# 'Best' Vector Notation?

thegreenlaser
I'm curious, which vector notation is preferred by physicists/engineers/mathematicians? In linear algebra we used matrix notation exclusively, putting the x,y,z,... components down a column matrix. (no idea how to put this in latex). In all my other courses though, we've been using (xi +yj +zk) notation where x,y,z are the components of the vector and i,j,k are unit vectors on the x, y, and z axes respectively.

Which notation do you prefer for which situations and why?

Homework Helper
If I am writing quickly, just <x, y, z> will do. Typically, I would use the "column matrix" form only if I were working with matrices.

By the way, you can do matrices in LaTex with \begin{bmatrix}... \end{bmatrix} for "square brackets" or \begin{pmatrix} ... \end{pmatrix} for "parentheses". Use & to separate items on a single line and \\ to separate lines a single column matrix would be
\begin{bmatrix} x \\ y \\ z\end{bmatrix}:
$$\begin{bmatrix} x \\ y \\ z\end{bmatrix}$$.

You can see the code for that, or any LaTex, by double clicking on the expression.