Editing Exterior algebra

{{Short description|Algebra associated to any vector space}}
{{redirect|Wedge product|the operation on topological spaces|Wedge sum}}
{{multiple image
   | left
   | footer    = Geometric interpretation of grade ''n'' elements in a real exterior algebra for {{nowrap|1=''n'' = 0}} (signed point), 1 (directed line segment, or vector), 2 (oriented plane element), 3 (oriented volume).  The exterior product of ''n'' vectors can be visualized as any ''n''-dimensional shape (e.g. ''n''-[[Parallelepiped#Parallelotope|parallelotope]], ''n''-[[ellipsoid]]); with magnitude ([[hypervolume]]), and [[Orientation (vector space)|orientation]] defined by that of its {{nowrap|(''n'' − 1)}}-dimensional boundary and on which side the interior is.<ref name=Penrose07>{{cite book |first=R. |last=Penrose| title=[[The Road to Reality]]| publisher= Vintage books| year=2007 | isbn=978-0-679-77631-4}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Wheeler|Misner |Thorne|1973|p=83}}</ref>
   | width1    = 220
   | image1    = N vector positive.svg
   | caption1  = Orientation defined by an ordered set of vectors.
   | width2    = 220
   | image2    = N vector negative.svg
   | caption2  = Reversed orientation corresponds to negating the exterior product.
  }}
In mathematics, the '''exterior algebra''' or '''Grassmann algebra''' of a [[vector space]] <math>V</math> is an [[associative algebra]] that contains <math>V,</math> which has a product, called '''exterior product''' or '''wedge product''' and denoted with <math>\wedge</math>, such that <math>v\wedge v=0</math> for every vector <math>v</math> in <math>V.</math> The exterior algebra is named after [[Hermann Grassmann]],<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Grassmann|1844}} introduced these as ''extended'' algebras (cf. {{harvnb|Clifford|1878}}).</ref> and the names of the product come from the "wedge" symbol <math>\wedge</math> and the fact that the product of two elements of <math>V</math> is "outside" <math>V.</math> 

The wedge product of <math>k</math> vectors <math>v_1 \wedge v_2 \wedge \dots \wedge v_k</math> is called a ''[[blade (geometry)|blade]] of degree <math>k</math>'' or ''<math>k</math>-blade''. The wedge product was introduced originally as an algebraic construction used in [[geometry]] to study [[area]]s, [[volume]]s, and their higher-dimensional analogues: the [[magnitude (mathematics)|magnitude]] of a [[bivector|{{math|2}}-blade]] <math>v\wedge w</math> is the area of the [[parallelogram]] defined by <math>v</math> and <math>w,</math> and, more generally, the magnitude of a <math>k</math>-blade is the (hyper)volume of the [[Parallelepiped#Parallelotope|parallelotope]] defined by the constituent vectors. The [[alternating algebra|alternating property]] that <math>v\wedge v=0</math> implies a skew-symmetric property that <math>v \wedge w = -w \wedge v,</math> and more generally any blade flips sign whenever two of its constituent vectors are exchanged, corresponding to a parallelotope of opposite orientation. 

The full exterior algebra contains objects that are not themselves blades, but [[linear combination]]s of blades; a sum of blades of homogeneous degree <math>k</math> is called a [[Multivector|{{mvar|k}}-''vector'']], while a more general sum of blades of arbitrary degree is called a ''[[multivector]]''.<ref>The term ''k-vector'' is not equivalent to and should not be confused with similar terms such as ''[[4-vector]]'', which in a different context could mean an element of a 4-dimensional vector space.  A minority of authors use the term <math>k</math>-multivector instead of <math>k</math>-vector, which avoids this confusion.</ref> The [[linear span]] of the <math>k</math>-blades is called the <math>k</math>-''th exterior power'' of <math>V.</math> The exterior algebra is the [[direct sum]] of the <math>k</math>-th exterior powers of <math>V,</math> and this makes the exterior algebra a [[graded algebra]].

The exterior algebra is [[universal property|universal]] in the sense that every equation that relates elements of  <math>V</math> in the exterior algebra is also valid in every associative algebra that  contains <math>V</math>  and in which the square of every element of <math>V</math> is zero.

The definition of the exterior algebra can be extended for spaces built from vector spaces, such as [[vector field]]s and [[function (mathematics)|functions]] whose [[domain of a function|domain]] is a vector space. Moreover, the field of [[scalar (mathematics)|scalar]]s may be any field. More generally, the exterior algebra can be defined for [[module (mathematics)|modules]] over a [[commutative ring]]. In particular, the algebra of [[differential forms]] in <math>k</math> variables is an exterior algebra over the ring of the [[smooth function]]s in <math>k</math> variables.

== Motivating examples ==
<!--The purpose of this section is to motivate the skewness of the exterior product on vectors in ''V''-->

=== Areas in the plane ===
[[Image:Area parallellogram as determinant.svg|thumb|right|The area of a parallelogram in terms of the determinant of the matrix of coordinates of two of its vertices.]]

The two-dimensional [[Euclidean vector space]] <math> \mathbf{R}^2 </math> is a [[Real number|real]] vector space equipped with a [[basis of a vector space|basis]] consisting of a pair of orthogonal [[unit vector]]s
<math display=block>\mathbf{e}_1 = \begin{bmatrix}1\\0\end{bmatrix},\quad \mathbf{e}_2 = \begin{bmatrix}0\\1\end{bmatrix}.</math>

Suppose that
<math display=block>\mathbf{v} = \begin{bmatrix}a\\b\end{bmatrix}
= a \mathbf{e}_1 + b \mathbf{e}_2, \quad \mathbf{w}
= \begin{bmatrix}c\\d\end{bmatrix}
= c \mathbf{e}_1 + d \mathbf{e}_2
</math>
are a pair of given vectors in {{tmath|\mathbf{R}^2}}, written in components.  There is a unique parallelogram having <math>\mathbf{v}</math> and <math>\mathbf{w}</math> as two of its sides.  The ''area'' of this parallelogram is given by the standard [[determinant]] formula:
<math display=block>
\text{Area}
= \left| \det \begin{bmatrix} \mathbf{v} & \mathbf{w} \end{bmatrix} \right|
= \left| \det \begin{bmatrix} a & c \\ b & d \end{bmatrix} \right|
= \left| ad - bc \right| .
</math>

Consider now the exterior product of <math>\mathbf{v}</math> and {{tmath|\mathbf{w} }}:
<math display=block>\begin{align}
\mathbf{v} \wedge \mathbf{w}
&= (a\mathbf{e}_1 + b\mathbf{e}_2) \wedge (c\mathbf{e}_1 + d\mathbf{e}_2) \\
&= ac\mathbf{e}_1 \wedge \mathbf{e}_1 + ad\mathbf{e}_1 \wedge \mathbf{e}_2 + bc\mathbf{e}_2 \wedge \mathbf{e}_1 + bd\mathbf{e}_2 \wedge \mathbf{e}_2 \\
&= \left( ad - bc \right)\mathbf{e}_1 \wedge \mathbf{e}_2,
\end{align}</math>
where the first step uses the distributive law for the [[#Formal definition|exterior product]], and the last uses the fact that the exterior product is an [[alternating map]], and in particular <math>\mathbf{e}_2 \wedge \mathbf{e}_1 = -(\mathbf{e}_1 \wedge \mathbf{e}_2).</math>  (The fact that the exterior product is an alternating map also forces <math> \mathbf{e}_1 \wedge \mathbf{e}_1 = \mathbf{e}_2 \wedge \mathbf{e}_2 = 0.</math>) Note that the coefficient in this last expression is precisely the determinant of the matrix {{nowrap|['''v''' '''w''']}}.  The fact that this may be positive or negative has the intuitive meaning that '''v''' and '''w''' may be oriented in a counterclockwise or clockwise sense as the vertices of the parallelogram they define.  Such an area is called the [[signed area]] of the parallelogram: the [[absolute value]] of the signed area is the ordinary area, and the sign determines its orientation.

The fact that this coefficient is the signed area is not an accident.  In fact, it is relatively easy to see that the exterior product should be related to the signed area if one tries to axiomatize this area as an algebraic construct.  In detail, if {{nowrap|1=A('''v''', '''w''')}} denotes the signed area of the parallelogram of which the pair of vectors '''v''' and '''w''' form two adjacent sides, then A must satisfy the following properties:
# {{nowrap|1=A(''r'''''v''', ''s'''''w''') = ''rs''A('''v''', '''w''')}} for any real numbers ''r'' and ''s'', since rescaling either of the sides rescales the area by the same amount (and reversing the direction of one of the sides reverses the orientation of the parallelogram).
# {{nowrap|1=A('''v''', '''v''') = 0}}, since the area of the [[degenerate (mathematics)|degenerate]] parallelogram determined by '''v''' (i.e., a [[line segment]]) is zero.
# {{nowrap|1=A('''w''', '''v''') = −A('''v''', '''w''')}}, since interchanging the roles of '''v''' and '''w''' reverses the orientation of the parallelogram.
# {{nowrap|1=A('''v''' + ''r'''''w''', '''w''') = A('''v''', '''w''')}} for any real number ''r'', since adding a multiple of '''w''' to '''v''' affects neither the base nor the height of the parallelogram and consequently preserves its area.
# {{nowrap|1=A('''e'''<sub>1</sub>, '''e'''<sub>2</sub>) = 1}}, since the area of the unit square is one.
[[Image:Exterior calc cross product.svg|upright=1.2|thumb|The cross product ('''<span style="color:blue;">blue</span>''' vector) in relation to the exterior product ('''<span style="color:#779ECB;">light blue</span>''' parallelogram).  The length of the cross product is to the length of the parallel unit vector ('''<span style="color:#CC0000;">red</span>''') as the size of the exterior product is to the size of the reference parallelogram ('''<span style="color:#CC4E5C;">light red</span>''').]]
With the exception of the last property, the exterior product of two vectors satisfies the same properties as the area.  In a certain sense, the exterior product generalizes the final property by allowing the area of a parallelogram to be compared to that of any chosen parallelogram in a parallel plane (here, the one with sides '''e'''<sub>1</sub> and '''e'''<sub>2</sub>).  In other words, the exterior product provides a ''basis-independent'' formulation of area.<ref>This axiomatization of areas is due to [[Leopold Kronecker]] and [[Karl Weierstrass]]; see {{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989b|loc=Historical Note}}.  For a modern treatment, see {{harvtxt|Mac Lane|Birkhoff|1999|loc=Theorem IX.2.2}}.  For an elementary treatment, see {{harvtxt|Strang|1993|loc=Chapter 5}}.</ref>

