Vector Notation

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5.3. Vector Notation#

In print, vectors as commonly denoted with bold faced type, A or an identifying arrow above them such as:

\[ \vec{A} \]

Hat notation (also called a circumflex or carrot) is typically reserved for unit vectors. Unit vectors are vectors that have a mangnitude of 1. Often unit vectors are represented by lowercase letters.

\[ \hat{u} \]

The magnitude of a vector is usually written with absolute value notation, although in type it is sometime written as A (no arrow, not bold).

\[ \lvert\vec{A}\rvert \]
\[ A \]

Drawing Vectors#

Drawn from an initial point (tail) to the terminal point (head) along a line of action.

vector head to tail

\[ \vec{A} = \vec{OP} \]
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