What is the nose to tail method?

Vectors can be added using the ‘nose-to-tail’ method or "head-to-tail" method. Two vectors a and b represented by the line segments can be added by joining the ‘tail’ of vector b to the ‘nose’ of vector a. Alternatively, the ‘tail’ of vector a can be joined to the ‘nose’ of vector b. The vector a + b is from the ‘tail’ of a to the ‘nose’ of b. Graphically we add vectors with a “head to tail” approach. Vector addition is commutative, that is a + b = b + a This can be illustrated in the following diagram. Vector addition is associative, that is (u + v) + w = u + (v + w).