A vector is a vector is a vector

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Can anybody explain what does 'a vector is a vector is a vector' mean?
 
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It's a confusingly worded tautology. For a more helpful answer, a little more context is necessary.
 
It's a reference to "a rose is a rose is a rose" from Gertrude Stein's Sacred Emily. It doesn't mean anything other than the author is making a little literary joke.
 
Actually, the correct quote is "Rose is a rose is a rose" which has quite a different meaning.
 
According to wikipedia:
The sentence "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose." was written by Gertrude Stein as part of the 1913 poem Sacred Emily, which appeared in the 1922 book Geography and Plays. In that poem, the first "Rose" is the name of a woman. Stein later used variations on the phrase in other writings, and "A rose is a rose is a rose" is probably her most famous quote, often interpreted as "things are what they are".​
 
HallsofIvy said:
Actually, the correct quote is "Rose is a rose is a rose" which has quite a different meaning.

See hurkly's post. I'm perfectly aware of what Stein wrote and what people ascribe to her. It is one of the most famous misquotations there is.
 
I stand corrected!

Thank you to both matt grime and Hurkyl.
 
it's not even true, a column vector is not a row vector
 
  • #10
Now, perhaps you're being facetious, but who mentioned the words row or column?
 
  • #11
come on, someone ask a real question, these guys have way to much time on hand.
 
  • #12
mathwonk said:
come on, someone ask a real question, these guys have way to much time on hand.

Hey, this is to mathwonk..dont u thnk such discussions somtime giv a better insight?
 
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