UNIT – IV

(Vector Differentiation)
INTRODUCTION:
In this chapter, vector differential calculus is considered, which extends the basic
concepts of differential calculus, such as, continuity and differentiability to vector
functions in a simple and natural way. Also, the new concepts of gradient, divergence and
curl are introduced.
Differentiation of a vector Function:
Let s be a set of real numbers . corresponding to each scalar t ϵ S , let there be associated
a unique vector f. Then 𝑓̅ is said to be a vector (vector valued) function. S is called the
domain of 𝑓̅ . We write 𝑓̅ = 𝑓̅ (𝑡).
Let 𝑖̅, 𝑗̅, 𝑘̅ be three mutually perpendicular unit vectors in three-dimensional space. We
can write 𝑓̅ = 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑓1 (𝑡)𝑖̅ + 𝑓2 (𝑡)𝑗̅ + 𝑓3 (𝑡)𝑘̅ , where 𝑓1 (𝑡), 𝑓2 (𝑡), 𝑓3 (𝑡) are real valued
functions (which are called components of 𝑓̅ ). (we shall assume that
𝑖̅, 𝑗̅, 𝑘̅ 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠)
(𝑓 (𝑡)−𝑓 (𝑎)) ̅ ̅
Derivative: Let 𝑓̅ be a vector function on an interval I and a ϵ I . Then lim 𝑡−𝑎 𝑡→𝑎

, if exists , is called the derivative of 𝑓̅ at a and is denoted by 𝑓 ̅ ′ (𝑎) at t=a. We also say
that 𝑓̅ is differentiable at t= a if 𝑓̅ ′ (𝑎) exists.
𝑑𝑓 ̅
Higher order Derivatives: Let 𝑓̅ be differentiable on an interval I and 𝑓̅ ′ = 𝑑𝑡 be the
𝑓 ̅ ′ (𝑡)−𝑓̅ ′ (𝑎)
derivative of 𝑓̅ . If lim exists for every a ϵ 𝑰𝟏 ⊂ 𝑰 then 𝑓̅ ′ is said to be
𝑡→𝑎 𝑡−𝑎

differentiable on 𝑰𝟏 . It is denoted by 𝑓̅ ′′ (𝑎) . Similarly , we can define 𝑓̅ ′′′ (𝑎) etc.

We now state some properties of differentiable functions (without proof):
(1) Derivative of a constant vector is 0̅ .
If 𝑎̅ and 𝑏̅ are differentiable vector functions , then
𝑑 𝑑𝑎̅ 𝑑𝑏̅
(2) ( 𝑎̅ ± 𝑏̅ ) = +
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑 𝑑𝑎̅ 𝑑𝑏̅
(3) ( 𝑎̅ . 𝑏̅ ) = 𝑏̅ + 𝑎̅ 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑 𝑑𝑎̅ 𝑑𝑏̅
(4) ( 𝑎̅ 𝑋 𝑏̅ ) = ( 𝑑𝑡 𝑋 𝑏̅ ) + ( 𝑎̅ 𝑋 )
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

(5) If 𝑓̅ is differentiable vector function and ∅ is a scalar differentiable function , then

𝑑 𝑑𝑓̅ 𝑑∅
( ∅. 𝑓̅ ) = ∅ + 𝑓̅ 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

1
 (6) If 𝑓̅ = 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑓1 (𝑡)𝑖̅ + 𝑓2 (𝑡)𝑗̅ + 𝑓3 (𝑡)𝑘̅ , where 𝑓1 (𝑡), 𝑓2 (𝑡), 𝑓3 (𝑡) are cartesian
𝑑𝑓 ∂f ̅ ∂f2 ∂f3
components of the vector 𝑓̅ , then 𝑑𝑡 = = i̅ ∂t1 + j̅ + k̅
∂t ∂t

(7) The necessary and sufficient condition for 𝑓̅ (t) to be constant vector function is
𝑑𝑓̅
=0
𝑑𝑡

Partial Derivatives: Partial differentiation for vector valued functions can be introduced
as was done in case of functions of real variables. Let 𝑓̅ be a vector function of scalar
variables p, q, t. Then we write 𝑓̅ = 𝑓̅ (𝑝, 𝑞, 𝑡). Treating t as a variable and p,q as
(𝑓̅ (𝑝,𝑞,𝑡+𝛿𝑡)−𝑓̅ (𝑝,𝑞,𝑡))
constants, we define lim if exists, as partial derivative of 𝑓̅ w.r.t t
𝛿𝑡→0 𝛿𝑡
𝑑𝑓̅
and is denoted by .
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑓̅ 𝑑𝑓̅
Similarly , we can define , 𝑑𝑞 also. The following are some useful results on partial
𝑑𝑝

differentiation.
Properties:
𝜕 𝜕𝜙 𝜕𝑎̅
(1) (𝜙𝑎̅) = 𝑎̅ + 𝜙
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡
𝜕 𝜕𝑎̅
(2) If λ is a constant , then (𝜆𝑎̅)= λ 𝜕𝑡
𝜕𝑡
𝜕 𝜕𝜙
(3) If C is a constant vector , then 𝜕𝑡 (𝜙𝐶̅ ) = 𝜕𝑡 𝐶̅
𝜕 𝜕𝑎̅ 𝜕𝑏̅
(4) (𝑎̅ ± 𝑏̅ )= 𝜕𝑡 ±
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡
𝜕 𝜕𝑎̅ 𝜕𝑏̅
(5) (𝑎̅ . 𝑏̅ )= 𝜕𝑡 𝑏̅ + 𝑎̅
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡
𝜕𝑏̅
(6)
𝜕
(𝑎
̅ 𝑋 ̅ )= (𝜕𝑎̅ 𝑋 ̅𝑏) + (𝑎̅ 𝑋
𝑏 )
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡

(7) Let 𝑓̅ = 𝑓1 𝑖̅ + 𝑓2 𝑗̅ + 𝑓3 𝑘̅ , where 𝑓1 , 𝑓2 , 𝑓3 are differentiable scalar functions of

𝜕𝑓̅ 𝜕𝑓1 𝜕𝑓2 𝜕𝑓
more than one variable. Then = 𝑖̅ + 𝑗̅ + 𝑘̅ 𝜕𝑡3
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡

(treating𝑖̅, 𝑗̅, 𝑘̅ 𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 )

𝜕 2𝑓̅
𝜕 𝜕𝑓 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑓̅ 2𝑓̅ ̅
Higher order Partial Derivatives: Let 𝑓̅ = 𝑓̅ (𝑝, 𝑞, 𝑡). Then 𝜕𝑡 2 = 𝜕𝑡 ( 𝜕𝑡 ), 𝜕𝑝𝜕𝑡 =𝜕𝑝 ( 𝜕𝑡 )

etc.
Scalar and Vector point function:
Consider a region in three-dimensional space through each point p(x, y, z) . Suppose we
associate a unique real number ∅ . This ∅(x, y, z) is called Scalar point function define on the
region . Similarly if to each point p(x, y, z) we associate a unique vector ̅𝑓 (x ,y, z) then 𝑓̅ is
called Vector point function.

