and 
of: two vectors and
is: a vector quantity denoted by 
[M2.7, P2.7, P2.8, P4.3]
has a magnitude: 
where 
and 
are the magnitudes of the vectors, and 
is the angle from the direction of 
to the direction of 
[M2.7, P2.7, P2.8, P4.3]
has a direction: perpendicular to and 
in the sense given by the right-hand rule. [M2.7, P2.7, P2.8, P4.3]
therefore may be written: 
where 
is an appropriately directed unit vector.
can be computed: in terms of scalar components, using
[M2.7]
has the property: that 
(note the minus sign) [M2.7]
is also called: cross product. [P2.7]
See vector product in the Maths handbook for further details.
Copyright 1997, The Open University