===Cross and triple products===
[[File:2-vector decomposition.png|thumb|right|Basis Decomposition of a 2-vector]]
For vectors in '''R'''<sup>3</sup>, the exterior algebra is closely related to the [[cross product]] and [[triple product]]. Using the standard basis {{nowrap|{{mset|'''e'''<sub>1</sub>, '''e'''<sub>2</sub>, '''e'''<sub>3</sub>}}}}, the exterior product of a pair of vectors
: <math> \mathbf{u} = u_1 \mathbf{e}_1 + u_2 \mathbf{e}_2 + u_3 \mathbf{e}_3 </math>
and
: <math> \mathbf{v} = v_1 \mathbf{e}_1 + v_2 \mathbf{e}_2 + v_3 \mathbf{e}_3 </math>
is
: <math> \mathbf{u} \wedge \mathbf{v} = (u_1 v_2 - u_2 v_1) (\mathbf{e}_1 \wedge \mathbf{e}_2) </math>
: <math> \phantom{\mathbf{u} \wedge \mathbf{v}} + (u_3 v_1 - u_1 v_3) (\mathbf{e}_3 \wedge \mathbf{e}_1) </math>
: <math> \phantom{\mathbf{u} \wedge \mathbf{v}} + (u_2 v_3 - u_3 v_2) (\mathbf{e}_2 \wedge \mathbf{e}_3) </math>
where {{mset|'''e'''<sub>1</sub> ∧ '''e'''<sub>2</sub>, '''e'''<sub>3</sub> ∧ '''e'''<sub>1</sub>, '''e'''<sub>2</sub> ∧ '''e'''<sub>3</sub>}} is the basis for the three-dimensional space ⋀<sup>2</sup>('''R'''<sup>3</sup>). The coefficients above are the same as those in the usual definition of the [[cross product]] of vectors in three dimensions, the only difference being that the exterior product is not an ordinary vector, but instead is a [[bivector]].

Bringing in a third vector
: <math> \mathbf{w} = w_1 \mathbf{e}_1 + w_2 \mathbf{e}_2 + w_3 \mathbf{e}_3, </math>
the exterior product of three vectors is
: <math> \mathbf{u} \wedge \mathbf{v} \wedge \mathbf{w} = (u_1 v_2 w_3 + u_2 v_3 w_1 + u_3 v_1 w_2 - u_1 v_3 w_2 - u_2 v_1 w_3 - u_3 v_2 w_1) (\mathbf{e}_1 \wedge \mathbf{e}_2 \wedge \mathbf{e}_3) </math>
where '''e'''<sub>1</sub> ∧ '''e'''<sub>2</sub> ∧ '''e'''<sub>3</sub> is the basis vector for the one-dimensional space ⋀<sup>3</sup>('''R'''<sup>3</sup>). The scalar coefficient is the [[triple product]] of the three vectors.

The cross product and triple product in three dimensions each admit both geometric and algebraic interpretations. The cross product {{nowrap|'''u''' × '''v'''}} can be interpreted as a vector which is perpendicular to both '''u''' and '''v''' and whose magnitude is equal to the area of the parallelogram determined by the two vectors. It can also be interpreted as the vector consisting of the [[minor (mathematics)|minors]] of the matrix with columns '''u''' and '''v'''. The triple product of '''u''', '''v''', and '''w''' is geometrically a (signed) volume. Algebraically, it is the determinant of the matrix with columns '''u''', '''v''', and '''w'''. The exterior product in three dimensions allows for similar interpretations. In fact, in the presence of a positively oriented [[orthonormal basis]], the exterior product generalizes these notions to higher dimensions.

== Formal definition ==
The exterior algebra <math>\bigwedge (V)</math> of a vector space <math>V</math> over a [[field (mathematics)|field]] <math>K</math> is defined as the [[Quotient ring|quotient algebra]] of the [[tensor algebra]] ''T''(''V''), where

:<math>T(V)= \bigoplus_{k=0}^\infty T^kV = K\oplus V \oplus (V\otimes V) \oplus (V\otimes V\otimes V) \oplus \cdots,</math>

by the two-sided [[Ideal (ring theory)|ideal]] <math>I</math> generated by all elements of the form <math>x \otimes x</math> such that <math>x\in V</math>.<ref> This definition is a standard one. See, for instance, {{harvtxt|Mac Lane|Birkhoff|1999}}.</ref> Symbolically,
: <math>\bigwedge (V) := T(V)/I.\, </math>

The exterior product <math>\wedge</math> of two elements of <math>\bigwedge (V)</math> is defined by
: <math>\alpha\wedge\beta = \alpha\otimes\beta \pmod I.</math>

== Algebraic properties ==

=== Alternating product ===
The exterior product is by construction [[Alternating algebra|''alternating'']] on elements of {{tmath|V}}, which means that <math> x \wedge x = 0 </math> for all <math> x \in V, </math> by the above construction.  It follows that the product is also [[anticommutative]] on elements of {{tmath|V}}, for supposing that {{tmath|x, y \in V}},
: <math>
0 = (x + y) \wedge (x + y)
= x \wedge x + x \wedge y + y \wedge x + y \wedge y
= x \wedge y + y \wedge x
</math>
hence
: <math> x \wedge y = -(y \wedge x). </math>

More generally, if <math>\sigma</math> is a [[permutation group|permutation]] of the integers {{tmath|[1, \dots, k]}}, and {{tmath|x_1}}, {{tmath|x_2}}, ..., {{tmath|x_k}} are elements of {{tmath|V}}, it follows that
: <math>
x_{\sigma(1)} \wedge x_{\sigma(2)} \wedge \cdots \wedge x_{\sigma(k)}
= \sgn(\sigma)x_1 \wedge x_2 \wedge \cdots \wedge x_k,
</math>
where <math>\sgn(\sigma)</math> is the [[signature of a permutation|signature of the permutation]] {{tmath|\sigma}}.<ref>A proof of this can be found in more generality in {{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989}}.</ref>

In particular, if <math>x_i = x_j</math> for some {{tmath|i \ne j}}, then the following generalization of the alternating property also holds:
: <math> x_{1} \wedge x_{2} \wedge \cdots \wedge x_{k} = 0. </math>

Together with the distributive property of the exterior product, one further generalization is that a necessary and sufficient condition for <math> \{ x_{1}, x_{2}, \dots, x_{k} \} </math> to be a linearly dependent set of vectors is that
: <math> x_{1} \wedge x_{2} \wedge \cdots \wedge x_{k} = 0. </math>

=== Exterior power ===
The {{math|''k''}}th '''exterior power''' of {{tmath|V}}, denoted {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}, is the [[vector subspace]] of {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}} [[linear span|spanned]] by elements of the form
: <math>x_1 \wedge x_2 \wedge \cdots \wedge x_k,\quad x_i \in V, i=1,2, \dots, k .</math>

If {{tmath|\alpha \in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}, then <math>\alpha</math> is said to be a '''[[p-vector|{{math|''k''}}-vector]]'''.  If, furthermore, <math>\alpha</math> can be expressed as an exterior product of <math>k</math> elements of {{tmath|V}}, then <math>\alpha</math> is said to be '''decomposable''' (or '''simple''', by some authors; or a '''blade''', by others).  Although decomposable {{tmath|k}}-vectors span {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}, not every element of <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)</math> is decomposable.  For example, given {{tmath|\mathbf{R}^4}} with a basis {{tmath|1= \{ e_1, e_2, e_3, e_4 \} }}, the following 2-vector is not decomposable:
: <math> \alpha = e_1 \wedge e_2 + e_3 \wedge e_4. </math>

==== Basis and dimension ====
If the [[dimension (linear algebra)|dimension]] of <math>V</math> is <math>n</math> and <math>\{e_1,\dots,e_n\}</math> is a [[basis (linear algebra)|basis]] for <math>V</math>, then the set
: <math>
\{\,e_{i_1} \wedge e_{i_2} \wedge \cdots \wedge e_{i_k} ~
\big| ~~ 1 \le i_1 < i_2 < \cdots < i_k \le n \,\}
</math>
is a basis for {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}.  The reason is the following: given any exterior product of the form
: <math> v_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge v_k , </math>
every vector <math>v_j</math> can be written as a [[linear combination]] of the basis vectors {{tmath|e_i}}; using the bilinearity of the exterior product, this can be expanded to a linear combination of exterior products of those basis vectors.  Any exterior product in which the same basis vector appears more than once is zero; any exterior product in which the basis vectors do not appear in the proper order can be reordered, changing the sign whenever two basis vectors change places.  In general, the resulting coefficients of the basis {{mvar|k}}-vectors can be computed as the [[minor (linear algebra)|minor]]s of the [[matrix (mathematics)|matrix]] that describes the vectors <math>v_j</math> in terms of the basis {{tmath|e_i}}.

By counting the basis elements, the dimension of <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)</math> is equal to a [[binomial coefficient]]:
: <math> \dim {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) = \binom{n}{k} ,</math>
where {{tmath|n}} is the dimension of the ''vectors'', and {{tmath|k}} is the number of vectors in the product.  The binomial coefficient produces the correct result, even for exceptional cases; in particular, <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) = \{ 0 \}</math> for {{tmath|k > n}}.

