Basis vectors are a set of vectors in a vector space that are linearly independent and span the entire space, meaning any vector in the space can be expressed as a linear combination of these basis vectors. They provide a framework for defining coordinates and dimensionality in vector spaces, making them fundamental in linear algebra and its applications.
Linear algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with vector spaces and linear mappings between these spaces, focusing on the study of lines, planes, and subspaces. It is fundamental in various scientific fields, providing tools for solving systems of linear equations, performing transformations, and analyzing vector spaces and matrices.