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VECTOR DIFFERENTIAL OPERATOR
∂ ∂ ∂
Def: The vector differential operator ∇ (read as del) is defined as ∇ = i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ .
∂y ∂z

This operator possesses properties analogous to those of ordinary vectors as well as

Differentiation operator. We will define some quantities known as ‘’gradient” “divergence”
And “curl” involving this operator ∇ we must note that this operator has no meaning by itself
unless it operates on some function suitably.
GRADIENT OF SCALAR POINT FUNCTION
Let ∅ (x, y, z) be a scalar point function of position defined in some region of space. Then the
∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
vector function i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ is known as the gradient of ∅ and is denoted by grad ∅
∂y ∂z

Or ∇∅.
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
∇∅ = (i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ ) ∅ = i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅
∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z

Problems:
1. Find the gradient of f where f = 𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝒚𝒛 at the point (1,1,-2)
Sol: Given that f = 𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝒚𝒛
∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f
∇f = (i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ ) ∅ = i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅
∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z

∂(𝒙𝟑 +𝒚𝟑 +𝟑𝒙𝒚𝒛) ∂(𝒙𝟑 +𝒚𝟑 +𝟑𝒙𝒚𝒛) ∂(𝒙𝟑 +𝒚𝟑 +𝟑𝒙𝒚𝒛)

= i̅ + j̅ + k̅
∂x ∂y ∂z

= i(𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒚𝒛) + j(𝟑𝒚𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙𝒛) + k(𝟑𝒙𝒚)

𝛻𝑓(1,1,−2) = −3𝑖 − 3𝑗 + 3𝑘
****************************************
2. Find the gradient of f where f = 𝒚𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 at the point (1,1,-2)
Sol: Given that f = 𝒚𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐
∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f
∇f = (i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ ) ∅ = i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅
∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z

∂( 𝒚𝒙𝟐 +𝒙𝒚𝟐 +𝒛𝟐 ) ∂( 𝒚𝒙𝟐 +𝒙𝒚𝟐 +𝒛𝟐 ) ∂( 𝒚𝒙𝟐 +𝒙𝒚𝟐 +𝒛𝟐 )

= i̅ + j̅ + k̅
∂x ∂y ∂z

= i(𝒚𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙𝒚) + j(𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒚𝒙) + k(𝟐𝒛)

= 𝛻𝑓(1,1,−2) = 3𝑖 + 2𝑗 − 4𝑘
************************************************
3 . Find the gradient of f where f = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝒚𝟑 + 𝒙𝟐 𝒛 at the point (1,1,-2)
Sol: Given that f = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝒚𝟑 + 𝒙𝟐 𝒛

3
 ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f ∂f
∇f = (i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ ) ∅ = i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅
∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z

∂(𝒙𝟑 −𝒚𝟑 +𝒙𝟐 𝒛) ∂(𝒙𝟑 −𝒚𝟑 +𝒙𝟐 𝒛 ) ∂(𝒙𝟑 −𝒚𝟑 +𝒙𝟐 𝒛)

= i̅ + j̅ + k̅
∂x ∂y ∂z

= i(𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙𝒛) − j(3𝒚𝟐 ) + k(𝒙𝟐 )

= 𝛻𝑓(1,1,−2) = −𝑖 − 3𝑗 + 𝑘
********************************************************
𝐟 ′ (𝐫)
4.Show that ∇ [f(r)] = where 𝐫̅ = x 𝐢̅ + 𝐲𝐣̅+ 𝐳 𝐤̅
𝐫

Sol:- since r̅= x i̅ + yj̅ + z k̅, we have r 2 = x 2 + y 2 + z 2

Differentiating w.r.t , ‘x’ as partially, we get
∂r ∂r x ∂r y ∂r z
2r ∂x = 2x ⇒ ∂x = r similarly ∂y = r ; =r
∂z
∂ ∂ ∂
∴ ∇ [f(r)] = ( i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ ) f(r)
∂y ∂z
∂r
= ∑ i̅ f ′ (r) ∂x
x
= ∑ i̅ f ′ (r) r
f′ (r)
= ∑ i̅ x
r
f′ (r)
= . r̅
r

*******************************************************
1
Note: From the above results, ∇ (log r̅ ) = r2 r̅

5. Prove that ∇ (𝐫 𝐧 ) = n. 𝐫 𝐧−𝟐 ̅𝐫

Sol: let r̅ = x i̅ + yj̅ + z k̅ and let r = |r̅ | then, we have r 2 = x 2 + y 2 + z 2
Differentiating w.r.t x partially, we have
∂r ∂r x ∂r y ∂r z
2r ∂x = 2x ⇒ ∂x = r similarly ∂y = r ∂z = r
∂
∴ ∇ (r n ) = ∑ i̅ (r n )
∂x
∂r
= ∑ i̅ n r n−1 ∂x
x
= ∑ i̅ n r n−1 r

= n. r n−2 ∑ I̅ x
= n. r n−2 ( ̅)
r
********************************************
𝛁∅
Unit Normal vector : If ∅(x, y, z) is a Scalar point function then unit Normal vector= ‖𝛁∅‖

4
 𝛁𝒇
If f(x, y, z) is a vector point function then unit Normal vector = ‖𝛁𝒇‖

Greatest Value: Greatest value of the direct derivative of the function is defined as ‖∇∅‖ =
Greatest value.
Problems:
1. Find a unit normal vector to the surface z = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 𝒂𝒕 (– 𝟏, −𝟐, 𝟓)
Sol:- let the given surface be f = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 - z
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
= 2𝑥, = 2𝑦 , = −1
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑓
grad f = 𝛻 𝑓 = ∑ 𝑖 = 2xi + 2yj – k
𝜕𝑥

Now (𝛻𝑓) at (-1,-2,5) = - 2i – 4j – k and 𝛻𝑓 is the normal vector to the given surface
𝛻𝑓 −2𝑖−4𝑗−𝑘
Hence the required unit normal vector = |𝛻𝑓| =
√−22 +(−4)2 +(−1)2
−2𝑖−4𝑗−𝑘
=
√21
1
=- (2i + 4j+ k)
√21

*************************************
2. Find a unit normal vector to the given surface 𝒙𝟐 𝒚 + 𝟐𝒙𝒛 = 𝟒 at the point (2,-2,3)
Sol:- let the given surface be f =𝑥 2 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 − 4
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
= 2xy + 2z; = 𝑥2 ; = 2x
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕f 𝜕f 𝜕f
grad f = 𝜕𝑥 𝑖̅ + 𝜕𝑦 𝑗̅ + 𝜕𝑧 𝑘̅
𝜕𝑓
∴ grad f = ∑ 𝑖 𝜕𝑥 = (2xy +2z) 𝑖̅ + 𝑥 2 𝑗̅+ 2 x 𝑘̅

