A component of a vector is one with n numbers in a certain order. It is usually listed as (x₁, x₂, …, x_n), in which the numbers within the parentheses are called the components of the vector .

Logically, an infinite number of vectors can have the same components. For example, if the components are [3, 4], we know there are an infinite number of pairs of points in the plane with x and y coordinates whose respective differences are 3 and 4. All these vectors are parallel to each other, equal, and have the same magnitude and direction. Therefore, any vector with components of a and b can be said to be equal to the vector [a, b].