VECTOR

—A v. isa magnitude which has direction, such as a force or velocity, or any line of definite length and definite direction. V’s are commonly the latter as representing the former. Many problems of dynamics can be treated simply by vectors; thus, if the line XY represents a force acting from X to Y in magnitude and direction, and the YZ represents similarly a force, then the line XZ, joining them, represents the resultant in magnitude and direction. VY. Analysis combines most of the advantages of quaternions and Cartes i an analysis. By ths older methods v’s were resolved into three components along three arbitrary axes, and the operations |made upon these components. V. a. | gives methods of manipulating vectors directly, without having recourse to initial resolution into components. The transformation, however, from vector to Cartes i an notation is easy