Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_unit_vectors_used_for_in_real_life#ixzz1Zt394Eso Read more: http://wiki.answers.

com/Q/What_are_unit_vectors_used_for_in_real_life#ixzz1Zt2daDNz Geometry is one of the oldest mathematical sciences , involving In the 3rd century BC geometry was put into an axiomatic form known as Euclidean geometry which then set as a standard for many centuries to follow

Vectors are usually first introduced as objects having magnitude and direction, for example translations, displacements, velocities, forces etc. Vectors defined this way are called free vectors . If we simply specify magnitude and direction then any two vectors of the same length and parallel to each other are considered to be identical. So by this definition a vector is an infinite set of parallel directed line segments. Geometry (Ancient Greek: ; geo- "earth", -metria "measurement") is a Geometry is one of the oldest mathematical sciences. Initially a body of practical knowledge concerning lengths, areas, and volumes, in the 3rd century BC geometry was put into an axiomatic form by Euclid, whose treatmentEuclidean geometryset a standard for many centuries to follow.[1] Archimedes developed ingenious techniques for calculating areas and volumes, in many ways anticipating modern integral calculus. The field of astronomy, especially mapping the positions of the stars and planets on the celestial sphere and describing the relationship between movements of celestial bodies, served as an important source of geometric problems during the next one and a half millennia.. The introduction of coordinates by Ren Descartes and the concurrent development of algebra marked a new stage for geometry, since geometric figures, such as plane curves, could now be represented analytically, i.e., with functions and equations. This played a key role in the emergence of infinitesimal calculus in the 17th century. Furthermore, the theory of perspective showed that there is more to geometry than just the metric properties of figures: perspective is the origin of projective geometry. The subject of geometry was further enriched by the study of intrinsic structure of geometric objects that originated with Euler and Gauss and led to the creation of topology and differential geometry.
Shapes Formula

Rectangle: Area = Length X Width A = lw Perimeter = 2 X Lengths + 2 X Widths P = 2l + 2w Parallelogram Area = Base X Height a = bh

Triangle Area = 1/2 of the base X the height a = 1/2 bh Perimeter = a + b + c (add the length of th

e three sides)

Free and Localized Vectors

So far we have seen examples of "free" vectors. We draw them without any fixed position. Another way of representing vectors is to use directed line segments. This means the vector is named using an initial point and a terminal point. Such a vector is called a "localized vector". Examples of Localized Vectors A vector OP has initial point O and terminal point P. When using directed line segments, we still use an arrow for the drawing, with P at the arrow end. The length of the line OP is an indication of the magnitude of the vector.

We could have another vector RS as follows. It has initial point R and terminal point S.

Because the 2 vectors have the same magnitude and the same direction (they are both horizontal and pointing to the right), then we say they are equal. We would write: OP = RS Note that we can move vectors around in space and as long as they have the same vector magnitude and the same direction, then they are considered equal vectors.