Any element of the exterior algebra can be written as a sum of [[p-vector|{{math|''k''}}-vector]]s.  Hence, as a vector space the exterior algebra is a [[Direct sum of modules|direct sum]]
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)
= {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!0}(V)
  \oplus {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(V)
  \oplus {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!2}(V)
  \oplus \cdots \oplus {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n}(V)
</math>
(where, by convention, {{tmath|1={\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!0}(V) = K}}, the [[field (mathematics)|field]] underlying {{tmath|V}}, and {{tmath|1={\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(V) = V}}), and therefore its dimension is equal to the sum of the binomial coefficients, which is {{tmath|2^n}}.

==== Rank of a ''k''-vector ====
If {{tmath|\alpha \in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}, then it is possible to express <math>\alpha</math> as a linear combination of decomposable [[p-vector|{{math|''k''}}-vector]]s:
: <math> \alpha = \alpha^{(1)} + \alpha^{(2)} + \cdots + \alpha^{(s)} </math>
where each <math>\alpha^{(i)}</math> is decomposable, say
: <math>
\alpha^{(i)}
= \alpha^{(i)}_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge \alpha^{(i)}_k,\quad i 
= 1,2,\ldots, s.
</math>

The '''rank''' of the {{math|''k''}}-vector <math>\alpha</math> is the minimal number of decomposable {{math|''k''}}-vectors in such an expansion of {{tmath|\alpha}}.  This is similar to the notion of [[tensor rank]].

Rank is particularly important in the study of 2-vectors {{harv|Sternberg|1964|loc=§III.6}} {{harv|Bryant|Chern|Gardner|Goldschmidt|1991}}.  The rank of a 2-vector <math>\alpha</math> can be identified with half the [[rank of a matrix|rank of the matrix]] of coefficients of <math>\alpha</math> in a basis.  Thus if <math>e_i</math> is a basis for {{tmath|V}}, then <math>\alpha</math> can be expressed uniquely as
: <math> \alpha = \sum_{i,j}a_{ij}e_i \wedge e_j </math>
where <math>a_{ij} = -a_{ji}</math> (the matrix of coefficients is [[skew-symmetric matrix|skew-symmetric]]).  The rank of the matrix <math>a_{ij}</math> is therefore even, and is twice the rank of the form <math>\alpha</math>.

In characteristic 0, the 2-vector <math>\alpha</math> has rank <math>p</math> if and only if
: <math>
\underset{p}{\underbrace{\alpha \wedge \cdots \wedge \alpha}} \neq 0 \ 
</math> and <math>
\ \underset{p+1}{\underbrace{\alpha \wedge \cdots \wedge \alpha}} = 0.
</math>

=== Graded structure ===
The exterior product of a {{math|''k''}}-vector with a {{math|''p''}}-vector is a <math>(k + p)</math>-vector, once again invoking bilinearity.  As a consequence, the direct sum decomposition of the preceding section
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) = {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!0}(V) \oplus {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(V) \oplus {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!2}(V) \oplus \cdots \oplus {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n}(V)
</math>
gives the exterior algebra the additional structure of a [[graded algebra]], that is
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)
\wedge {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!p}(V)
\sub {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k+p}(V).
</math>

Moreover, if {{math|''K''}} is the base field, we have
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!0}(V) = K
</math> and <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(V) = V.
</math>

The exterior product is graded anticommutative, meaning that if <math>\alpha \in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) </math> and {{tmath|\beta \in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!p}(V)}}, then
: <math> \alpha \wedge \beta = (-1)^{kp}\beta \wedge \alpha. </math>

In addition to studying the graded structure on the exterior algebra, {{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989}} studies additional graded structures on exterior algebras, such as those on the exterior algebra of a [[graded module]] (a module that already carries its own gradation).

=== Universal property ===
Let {{math|''V''}} be a vector space over the field {{math|''K''}}.  Informally, multiplication in <math> {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) </math> is performed by manipulating symbols and imposing a [[distributive law]], an [[associative law]], and using the identity <math> v \wedge v = 0 </math> for {{math|''v'' ∈ ''V''}}.  Formally, <math> {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) </math> is the "most general" algebra in which these rules hold for the multiplication, in the sense that any unital associative {{math|''K''}}-algebra containing {{math|''V''}} with alternating multiplication on {{math|''V''}} must contain a homomorphic image of {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}.  In other words, the exterior algebra has the following [[universal property]]:<ref>See {{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989|loc=§III.7.1}}, and {{harvtxt|Mac Lane|Birkhoff|1999|loc=Theorem XVI.6.8}}.  More detail on universal properties in general can be found in {{harvtxt|Mac Lane|Birkhoff|1999|loc=Chapter VI}}, and throughout the works of Bourbaki.</ref>

<div style="margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em">
Given any unital associative {{math|''K''}}-algebra {{math|''A''}} and any {{math|''K''}}-[[linear map]] <math> j : V \to A </math> such that <math> j(v)j(v) = 0 </math> for every {{math|''v''}} in {{math|''V''}}, then there exists ''precisely one'' unital [[algebra homomorphism]] <math>f : {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)\to A </math> such that {{math|1=''j''(''v'') = ''f''(''i''(''v''))}} for all {{math|''v''}} in {{math|''V''}} (here {{math|''i''}} is the natural inclusion of {{math|''V''}} in {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}, see above).
</div>

[[File:ExteriorAlgebra-01.svg|center|150px|Universal property of the exterior algebra]]

To construct the most general algebra that contains {{math|''V''}} and whose multiplication is alternating on {{math|''V''}}, it is natural to start with the most general associative algebra that contains {{math|''V''}}, the [[tensor algebra]] {{math|''T''(''V'')}}, and then enforce the alternating property by taking a suitable [[quotient ring|quotient]].  We thus take the two-sided [[ideal (ring theory)|ideal]] {{math|''I''}} in {{math|''T''(''V'')}} generated by all elements of the form {{math|''v'' ⊗ ''v''}} for {{math|''v''}} in {{math|''V''}}, and define <math> {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) </math> as the quotient
: <math> {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) = T(V)\,/\,I</math>
(and use {{math|∧}} as the symbol for multiplication in {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}).  It is then straightforward to show that <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)</math> contains {{math|''V''}} and satisfies the above universal property.

As a consequence of this construction, the operation of assigning to a vector space {{math|''V''}} its exterior algebra <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)</math> is a [[functor]] from the [[category (mathematics)|category]] of vector spaces to the category of algebras.

Rather than defining <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)</math> first and then identifying the exterior powers <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)</math> as certain subspaces, one may alternatively define the spaces <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)</math> first and then combine them to form the algebra {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}.  This approach is often used in differential geometry and is described in the next section.

=== Generalizations ===
Given a [[commutative ring]] <math>R</math> and an <math>R</math>-[[module (mathematics)|module]] {{tmath|M}}, we can define the exterior algebra <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(M)</math> just as above, as a suitable quotient of the tensor algebra {{tmath|\mathrm{T}(M)}}.  It will satisfy the analogous universal property.  Many of the properties of <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(M)</math> also require that <math>M</math> be a [[projective module]].  Where finite dimensionality is used, the properties further require that <math>M</math> be [[finitely generated module|finitely generated]] and projective.  Generalizations to the most common situations can be found in {{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989}}.

Exterior algebras of [[vector bundle]]s are frequently considered in geometry and topology.  There are no essential differences between the algebraic properties of the exterior algebra of finite-dimensional vector bundles and those of the exterior algebra of finitely generated projective modules, by the [[Serre–Swan theorem]].  More general exterior algebras can be defined for [[sheaf (mathematics)|sheaves]] of modules.

== Alternating tensor algebra ==
For a field of characteristic not 2,<ref>See {{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989|loc=§III.7.5}} for generalizations.</ref> the exterior algebra of a vector space <math>V</math> over <math>K</math> can be canonically identified with the vector subspace of <math>\mathrm{T}(V)</math> that consists of [[antisymmetric tensor]]s. For characteristic 0 (or higher than {{tmath|\dim V}}), the vector space of <math>k</math>-linear antisymmetric tensors is transversal to the ideal  {{tmath|I}}, hence, a good choice to represent the quotient. But for nonzero characteristic, the vector space of {{tmath|K}}-linear antisymmetric tensors could be not transversal to the ideal (actually, for {{tmath|k \geq \operatorname{char} K}}, the vector space of <math>K</math>-linear antisymmetric tensors is contained in <math>I</math>); nevertheless, transversal or not, a product can be defined on this space such that the resulting algebra is isomorphic to the exterior algebra: in the first case the natural choice for the product is just the quotient product (using the available projection), in the second case, this product must be slightly modified as given below (along Arnold setting), but such that the algebra stays isomorphic with the exterior algebra, i.e. the quotient of <math>\mathrm{T}(V)</math> by the ideal <math>I</math> generated by elements of the form {{tmath|x \otimes x}}. Of course, for characteristic {{tmath|0}} (or higher than the dimension of the vector space), one or the other definition of the product could be used, as the two algebras are isomorphic (see V. I. Arnold or Kobayashi-Nomizu).

Let <math>\mathrm{T}^r(V)</math> be the space of homogeneous tensors of degree <math>r</math>.  This is spanned by decomposable tensors
: <math> v_1 \otimes \cdots \otimes v_r,\quad v_i \in V. </math>

The '''antisymmetrization''' (or sometimes the '''skew-symmetrization''') of a decomposable tensor is defined by
: <math>
\operatorname{\mathcal{A}^{(r)}}(v_1 \otimes \cdots \otimes v_r)
=\sum_{\sigma \in \mathfrak{S}_r} \operatorname{sgn}(\sigma) v_{\sigma(1)} \otimes \cdots \otimes v_{\sigma(r)}
</math>
and, when <math>r! \neq 0</math> (for nonzero characteristic field <math>r!</math> might be 0):
: <math>
\operatorname{Alt}^{(r)}(v_1 \otimes \cdots \otimes v_r)
= \frac{1}{r!}\operatorname{\mathcal{A}^{(r)}}(v_1 \otimes \cdots \otimes v_r)
</math>
where the sum is taken over the [[symmetric group]] of permutations on the symbols {{tmath|1=\{ 1, \dots, r \} }}. This extends by linearity and homogeneity to an operation, also denoted by <math>\mathcal{A}</math> and <math>\rm{Alt}</math>, on the full tensor algebra {{tmath|\mathrm{T}(V)}}.

