To calculate efficiently with vectors, we need
something more than geometric arrows - we need a numerical representation
of the vectors. We obtain a numerical representation by using coordinate
systems for 2-space or three space and adapting the method for representing
points in a coordinate system to a method for representing vectors.
In this learning object, we'll
- Review rectangular coordinate systems in the plane and then use them to describe vectors in 2-space,
- Describe rectangular coordinate systems in 2-space and how to use them to describe vectors in 3-space,
- Use vector components to calculate sums and scalar multiples of vectors,
- Use vector components to calculate the length of a vector.
Prerequisites: You should understand how
to carry out basic vector operations geometrically.
Keywords:
coordinates, components, i, j and
k, position vector, norm, length, normalized vector
 Vectors
in Coordinate Systems |
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| Introduction | Two-dimensional coordinate systems | Three-dimensional coordinate systems | Using components to calculate with vectors | Calculating the length of a vector |
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