(grad f) at (2,-2,3) = (-8+6) 𝑖̅ + 4𝑗̅ + 4 𝑘̅ = -2𝑖̅ +4𝑗̅ + 4 𝑘̅

Grad f is the normal vector to the given surface at the given point
𝛻𝑓
Hence the required unit normal vector = |𝛻𝑓 |
̅)
2(−𝑖̅+2𝑗̅ + 2 𝑘
=
2√1+22 +22
̅
−𝑖̅+2𝑗̅ + 2 𝑘
= 3

***********************************************
3. Find the greatest value of the directional derivative of the function
f = 𝐱 𝟐 𝐲𝐳 𝟑 𝐚𝐭 (𝟐, 𝟏, −𝟏)
∂f ∂f ∂f
Sol: -we know that Grad f = i̅ ∂x +j̅ ∂y +k̅ ∂z

= 2xyz 3 i̅ + x 2 z 3 j̅ + 3𝐱 𝟐 yz 2 k̅

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 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑓(2,1,−1) =- 4i̅ − 4j̅ +12 k̅

∴ Greatest value of the directional derivative of f =|∇f| = √16 + 16 + 144 = 4√11

*******************************************************
Angle between the two surfaces: Angle between the two surfaces is given by
̅̅̅̅
𝑛1 ̅̅̅̅̅
.𝑛2
cos 𝜃 = ‖𝑛
̅̅̅̅‖‖𝑛
where 𝑛1 unit vector of the first surface
1 ̅̅̅̅‖
2

𝑛2 unit vector of the second surface

Problems:
1. Find the angle between the normal to the surface 𝒙𝟐 = 𝒚𝒛 at the point (1,1,1)
and (2,4,1).
Sol:- Given surface is f (x ,y , z) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧
Let ̅̅̅
𝑛1 and ̅̅̅
𝑛2 be the normals to this surface at the points (1,1,1) and
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(2,4,1) respectively Then 𝜕𝑥 = 2x , 𝜕𝑦 = −𝑧, =-y
𝜕𝑧

∴ Grad f = 2xi – z j – y k
𝑛1 = (𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑓) (1,1,1) = 2𝑖̅ - 𝑗̅ − 𝑘̅
̅̅̅
𝑛2 = (𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑓) (2,4,1) = 4 𝑖̅ − 𝑗̅ -4𝑘̅
̅̅̅
Let θ be the angle between the two normal . Then
̅̅̅̅
𝑛 ̅̅̅̅
1 2 𝑛 ̅ )(4𝑖̅−𝑗̅−4𝑘
(2𝑖̅−𝑗̅−𝑘 ̅)
Cos θ = ⌈𝑛̅̅̅̅⌉⌈𝑛
̅̅̅̅⌉
=
1 2 √4+1+1 .√16+1+16
8+1+4 13
= =
√6.√33 √6 √33
13
θ = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 ( )
√198

********************************************
2.Find the angle between the surface 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 = 𝟗 and z =𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟑 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 Point
(2,-1,2)
Sol:- let ∅1 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − 9 = 0 and ∅2 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − z -3=0 be the given surface.
Then 𝛻∅1 = 2xi + 2yj +2 zk and 𝛻∅2 = 2x i+ 2 y j - k
We know that the angle between two surfaces at a point is the angle between the normal to the
surfaces at that point
𝑛1 = 𝛻∅1 at (2, −1,2) = 4 I – 2j + 4 k
Let ̅̅̅
𝑛2 = 𝛻∅2 = at [2, −1,2] = 4i – 2j - k
And ̅̅̅
The vectors ̅̅̅ 𝑛2 are along the normals to the tow surfaces at the point (2,-1,2) let θ
𝑛1 and ̅̅̅

6
be the angle between the two surfaces. Then
̅̅̅̅
𝑛 ̅̅̅̅
1 2 𝑛 (4𝑖−2𝑗+4𝑘)(4𝑖−2𝑗−𝑘)
Cos θ = ⌈𝑛̅̅̅̅⌉⌈𝑛
̅̅̅̅⌉
=
1 2 √16+4+16 √16+4+1
16+4−4
= 6√21
8
= 3√21
8
Θ = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 (3√21)

***************************************************

3.Find the angle of intersection of sphere 𝐱 𝟐 + 𝐲 𝟐 + 𝐳 𝟐 = 29 and 𝐱 𝟐 + 𝐲 𝟐 + 𝐳 𝟐 +4 x - 6 y -

8 z – 47 = 0 at the point (4,-3,2)

Sol:- let f = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = 29 and g = and x 2 + y 2 + z 2 + 4 x - 6 y -8 z – 47 = 0

∂f ∂f ∂f
Grad f = ∂x i̅+∂y j̅ + ∂y j̅ = 2 x i̅ + 2 y j̅ + 2 z k̅

Grad g = ((2x + 4)) i̅ + (2y − 6) j̅ + (2z − 8) k̅

The angle between two surfaces at a point is the angle between the normal to the

Surface at that point.

n1 = grad f at (4,-3,2) = 8 i̅ − 6 j̅ + 4 k̅
̅̅̅

n2 = grad g at (4,-3,2) = 12 i̅ − 12 j̅ – 4 k̅
̅̅̅

1 ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅.
n n2 152
Cos θ = | ̅̅̅̅| =
n 1 |n ̅̅̅̅|
2 √116 √304

19
θ = cos −1 (√29)

***********************************************
4.Evaluate the angle between the normal to the surface x y =𝒛𝟐 at the point (4,1,2) and
(3,3,-3)
Sol:- Given the surface is f(x ,y, z) = x y - 𝑧 2
Let ̅̅̅
𝑛1 and ̅̅̅
𝑛2 be the normals to the surface at (4,1,2) and (3,3,-3) respectively
Differentiating partially we get

7
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
= y + 2z 𝜕𝑦 = x , =-2z
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧

∴ grad f = y𝑖̅ +x𝑗̅ + 2z 𝑘̅

𝑛1
̅̅̅=(grad f) at (4,1,2) = 𝑖̅ +4𝑗̅ -4 𝑘̅
̅ +3𝑗̅ +6𝑘̅
𝑛2 (grad f) at(3,3,-3) = 3𝑖
̅̅̅=
Let θ be the angle between the two normal.
1 2̅̅̅̅𝑛
𝑛 ̅̅̅̅ ̅ +4𝑗̅ −4 𝑘
(𝑖 ̅ ) (3𝑖 ̅)
̅ +3𝑗̅ +6𝑘
∴ cos θ = |𝑛̅̅̅̅||𝑛
̅̅̅̅|
=
1 2 √1+16+16 √9+9+36
3+12−24
=
√33 √54
−9
=
√33 √54

*********************************************
Directional Derivative: The directional derivative of a scalar point function ф at a point p(x,
y, z) in the direction of a unit vector 𝑒̅ is equal to 𝑒̅. Grad ф =𝑒̅ . ∇ф .
Problems:
1.Find the directional derivative of f= x y + y z + z x in the direction of vector 𝐢̅ +2 𝐣̅ + 𝟐𝐤̅
At the point (1,2,0)
Sol:- given f = x y +y z + z x
∂f ∂f ∂f
Grad f = i̅ ∂x + j̅ ∂y +k̅ ∂z = (y+z) i̅ + (z+x) j̅ +(x+y) k̅

