Vector terminology is summarized below.

Vector Terminology Summary

A resultant is a single vector that can replace two or more vectors.

Components can be obtained for any two non-parallel directions if the vectors are in the same plane. Restricting the treatment to perpendicular directions and two dimensional space, the components of a vector are the two vectors in the x and y (or eastwest and north-south) directions which produce the same effect as the original vector (or add to produce the original vector).

Components are determined from data, graphically or analytically.