions, however, it happens that $dim Lambda^2 V=frac{3cdot 2}{2}=3$.



                            The main rules for wedge products are $a wedge b=0$ and $a wedge b = - b wedge a$. One common basis for $Lambda^2 mathbb R^3$ is ${e_2 wedge e_3, e_3 wedge e_1, e_1 wedge e_2}$.



                            So, let's plug everything in (and remember that $wedge$ is bilinear):



                            $$xwedge y=(1cdot e_1 + 3 cdot e_2 - 2 cdot e_3) wedge (5cdot e_1 + 2 cdot e_2 + 8 cdot e_3) = \
                            1cdot 5 cdot e_1 wedge e_1 + 1cdot 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 + 1cdot 8 cdot e_1 wedge e_3 + \
                            3cdot 5 cdot e_2wedge e_1 +3cdot 2 cdot e_2wedge e_2 +3cdot 8 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
                            2cdot 5 cdot e_3wedge e_1 -2cdot 2 cdot e_3wedge e_2 -2cdot 8 cdot e_3wedge e_3 = \
                            5 cdot mathbb O + 2 cdot e_1 wedge e_2 - 8 cdot e_3 wedge e_1 - \
                            15 cdot e_1wedge e_2 +6 cdot mathbb O +24 cdot e_2wedge e_3 - \
                            10 cdot e_3wedge e_1 +4 cdot e_2wedge e_3 -16 cdot mathbb O = \
                            28 cdot e_2wedge e_3-18 cdot e_3wedge e_1 - 13 cdot e_1wedge e_2
                            $$



                            Here, $mathbb O$ denotes the zero vector.







                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            share|cite|improve this answer



                            share|cite|improve this answer










                            answered Jul 6 at 15:55









                            lisyarus

                            10.4k21433




                            10.4k21433























                                0














                                I think your question is slightly vague. Do you mean the exterior product between $(1,3,-2)$ and $(5,2,8)$ in $mathbb{R}^3$? In that case, a concrete rule is
                                $$(1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (3cdot8+2cdot 2, -(1cdot 8+2cdot5),1cdot2-3cdot5)=(28,-18,-13).$$



                                In fact in general
                                $$(a,b,c) wedge (a',b',c') = (bc'-b'c,-(ac'-ca'),ab'-ba').$$






                                share|cite|improve this answer





















                                • This is incorrect. The wedge product of two vectors in $mathbb{R}^3$ is not vector from $mathbb{R}^3$, you are implicitly using the linear isomorphism $phi$ that acts like $$phileft( (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) right) = (1, 0,0)$$ $$ phileft( (0,0,1) wedge (1,0,0) right) = (0, 1,0)$$ $$ phileft( (1,0,0) wedge (0,1,0) right) = (0, 0,1)$$
                                  – gcc-6.0
                                  Jul 6 at 16:12












                                • Right. My first point is sometimes the symbol $wedge$ is used for the exterior product in $mathbb{R}^3$ - at least in my experience. That is why I said the question is slightly vague. I gave a 'concrete' way of doing this operation because I think it is a good starting point to understand the more abstract definition of wedge product. It sounds really strange to me that the OP did not find any reference about this topic - even on Wikipedia there is a very good dissertation on it. So I preferred to give my answer as 'down to earth' hint.
                                  – Gibbs
                                  Jul 6 at 19:24
















                                0














                                I think your question is slightly vague. Do you mean the exterior product between $(1,3,-2)$ and $(5,2,8)$ in $mathbb{R}^3$? In that case, a concrete rule is
                                $$(1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (3cdot8+2cdot 2, -(1cdot 8+2cdot5),1cdot2-3cdot5)=(28,-18,-13).$$



                                In fact in general
                                $$(a,b,c) wedge (a',b',c') = (bc'-b'c,-(ac'-ca'),ab'-ba').$$






                                share|cite|improve this answer





















                                • This is incorrect. The wedge product of two vectors in $mathbb{R}^3$ is not vector from $mathbb{R}^3$, you are implicitly using the linear isomorphism $phi$ that acts like $$phileft( (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) right) = (1, 0,0)$$ $$ phileft( (0,0,1) wedge (1,0,0) right) = (0, 1,0)$$ $$ phileft( (1,0,0) wedge (0,1,0) right) = (0, 0,1)$$
                                  – gcc-6.0
                                  Jul 6 at 16:12












                                • Right. My first point is sometimes the symbol $wedge$ is used for the exterior product in $mathbb{R}^3$ - at least in my experience. That is why I said the question is slightly vague. I gave a 'concrete' way of doing this operation because I think it is a good starting point to understand the more abstract definition of wedge product. It sounds really strange to me that the OP did not find any reference about this topic - even on Wikipedia there is a very good dissertation on it. So I preferred to give my answer as 'down to earth' hint.
                                  – Gibbs
                                  Jul 6 at 19:24














