What is meant by a component of a vector?

1 Answer
Sep 26, 2014

Consider a vector #vecv#, for example, in space:
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If you want to describe it to, say, a friend you can say that has a "modulus" (=length) and direction (you may use, for example, North, South, East, west...etc.).

There is also another way to describe this vector.
You must take your vector into a reference frame to have some numbers related to it and then you take the coordinates of the tip of the arrow...your COMPONENTS !
You can now write your vector as: #vecv=(a,b)#

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For Example: #vecv=(6,4)#
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In 3 dimensions you simply add a third component on the #z# axis.
For example: #vecw=(3,5,4)#
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