TOPICS
Search

Vector Orientation

Let theta be the angle between two vectors. If 0<theta<pi, the vectors are positively oriented. If pi<theta<2pi, the vectors are negatively oriented.

Two vectors in the plane

[x_1; x_2]and [y_1; y_2]

are positively oriented iff the determinant

D=|x_1 y_1; x_2 y_2|>0,

and are negatively oriented iff the determinant D<0.

Explore with Wolfram|Alpha

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Vector Orientation." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/VectorOrientation.html

Subject classifications