If e̅ is the unit vector in the direction of the vector i̅ + 2j̅ + 2k̅, then
̅
i̅ + 2j̅ + 2k 1
e̅ = √12 = 3 (i̅ + 2j̅ + 2k̅)
+22 +22

∴ Directional derivative of f along the given direction = e̅ ∇ f

1
= 3 ( i+2j̅ +2k) [( y+z) i̅ +(z+x) j̅+(x+y) k] at (1,2,0)
1 10
=3 [(y + z) + 2 (z + x) + 2(x + y) (1,2,0) = 3

****************************************
2.Find the directional derivative of the function 𝐱𝐲 𝟐 + 𝐲𝐳 𝟐 + 𝐳𝐱 𝟐 along the tangent
In the curve x = t , y = 𝐭 𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐳 = 𝐭 𝟑 at the point (1,1,1)
∂f ∂f ∂f
̅ +(x 2 + 2yz) k̅
Sol:- ∇f = i̅ ∂x +j̅ ∂y +k̅ ∂z = (y 2 + 2xz) J + (z 2 + 2xy )j

At (1,1,1) ∇f =3i̅ + 3j̅ +3k̅

Let r̅ be the position vector at any point on the curve x = t v = t 2 and z = t 3 then
r̅ = xi̅ +yj̅ +z k̅= i̅ t + t 2 j̅ + t 3 k̅
dr̅
∴ = i̅ + 2tj̅ + 3t 2 k̅ = (i̅ + 2j̅ + 3k̅) At (1,1,1)
dt

8
 dr̅
We know that is the vector along the tangent to the curve
dt

∴ unit vector along the tangent = t̅ . ∇f

1 3 18
= (i̅ + 2j̅ +3k̅). 3 (i̅ + j̅ +k̅) = (1+2+3) =
√14 √14 √14

*************************************************
3.Find the directional derivative of the function f = 𝐱 𝟐 − 𝐲 𝟐 + 𝟐𝐳 𝟐 at the
point p=(1,2,3) in the direction of the line PQ where Q= (5,0,4)
̅̅̅ = i̅ + 2j̅ +3k̅
Sol:- The position vectors of P and Q with respect to the origin are op
and OQ = 5i̅ + 4 k̅
̅̅̅̅

∴̅̅̅̅̅
PQ = ̅̅̅̅̅ OP = 4i̅ − 2j̅ +k̅
OQ - ̅̅̅̅̅
̅
4i̅−2j̅ +k
Let e̅ be the unit vector in the direction of ̅̅̅̅̅
PQ then e̅=
√21
2 2 2
Given f = x − y + 2z
∂f ∂f ∂f
Grad f = i̅ ∂x +j̅ ∂y +k̅+∂z

= 2xi̅ - 2y j̅ +4 zk̅
∴ The directional derivative of f̅ at P(1,2,3) in the direction of ̅̅̅̅̅
PQ = e̅.∇f
1
= (4i̅ − 2j̅ + k̅) (2xi̅ − 2yj̅ + 4zk̅)
√21
1
= (8x + 4y + 4z) at (1,2,3)
√21
1
= (28)
√21

********************************************
4. Find the directional derivative of x y 𝐳 𝟐 + 𝐱𝐳 𝐚𝐭 (1,1,1) in a direction of the normal the
surface 3x𝐲 𝟐 + 𝐲 = 𝐳 𝐚𝐭 (𝟎, 𝟏, 𝟏)
Sol:- let f (x, y, z) = 3 xy 2 +y − z
Let us find the unit normal e̅ to this surface at (0,1,1) then
∂f ∂f ∂f
= 3y 2 , ∂y = 6 xy +1 ∂z = −1
∂x

∴ ∇f = 3y 2 i̅+(6xy + 1) j̅ − k̅
𝛻𝑓(0,1,1) = n̅ = 3i̅ + j̅ − k̅
̅
n ̅
3i̅+j̅− k ̅
3i̅+j̅− k
∴ e̅ = ̅̅̅̅
|n
̅|
= =
√9+1+1 √11
∂g ∂g ∂g
Let g(x, y, z) = x yz 2 +xz then = yz 2 +z , ∂y = xz 2 , =2xyz+x
∂x ∂z

∴ ∇g = ( yz 2 +z) i̅ + xz 2 j̅ + (2xyz + x) k̅
and [∇g] (1,1,1) = 2i̅ + j̅ + 3 k̅

9
 Directional derivative of the given function in the direction of e̅ at (1,1,1)
= ∇g. e̅
̅
3i̅+j̅− k 6+1−3
=(2i̅ + j̅ + 3 ( )=
√11 √11
4
=
√11

*********************************************************
5.Find the directional derivative of ∅ = x y z along the direction of the normal to the
surface 𝐱 𝟐 z+𝐲 𝟐 𝐱 + 𝐲𝐳 𝟐 = 3 at the point (1,1,1)
Sol:- Given ∅ =x y z
∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
= y z, = xz, = xy
∂x ∂y ∂z

∴ grad ∅ = y zi̅ + zx j̅ + xyk̅ = i̅ + j̅ + k̅ at (1,1,1)

Let f(x, y, z) = x 2 z+y 2 x + yz 2 - 3=0 be the surface
∂f ∂f
=2xz + y 2 ⇒ (∂x) = 2+1=3
∂x (1,1,1)
∂f ∂f
= 2yx +y 2 ⇒ (∂y) = 2+1=3
∂y (1,1,1)
∂f ∂f
=x 2 +2yz⇒ (∂z) = 1+2=3
∂z (1,1,1)

Normal to the surface f(x, y, z)= 0, at (1,1,1) is given by n̅ = (3i̅ + 3j̅ + 3k̅)
̅
n
directional derivative = grad ∅. |n̅|
̅)
3i̅+3j̅+3k
= ( i+ j +k)
√27
9
=
√27

*******************************************
6.Find the directional derivative of ∅ = 𝐱 𝟐 𝐲𝐳 + 𝟒𝐱𝐳 𝟐 𝐚𝐭 (1,-2,-1) in the
direction 𝟐𝐢̅ − 𝐣̅ − 𝟐 𝐤̅
Sol:- Given ∅ = x 2 yz + 4xz 2
∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
= 2 xyz +4z 2 , = x2z , = x 2 y + 8 xz
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂∅
Hence ∇∅ = ∑ i = I (2xyz +4z 2 ) + j x 2 z + k ( x 2 y+8xz)
∂x

∴ ∇∅ = (1,-2, -1) = I (4+4)+j(-1)+k (-2-8) = 8i – j-10k

The unit vector in the direction 2i –j -2k
2i –j −2k 1
e̅ = = 3 (2i –j -2k)
√4+1+4

