Problems for
Intermediate Methods in Theoretical Physics

Edward F. Redish

Other Vectors

In mathematics class, a "vector" is typically just a set of numbers. In physics, we have a variety of vectors with a variety of characteristics. One example of a possible vector is a set representing someone's "wealth." Let us consider a number of possible sources of this wealth. Assume that the people you are considering may possess:

The three currencies are only marginally convertable into each other. At some times it has been illegal to convert them into each other except through government offices, but one could do it on the black market at a very different rate. There is presently no market for North Dakota acreage, but it could become valuable in a few years. Is it appropriate to consider the set of these numbers (D, R, P, A) as an element of a linear space? A vector space? Why or why not? Compare this "vector" with a "vector" that we might use in physics.


Problem suggested by T. Bing.

This page prepared by

Edward F. Redish
Department of Physics
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Phone: (301) 405-6120
Email: redish@umd.edu

Last revision 21. October, 2005.