Vector is a term derived from a Latin word meaning “one who leads.” A vector is an agent that transports something from one place to another. Its meaning, however, varies depending on the context.
A vector can be used to represent a physical quantity, being defined by a modulus and a direction or orientation. Its geometric expression consists of line segments directed to a certain side, resembling an arrow. Velocity and force are two examples of vector quantities. Within this scientific field, and also within Mathematics, it is necessary to clarify that there is a great variety of vectors. In such a way that we can talk about fixed, parallel, sliding, opposite, concurrent, free or collinear, among many others.
Likewise, it should be noted that a significant number of operations can be carried out with these elements. Among the most frequent are the sum, the product by a scalar, obtaining an ordinary derivative, decompositions, the angle between two vectors or the covariant derivative. For biology, a vector is an agent that can spread or transmit a disease from one organism to another. It is possible to distinguish between the epidemiological vector (which transmits an infectious agent from an affected individual to another that is not yet a carrier of that agent) and the genetic vector (which is responsible for transferring genetic information from one organism to another). In computing, a vector (also known as an array) is a contiguous storage area that holds elements of the same type. It can be understood as a series of elements arranged in rows or columns. The vector provides a structure that makes it easy to access the data. Vector images are digital images composed of independent geometric objects. These objects (such as polygons or segments) are defined by mathematical attributes that establish their color, position, and other characteristics. This type of image is widely used in areas such as the Internet, the creation of fonts, the development and design of graphics or the creation of video games of various kinds, both for consoles and for computers or even for mobile applications. However, it should not be forgotten that, in the context of new technologies, the term vector is also used in another sense. Specifically, we can say that this word is the one that gives title to a game, of the so-called arcade type, which takes place in a future where the freedom of the individual does not exist. Starting from this premise, it is established that what the participant must do is find the mechanisms to find that freedom. Therefore, he will run and jump being persecuted at all times by a kind of Big Brother who wants to capture him so that he can once again submit to the imposed political system.
A space vector or transport rocket, finally, is a special rocket designed to transport payload from Earth to outer space.
