Past exam of the mathematical methods I course of the University of Oxford / 2021 resit / 9 / iii / b / Solution

Write $\Delta =⟨\mathbf{u},\mathbf{v},\mathbf{w}⟩=\mathbf{u}\cdot (\mathbf{v}\times \mathbf{w})$. The displayed definitions require $\Delta \ne 0$, equivalently linear independence of the original vectors. The vector triple product identity givesHere the first scalar triple product is $\Delta$ by cyclic permutation, and the second is zero because a cross product is orthogonal to both its factors. ThusThis is the reciprocal basis involution identity. When $\Delta =0$, the proposed reciprocal basis is undefined; for example, three vectors in the $xy$ plane cannot be inserted into the printed quotients.