What does vector mean? Explained
What does vector mean
Pronunciation
/ˈvɛktər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A quantity with both magnitude and direction, often represented graphically as an arrow in a coordinate system, used to describe movements, forces, and other physical phenomena.
Examples
- The velocity vector of the object is 5 meters per second.
- In physics, vectors are used to describe the motion of particles.
Synonyms
- Magnitude
- Direction
Antonyms
- Scalar
- Zero vector
Additional Information
Vectors are fundamental in many areas of physics, engineering, and mathematics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, and differential equations. They are often visualized as arrows in a coordinate system, with their length and direction representing magnitude and direction.
In computer graphics, vectors are used to describe the position and movement of objects in 2D and 3D space. They are also essential in machine learning, where they are used to represent features and make predictions.
Etymology
The term “vector” comes from the Latin word “vector”, meaning “carrier” or “bearer”. It was first used in mathematics in the 19th century to describe a quantity with both magnitude and direction.
Usage Notes
Vectors can be added and scaled, but not divided. They are often denoted by boldface letters, such as **a** or **F**, to distinguish them from scalars.
Cultural References
Vectors have appeared in popular culture, such as in the movie “The Matrix”, where the protagonist Neo learns to manipulate vectors to bend the rules of physics.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Vector in
- Vector out
Related Words or Phrases
- Scalar
- Matrix
- Tensor
Collocations
- vector addition
- vector multiplication
- vector field
Frequency of Use
Vectors are commonly used in scientific and technical contexts, but less frequently in everyday conversation.
Common Misspellings
- Vecter
- Vecor
- Vcctor