Note that
: <math>
\operatorname{\mathcal{A}^{(r)}}\operatorname{\mathcal{A}^{(r)}}=r!\operatorname{\mathcal{A}^{(r)}}.
</math>

Such that, when defined, <math>\operatorname{Alt}^{(r)} </math> is the projection for the exterior (quotient) algebra onto the r-homogeneous alternating tensor subspace.
On the other hand, the image <math>\mathcal{A}(\mathrm{T}(V))</math> is always the '''alternating tensor graded subspace''' (not yet an algebra, as product is not yet defined), denoted {{tmath|A(V)}}. This is a vector subspace of {{tmath|\mathrm{T}(V)}}, and it inherits the structure of a graded vector space from that on {{tmath|\mathrm{T}(V)}}. Moreover, the kernel of <math>\mathcal{A}^{(r)}</math> is precisely {{tmath|I^{(r)} }}, the homogeneous subset of the ideal {{tmath|I}}, or the kernel of  <math>\mathcal{A}</math> is {{tmath|I}}.  When <math>\operatorname{Alt} </math> is defined, <math>A(V)</math> carries an associative graded product <math> \widehat{\otimes} </math> defined by (the same as the wedge product)
: <math>t\wedge s=t~\widehat{\otimes}~s = \operatorname{Alt}(t \otimes s). </math>

Assuming <math>K</math> has characteristic 0, as <math>A(V)</math> is a supplement of <math>I</math> in {{tmath|\mathrm{T}(V)}}, with the above given product, there is a canonical isomorphism
: <math> A(V)\cong {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V). </math>
When the characteristic of the field is nonzero, <math>\mathcal{A}</math> will do what <math>\rm{Alt}</math> did before, but the  product cannot be defined as above. In such a case, isomorphism <math> A(V)\cong {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) </math> still holds, in spite of <math> A(V)</math> not being a supplement of  the ideal {{tmath|I}}, but then, the product should be modified as given below (<math> \dot{\wedge}</math> product, Arnold setting).

Finally, we always get {{tmath|A(V)}} isomorphic with {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}, but the product could (or should) be chosen in two ways (or only one). Actually, the product could be chosen in many ways, rescaling it on homogeneous spaces as <math>c(r+p)/c(r)c(p)</math> for an arbitrary sequence <math>c(r)</math> in the field, as long as the division makes sense (this is such that the redefined product is also associative, i.e. defines an algebra on {{tmath|A(V)}}). Also note, the interior product definition should be changed accordingly, in order to keep its skew derivation property.

=== Index notation ===
Suppose that ''V'' has finite dimension ''n'', and that a basis {{nowrap|'''e'''<sub>1</sub>, ..., '''e'''<sub>''n''</sub>}} of ''V'' is given.  Then any alternating tensor {{nowrap|''t'' ∈ A<sup>''r''</sup>(''V'') ⊂ ''T''<sup>''r''</sup>(''V'')}} can be written in [[index notation]] with the [[Einstein summation convention]] as
: <math>t = t^{i_1i_2\cdots i_r}\, {\mathbf e}_{i_1} \otimes {\mathbf e}_{i_2} \otimes \cdots \otimes {\mathbf e}_{i_r},</math>
where ''t''<sup>''i''<sub>1</sub>⋅⋅⋅''i''<sub>''r''</sub></sup> is [[antisymmetric tensor|completely antisymmetric]] in its indices.

The exterior product of two alternating tensors ''t'' and ''s'' of ranks ''r'' and ''p'' is given by
: <math>
t~\widehat{\otimes}~s
= \frac{1}{(r+p)!}\sum_{\sigma \in {\mathfrak S}_{r+p}}\operatorname{sgn}(\sigma)t^{i_{\sigma(1)} \cdots i_{\sigma(r)}} s^{i_{\sigma(r+1)} \cdots i_{\sigma(r+p)}} {\mathbf e}_{i_1} \otimes {\mathbf e}_{i_2} \otimes \cdots \otimes {\mathbf e}_{i_{r+p}}.
</math>

The components of this tensor are precisely the skew part of the components of the tensor product {{nowrap|''s'' ⊗ ''t''}}, denoted by square brackets on the indices:
: <math>
(t~\widehat{\otimes}~s)^{i_1\cdots i_{r+p}}
= t^{[i_1\cdots i_r}s^{i_{r+1}\cdots i_{r+p}]}.
</math>

<!--For the interior product-->
The [[#Interior product|interior product]] may also be described in index notation as follows.  Let <math> t = t^{i_0i_1\cdots i_{r-1}} </math> be an antisymmetric tensor of rank {{tmath|r}}.  Then, for {{nowrap|''α'' ∈ ''V''<sup>∗</sup>}}, {{tmath|\iota_\alpha t}} is an alternating tensor of rank {{tmath|r - 1}}, given by
: <math>
(\iota_\alpha t)^{i_1\cdots i_{r-1}}
= r\sum_{j=0}^n\alpha_j t^{ji_1\cdots i_{r-1}}.
</math>
where ''n'' is the dimension of ''V''.

== Duality ==

=== Alternating operators ===
Given two vector spaces ''V'' and ''X'' and a natural number ''k'', an '''alternating operator''' from ''V''<sup>''k''</sup> to ''X'' is a [[multilinear map]]
: <math> f : V^k \to X </math>
such that whenever ''v''<sub>1</sub>, ..., ''v''<sub>''k''</sub> are [[linearly dependent]] vectors in ''V'', then
: <math> f(v_1,\ldots, v_k) = 0. </math>

The map
: <math> w : V^k \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V),</math>
which associates to <math> k </math> vectors from <math> V </math> their exterior product, i.e. their corresponding <math> k </math>-vector, is also alternating.  In fact, this map is the "most general" alternating operator defined on <math> V^k; </math> given any other alternating operator <math> f : V^k \rightarrow X, </math> there exists a unique [[linear map]] <math> \phi : {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) \rightarrow X </math> with <math> f = \phi \circ w. </math>  This [[universal property]] characterizes the space of alternating operators on <math> V^k </math> and can serve as its definition.

=== Alternating multilinear forms ===
<!-- Alternating form redirects here -->
{{See also|Alternating multilinear map}}

[[File:N-form.svg|thumb|upright=0.6|Geometric interpretation for the '''exterior product''' of {{math|''n''}} [[1-form]]s ({{math|''ε''}}, {{math|''η''}}, {{math|''ω''}}) to obtain an {{math|''n''}}-form ("mesh" of [[coordinate surface]]s, here planes),<ref name=Penrose07/> for {{math|1=''n'' = 1, 2, 3}}.  The "circulations" show [[Orientation (vector space)|orientation]].<ref>''Note'': The orientations shown here are not correct; the diagram simply gives a sense that an orientation is defined for every {{math|''k''}}-form.</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Gravitation |first1=J.A. |last1=Wheeler |first2=C. |last2=Misner |first3=K.S. |last3=Thorne |publisher=W.H. Freeman & Co|year=1973|pages=58–60, 83, 100–9, 115–9|isbn=0-7167-0344-0}}</ref>]]

The above discussion specializes to the case when {{tmath|1=X = K}}, the base field.  In this case an alternating multilinear function
: <math> f : V^k \to K</math>
is called an '''alternating multilinear form'''.  The set of all [[Alternating map|alternating]] [[multilinear form]]s is a vector space, as the sum of two such maps, or the product of such a map with a scalar, is again alternating.  By the universal property of the exterior power, the space of alternating forms of degree <math>k</math> on <math>V</math> is [[natural transformation|naturally]] isomorphic with the [[dual vector space]] {{tmath|\bigl({\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)\bigr)^*}}.  If <math>V</math> is finite-dimensional, then the latter is {{Clarify|date=December 2021|reason=By what isomorphism? See, for example, https://mathoverflow.net/q/68004|text=naturally isomorphic}} to {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}\left(V^*\right)}}.  In particular, if <math>V</math> is <math>n</math>-dimensional, the dimension of the space of alternating maps from <math>V^k</math> to <math>K</math> is the [[binomial coefficient]] {{tmath|1=\textstyle\binom{n}{k} }}.

Under such identification, the exterior product takes a concrete form: it produces a new anti-symmetric map from two given ones.  Suppose {{nowrap|''ω'' : ''V''<sup>''k''</sup> → ''K''}} and {{nowrap|''η'' : ''V''<sup>''m''</sup> → ''K''}} are two anti-symmetric maps.  As in the case of [[tensor product]]s of multilinear maps, the number of variables of their exterior product is the sum of the numbers of their variables.  Depending on the choice of identification of elements of exterior power with multilinear forms, the exterior product is defined as
: <math> \omega \wedge \eta = \operatorname{Alt}(\omega \otimes \eta) </math>
or as
: <math>
\omega \dot{\wedge} \eta
= \frac{(k+m)!}{k!\,m!}\operatorname{Alt}(\omega \otimes \eta),
</math>
where, if the characteristic of the base field <math>K</math> is 0, the alternation Alt of a multilinear map is defined to be the average of the sign-adjusted values over all the [[permutation]]s of its variables:
: <math>
\operatorname{Alt}(\omega)(x_1,\ldots,x_k)
= \frac{1}{k!}\sum_{\sigma \in S_k}\operatorname{sgn}(\sigma)\, \omega(x_{\sigma(1)}, \ldots, x_{\sigma(k)}).
</math>

When the [[field (mathematics)|field]] <math>K</math> has [[characteristic of a field|finite characteristic]], an equivalent version of the second expression without any factorials or any constants is well-defined:
: <math>
{\omega \dot{\wedge} \eta(x_1,\ldots,x_{k+m})}
= \sum_{\sigma \in \mathrm{Sh}_{k,m}} \operatorname{sgn}(\sigma)\, \omega(x_{\sigma(1)}, \ldots, x_{\sigma(k)})\, \eta(x_{\sigma(k+1)}, \ldots, x_{\sigma(k+m)}),
</math>
where here {{nowrap|Sh<sub>''k'',''m''</sub> ⊂ ''S''<sub>''k''+''m''</sub>}} is the subset of [[(p,q) shuffle|{{math|(''k'', ''m'')}} shuffles]]: [[permutation]]s ''σ'' of the set {{nowrap|{{mset|1, 2, ..., ''k'' + ''m''}}}} such that {{nowrap|''σ''(1) < ''σ''(2) < ⋯ < ''σ''(''k'')}}, and {{nowrap|''σ''(''k'' + 1) < ''σ''(''k'' + 2) < ... < ''σ''(''k'' + ''m'')}}. As this might look very specific and fine tuned, an equivalent raw version is to sum in the above formula over permutations in left cosets of {{nowrap|''S''<sub>''k''+''m''</sub> / (''S''<sub>''k''</sub> × ''S''<sub>''m''</sub>)}}.

