What is "vector algebra"

n. (context mathematics English) The branch of mathematics that deals with vectors and operations on them.

n. the part of algebra that deals with the theory of vectors and vector spaces

In mathematics, vector algebra may mean:

• Linear algebra, specifically the basic algebraic operations of vector addition and scalar multiplication; see vector space.
• The algebraic operations in vector calculus, namely the specific additional structure of vectors in 3-dimensional Euclidean space R of dot product and especially cross product. In this sense, vector algebra is contrasted with geometric algebra, which provides an alternative generalization to higher dimensions.
• Original vector algebras of the nineteenth century like quaternions, tessarines, or coquaternions, each of which has its own product. The vector algebras biquaternions and hyperbolic quaternions enabled the revolution in physics called special relativity by providing mathematical models.