When a scenario has tension force present, does that tension force also count as applied force? (also I assume tension force is "towing force" is that correct?) (asking this again because I was trolled.)

The vector a? is 3.50 cm long and is directed into this page. vector b? points from the lower-right corner of this page to the upper-left corner of this page and has the components bx=-19.5 cm , by=25 cm. in the right-handed coordinate system, where the +x-axis directed to the right, the +y-axis toward the top of the page, and +z-axis out of the page, find the x-component of the vector product a? ×b? , measured in cm2.