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Inner Product

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(1) In a vector space, an inner product is a way to multiply vectors together, with the result being a scalar. (2) In vector algebra, the term inner product is used as a synonym for dot product.

Inner product is a college-level concept that would be first encountered in a linear algebra course.

Examples

Dot Product: The dot product is particular product of two vectors which results in a scalar corresponding to the length of the projection of one vector onto the other.

Prerequisites

Vector: (1) In vector algebra, a vector mathematical entity that has both magnitude (which can be zero) and direction. (2) In topology, a vector is an element of a vector space.
Vector Space: A vector space is a set that is closed under finite vector addition and scalar multiplication. The basic example is n-dimensional Euclidean space.

Classroom Articles on Linear Algebra (Up to College Level)

  • Eigenvalue
  • Matrix
  • Eigenvector
  • Matrix Inverse
  • Euclidean Space
  • Matrix Multiplication
  • Linear Algebra
  • Norm
  • Linear Transformation