                                0












                                0








                                0






                                I think your question is slightly vague. Do you mean the exterior product between $(1,3,-2)$ and $(5,2,8)$ in $mathbb{R}^3$? In that case, a concrete rule is
                                $$(1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (3cdot8+2cdot 2, -(1cdot 8+2cdot5),1cdot2-3cdot5)=(28,-18,-13).$$



                                In fact in general
                                $$(a,b,c) wedge (a',b',c') = (bc'-b'c,-(ac'-ca'),ab'-ba').$$






                                share|cite|improve this answer












                                I think your question is slightly vague. Do you mean the exterior product between $(1,3,-2)$ and $(5,2,8)$ in $mathbb{R}^3$? In that case, a concrete rule is
                                $$(1,3,-2) wedge (5,2,8) = (3cdot8+2cdot 2, -(1cdot 8+2cdot5),1cdot2-3cdot5)=(28,-18,-13).$$



                                In fact in general
                                $$(a,b,c) wedge (a',b',c') = (bc'-b'c,-(ac'-ca'),ab'-ba').$$







                                share|cite|improve this answer












                                share|cite|improve this answer



                                share|cite|improve this answer










                                answered Jul 6 at 15:33









                                Gibbs

                                4,7583726




                                4,7583726












                                • This is incorrect. The wedge product of two vectors in $mathbb{R}^3$ is not vector from $mathbb{R}^3$, you are implicitly using the linear isomorphism $phi$ that acts like $$phileft( (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) right) = (1, 0,0)$$ $$ phileft( (0,0,1) wedge (1,0,0) right) = (0, 1,0)$$ $$ phileft( (1,0,0) wedge (0,1,0) right) = (0, 0,1)$$
                                  – gcc-6.0
                                  Jul 6 at 16:12












                                • Right. My first point is sometimes the symbol $wedge$ is used for the exterior product in $mathbb{R}^3$ - at least in my experience. That is why I said the question is slightly vague. I gave a 'concrete' way of doing this operation because I think it is a good starting point to understand the more abstract definition of wedge product. It sounds really strange to me that the OP did not find any reference about this topic - even on Wikipedia there is a very good dissertation on it. So I preferred to give my answer as 'down to earth' hint.
                                  – Gibbs
                                  Jul 6 at 19:24


















                                • This is incorrect. The wedge product of two vectors in $mathbb{R}^3$ is not vector from $mathbb{R}^3$, you are implicitly using the linear isomorphism $phi$ that acts like $$phileft( (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) right) = (1, 0,0)$$ $$ phileft( (0,0,1) wedge (1,0,0) right) = (0, 1,0)$$ $$ phileft( (1,0,0) wedge (0,1,0) right) = (0, 0,1)$$
                                  – gcc-6.0
                                  Jul 6 at 16:12












                                • Right. My first point is sometimes the symbol $wedge$ is used for the exterior product in $mathbb{R}^3$ - at least in my experience. That is why I said the question is slightly vague. I gave a 'concrete' way of doing this operation because I think it is a good starting point to understand the more abstract definition of wedge product. It sounds really strange to me that the OP did not find any reference about this topic - even on Wikipedia there is a very good dissertation on it. So I preferred to give my answer as 'down to earth' hint.
                                  – Gibbs
                                  Jul 6 at 19:24
















                                This is incorrect. The wedge product of two vectors in $mathbb{R}^3$ is not vector from $mathbb{R}^3$, you are implicitly using the linear isomorphism $phi$ that acts like $$phileft( (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) right) = (1, 0,0)$$ $$ phileft( (0,0,1) wedge (1,0,0) right) = (0, 1,0)$$ $$ phileft( (1,0,0) wedge (0,1,0) right) = (0, 0,1)$$
                                – gcc-6.0
                                Jul 6 at 16:12






                                This is incorrect. The wedge product of two vectors in $mathbb{R}^3$ is not vector from $mathbb{R}^3$, you are implicitly using the linear isomorphism $phi$ that acts like $$phileft( (0,1,0) wedge (0,0,1) right) = (1, 0,0)$$ $$ phileft( (0,0,1) wedge (1,0,0) right) = (0, 1,0)$$ $$ phileft( (1,0,0) wedge (0,1,0) right) = (0, 0,1)$$
                                – gcc-6.0
                                Jul 6 at 16:12














                                Right. My first point is sometimes the symbol $wedge$ is used for the exterior product in $mathbb{R}^3$ - at least in my experience. That is why I said the question is slightly vague. I gave a 'concrete' way of doing this operation because I think it is a good starting point to understand the more abstract definition of wedge product. It sounds really strange to me that the OP did not find any reference about this topic - even on Wikipedia there is a very good dissertation on it. So I preferred to give my answer as 'down to earth' hint.
                                – Gibbs
                                Jul 6 at 19:24