10
∴ Required directional derivative along the given direction
= ∇ ∅ . e̅
1
=(8i-j-10k) . (2i –j -2k)
3
1
= 3 (16+1+20)
37
= 3

************************************************
7.Find the directional derivative of 2xy+𝐳 𝟐 at (1,-1,3) in the direction of = 𝐢̅ + 𝟐𝐣̅ + 𝟑 𝐤̅
∂f ∂f ∂f
Sol:- let f =2 x y+z 2 then ∂x = 2y = 2x = 2z
∂y ∂z
∂f ∂f ∂f
grad f̅ = i̅ + ∂y + j̅ + k̅
∂x ∂z

∴ grad f̅ = 2 y i̅ + 2 xj̅ + 2z k̅
and (grad f) at (1,-1,3) = - 2i̅ + 2j̅ + 6 k̅
Given vector is a̅ = i̅+2j̅+3 k̅ = |a̅ | = √1 + 4 + 9 = √14
Directional derivative of f in the direction of a̅ is
a̅ ∇f ̅̅̅̅
(𝐢+𝟐𝐣̅+𝟑 𝐤̅)(− 2i̅+2j̅+6 k
̅) −2+4+18 20
|a̅ |
= = =
√14 √14 √14

********************************************
8.Find the direction derivative of f (x, y, z) = x𝐲 𝟐 + 𝐲𝐳 𝟑 at the point (2,-1,1) in the direction
of the vector i+2j+2k
Sol:- Give f(x, y, z) = xy 2 + yz 3
∂f ∂f ∂f
∴ = y2 = 2xy+z 3 = 3 yz 2
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂f ∂f ∂f
∇f= ̅i + ∂y + j̅ + k̅
∂x ∂z

∇f = y 2 I + (2x y+ z 3 )j + 3 yz 2 k
∴ ∇f at (2,-1,1) = i – 3j – 3k
Let a̅ = (i + 2j̅ + 2 k̅)
a̅ ̅
i+2j̅+2 k ̅
i+2j̅+2 k
e = |a̅ | = =
√1+4+4 3

Directional derivative = ∇f . e
̅
i+2j̅+2 k
=(i-3j-3k) . 3
1−6−6 11
= =
3 3

********************************************************

11
9.Find the directional derivative of the function ∅ = x𝐲 𝟐 + 𝐲𝐳 𝟑 at the point (2,-1,1) in the
Direction of the normal to the surface x log z - 𝒚𝟐 + 𝟒 = 𝟎 at (-1,2,1)
Sol:- Given ∅ = x𝑦 2 + 𝑦𝑧 3 ………(1)
f (x, y, z) = x log z - 𝑦 2 +4
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 1
∴ 𝜕𝑥 = log z 𝜕𝑦 = - 2y, = x (𝑧 )
𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝛻f = 𝜕𝑥 ̅𝑖 + 𝜕𝑦 + 𝑗̅ + 𝑘̅
𝜕𝑧

∇f = log z 𝑖̅ +(-2y) 𝑗̅+ + (x z) 𝑘̅

∇f at (-1,2,1) = log 1 ̅𝑖 − 4 𝑗̅ - 𝑘̅ = - 4 𝑗̅ - 𝑘̅ =𝑛̅
(∇∅) = 𝑦 2 𝑖̅+ (2 xy +𝑧 3 ) 𝑗̅ + (3y𝑧 2 ) 𝑘̅
(𝛻∅)(2,−1,1) = 𝑖̅ − 3𝑗̅ − 3𝑘̅
Directional derivative of ∅ at (2,-1,1) in the direction of 𝑛̅
(𝛻∅)𝑛̅ (−4𝑗−𝑘) 0+12+3 15
= = (𝑖 − 3𝑖 − 3𝑘) = =
| 𝑛̅| √16+1 √16+1 √17

******************************************************
10.Find the directional derivative of ∅ (x, y, z) = 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝒛 + 𝟒𝒙𝒛𝟐 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 ( 𝟏, −𝟐, −𝟏)
In the direction of the normal to the surface f(x, y, z) = x log z - 𝒚𝟐 at (-1,2,1).
Sol:- Given ∅(x, y, z) = 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + 4𝑥𝑧 2 at ( 1, −2, −1)
and f(x, y, z) = x log z - 𝑦 2 at (-1,2,-1)
𝜕∅ 𝜕∅ 𝜕∅
Now ∇∅ = 𝜕𝑥 𝑖̅ + 𝜕𝑦 𝑗̅ + 𝜕𝑧 𝑘̅

= ( 2xyz + 4𝑧 2 ) 𝑖̅ + (𝑥 2 𝑧) 𝑗̅ + (𝑥 2 𝑦 + 8𝑥𝑧) 𝑘̅
∴ (𝛻∅)(1,−2,−1) = [2(1) (-2)(-1)+4(−1)2] 𝑖̅ + ( 12 (−1)) 𝑗̅ + [(1)2 (-2) +8 (-1)] 𝑘̅
= 8𝑖̅ - 𝑗̅ − 10𝑘̅ ………….(1)
Unit normal to the surface
𝛻𝑓
f(x, y, z) = x log z - 𝑦 2 is |𝛻𝑓|
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
𝛻𝑓 = 𝑖̅ + 𝜕𝑦 𝑗̅ + 𝜕𝑧 𝑘̅
𝜕𝑥
𝑥
= log z . 𝑖̅ - 2y. 𝑗̅ + 𝑘̅
𝑧
−1
At (-1,2,1) ∇f = log (1) 𝑖̅ − 2(2)𝑗̅ + 𝑘̅ = -4 𝑗̅ − 𝑘
1
𝛻𝑓 −4𝑗̅−𝑘 −4 𝑗̅−𝑘
∴ e= |𝛻𝑓 |
= =
√16+1 √17
𝛻𝑓
∴ Directional derivative = ∇∅ . |𝛻𝑓 |

12
 ̅
−4𝑗̅−𝑘 4+10 14
= (8 𝑖̅ − 𝑗̅ − 10𝑘̅ ). = =
√17 √17 √17

***********************************************
11.In what direction from the point (-1,1,2) is the direction derivation of ∅ = x 𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝟑
maximum what is the magnitude of this maximum ?
𝜕∅ 𝜕∅ 𝜕∅
Sol:- we have ∅ = x 𝑦 3 𝑧 4 ⇒ = 𝑦 2 𝑥 3 , 𝜕𝑦 = 2 x 𝑦 𝑧 3 , 𝜕𝑧 = 3 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2
𝜕𝑥

We know that the vector 𝛻∅ is along the normal to the surface ∅(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧) = c at a point
P (x, y ,z)
𝜕∅ 𝜕∅ 𝜕∅
Now 𝛻∅ = 𝑖̅ + 𝑗̅ 𝜕𝑦 + 𝑘̅ 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑥

