# Math Help - properties of the zero vector

1. ## properties of the zero vector

Is a point "P" on a plane considered a zero vector, PP, or is there a difference between a single point and a zero vector?

Can there be a polar representation of a single point? If so, would it be <0> ?

2. Hello, billym!

Interesting . . . "Zero" always raises strange questions.

Is a point $P$ on a plane considered a zero vector, $\overrightarrow{PP}$
or is there a difference between a single point and a zero vector?
There is always a difference between a point and a vector.

The point might be $(2,3)$ and the zero vector is: . $\langle 0,0\rangle$

Can there be a polar representation of a single point?
If so, would it be $\langle 0\rangle$ ?
If you referring to the pole (origin), the polar coordinates are: . $(0,\theta)$
. . where the 'magnitude' is 0 $(r=0)$ and $\theta$ can be any angle.

Other points have coordinates such as: . $\left(2,\,\frac{\pi}{6}\right)$

3. I'm still confused... what would be the polar representation of of a point with coordinates (-3,4)?

4. Originally Posted by billym
I'm still confused... what would be the polar representation of of a point with coordinates (-3,4)?
$x = r \cos \theta$
$y = r \sin \theta$

If you want to switch form Cartesian to Polar

note that $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$

5. In terms of direction, do you treat the point as if it were a position vector, and then just state the magnitude as zero?

6. It would be quite fair if someone argued that yours is a philosophical rather than a mathematical question.
Vectors are hybrid objects in that a vector has both length and direction.
Here is a quotation from Melvin Hausner, a geometer at NYU, “The vector $\overrightarrow {PP}$ will be designated by 0 (read: zero, or the zero vector, depending on how fussy you are.) Thus $\overrightarrow {PA} = 0$ is a way of writing $P = A$.”

To answer your other question: $\left( { - 3,4} \right) \equiv \left( {5,\pi + \arctan \left( {\frac{{ - 4}}{3}} \right)} \right)$.

7. but I'm trying to find the polar representation of just a point (-3,4), how could a point have magnitude of 5?

8. Originally Posted by billym
but I'm trying to find the polar representation of just a point (-3,4), how could a point have magnitude of 5?
Spend some time reading this, Polar coordinate system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia