Question

Can someone explain to me what a vector is?

Answer 1

Hi, where are you stuck on vectors? It is, simply defined, a physical quantity completely described by a magnitude and a direction.

Answer 2

um can you explain that a little simpler please?

Answer 3

The thing is that is like the exact definition my virtual school gives me and I don't quite get it

Answer 4

Magnitude means how big a vector is.
Direction means where it is acting.

For example, take displacement.

Displacement can be big or small, yes. That's magnitude.
But an object can be displaced anywhere!

If I say that an object is displaced by 5 meters, I'm not doing any good. Because I'm not telling you where it's gone, which is the direction. This is what vectors are... they are only completely described when you give their magnitude AND direction.

Answer 5

Oh ok thanks, this is the question that I was stuck on,
A vector is a mathematical object that has direction and magnitude. What is another way you can describe and define a translation?

Answer 6

That question doesn't make too much sense to me, but I think I know where it is going. Do you know how we geometrically represent a vector on a Cartesian plane?

Answer 7

Uh no

Answer 8

Cartesian plane?

Answer 9

This thing?

Answer 10

Drawing an arrow

Answer 11

XD lol ok yeah

Answer 12

Yeah, that graph is also called Cartesian plane.

All right. So a translation is a rule that kinda tells you what happens to the x-coordinate and what happens to the y-coordinate. Right?

Answer 13

Yeah

Answer 14

So like\[(x,y) \to (x+2,\ y+3)\]is a translation. Anyway.

What happens when we make a vector \((2,3)\) originating at \((x,y)\)? Where will that vector end?

Answer 15

Vector \((2,3)\) or \(\langle 2,3\rangle \) or \(2 \hat i + 3\hat j\) same thing.

Answer 16

(x-2,y-3)?

Answer 17

My bell rang I have to go to my next class, thanks anyways

Answer 18

Oh... by the way, the "-" would be a "+"

Good luck anyway!