CHAPTER 1 Mathematics

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Sometimes a vector acts in such a direction that it's effect is not maximized. For example, when you push a car, it may be more convenient to push somewhat downward rather than in the direction you want it to go. When you push a car stuck in the snow you push somewhat downward and as a result your force acts somewhat to push it forward and somewhat to push it downward, thus increasing traction. We call these two the components of your force.

Here are some examples of the math of vector components. We'll also distinguish scalar and vector components and learn how the directions of each are specified.