= 𝑦 2 𝑧 3 𝑖̅ + 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 3 𝑗̅ + 3𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 2 𝑘̅
At (-1,1,2) 𝛻∅ = 8𝑖̅ - 16 𝑗̅ − 12 𝑘̅
The directional derivative is maximum in the direction of 𝛻∅ and the magnitude of this
Maximum is |𝛻∅| = √82 + (−16)2 +(−12)2 = √64 + 256 + 144 = √464
**********************************************
12.In what direction (3,1,-2) is the directional derivative of f(x, y, z) = 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝟒 maximum
and what is its magnitude?
Sol:- We have f (x, y, z) = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 4
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
∴ = 2 x 𝑦 2 𝑧 4 , 𝜕𝑦 = 2 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 4 , = 4 𝑥2𝑦2𝑧3
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧

We know that the vector 𝛻𝑓 is along the normal to the surface f(x ,y, z) = c at a point
P (x, y, z)
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
But 𝛻𝑓 = 𝑖̅ + 𝑗̅ 𝜕𝑦 + 𝑘̅ 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑥

= 2 x 𝑦 2 𝑧 4 𝑖̅ + 2 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 4 𝑗̅ + 4 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 3 𝑘̅
At (3,1, -2) 𝛻𝑓 = 2 (3) (1)2 (−2)4 𝑖̅ +4 (3)2 (1)3 (−2)3 𝑘̅
=96 𝑖̅ + 288 𝑗̅ -288 k
= 96 (i + 3j -3k)
The directional derivative is maximum in the direction of 𝛻𝑓 and the magnitude of this
maximum
|𝛻𝑓 | = √(96)2 + (96)2 + (96)2 (9)

= 96 √1 + 9 + 9
= 96 √19
****************************************

13
13.Find the directional derivative of 𝜵 . 𝜵∅ at the point (1,-2,1) in the direction of the
normal to the surface x 𝒚𝟐 𝒛 = 𝟑𝒙 + 𝒛𝟐 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 ∅ = 𝟐𝒙𝟑 𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝟒
Sol:- Given ∅ = 2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧 4
𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2
g= 𝛻 . 𝛻∅ = 𝛻 2 ∅ = 𝜕𝑥 2 (2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧 4 ) + 𝜕𝑦 2 (2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧 4 ) + 𝜕𝑧 2 (2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧 4 )

= 12 x 𝑦 2 𝑧 4 + 4𝑥 3 𝑧 4 + 24 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧 2
Given surface is f (x, y, z) = x 𝑦 2 z – 3x - 𝑧 2
Differentiating partially w.r.t x , y and z we get
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
= 𝑦 2 𝑧 − 3, = 2𝑥𝑦𝑧, = 𝑥𝑦 2 − 2𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Normal to the surface is 𝛻𝑓 = (𝑦 2 𝑧 − 3)𝑖̅ + (2𝑥𝑦𝑧)𝑗̅ + (𝑥𝑦 2 − 2𝑧)𝑘̅

𝑛̅ = normal to the surface at the point (1,2,-1)
and 𝛻g = (12𝑦 3 𝑧 4 + 12𝑥 2 𝑧 4 + 72𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑧 2 ) 𝑖̅
+(24𝑥𝑦𝑧 4 + 48𝑦𝑧 2 )𝑗̅ + [48𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 3 + 16𝑥 3 𝑧 3 + 48𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧]𝑘̅
Now 𝛻𝑔(1,−2,1) = 348 𝑖̅ − 144𝑗̅ + 400𝑘̅
𝑛̅ ̅
𝑖̅−4𝑗̅+2𝑘
Thus the required directional derivative =𝛻g = ⌈𝑛̅⌉ = (348 𝑖̅ − 144𝑗̅ + 400𝑘̅ ) .
√21
1724
=
√21

************************************************
14. Find the values of a and b so that surface a𝒙𝟐 − 𝒃𝒚𝒛 = (a+2) x at 4𝒙𝟐 𝒚 + 𝒛𝟑 = 𝟒
May intersect orthogonally at the point (1,-1,2) (or) Find the constants a and b so that the
Surface a𝒙𝟐 − 𝒃𝒚𝒛 = (a+2) x will be orthogonal the surface 4𝐱 𝟐 𝐲 + 𝐳 𝟑 = 𝟒 at the
Point (1,-1,2)
Sol:- let the given surfaces be
f (x , y ,z) = ax 2 − byz = (a+2) x ……………(1)
g(x, y, z) = 4x 2 y + z 3 = 4 ……………(2)
Given the two surfaces meet at the point (1,-1,2)
Substituting the point in (1), we get
a+2b – (a+2) = 0 ⇒ b = 1
∂f ∂f ∂f
now = 2ax − (a + 2), = −bz, = −bz
∂x ∂y ∂z
∂f
∇f = ∑ i = [2 ax − (a + 2)] i̅ − bz j̅ − byk̅
∂x

(∇f)(1,−1,2) = [2ax − (a + 2)] i̅ − 2b j̅ − +bk̅ = (a − 2)i̅ − −2bj̅ + bk̅

= (a-2) i̅ − 2 j̅ + k̅ = ̅̅̅
n1 normall vector to surface 1

14
 ∂g ∂g ∂g
Also ∂x = 8 xy , ∂y = 4x 2 , ∂z = 3z 2

∂g ∂g
∴ ∇ g = ∑i = 8 x y i̅ + 4 x 2 j̅ = 3 z 2 k̅
∂x ∂z

∇g (1,−1,2) = -8 I + 4j + 12 k = ̅̅̅
n2 normal vector to surface 2.

Given the surfaces f (x, y, z), g(x, y, z) are orthogonal at the point (1,-1,2)

∴ |∇f| |∇g| = 0 ⇒ (a-2) i̅ -2 j̅ + k ) (- 8i̅ +4j̅ + 12k̅ ) = 0

5
⇒ -8a + 16 – 8 +12 = 0 ⇒ a = 2

Hence a = 5/2 and b =1

*********************************************

DIVERGENT OF A VECTOR POINT FUNCTION:

∂f1 ∂f2 ∂f3
Divergence of a vector point function f̅ = f1 i̅ + f2 j̅ + f3 k̅ is divf̅ = ∇f̅ = + +
∂x ∂y ∂z

A vector function f̅ is said to be solenoidal if div f̅ = 0

This equation is also called the equation of continuity or converse of mass
Solenoidal Vector: The vector point function is said to be solenoidal if divergent of 𝑓 ̅ is 0
i.e., div 𝒇̅ = 𝟎
Problems:
1. If 𝒇̅ = 𝒙𝒚𝟐 𝑖̅ + 𝟐𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝒛𝑗̅ − 𝟑𝒚𝒛𝟐 𝒌
̅ find div 𝒇̅ at (1,-1,1)

Sol:- Given 𝑓 ̅ = 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑖̅ + 2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧𝑗̅ − 3𝑦𝑧 2 𝑘̅. Then

𝜕𝑓1 𝜕𝑓2 𝜕𝑓3
div 𝑓 ̅ = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝜕𝑥 (𝑥𝑦 2 ) + 𝜕𝑦 (2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧) + 𝜕𝑧 (−3𝑦𝑧 2 )

= 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥 2 𝑧 − 6𝑦𝑧
∴ div 𝑓 ̅ at (1,-1,1) = 1+2+6 = 9
*************************
2.Find div 𝒇̅ where 𝒇̅ = grad (𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑 + 𝒛𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝒚𝒛)
Sol:- Let ∅ = ( 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧) then
𝜕∅ 𝜕∅ 𝜕∅
= 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑦𝑧, = 3𝑦 2 − 3𝑧𝑥, = 3𝑧 2 − 3𝑥𝑦
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝑓 ̅ = (3𝑥 2 -3 y z 𝑖̅ + (3𝑦 2 -3zx) 𝑗̅ + (3𝑧 2 -3xy) 𝑘̅.

