Talk:Vector (mathematics)

Disambiguation

I haven't changed anything yet because I don't want to break any links, but I think we are going to have to rename this page, and then have "vector" be a disambiguation page. Here's a tentative list:

• Vector (mathematics) -- probably the current content here
• Vector (biology/epidemiology)
• Vector (navigation) -- a course and speed to follow
• Vector (military) -- closely related to navigation use; the path to intercept
• Vector space

and probably others. Howard C. Berkowitz 12:07, 31 May 2008 (CDT)

Concur. Any disagreement? J. Noel Chiappa 12:41, 31 May 2008 (CDT)

Any suggestion on how to do this and break the least links, starting with renaming this vector (mathematical), other than in the manner in which one eats an elephant (one bite at a time)?

Howard C. Berkowitz 12:52, 31 May 2008 (CDT)

Neither being a sailor nor a soldier, I would nevertheless venture the guess that Vector (navigation) and Vector (military) are examples of Vector (mathematics).--Paul Wormer 11:12, 15 November 2008 (UTC)

Isometry

I added some material and changed one thing. It was stated that a basis transformation had to be an isometry (which I read as either an orthogonal or unitary transformation). This, of course, is too restrictive, so I made the change: isometry --> transformation. --Paul Wormer 11:06, 15 November 2008 (UTC)

Definition: change it?

I think the current definition of a vector as a mathematical object with magnitude and direction is too restrictive. It seems difficult to find a short definition that captures the essence of "vector", but I would venture that defining a vector to be "one of a number of mathematical objects, including quantities with a magnitude or direction, lists of numbers, and functions" would be a start in the right direction.Barry R. Smith 04:26, 26 November 2008 (UTC)