Introduction to the mathematics of general relativity: Difference between revisions

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In physics, as well as mathematics, a vector is often identified with a [[tuple]], or list of numbers, which depend on some auxiliarya coordinate system or [[frame of reference|reference frame]]. When the coordinates are transformed, for example by rotation or stretching of the coordinate system, then the components of the vector also transform. The vector itself has not changed, but the reference frame has, so the components of the vector (or measurements taken with respect to the reference frame) must change to compensate.

The vector is called [[Covariance and contravariance of vectors|''covariant'' or ''contravariant'']] depending on how the transformation of the vector's components is related to the transformation of coordinates.