=== Interior product ===
{{See also|Interior product}}
Suppose that <math>V</math> is finite-dimensional.  If <math>V^*</math> denotes the [[dual space]] to the vector space {{tmath|V}}, then for each {{tmath|\alpha \in V^*}}, it is possible to define an [[derivation (abstract algebra)|antiderivation]] on the algebra {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}},
: <math>
\iota_\alpha : {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)
\rightarrow {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k-1}(V) .
</math>

This derivation is called the '''interior product''' with {{tmath|\alpha}}, or sometimes the '''insertion operator''', or '''contraction''' by {{tmath|\alpha}}.

Suppose that {{tmath|w \in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}.  Then <math>w</math> is a multilinear mapping of <math>V^*</math> to {{tmath|K}}, so it is defined by its values on the {{math|''k''}}-fold [[Cartesian product]] {{tmath|V^* \times V^* \times \dots \times V^*}}.  If ''u''<sub>1</sub>, ''u''<sub>2</sub>, ..., ''u''<sub>''k''−1</sub> are <math>k - 1</math> elements of {{tmath|V^*}}, then define
: <math>
(\iota_\alpha w)(u_1,u_2,\ldots,u_{k-1})
= w(\alpha,u_1,u_2,\ldots, u_{k-1}).
</math>

Additionally, let <math>\iota_\alpha f = 0</math> whenever <math>f</math> is a pure scalar (i.e., belonging to {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!0}(V)}}).

==== Axiomatic characterization and properties ====
The interior product satisfies the following properties:
# For each {{tmath|k}} and each {{tmath|\alpha \in V^*}} (where by convention <math>\Lambda^{-1}(V)=\{0\}</math>),
#: <math>\iota_\alpha : {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) \rightarrow {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k-1}(V) .</math>
# If <math>v</math> is an element of <math>V</math> ({{tmath|1= = {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(V)}}), then {{tmath|1=\iota_\alpha v = \alpha(v)}} is the dual pairing between elements of <math>V</math> and elements of {{tmath|V^*}}.
# For each {{tmath|\alpha \in V^*}}, <math>\iota_\alpha</math> is a [[graded derivation]] of degree −1:
#: <math>\iota_\alpha (a \wedge b)
= (\iota_\alpha a) \wedge b + (-1)^{\deg a}a \wedge (\iota_\alpha b).
</math>

These three properties are sufficient to characterize the interior product as well as define it in the general infinite-dimensional case.

Further properties of the interior product include:
* <math> \iota_\alpha\circ \iota_\alpha = 0. </math>
* <math> \iota_\alpha\circ \iota_\beta = -\iota_\beta\circ \iota_\alpha. </math>

=== Hodge duality ===
{{main article|Hodge star operator}}
Suppose that <math>V</math> has finite dimension {{tmath|n}}.  Then the interior product induces a canonical isomorphism of vector spaces
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V^*) \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n}(V)
\to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n-k}(V)
</math>
by the recursive definition
: <math> \iota_{\alpha \wedge \beta} = \iota_\beta \circ \iota_\alpha. </math>

In the geometrical setting, a non-zero element of the top exterior power <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n}(V)</math> (which is a one-dimensional vector space) is sometimes called a '''[[volume form]]''' (or '''orientation form''', although this term may sometimes lead to ambiguity).  The name orientation form comes from the fact that a choice of preferred top element determines an orientation of the whole exterior algebra, since it is tantamount to fixing an ordered basis of the vector space.  Relative to the preferred volume form {{tmath|\sigma}}, the isomorphism is given explicitly by
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V^*) \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n-k}(V)
: \alpha \mapsto \iota_\alpha \sigma .
</math>

If, in addition to a volume form, the vector space ''V'' is equipped with an [[inner product]] identifying <math>V</math> with {{tmath|V^*}}, then the resulting isomorphism is called the '''Hodge star operator''', which maps an element to its '''Hodge dual''':
: <math>\star : {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) \rightarrow {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n-k}(V) .</math>

The composition of <math> \star </math> with itself maps <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)</math> and is always a scalar multiple of the identity map.  In most applications, the volume form is compatible with the inner product in the sense that it is an exterior product of an [[orthonormal basis]] of {{tmath|V}}.  In this case,
: <math> \star \circ \star : {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) = (-1)^{k(n-k) + q}\mathrm{id} </math>
where id is the identity mapping, and the inner product has [[metric signature]] {{nowrap|(''p'', ''q'')}} — ''p'' pluses and ''q'' minuses.

=== Inner product ===
For {{tmath|V}} a finite-dimensional space, an [[inner product]] (or a [[Pseudo-Euclidean space|pseudo-Euclidean]] inner product) on {{tmath|V}} defines an isomorphism of <math>V</math> with {{tmath|V^*}}, and so also an isomorphism of <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)</math> with {{tmath|\bigl({\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k} V\bigr)^*}}.  The pairing between these two spaces also takes the form of an inner product.  On decomposable {{tmath|k}}-vectors,
: <math>
\left\langle v_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge v_k, w_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge w_k\right\rangle 
= \det\bigl(\langle v_i,w_j\rangle\bigr),
</math>

the determinant of the matrix of inner products.  In the special case {{nowrap|1=''v''<sub>''i''</sub> = ''w''<sub>''i''</sub>}}, the inner product is the square norm of the ''k''-vector, given by the determinant of the [[Gramian matrix]] {{nowrap|({{langle}}''v''<sub>''i''</sub>, ''v''<sub>''j''</sub>{{rangle}})}}.  This is then extended bilinearly (or sesquilinearly in the complex case) to a non-degenerate inner product on <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V). </math>  If ''e''<sub>''i''</sub>, {{nowrap|1=''i'' = 1, 2, ..., ''n''}}, form an [[orthonormal basis]] of {{tmath|V}}, then the vectors of the form
: <math> e_{i_1} \wedge \cdots \wedge e_{i_k},\quad i_1 < \cdots < i_k, </math>
constitute an orthonormal basis for {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}, a statement equivalent to the [[Cauchy–Binet formula]].

With respect to the inner product, exterior multiplication and the interior product are mutually adjoint.  Specifically, for {{tmath|\mathbf{v}\in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k-1}(V)}}, {{tmath|\mathbf{w} \in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}, and {{tmath|x \in V}},
: <math>
\langle x \wedge \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}\rangle
= \langle \mathbf{v}, \iota_{x^\flat}\mathbf{w}\rangle
</math>
where {{nowrap|''x''<sup>♭</sup> ∈ ''V''<sup>∗</sup>}} is the [[musical isomorphism]], the linear functional defined by
: <math> x^\flat(y) = \langle x, y\rangle </math>
for all {{tmath|y \in V}}.  This property completely characterizes the inner product on the exterior algebra.

Indeed, more generally for {{tmath|\mathbf{v}\in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k-l}(V)}}, {{tmath|\mathbf{w}\in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}}, and {{tmath|\mathbf{x}\in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!l}(V)}}, iteration of the above adjoint properties gives
: <math>
\langle \mathbf{x} \wedge \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{w}\rangle
= \langle \mathbf{v}, \iota_{\mathbf{x}^\flat}\mathbf{w}\rangle
</math>
where now <math>\mathbf{x}^\flat \in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!l}\left(V^*\right) \simeq \bigl({\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!l}(V)\bigr)^* </math> is the dual {{tmath|l}}-vector defined by
: <math>
\mathbf{x}^\flat(\mathbf{y}) = \langle \mathbf{x}, \mathbf{y}\rangle
</math>
for all {{tmath|\mathbf{y} \in {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!l}(V)}}.

=== Bialgebra structure ===
There is a correspondence between the graded dual of the graded algebra <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)</math> and alternating multilinear forms on {{tmath|V}}.  The exterior algebra (as well as the [[symmetric algebra]]) inherits a bialgebra structure, and, indeed, a [[Hopf algebra]] structure, from the [[tensor algebra]].  See the article on [[tensor algebra]]s for a detailed treatment of the topic.