15
 𝜕𝑓1 𝜕𝑓2 𝜕𝑓3
∴ 𝑓̅ = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= [3(𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧) + 𝜕𝑦 [3(𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥)] + [3(𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦)]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧

= 3(2x) + 3(2y) +3(2z) = 6( x + y +z)

*********************************
3.If 𝒇̅ = (x + 3y) 𝒊̅ + (𝒚 − 𝟐𝒛) 𝒋̅ + (x + p z) 𝒌
̅ is solenoidal find p.

Sol:- let 𝑓 ̅ = (x + 3y) 𝑖̅ + (𝑦 − 2𝑧) 𝑗̅ + (x + p z) 𝑘̅

𝜕𝑓1 𝜕𝑓2 𝜕𝑓3
We have =1, = 1 and =p
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
∴ div 𝑓 ̅ = 𝜕𝑥1 +𝜕𝑦2 + 𝜕𝑧3 = 1+1+p = 2+p

Since 𝑓 ̅ is solenoidal we have div 𝑓 ̅ = 0 ⇒ 2 + 𝑝 = 0 ⇒ 𝑝 = −2

************************************
̅
4.Find div 𝒓̅ 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒓̅ = 𝒙𝒊̅ + 𝒚𝒋̅ + 𝒛𝒌
Sol:- we have 𝑟̅ = 𝑥𝑖̅ + 𝑦𝑗̅ + 𝑧𝑘̅ = 𝑓1 𝑖̅ + 𝑓2𝑗̅ + 𝑓3 𝑘̅
𝜕𝑓1 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
∴ div 𝑓 ̅ = +𝜕𝑦2 + 𝜕𝑧3
𝜕𝑥
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝜕𝑥 (𝑥) + 𝜕𝑦 (𝑦) + (𝑧)
𝜕𝑧

= 1+1+1
=3
*****************************************
5.Find div 𝒇̅ where 𝒇̅ = 𝒓𝒏 . 𝒓̅ where = x𝒊̅ + 𝒚𝒋̅ +z𝒌
̅ and r =|𝒓̅| Also find n if 𝒇̅ is solenoidal

Sol:- Given 𝑓 ̅ = 𝑟 𝑛 . 𝑟̅ where 𝑟̅ = x𝑖̅ + 𝑦𝑗̅ +z𝑘̅ and r =|𝑟̅ |

We have 𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
Differentiating partially w.r.t x we get
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝑥
∴ 2r 𝜕𝑥 = 2𝑥 ⇒ = 𝑟.
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑟 𝑦 𝜕𝑟 𝑧
Similarly , = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 =
𝜕𝑦 𝑟 𝜕𝑧 𝑟

∴ 𝑓 ̅ = 𝑟 𝑛 (x𝑖̅ + 𝑦𝑗̅ +z𝑘̅ )

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴ div 𝑓 ̅ = 𝜕𝑥 (𝑟 𝑛 .x) + 𝜕𝑦 = (𝑟 𝑛 .y) + 𝜕𝑧 (𝑟 𝑛 .z)
𝜕 𝜕𝑟
∑ (𝑟 𝑛 𝑥) = ∑(𝑥,𝑦,𝑧)(𝑟 𝑛 . 1 + 𝑥 𝑛 𝑟 𝑛−1 )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝑥
= ∑ (𝑟 𝑛 + 𝑥 . 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−1 )
𝑟

= ∑ (𝑟 𝑛 + 𝑥 . 𝑛 𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑥 2 )

16
 = 3𝑟 𝑛 + n 𝑟 𝑛−2 ∑ 𝑥 2
= 3𝑟 𝑛 + n . 𝑟 𝑛−2 ∑ 𝑥 2
= 3𝑟 𝑛 + n 𝑟 𝑛−2 𝑟 2
= 3𝑟 𝑛 + n . 𝑟 𝑛
div 𝑓 ̅ = 𝑟 𝑛 (3 +n)
Given 𝑓̅ is solenoidal
div 𝑓 ̅ = 0
𝑟 𝑛 (3 +n) = 0
3+n=0
n=-3
******************************************
𝒓̅
̅ and r =|𝒓̅|
6.Evaluate ∇ . (𝒓𝟑 ) where 𝒓̅ = x𝒊̅ + 𝒚𝒋̅ +z𝒌
𝒓̅
(Or) show that (𝒓𝟑 ) is solenoidal

Sol:- we have 𝑟̅ = x𝑖̅ + 𝑦𝑗̅ +z𝑘̅ and r =√𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2

𝜕𝑟 𝑥 𝜕𝑟 𝑦 𝜕𝑟 𝑧
∴𝜕𝑥 = = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 =
𝑟 𝜕𝑦 𝑟 𝜕𝑧 𝑟
𝑟̅
∴ (𝑟 3 ) = 𝑟̅ 𝑟 −3 = 𝑟 −3 x𝑖̅ + 𝑟 −3 𝑦𝑗̅ + 𝑟 −3 z𝑘̅ = 𝑓1 𝑖̅ + 𝑓2𝑗̅ + 𝑓3 𝑘̅
𝑟̅ 𝜕𝑓1 𝜕𝑓 𝜕𝑓
Hence ∇ . (𝑟 3) = +𝜕𝑦2 + 𝜕𝑧3
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓1 𝜕𝑟
We have 𝑓1 = 𝑟 −3 ⇒ = 𝑟 −3.1+ x (-3) 𝑟 −4. 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑓1 𝑥
∴ = 𝑟 −3 − 3 𝑥 𝑟 −4 . 𝑟 = 𝑟 −3 − 3 𝑥 2 𝑟 −5
𝜕𝑥
𝑟̅ 𝜕𝑓1
∴ ∇ . ( 3) = ∑ = 3. 𝑟 −3- 3𝑟 −5 ∑ 𝑥 2
𝑟 𝜕𝑥

=3. 𝑟 −3- 3𝑟 −5 𝑟 2 = 3. 𝑟 −3 - 3. 𝑟 −3= 0

𝑟̅
Hence 𝑟 3 is solenoidal

**********************************************
Curl of a vector point function :
Curl of a vector point Function f̅ = f1 i̅ + f2 j̅ + f3 k̅ is
i̅ j̅ k̅
∂ ∂ ∂
Curl f̅ = ∇ × f̅ = | |
∂x ∂y ∂x
f1 f2 f3
If Curl f̅ = 0 then f̅ is irrational vector.

