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Glite Dictionary
vector decomposition

vector decomposition

7.8
To split a vector into parts along certain directions, for example north and east
  • noun
  • /ˈvɛktər ˌdiːˌkɒmpəˈziːʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : descomposición vectorial
  • By applying vector decomposition, the students were able to calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the motion.

Examples

  • In physics class, we learned about vector decomposition to find the components of forces acting at different angles.

  • The vector decomposition helps engineers analyze how wind forces affect the structure of the building.

  • So if we did vector decomposition, we would write a vector like this and a vector like that.

Synonyms

deconstruction
vsvector decomposition
1 7.6

A way of studying something by breaking it into parts

applies specifically to vector fields and uses directions or axes
decomposition
vsvector decomposition
  • Specialized
1 7.4

Splitting a math object into simpler parts to study it

focuses on splitting components along particular directions or axes

Surface Forms

vector decomposition singular
vector decompositions plural

Morphology

vector + decomposition

The phrase is transparently compositional: 'vector' (a quantity with magnitude and direction) combined with 'decomposition' (breaking into simpler components) directly yields the meaning of breaking a vector into component parts. This is a standard technical naming pattern in mathematics and physics and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Vector decomposition comes from the simple picture of taking one long arrow, a vector, and splitting it into smaller arrows along chosen directions; that split is the decomposition. That's why it means 'breaking a vector into parts' so you can study each part separately.