Question

Why are vectors so important?

Answer 1

When you deal with multiple objects, fields, forces etc. their direction and magnitude both contribute to any resulting event. Using only magnitude will get you an incorrect, or incomplete picture in most cases.

Answer 2

vectors are not just important but are essential to understand physical quantities. asking why vectors are important is like asking ' why sight is important when we have hearing '

Answer 3

vector perform important role in engineering

Answer 4

To put it into very simple terms, imagine i ask you to go to find buried treasure in a very large field, but you dont know where it is, and so you need directions. It wouldn't be helpful if I told you just to go 300 metres then 650 metres, then 100 metres, as you wouldnt know which way to go. Nor would it be helpful to tell you go east, then north, then west, as you would need to know how far. I would need to tell you go 300 metres east, 650 metres north, then 100 metres west.

A clever person though could use vectors and work out that they only need to go 200 metres east, and then 650 metres north to get to the treasure (since the combination of 300 metres east and 100 metres west equates to going 200 metres east). Whats more, you would also know that you could go 650m north first and then 200m east and arrive at the same point.

Vectors are important as they describe physical processes in the real world, and without understanding them, we cannot understand how the real world works. Imagine how difficult it would be for an air traffic controller if he didnt understand vectors when directing planes speeds and directions.

Answer 5

vectors can point out our mistakes :)