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 a coordinate system or [[frame of reference|reference frame]]. WhenIf the coordinates are transformed, forsuch exampleas by rotation or stretching of the coordinate system, then the components of the vector also transform. The vector itself hasdoesn't not changedchange, but the reference frame has,does. soThis means that the components of the vector (or measurements taken with respecthave 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.