hey, can someone explain vectors to me? im soooooo lost, I don't understand them at ALL. please please please help me. :(
this is a forum for help with homework questions. Asking for a dissertation on vector algebra is a bit much.
Also, it will probably not be any more comprehensible here than in your textbook. Looks lie it's time for a little face-to-face help.
http://www.physics.uoguelph.ca/tutorials/vectors/vectors.html
has a good introduction. If you can't keep up with that, you definitely need some face time with your instructor.
well i'll check out the website but im homeschooled so facetime isn't gonnna happen.
Here's another site that may help you.
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/linear-algebra/vectors_and_spaces/vectors/v/linear-algebra--introduction-to-vectors
And don't give up on the face time. We homeschooled our children for several years, and there are always support groups available. Someone near you will know about vectors. If you can't find anyone in your immediate circle of friends, don't be afraid to visit a nearby school or college. A math teacher there will be willing to help, or can point you to someone (even *gasp* a student!) who will be able to show you.
Vectors are cool stuff, and can make lots of computations very easy. When I was in high school I bough the Schaum Outline series on Vector Analysis and it was a great resource.
Of course, I'd be happy to help you understand vectors! Vectors are fundamental mathematical objects used to represent quantities with both magnitude and direction. They are often visualized as arrows in space. Here's a step-by-step guide to understanding vectors:
1. Definition: A vector is an object that has both magnitude and direction. The magnitude represents the length or size of the vector, while the direction represents its orientation.
2. Notation: Vectors are typically denoted by boldface letters or by using an arrow on top of the symbol. For example, a vector can be represented as 𝐯 or →v.
3. Components: Vectors can be broken down into components along particular axes. In 2D space, a vector can have two components, usually represented as (x, y). In 3D space, vectors can have three components, represented as (x, y, z).
4. Visualization: Vectors are often visualized as arrows with a starting point and an ending point. The length of the arrow represents the magnitude, while the direction of the arrow represents the direction of the vector.
5. Operations: Vectors can undergo various operations, including addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication, dot product, and cross product. These operations allow us to manipulate and analyze vectors in different ways.
6. Applications: Vectors are widely used in different fields, such as physics, engineering, computer graphics, and mathematics. They are used to represent forces, velocities, displacements, and many other quantities with magnitude and direction.
To deepen your understanding, I would recommend practicing vector operations and visualizing vectors in both 2D and 3D space. Utilize online resources or textbooks that offer step-by-step examples and exercises. Additionally, watching video tutorials or attending lectures on the topic can provide further clarification.
Start by experimenting with simple vector operations, such as addition and scalar multiplication. As you become more comfortable, you can explore more advanced concepts like dot product and cross product.
Remember, understanding vectors takes time and practice, so don't get discouraged. Be patient and keep exploring different resources to reinforce your understanding.