Definition
In mathematics, a "direct sum" is a way of combining two or more vector spaces into a larger vector space ➕. It's a special type of addition that preserves the individual characteristics of each space. Imagine combining two separate LEGO sets into one larger, more complex structure, without mixing the pieces. Each original set remains identifiable within the new structure. It's used in linear algebra and other areas of math to build more complex structures from simpler ones.