Vector functions are a way of writing parametric equations of a set of points in the plane or space in vector form. So, for example, if we have a set of parametric equations with parameter \(t\)

\( x(t) = \cos(t), y(t) = \sin(t) \)

we can write this as the vector function \(\vec{v}(t)\)

Key - - The key to using this notation is that the terminal point of the vector defines the \((x,y)\) value for each particular \(t\) value. So, if you think about it, this is just a different way to write parametric equations.

Note - - We use the word 'function' here rather loosely since, as you remember from parametrics, the resulting graphs probably will not pass the vertical line test and, therefore, cannot be correctly referred to 'functions'. However, we are following the standard terms used in most textbooks. So we will continue to call these 'vector functions' whether or not the graphs pass the vertical line test.

3-space - - The idea is the same in 3-space. We will just add a \(\hat{k}\) component so that the equation might look like
\(\vec{w}(t) = f(t)\hat{i} + g(t)\hat{j} + h(t)\hat{k} \)

Multiple parameters - - Note that we are not limited to just one parameter. When describing planes, we may have 2 parameters or even more. So we may have a vector function that looks like
\( \vec{A}(\lambda,\mu) = F(\lambda,\mu)\hat{i} + G(\lambda, \mu)\hat{j} + H(\lambda,\mu)\hat{k}\)

The important point to remember about vector functions is that the terminal point of the vector defines the points in the plane or in space and writing the equations as a vector is just convenient and compact notation that you already learned with parametric equations. You can do everything with vector functions that you can with parametric equations.

Okay, so vector functions are not that hard. They are just a matter of taking parametric equations and writing them in vector form. This first video explains this in more detail, showing how to graph vector functions and it contains some great examples. It's a bit long but well worth taking the time to watch to get this clear in your head.

The position of an object in the plane (2-dim) or in space (3-dim) can be described by vector functions using the same ideas as above. We go into more detail on the projectile motion page but here is a video to watch first to give you a better feel for vector functions and for what is coming up.

The domain of a vector function is the intersection of domain of each term. To find the domain of a vector function, find the domain of the \(\hat{i}\), \(\hat{j}\) and, if it exists, \(\hat{k}\) terms and then take the intersection of those domains. Here are some good practice problems.

Okay, so now you know what vector functions are and how to graph them (from the video above). Let's discuss calculus on vector functions. The main topics we will discuss are limits, derivatives and integrals. These are all critical topics that you need to understand when you get to vector analysis. See these separate pages for discussion of limits, derivatives and integrals of vector functions.