What does the i^ and the j^ symbol mean?

[Draco]

[SOLVED] Quick question..

What does the i^ and the j^ symbol mean?
A particle moves from A to D in the figure while experiencing force http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4294/renderet0.gif . View Figure How much work does the force do if the particle follows path (a) ABD,(b) ACD, and (c) AD?

I just want to know that before i start the question.

 

[cristo]

In this sense, i and j refer to the unit vectors in the x and y directions, respectively. So, the vector 6i+8j is identical to the vector (6,8) using "normal" notation.

 

[Draco]

thanks a lot! The question was a breeze after you explained that. Just had to find the dot product to find the work done.