法向量

fǎxiàngliàng
noun

Measure Word

Meanings

  1. 1 normal vector (mathematics)

Examples

Qiú píngmiàn de fǎxiàngliàng.
Find the normal vector of the plane.
Liǎng ge fǎxiàngliàng píngxíng shuōmíng liǎng píngmiàn píngxíng.
If two normal vectors are parallel, the two planes are parallel.

Tips

memory
here is short for 线 (fǎxiàn 'normal line / perpendicular') — not 'law'. So 法向量 = 'perpendicular vector' = the normal vector. Same in 线 (normal line), distinct from 法律 (law).
usage
Standard term in high-school and university math (linear algebra, multivariable calculus, computer graphics shading). Pair with 向量 (qiēxiàngliàng 'tangent vector').

Stroke Order

xiàng
liàng