The exterior product of multilinear forms defined above is dual to a [[coproduct]] defined on {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}, giving the structure of a [[coalgebra]].  The '''coproduct''' is a linear function {{tmath|\Delta : {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}, which is given by
: <math> \Delta(v) = 1 \otimes v + v \otimes 1 </math>
on elements {{tmath|v \in V}}.  The symbol <math>1</math> stands for the unit element of the field {{tmath|K}}.  Recall that {{tmath|K \simeq {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!0}(V) \subseteq {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}, so that the above really does lie in {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}. This definition of the coproduct is lifted to the full space <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)</math> by (linear) homomorphism. 
The correct form of this homomorphism is not what one might naively write, but has to be the one carefully defined in the [[coalgebra]] article.  In this case, one obtains
: <math> \Delta(v \wedge w) = 1 \otimes (v \wedge w) + v \otimes w - w \otimes v + (v \wedge w) \otimes 1 .</math>

Expanding this out in detail, one obtains the following expression on decomposable elements:
: <math>
\Delta(x_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge x_k)
= \sum_{p=0}^k \; \sum_{\sigma \in Sh(p,k-p)} \; \operatorname{sgn}(\sigma) (x_{\sigma(1)} \wedge \cdots \wedge x_{\sigma(p)}) \otimes (x_{\sigma(p+1)} \wedge \cdots \wedge x_{\sigma(k)}).
</math>
where the second summation is taken over all [[(p,q) shuffle|{{math|(''p'', ''k''−''p'')}}-shuffles]].  By convention, one takes that Sh(''k,''0) and Sh(0,''k'') equals {id: {1, ..., ''k''} → {1, ..., ''k''}}. It is also convenient to take the pure wedge products <math>v_{\sigma(1)}\wedge\dots\wedge v_{\sigma(p)}</math> and <math>v_{\sigma(p+1)}\wedge\dots\wedge v_{\sigma(k)}</math>
to equal 1 for ''p'' = 0 and ''p'' = ''k'', respectively (the empty product in <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)</math>).  The shuffle follows directly from the first axiom of a co-algebra: the relative order of the elements <math>x_k</math> is ''preserved'' in the riffle shuffle: the riffle shuffle merely splits the ordered sequence into two ordered sequences, one on the left, and one on the right.

Observe that the coproduct preserves the grading of the algebra.  Extending to the full space <math display=inline> {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V), </math> one has
: <math>
\Delta : {\textstyle\bigwedge}^k(V)
\to \bigoplus_{p=0}^k {\textstyle\bigwedge}^p(V) \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{k-p}(V)
</math>

The tensor symbol ⊗ used in this section should be understood with some caution: it is ''not'' the same tensor symbol as the one being used in the definition of the alternating product.  Intuitively, it is perhaps easiest to think it as just another, but different, tensor product: it is still (bi-)linear, as tensor products should be, but it is the product that is appropriate for the definition of a bialgebra, that is, for creating the object {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)}}. Any lingering doubt can be shaken by pondering the equalities {{nowrap|1=(1 ⊗ ''v'') ∧ (1 ⊗ ''w'') = 1 ⊗ (''v'' ∧ ''w'')}} and {{nowrap|1=(''v'' ⊗ 1) ∧ (1 ⊗ ''w'') = ''v'' ⊗ ''w''}}, which follow from the definition of the coalgebra, as opposed to naive manipulations involving the tensor and wedge symbols.  This distinction is developed in greater detail in the article on [[tensor algebra]]s.  Here, there is much less of a problem, in that the alternating product <math>\wedge</math> clearly corresponds to multiplication in the exterior algebra, leaving the symbol <math>\otimes</math> free for use in the definition of the bialgebra.  In practice, this presents no particular problem, as long as one avoids the fatal trap of replacing alternating sums of <math>\otimes</math> by the wedge symbol, with one exception.  One can construct an alternating product from {{tmath|\otimes}}, with the understanding that it works in a different space.  Immediately below, an example is given: the alternating product for the ''dual space'' can be given in terms of the coproduct.  The construction of the bialgebra here parallels the construction in the [[tensor algebra]] article almost exactly, except for the need to correctly track the alternating signs for the exterior algebra.

In terms of the coproduct, the exterior product on the dual space is just the graded dual of the coproduct:
: <math>
(\alpha \wedge \beta)(x_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge x_k)
= (\alpha \otimes \beta)\left(\Delta(x_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge x_k)\right)
</math>

where the tensor product on the right-hand side is of multilinear linear maps (extended by zero on elements of incompatible homogeneous degree: more precisely, {{nowrap|1=''α'' ∧ ''β'' = ''ε'' ∘ (''α'' ⊗ ''β'') ∘ Δ}}, where <math>\varepsilon</math> is the counit, as defined presently).

The '''counit''' is the homomorphism <math>\varepsilon : {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) \to K</math> that returns the 0-graded component of its argument.  The coproduct and counit, along with the exterior product, define the structure of a [[bialgebra]] on the exterior algebra.

With an '''antipode''' defined on homogeneous elements by {{tmath|1=S(x) = (-1)^{\binom{\text{deg}\, x\, + 1}{2} }x}}, the exterior algebra is furthermore a [[Hopf algebra]].<ref>Indeed, the exterior algebra of {{tmath|V}} is the [[Universal enveloping algebra|enveloping algebra]] of the abelian [[Lie superalgebra]] structure on {{tmath|V}}.</ref>
<!--
It may be worth saying something about this, but has already been mentioned in passing above.

=== The duality isomorphism ===
In general, there are two different kinds of alternating structures defined via duality:
* The structure of alternating multilinear forms on <math display=inline>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V). </math>  The space of all such forms is the graded dual <mathdisplay=inline>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) </math><sup>∗</sup>, and the product of such forms dualizes the coproduct on the exterior algebra.
* The exterior algebra of the dual vector space <math display=inline>{\textstyle\bigwedge}\left(V^*\right). </math>
If ''V'' is finite-dimensional, then these two exterior algebras are naturally isomorphic.
-->

== Functoriality ==
Suppose that <math>V</math> and <math>W</math> are a pair of vector spaces and <math>f : V \to W</math> is a [[linear map]].  Then, by the universal property, there exists a unique homomorphism of graded algebras
: <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(f) : {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)\rightarrow {\textstyle\bigwedge}(W)</math>
such that
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}(f)\left|_{{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(V)}\right.
= f : V={\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(V)\rightarrow W={\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(W).
</math>

In particular, <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(f)</math> preserves homogeneous degree.  The {{math|''k''}}-graded components of <math display=inline> \bigwedge\left(f\right) </math> are given on decomposable elements by
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}(f)(x_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge x_k)
= f(x_1) \wedge \cdots \wedge f(x_k).
</math>

Let
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(f)
= {\textstyle\bigwedge} (f)\left|_{{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)}\right.
: {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V) \rightarrow {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(W).
</math>

The components of the transformation {{tmath|{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(f)}} relative to a basis of <math>V</math> and <math>W</math> is the matrix of <math>k \times k</math> minors of {{tmath|f}}.  In particular, if <math>V = W</math> and <math>V</math> is of finite dimension {{tmath|n}}, then <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n}(f) </math> is a mapping of a one-dimensional vector space <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!n}(V)</math> to itself, and is therefore given by a scalar: the [[determinant]] of {{tmath|f}}.

=== Exactness ===
If <math> 0 \to U \to V \to W \to 0 </math> is a [[short exact sequence]] of vector spaces, then
: <math>
0 \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!1}(U) \wedge {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)
\to {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}(W) \to 0
</math>

is an exact sequence of graded vector spaces,<ref>This part of the statement also holds in greater generality if <math>V</math> and <math>W</math> are modules over a commutative ring: That <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}</math> converts epimorphisms to epimorphisms.  See {{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989|loc=Proposition 3, §III.7.2}}.</ref> as is
: <math>0 \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}(U) \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V).
</math><ref>This statement generalizes only to the case where {{math|''V''}} and {{math|''W''}} are projective modules over a commutative ring.  Otherwise, it is generally not the case that <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}</math> converts monomorphisms to monomorphisms.  See {{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989|loc=Corollary to Proposition 12, §III.7.9}}.</ref>

=== Direct sums ===
In particular, the exterior algebra of a direct sum is isomorphic to the tensor product of the exterior algebras:
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V \oplus W)
\cong {\textstyle\bigwedge}(V) \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}(W).
</math>

This is a graded isomorphism; i.e.,
: <math>
{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V \oplus W)
\cong \bigoplus_{p+q=k} {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!p}(V) \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!q}(W).
</math>

In greater generality, for a short exact sequence of vector spaces <math display=inline> 0 \to U \mathrel{\overset{f}\to} V \mathrel{\overset{g}\to} W \to 0, </math> there is a natural [[Filtration (mathematics)|filtration]] 
: <math>
0 = F^0 \subseteq F^1 \subseteq \cdots \subseteq F^k \subseteq F^{k+1}
= {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)
</math>
where <math> F^p </math> for <math> p \geq 1 </math> is spanned by elements of the form <math> u_1 \wedge \ldots \wedge u_{k + 1-p} \wedge v_1 \wedge \ldots v_{p - 1} </math> for <math> u_i \in U </math> and <math> v_i \in V. </math>
The corresponding quotients admit a natural isomorphism
: <math>
F^{p+1}/F^p \cong {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k-p}(U) \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!p}(W)
</math> given by <math>
u_1 \wedge \ldots \wedge u_{k -p} \wedge v_1 \wedge \ldots \wedge v_{p} 
\mapsto u_1 \wedge \ldots \wedge u_{k-p} \otimes g(v_1) \wedge \ldots \wedge g(v_{p}).
</math>

In particular, if ''U'' is 1-dimensional then
: <math>
0 \to U \otimes {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k-1}(W)
\to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)
\to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(W) \to 0
</math>
is exact, and if ''W'' is 1-dimensional then
: <math>
0 \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^k(U)
\to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)
\to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k-1}(U) \otimes W \to 0
</math>
is exact.<ref>Such a filtration also holds for [[vector bundle]]s, and projective modules over a commutative ring.  This is thus more general than the result quoted above for direct sums, since not every short exact sequence splits in other [[abelian category|abelian categories]].</ref>

== Applications ==
=== Oriented volume in affine space ===
The natural setting for (oriented) <math>k</math>-dimensional volume and exterior algebra is [[affine space]]. This is also the intimate connection between exterior algebra and [[differential forms]], as to integrate we need a 'differential' object to measure infinitesimal volume. If <math> \mathbb{A}</math> is an affine space over the vector space {{tmath|V}}, and a ([[simplex]]) collection of ordered <math>k+1</math> points <math> A_0, A_1, ... , A_k</math>, we can define its oriented <math>k</math>-dimensional volume as the exterior product of vectors <math> A_0A_1\wedge A_0A_2\wedge \cdots\wedge A_0A_k ={}</math> <math>(-1)^jA_jA_0\wedge A_jA_1\wedge A_jA_2\wedge \cdots\wedge A_jA_k</math> (using concatenation <math>PQ</math> to mean the [[displacement vector]] from point <math>P</math> to <math>Q</math>); if the order of the points is changed, the oriented volume changes by a sign, according to the parity of the permutation. In {{tmath|n}}-dimensional space, the volume of any <math>n</math>-dimensional simplex is a scalar multiple of any other.

