Defining and manipulating vector equations with cross and dot products

asked 10 years ago

NahsiN gravatar image

Hello, I have been experimenting with Sage to see what it can or can't do. Consider the following simple problem. Show [A×(B×C)]+[B×(C×A)]+[C×(A×B)]=0 where A,B,CR3. In Sage I can do this in one line

eqn = A.cross_product(B.cross_product(C)) + B.cross_product(C.cross_product(A)) + C.cross_product(A.cross_product(B))

where A,B and C are elements of SR3. Now I can show component wise eqn[0].expand() eqn[1].expand() eqn[2].expand() that it's zero. A much simpler way is to use the identity A×(B×C)=B(AC)C(AB) and plug it in. Yet this is easier done by hand than by computer. My question is can Sage do this? Can I define a vector equation in sage, and sub in vector identities to manipulate or simplify the equation? Thanks

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