Cross Product: Was Re: really easy trig question


matt271829-news@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> The sine function is defined the way it is because of its required
> mathematical properties. Its definition is inevitable, and does not
> depend on the whim of mathematicians, ancient or otherwise.

This reminds me of cross products for some reason. Who came up with the
definition? My conjecture is that a physicist wanted an operation with
certain properties (right-hand-rule, orthogonality, maybe the length of
the vector) and asked a mathematician to come up with something that
fit.

IOW: Does anyone know anything about the history of the cross product?

--- Christopher Heckman

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