The sum of the <math>(k-1)</math>-dimensional oriented areas of the boundary simplexes of a {{tmath|k}}-dimensional simplex is zero, as for the sum of vectors around a triangle or the oriented triangles bounding the tetrahedron in the previous section.

The vector space structure on <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(V)</math> generalises addition of vectors in {{tmath|V}}: we have <math>(u_1 + u_2) \wedge v = u_1 \wedge v + u_2 \wedge v</math> and similarly a {{math|''k''}}-blade <math>v_1 \wedge \dots \wedge v_k</math> is linear in each factor.

{{Multiple image
| align = center
| direction = horizontal
| width = 200
| image1 = 1vectoraddition.png
| image2 = 2vectoraddition.png
| image3 = 3vectoraddition.png
}}

=== Linear algebra ===
In applications to [[linear algebra]], the exterior product provides an abstract algebraic manner for describing the [[determinant]] and the [[minor (matrix)|minors]] of a [[matrix (mathematics)|matrix]].  For instance, it is well known that the determinant of a square matrix is equal to the volume of the parallelotope whose sides are the columns of the matrix (with a sign to track orientation).  This suggests that the determinant can be ''defined'' in terms of the exterior product of the column vectors.  Likewise, the {{math|''k'' × ''k''}} minors of a matrix can be defined by looking at the exterior products of column vectors chosen {{math|''k''}} at a time.  These ideas can be extended not just to matrices but to [[linear transformation]]s as well: the determinant of a linear transformation is the factor by which it scales the oriented volume of any given reference parallelotope.  So the determinant of a linear transformation can be defined in terms of what the transformation does to the top exterior power.  The action of a transformation on the lesser exterior powers gives a [[basis of a vector space|basis]]-independent way to talk about the minors of the transformation.

=== Physics ===
{{main|Electromagnetic tensor}}
In physics, many quantities are naturally represented by alternating operators.  For example, if the motion of a charged particle is described by velocity and acceleration vectors in four-dimensional spacetime, then normalization of the velocity vector requires that the electromagnetic force must be an alternating operator on the velocity.  Its six degrees of freedom are identified with the electric and magnetic fields.

=== Electromagnetic field ===
In [[Theory of relativity|Einstein's theories of relativity]], the [[electromagnetic field]] is generally given as a [[differential form|differential 2-form]] <math> F = dA </math> in [[4-space]] or as the equivalent [[Antisymmetric tensor|alternating tensor field]] <math> F_{ij} = A_{[i,j]} = A_{[i;j]}, </math> the [[electromagnetic tensor]].  Then <math> dF = ddA = 0 </math> or the equivalent Bianchi identity <math> F_{[ij,k]} = F_{[ij;k]} = 0. </math>
None of this requires a metric.

Adding the [[Lorentz metric]] and an [[Orientability#Orientability of differentiable manifolds|orientation]] provides the [[Hodge star operator]] <math> \star </math> and thus makes it possible to define <math> J = {\star}d{\star}F </math> or the equivalent tensor [[divergence]] <math> J^i = F^{ij}_{,j} = F^{ij}_{;j} </math> where <math> F^{ij} = g^{ik}g^{jl}F_{kl}. </math>

=== Linear geometry ===
The decomposable {{math|''k''}}-vectors have geometric interpretations: the bivector <math>u \wedge v</math> represents the plane spanned by the vectors, "weighted" with a number, given by the area of the oriented [[parallelogram]] with sides <math>u</math> and {{tmath|v}}.  Analogously, the 3-vector <math>u \wedge v \wedge w</math> represents the spanned 3-space weighted by the volume of the oriented [[parallelepiped]] with edges {{tmath|u}}, {{tmath|v}}, and {{tmath|w}}.

=== Projective geometry ===
Decomposable {{math|''k''}}-vectors in <math>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)</math> correspond to weighted {{Math|''k''}}-dimensional [[linear subspace]]s of {{tmath|V}}.  In particular, the [[Grassmannian]] of {{math|''k''}}-dimensional subspaces of {{tmath|V}}, denoted {{tmath|\operatorname{Gr}_k(V)}}, can be naturally identified with an [[algebraic variety|algebraic subvariety]] of the [[projective space]] {{nowrap|<math display=inline>\mathbf{P}\bigl({\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k}(V)\bigr)</math>}}.  This is called the [[Plücker embedding]], and the image of the embedding can be characterized by the [[Plücker relations]].

=== Differential geometry ===
The exterior algebra has notable applications in [[differential geometry]], where it is used to define [[differential form]]s.<ref>{{cite book |first=A.T. |last=James |chapter=On the Wedge Product |title=Studies in Econometrics, Time Series, and Multivariate Statistics |editor-first=Samuel |editor-last=Karlin |editor2-first=Takeshi |editor2-last=Amemiya |editor3-first=Leo A. |editor3-last=Goodman |publisher=Academic Press |year=1983 |isbn=0-12-398750-4 |pages=455–464 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-hDjBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA455 }}</ref> Differential forms are mathematical objects that evaluate the length of vectors, areas of parallelograms, and volumes of [[Parallelepiped#Parallelotope|higher-dimensional bodies]], so they can be [[integral|integrated]] over curves, surfaces and higher dimensional [[manifold]]s in a way that generalizes the [[line integral]]s and [[surface integral]]s from calculus.  A [[differential form]] at a point of a [[differentiable manifold]] is an alternating multilinear form on the [[tangent space]] at the point.  Equivalently, a differential form of degree {{math|''k''}} is a [[linear functional]] on the {{math|''k''}}th exterior power of the tangent space.  As a consequence, the exterior product of multilinear forms defines a natural exterior product for differential forms.  Differential forms play a major role in diverse areas of differential geometry.

An [[Differential (mathematics)#Differentials as germs of functions|alternate approach]] defines differential forms in terms of [[Germ (mathematics)|germs of functions]].

In particular, the [[exterior derivative]] gives the exterior algebra of differential forms on a manifold the structure of a [[differential graded algebra]].  The exterior derivative commutes with [[pullback (differential geometry)|pullback]] along smooth mappings between manifolds, and it is therefore a [[natural transformation|natural]] [[differential operator]].  The exterior algebra of differential forms, equipped with the exterior derivative, is a [[cochain complex]] whose cohomology is called the [[de Rham cohomology]] of the underlying manifold and plays a vital role in the [[algebraic topology]] of differentiable manifolds.

=== Representation theory ===
In [[representation theory]], the exterior algebra is one of the two fundamental [[Schur functor]]s on the category of vector spaces, the other being the [[symmetric algebra]].  Together, these constructions are used to generate the [[irreducible representation]]s of the [[general linear group]] (see ''[[Fundamental representation]]'').

=== Superspace ===
The exterior algebra over the complex numbers is the archetypal example of a [[superalgebra]], which plays a fundamental role in physical theories pertaining to [[fermion]]s and [[supersymmetry]].  A single element of the exterior algebra is called a '''supernumber'''<ref>{{cite book |author-link=Bryce DeWitt |first=Bryce |last=DeWitt  |title=Supermanifolds |year=1984 |publisher=Cambridge University Press  |isbn=0-521-42377-5 |chapter=Chapter 1 |page=1}}</ref> or [[Grassmann number]].  The exterior algebra itself is then just a one-dimensional [[superspace]]: it is just the set of all of the points in the exterior algebra.  The topology on this space is essentially the [[weak topology]], the [[open sets]] being the [[cylinder set]]s.  An {{math|''n''}}-dimensional superspace is just the {{tmath|n}}-fold product of exterior algebras.

=== Lie algebra homology ===
Let <math>L</math> be a Lie algebra over a field {{tmath|K}}, then it is possible to define the structure of a [[chain complex]] on the exterior algebra of {{tmath|L}}.  This is a {{tmath|K}}-linear mapping
: <math>
\partial : {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!p+1}(L) \to {\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!p}(L)
</math>
defined on decomposable elements by
: <math>
\partial (x_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge x_{p+1})
= \frac{1}{p+1}\sum_{j<\ell}(-1)^{j+\ell+1}[x_j,x_\ell] \wedge x_1 \wedge \cdots \wedge \hat{x}_j \wedge \cdots \wedge \hat{x}_\ell \wedge \cdots \wedge x_{p+1}.
</math>

The [[Jacobi identity]] holds if and only if {{tmath|\partial\partial = 0}}, and so this is a necessary and sufficient condition for an anticommutative nonassociative algebra <math>L</math> to be a Lie algebra.  Moreover, in that case <math display=inline>{\textstyle\bigwedge}(L) </math> is a [[chain complex]] with boundary operator {{tmath|\partial}}.  The [[homology theory|homology]] associated to this complex is the [[Lie algebra homology]].

=== Homological algebra ===
The exterior algebra is the main ingredient in the construction of the [[Koszul complex]], a fundamental object in [[homological algebra]].

