TITLE: Vector space structure on velocity space of manifold
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: Let $M$ be $C^{\infty}$-manifold and $x\in M$. We define $(k,r)$-velocity space at x as
$(T_k^rM)_x:=J_0^{r}(\mathbb{R}^k,M)_x$.Can we define vector space structure on $(T_k^rM)_x$?

REPLY [2 votes]: Nice answer BS. I was about to post something similar but I didn't have a proof of the non-linearity of the action of $k$-jets of diffeomorphisms.  One additional remark that might help the OP is that you can put  a vector space structure on $J^k_0({\mathbb R}^n, M)_x$ if you have additional structure on $M$.  Basically you need to be able to determine a family of co-ordinates (actually $k$-jets of co-ordinates) that are related by linear transformations to avoid the non-linear action of diffeomorphisms when you change co-ordinates.  Also you want to choose different co-ordinates at each point of $M$. Sufficient would  be to choose at each $x \in M$ the $k$-jet of a diffeomorphism from $M$ to $T_xM$ sending $x$ to $0 \in T_xM$.  For example if $M$ is Riemannian the $k$-jet of the inverse of the exponential map would do or if $M$ is a submanifold orthogonal projection onto the tangent subspace would work. In such a case composition with the chosen $k$-jet of a diffeomorphism defines a bijection 
$$
J^k_0({\mathbb R}^n, M)_x \to J^k_0({\mathbb R}^n, T_xM)_0
$$
and the latter space is a vector space because $T_xM$ is a vector space.