Mathematics
What is Vectors?
In math, a vector is a quantity that has both size (magnitude) and direction — like an arrow pointing a certain way with a certain length. Vectors describe things like velocity and force, where direction matters as much as amount.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains vectors.
Key things to understand
- 1A vector has both magnitude (length) and direction.
- 2It's often drawn as an arrow from one point to another.
- 3Vectors can be added, subtracted, and scaled.
- 4They model real-world quantities like force, velocity, and acceleration.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between a vector and a scalar?
- A scalar has only size (like temperature); a vector has both size and direction (like velocity).
- What are vectors used for?
- Physics (force, motion), computer graphics, navigation, and machine learning all rely heavily on vectors.
- How do you add two vectors?
- Place them tip-to-tail and draw an arrow from the start of the first to the tip of the second — that's their sum.