== History ==
The exterior algebra was first introduced by [[Hermann Grassmann]] in 1844 under the blanket term of ''Ausdehnungslehre'', or ''Theory of Extension''.<ref>{{harvcoltxt|Kannenberg|2000}} published a translation of Grassmann's work in English; he translated ''Ausdehnungslehre'' as ''Extension Theory''.</ref>
This referred more generally to an algebraic (or axiomatic) theory of extended quantities and was one of the early precursors to the modern notion of a [[vector space]].  [[Adhémar Jean Claude Barré de Saint-Venant|Saint-Venant]] also published similar ideas of exterior calculus for which he claimed priority over Grassmann.<ref>J Itard, Biography in Dictionary of Scientific Biography (New York 1970–1990).</ref>

The algebra itself was built from a set of rules, or axioms, capturing the formal aspects of Cayley and Sylvester's theory of multivectors.  It was thus a ''calculus'', much like the [[propositional calculus]], except focused exclusively on the task of formal reasoning in geometrical terms.<ref>Authors have in the past referred to this calculus variously as the ''calculus of extension'' ({{harvnb|Whitehead|1898}}; {{harvnb|Forder|1941}}), or ''extensive algebra'' {{harv|Clifford|1878}}, and recently as ''extended vector algebra'' {{harv|Browne|2007}}.</ref>
In particular, this new development allowed for an ''axiomatic'' characterization of dimension, a property that had previously only been examined from the coordinate point of view.

The import of this new theory of vectors and [[multivector]]s was lost to mid-19th-century mathematicians,<ref>{{harvnb|Bourbaki|1989|p=661}}.</ref>
until being thoroughly vetted by [[Giuseppe Peano]] in 1888.  Peano's work also remained somewhat obscure until the turn of the century, when the subject was unified by members of the French geometry school (notably [[Henri Poincaré]], [[Élie Cartan]], and [[Gaston Darboux]]) who applied Grassmann's ideas to the calculus of [[differential form]]s.

A short while later, [[Alfred North Whitehead]], borrowing from the ideas of Peano and Grassmann, introduced his [[universal algebra]].  This then paved the way for the 20th-century developments of [[abstract algebra]] by placing the axiomatic notion of an algebraic system on a firm logical footing.

== See also ==
* [[Alternating algebra]]
* [[Exterior calculus identities]]
* [[Clifford algebra]], a generalization of exterior algebra to a nonzero [[quadratic form]]
* [[Geometric algebra]]
* [[Koszul complex]]
* [[Multilinear algebra]]
* [[Symmetric algebra]], the symmetric analog
* [[Tensor algebra]]
* [[Weyl algebra]], a [[quantum group|quantum deformation]] of the symmetric algebra by a [[symplectic form]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== References ==

=== Mathematical references ===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{citation |last1=Bishop |first1=R. |author1-link=Richard L. Bishop |last2=Goldberg |first2=S.I. |year=1980 |title=Tensor analysis on manifolds |publisher=Dover |isbn=0-486-64039-6 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/tensoranalysison00bish }}
*: Includes a treatment of alternating tensors and alternating forms, as well as a detailed discussion of Hodge duality from the perspective adopted in this article.
* {{citation |last=Bourbaki |first=Nicolas |author-link=Nicolas Bourbaki |year=1989 |title=Elements of mathematics, Algebra I |publisher=Springer-Verlag |isbn=3-540-64243-9}}
*: This is the ''main mathematical reference'' for the article.  It introduces the exterior algebra of a module over a commutative ring (although this article specializes primarily to the case when the ring is a field), including a discussion of the universal property, functoriality, duality, and the bialgebra structure.  See §III.7 and §III.11.
* {{citation |last1=Bryant |first1=R.L. |author1-link=Robert Bryant (mathematician) |last2=Chern |first2=S.S. |author-link2=Shiing-Shen Chern |last3=Gardner |first3=R.B. |last4=Goldschmidt |first4=H.L. |last5=Griffiths |first5=P.A. |author-link5=Philip A. Griffiths |year=1991 |title=Exterior differential systems |publisher=Springer-Verlag}}
*: This book contains applications of exterior algebras to problems in [[partial differential equations]].  Rank and related concepts are developed in the early chapters.
* {{citation |last1=Mac Lane |first1=S. |author-link1=Saunders Mac Lane |last2=Birkhoff |first2=G. |author-link2=Garrett Birkhoff |year=1999 |title=Algebra |publisher=AMS Chelsea |isbn=0-8218-1646-2}}
*: Chapter XVI sections 6–10 give a more elementary account of the exterior algebra, including duality, determinants and minors, and alternating forms.
* {{citation |last=Sternberg |first=Shlomo |author-link=Shlomo Sternberg |year=1964 |title=Lectures on Differential Geometry |publisher=Prentice Hall}}
*: Contains a classical treatment of the exterior algebra as alternating tensors, and applications to differential geometry.
{{refend}}

=== Historical references ===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{wikicite |ref={{harvid|Bourbaki|1989b}} |reference={{harvtxt|Bourbaki|1989|loc=Historical note on chapters II and III}}}}
* {{citation |last=Clifford |first=W. |author-link=William Kingdon Clifford |year=1878 |title=Applications of Grassmann's Extensive Algebra |journal=American Journal of Mathematics |publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press |doi=10.2307/2369379 |jstor=2369379 |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=350–358}}
* {{citation |last=Forder |first=H.G. |authorlink=Henry Forder|year=1941 |title=The Calculus of Extension |publisher=[[Internet Archive]]|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.77536/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater}}
* {{citation |last=Grassmann |first=Hermann |author-link=Hermann Grassmann |year=1844 |title=Die Lineale Ausdehnungslehre – Ein neuer Zweig der Mathematik |language=de |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bKgAAAAAMAAJ&q=Die+Lineale+Ausdehnungslehre+ein+neuer+Zweig+der+Mathematik&pg=PA1}} (The Linear Extension Theory – A new Branch of Mathematics) [http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?PPN534901565 alternative reference]
* {{citation |last=Kannenberg |first=Lloyd |year=2000 |title=Extension Theory (translation of Grassmann's ''Ausdehnungslehre'') |publisher=American Mathematical Society |isbn=0-8218-2031-1}}
* {{citation |last=Peano |first=Giuseppe |author-link=Giuseppe Peano |year=1888 |title=Calcolo Geometrico secondo l'Ausdehnungslehre di H. Grassmann preceduto dalle Operazioni della Logica Deduttiva}}; {{citation |last=Kannenberg |first=Lloyd |year=1999 |title=Geometric calculus: According to the Ausdehnungslehre of H. Grassmann |publisher=Birkhäuser |isbn=978-0-8176-4126-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/geometriccalculu0000pean }}.
* {{citation |last=Whitehead |first=Alfred North |author-link=Alfred North Whitehead |year=1898 |title=A Treatise on Universal Algebra, with Applications |journal=Nature |volume=58 |issue=1504 |page=385 |publisher=Cambridge |doi=10.1038/058385a0 |bibcode=1898Natur..58..385G |s2cid=3985954 |url=http://historical.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/cul.math/docviewer?did=01950001&seq=5}}
{{refend}}

=== Other references and further reading ===
<!--For works inessential to the article, though these may also have been referenced in passing.-->
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{citation |last=Browne |first=J.M. |year=2007 |title=Grassmann algebra – Exploring applications of Extended Vector Algebra with Mathematica |url=http://www.grassmannalgebra.info/grassmannalgebra/book/index.htm |access-date=2007-05-09 |archive-date=2009-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219180241/http://grassmannalgebra.info/grassmannalgebra/book/index.htm |url-status=usurped }}
*: An introduction to the exterior algebra, and [[geometric algebra]], with a focus on applications.  Also includes a history section and bibliography.
* {{citation |last=Spivak |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Spivak |year=1965 |title=Calculus on manifolds |publisher=Addison-Wesley |isbn=978-0-8053-9021-6}}
*: Includes applications of the exterior algebra to differential forms, specifically focused on [[integral|integration]] and [[Stokes's theorem]].  The notation <math display=inline>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k} V </math> in this text is used to mean the space of alternating ''k''-forms on ''V''; i.e., for Spivak <math display=inline>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k} V </math> is what this article would call <math display=inline>{\textstyle\bigwedge}^{\!k} V^*. </math>  Spivak discusses this in Addendum 4.
* {{citation |last=Strang |first=G. |author-link=Gilbert Strang |year=1993 |title=Introduction to linear algebra |publisher=Wellesley-Cambridge Press |isbn=978-0-9614088-5-5}}
*: Includes an elementary treatment of the axiomatization of determinants as signed areas, volumes, and higher-dimensional volumes.
* {{springer |id=E/e037080 |title=Exterior algebra |author=Onishchik, A.L. }}
* {{citation |first=Fleming |last=Wendell |chapter=7. Exterior algebra and differential calculus |chapter-url={{GBurl|v-QlBQAAQBAJ|p=275}} |title=Functions of Several Variables |publisher=Springer |edition=2nd |orig-year=1977 |date=2012 |isbn=978-1-4684-9461-7 |pages=275–320 |url= }}
*: This textbook in [[multivariate calculus]] introduces the exterior algebra of differential forms adroitly into the calculus sequence for colleges.
* {{cite book | last1 = Shafarevich | first1 = I.R. | author-link1 = Igor Shafarevich | last2 = Remizov | first2 = A.O. | year = 2012 | title = Linear Algebra and Geometry | publisher = [[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]] | isbn = 978-3-642-30993-9 | url = https://www.springer.com/mathematics/algebra/book/978-3-642-30993-9 }}
*: Chapter 10: The Exterior Product and Exterior Algebras
* [http://neo-classical-physics.info/uploads/3/0/6/5/3065888/burali-forti_-_grassman_and_proj._geom..pdf "The Grassmann method in projective geometry"] A compilation of English translations of three notes by Cesare Burali-Forti on the application of exterior algebra to projective geometry
* [http://neo-classical-physics.info/uploads/3/0/6/5/3065888/burali-forti_-_diff._geom._following_grassmann.pdf C. Burali-Forti, "Introduction to Differential Geometry, following the method of H. Grassmann"] An English translation of an early book on the geometric applications of exterior algebras
* [http://neo-classical-physics.info/uploads/3/0/6/5/3065888/grassmann_-_mechanics_and_extensions.pdf "Mechanics, according to the principles of the theory of extension"] An English translation of one Grassmann's papers on the applications of exterior algebra
{{refend}}

{{Linear algebra}}
{{tensors}}

[[Category:Algebras]]
[[Category:Multilinear algebra]]
[[Category:Differential forms]]