Question

What is meant by a component of a vector?

Answer 1

Consider a vector `vecv`, for example, in space:

If you want to describe it to, say, a friend you can say that has a "modulus" (=length) and direction (you may use, for example, North, South, East, west...etc.).

There is also another way to describe this vector.
You must take your vector into a reference frame to have some numbers related to it and then you take the coordinates of the tip of the arrow...your COMPONENTS !
You can now write your vector as: `vecv=(a,b)`

For Example: `vecv=(6,4)`

In 3 dimensions you simply add a third component on the `z` axis.
For example: `vecw=(3,5,4)`