The parameters and variables of factor analysis can be given a geometrical interpretation. The data (formula_82), the factors (formula_83) and the errors (formula_88) can be viewed as vectors in an formula_38-dimensional Euclidean space (sample space), represented as formula_90, formula_91 and formula_92 respectively. Since the data are standardized, the data vectors are of unit length (formula_93). The factor vectors define an formula_32-dimensional linear subspace (i.e. a hyperplane) in this space, upon which the data vectors are projected orthogonally. This follows from the model equation