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Mathematics
General Math
The definition of “vector” in math and physics
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[QUOTE="Stephen Tashi, post: 6074220, member: 186655"] At various stages of our education, we learn different definitions for the same word. Different definitions for the same word are used in different fields of study. So you can expect to hear different definitions of the word "vector". As [USER=422467]@jbriggs444[/USER] indicates, from an advanced point of view, a vector is an element of a mathematical structure that satisfies certain axioms. An ordered list of numbers is one example of a vector but an ordered list of numbers is not the only example of a vector. When you say "A vector is... such-and-such", you must think about whether your are saying a vector is [I]identical[/I] to something or whether it is merely one example of something. Not all physical quantities that can be treated as vectors have a "magnitude and direction". Those that do have a magnitude and direction can usually be regarded as vectors. [/QUOTE]
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The definition of “vector” in math and physics
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