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In mathematics, a tangent vector is a vector that is tangent to a curve or surface at a given point. Tangent vectors are described in the differential geometry of curves in the context of curves in R n. More generally, tangent vectors are elements of a tangent space of a differentiable manifold. Tangent vectors can also be described in terms of ...
A real vector space of two dimensions may be given a Cartesian coordinate system in which every point is identified by a list of two real numbers, called "coordinates", which are conventionally denoted by x and y. Two points in the Cartesian plane can be added coordinate-wise (x 1, y 1) + (x 2, y 2) = (x 1 +x 2, y 1 +y 2);
Conversely, it is easily shown that if a, b, c and d are constants and a, b, and c are not all zero, then the graph of the equation + + + =, is a plane having the vector = (,,) as a normal. [ citation needed ] This familiar equation for a plane is called the general form of the equation of the plane.
Illustration of tangential and normal components of a vector to a surface. In mathematics, given a vector at a point on a curve, that vector can be decomposed uniquely as a sum of two vectors, one tangent to the curve, called the tangential component of the vector, and another one perpendicular to the curve, called the normal component of the vector.
The tangent plane to a surface at a given point p is defined in an analogous way to the tangent line in the case of curves. It is the best approximation of the surface by a plane at p , and can be obtained as the limiting position of the planes passing through 3 distinct points on the surface close to p as these points converge to p .
Saddle surface with normal planes in directions of principal curvatures. In geometry, a normal plane is any plane containing the normal vector of a surface at a particular point. The normal plane also refers to the plane that is perpendicular to the tangent vector of a space curve; (this plane also contains the normal vector) see Frenet ...
This provides a way to identify the tangent planes at different points along the curve: in particular, a tangent vector in the tangent space at one point on the curve is identified with a unique tangent vector at any other point on the curve. These identifications are always given by affine transformations from one tangent plane to another.
Conversely, it is easily shown that if a, b, c, and d are constants and a, b, and c are not all zero, then the graph of the equation + + + =, is a plane having the vector n = (a, b, c) as a normal. [5] This familiar equation for a plane is called the general form of the equation of the plane or just the plane equation. [6]