On Chern classes of the tensor product of vector bundles

Abstract We present two formulas for Chern classes (polynomial) of the tensor product of two vector bundles. In the first formula the Chern polynomial of the product is expressed as determinant of a polynomial in a matrix variable involving the Chern classes of the first bundle with Chern classes of the second bundle as coefficients. In the second formula the total Chern class of the tensor product is expressed as resultant of two explicit polynomials. Finally, formulas for the total Chern class of the second symmetric and the second alternating products are deduced.