What is a defining characteristic of vector images?

• A. Defined by pixels, with fixed resolution.
• B. Defined by lines, layers, curves, and shapes, enabling scalability.
• C. Uses lossy compression.
• D. Raster-based color depth.

Answer: (B)

Vector images are defined by mathematical descriptions of lines, curves and shapes rather than a grid of colored pixels. Because these elements are described by equations, the image can be scaled to any size without losing quality—the edges stay crisp as you zoom in or out. This scalability is what makes vector graphics ideal for logos and illustrations that need to look sharp at multiple sizes.

In contrast, images built from pixels have a fixed resolution, so enlarging them results in blocky edges. Some vector formats may use compression, but the essential feature is the geometry described by lines, curves and shapes that can be scaled cleanly.