                                Right. My first point is sometimes the symbol $wedge$ is used for the exterior product in $mathbb{R}^3$ - at least in my experience. That is why I said the question is slightly vague. I gave a 'concrete' way of doing this operation because I think it is a good starting point to understand the more abstract definition of wedge product. It sounds really strange to me that the OP did not find any reference about this topic - even on Wikipedia there is a very good dissertation on it. So I preferred to give my answer as 'down to earth' hint.
                                – Gibbs
                                Jul 6 at 19:24











                                0














                                For those looking for a numerical way to play around with clifford algebras and the wedge product, I found this python package a good place to start: https://github.com/pygae/clifford



                                Assuming you are interested in using a normal 3D euclidean space you can simply run:

                                from clifford.g3 import *
                                a = 1*e1 + 3*e2 - 2*e3
                                b = 5*e1 + 2*e2 + 8*e3
                                c = a^b

                                This produces: c = -(13.0^e12) + (18.0^e13) + (28.0^e23) as @giobrach correctly calculates



                                EDIT



                                Full disclosure I am one of the core contributors to the clifford python package






                                share|cite|improve this answer























                                • Welcome to the site. It is alright to mention ones own software but it should be disclosed.
                                  – quid
                                  Dec 7 at 17:39










                                • Thanks @quid, I'm not totally sure what the form is for this, especially as I am not the original author of the software, but will add it as an edit
                                  – Hugo Hadfield
                                  Dec 8 at 12:35
















                                0














                                For those looking for a numerical way to play around with clifford algebras and the wedge product, I found this python package a good place to start: https://github.com/pygae/clifford



                                Assuming you are interested in using a normal 3D euclidean space you can simply run:

                                from clifford.g3 import *
                                a = 1*e1 + 3*e2 - 2*e3
                                b = 5*e1 + 2*e2 + 8*e3
                                c = a^b

                                This produces: c = -(13.0^e12) + (18.0^e13) + (28.0^e23) as @giobrach correctly calculates



                                EDIT



                                Full disclosure I am one of the core contributors to the clifford python package






                                share|cite|improve this answer























                                • Welcome to the site. It is alright to mention ones own software but it should be disclosed.
                                  – quid
                                  Dec 7 at 17:39










                                • Thanks @quid, I'm not totally sure what the form is for this, especially as I am not the original author of the software, but will add it as an edit
                                  – Hugo Hadfield
                                  Dec 8 at 12:35














                                0












                                0








                                0






                                For those looking for a numerical way to play around with clifford algebras and the wedge product, I found this python package a good place to start: https://github.com/pygae/clifford



                                Assuming you are interested in using a normal 3D euclidean space you can simply run:

                                from clifford.g3 import *
                                a = 1*e1 + 3*e2 - 2*e3
                                b = 5*e1 + 2*e2 + 8*e3
                                c = a^b

                                This produces: c = -(13.0^e12) + (18.0^e13) + (28.0^e23) as @giobrach correctly calculates



                                EDIT



                                Full disclosure I am one of the core contributors to the clifford python package






                                share|cite|improve this answer














                                For those looking for a numerical way to play around with clifford algebras and the wedge product, I found this python package a good place to start: https://github.com/pygae/clifford



                                Assuming you are interested in using a normal 3D euclidean space you can simply run:

                                from clifford.g3 import *
                                a = 1*e1 + 3*e2 - 2*e3
                                b = 5*e1 + 2*e2 + 8*e3
                                c = a^b

                                This produces: c = -(13.0^e12) + (18.0^e13) + (28.0^e23) as @giobrach correctly calculates



                                EDIT



                                Full disclosure I am one of the core contributors to the clifford python package







                                share|cite|improve this answer














                                share|cite|improve this answer



                                share|cite|improve this answer








                                edited Dec 8 at 12:36

























                                answered Dec 7 at 14:15









                                Hugo Hadfield

                                113




                                113












                                • Welcome to the site. It is alright to mention ones own software but it should be disclosed.
                                  – quid
                                  Dec 7 at 17:39










                                • Thanks @quid, I'm not totally sure what the form is for this, especially as I am not the original author of the software, but will add it as an edit
                                  – Hugo Hadfield
                                  Dec 8 at 12:35


















                                • Welcome to the site. It is alright to mention ones own software but it should be disclosed.
                                  – quid
                                  Dec 7 at 17:39










                                • Thanks @quid, I'm not totally sure what the form is for this, especially as I am not the original author of the software, but will add it as an edit
                                  – Hugo Hadfield
                                  Dec 8 at 12:35
















                                Welcome to the site. It is alright to mention ones own software but it should be disclosed.
                                – quid
                                Dec 7 at 17:39




                                Welcome to the site. It is alright to mention ones own software but it should be disclosed.
                                – quid
                                Dec 7 at 17:39












                                Thanks @quid, I'm not totally sure what the form is for this, especially as I am not the original author of the software, but will add it as an edit
                                – Hugo Hadfield
                                Dec 8 at 12:35




                                Thanks @quid, I'm not totally sure what the form is for this, especially as I am not the original author of the software, but will add it as an edit
                                – Hugo Hadfield
                                Dec 8 at 12:35


















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