Function cross

numpy/core/numeric.py:1469–1667

Return the cross product of two (arrays of) vectors. The cross product of `a` and `b` in :math:`R^3` is a vector perpendicular to both `a` and `b`. If `a` and `b` are arrays of vectors, the vectors are defined by the last axis of `a` and `b` by default, and these axes can have

(a, b, axisa=-1, axisb=-1, axisc=-1, axis=None)

@array_function_dispatch(_cross_dispatcher)
def cross(a, b, axisa=-1, axisb=-1, axisc=-1, axis=None):
    """
    Return the cross product of two (arrays of) vectors.

    The cross product of `a` and `b` in :math:`R^3` is a vector perpendicular
    to both `a` and `b`.  If `a` and `b` are arrays of vectors, the vectors
    are defined by the last axis of `a` and `b` by default, and these axes
    can have dimensions 2 or 3.  Where the dimension of either `a` or `b` is
    2, the third component of the input vector is assumed to be zero and the
    cross product calculated accordingly.  In cases where both input vectors
    have dimension 2, the z-component of the cross product is returned.

    Parameters
    ----------
    a : array_like
        Components of the first vector(s).
    b : array_like
        Components of the second vector(s).
    axisa : int, optional
        Axis of `a` that defines the vector(s).  By default, the last axis.
    axisb : int, optional
        Axis of `b` that defines the vector(s).  By default, the last axis.
    axisc : int, optional
        Axis of `c` containing the cross product vector(s).  Ignored if
        both input vectors have dimension 2, as the return is scalar.
        By default, the last axis.
    axis : int, optional
        If defined, the axis of `a`, `b` and `c` that defines the vector(s)
        and cross product(s).  Overrides `axisa`, `axisb` and `axisc`.

    Returns
    -------
    c : ndarray
        Vector cross product(s).

    Raises
    ------
    ValueError
        When the dimension of the vector(s) in `a` and/or `b` does not
        equal 2 or 3.

    See Also
    --------
    inner : Inner product
    outer : Outer product.
    ix_ : Construct index arrays.

    Notes
    -----
    .. versionadded:: 1.9.0

    Supports full broadcasting of the inputs.

    Examples
    --------
    Vector cross-product.

    >>> x = [1, 2, 3]