17
1. If 𝒇̅ = 𝒙𝒚𝟐 𝒊̅ + 𝟐𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝒛𝒋̅ – 𝟑𝒚𝒛𝟐 𝒌
̅ find curl 𝒇̅ 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 (𝟏, −𝟏, 𝟏)

Sol:- Let 𝑓 ̅ = 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑖̅ + 2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧𝑗̅ – 3𝑦𝑧 2 𝑘̅ then

Curl 𝑓 ̅ = ∇ ×𝑓 ̅ = 𝑖̅ 𝑗̅ 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝑥𝑦 2 2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 −3𝑦𝑧 2

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝑖̅ [ 𝜕𝑦 (– 3𝑦𝑧 2 ) - 𝜕𝑧 (2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧)] - 𝑗̅ [𝜕𝑥 (– 3𝑦𝑧 2 ) − (𝑥𝑦 2 )] + 𝑘̅ [ (2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧) (𝑥𝑦 2 )]
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

= 𝑖̅[-3𝑧 2 -2𝑥 2 y] – ̅𝑗 [0-0] + 𝑘̅ [ 4xy - 2xy] = - (3𝑧 2 + 2𝑥 2 y ) + (4xyz – 2xy) 𝑘̅

∴ curl 𝑓 ̅ 𝑎𝑡 (1,-1,1) = -𝑖̅ − 2 𝑘̅ .
******************************
2.Find curl 𝒇̅ for 𝒇̅ = 𝟐𝒙𝒛𝟐 𝒊̅ − 𝒚𝒛 ̅𝒋 + 𝟑𝒙𝒛𝟑 𝒌
̅

Sol:- 𝑓 ̅ = 2𝑥𝑧 2 𝑖̅ − 𝑦𝑧 𝑗̅ + 3𝑥𝑧 3 𝑘̅

Curl 𝑓 ̅ = ̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

2𝑥𝑧 2 − 𝑦𝑧 3𝑥𝑧 3

𝑖 + 𝑦] − ̅𝑗 [3𝑧 3 − 4 𝑥𝑧] + 𝑘̅ [0 − 0]
= ̅[0
= y ̅𝑖 + [4𝑥𝑧 − 3𝑧 3 ]̅𝑗
***********************************
3.Find curl 𝒇̅ for 𝒇̅ = 𝒛̅𝒊 + 𝒙̅𝒋 + 𝒚𝒌
̅

Sol:- curl 𝑓 ̅ = ̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Z x y
= ̅(1-0)
𝑖 - ̅𝑗 (0-1) +𝑘̅ (1-0)
= ̅𝑖 + ̅𝑗 + 𝑘̅
*************************************
4.Find curl 𝒇̅ 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇̅ = xy𝒛𝟐 ̅𝒊 + 𝒙𝒚𝟐 𝒛̅𝒋 + 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝒛 𝒌
̅

Sol:- curl 𝑓 ̅ = ̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

x y𝑧 2 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧

18
 = ̅𝑖 ( 𝑥 2 𝑧 − 𝑥𝑦 2 ) − ̅𝑗 (2𝑥𝑦𝑧 − 2𝑥𝑦𝑧) + 𝑘̅ ( 𝑦 2 𝑧 - 𝑥𝑧 2 )
= 𝑖̅ (𝑥 2 𝑧 − 𝑥𝑦 2 ) +𝑘̅(𝑦 2 𝑧 − 𝑥𝑧 2 )
*****************************
5.Find div curl 𝒇̅ 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇̅ y𝒛̅𝒊 + 𝒛𝒙̅𝒋 + 𝒙𝒚𝒌
̅

Sol:- curl 𝑓 ̅ = ̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

yz 𝑥𝑧 𝑦𝑥

= ̅𝑖 (𝑥 − 𝑥) + ̅𝑗 ( 𝑦 − 𝑦 ) + 𝑘̅ (𝑧 − 𝑧)
= 0̅
div curl (𝑓 )̅ = 0
***************************
6.Find curl 𝒇̅ where 𝒇̅ = grad ( 𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑 + 𝒛𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝒚𝒛)
Sol:- let ∅ = 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 − 3𝑥𝑦𝑧 then
𝑓 ̅ = grad ∅
𝜕∅
=∑ ̅𝑖 𝜕𝑥

= 3 (𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧) ̅𝑖 + 3 (𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥)̅𝑗 + 3 (𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦) 𝑘̅

̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
∴ curl 𝑓 ̅ = curl grad∅ = 𝛁 × grad ∅ = 3 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧 𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥 𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦

= 3 [ ̅𝑖 (– 𝑥 + 𝑥) − ̅𝑗 (– 𝑦 + 𝑦) + 𝑘̅ (−𝑧 + 𝑧)] = 0̅
Hence curl 𝑓 ̅ = 0̅
**********************************
Note: We can prove in general that curl (grad ∅) = 0̅
(i.e) grad ∅ is always irrotational.
***********************************************

̅ = ( x + y + 1) I + j – ( x + y) k, then show that 𝑭

7. If 𝑭 ̅ . 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒍 𝑭
̅ =𝟎
Sol:- Given 𝐹̅ = ( 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1) 𝑖 + 𝑗 – ( 𝑥 + 𝑦) 𝑘

19
curl 𝑓 ̅ = 𝛻 × 𝑓 ̅ = ̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝑖(-1-0) – j(-1+0) +k (0-1) = - i + j – k
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

x+y+1 1 -(x+ y)

∴𝑓 ̅ curl 𝑓 ̅ = [(x+y+1) i + j – (x + y ) k ] . [ - i + j – k] = -x – y -1 +1+ x + y = 0

************************************************
8.Find constants a, b and c if the vector
𝒇̅ = (2x+3y+az) 𝒊̅ + ( bx+2y+3z) ̅𝒋 + (2x+cy+3z) 𝒌̅ is Irrotational
Sol:- Given 𝑓 ̅ = (2x+3y+az) 𝑖̅ + ( bx+2y+3z) ̅𝑗 + (2x+cy+3z) 𝑘̅
Curl 𝑓 ̅ = ̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= ̅𝑖 (c-3) –̅𝑗 (2-a) +𝑘̅ (b-3)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 𝑎𝑧 𝑏𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 2𝑥 + 𝑐𝑦 + 3𝑧

If the vector is irrotational then Curl 𝑓 ̅ = 0̅

∴ c-3 = 0, 2-a = 0, b-3 =0 ⇒ c =3, a= 2, b=3
****************************************************
9.Prove that if 𝒓̅ is the position vector of any point in space then 𝒓𝒏 𝒓̅ is irrotational (or)
show that the curl (𝒓𝒏 𝒓̅) = 0
Sol:- let 𝑟̅ = 𝑥𝑖̅ + 𝑦𝑗̅ + 𝑧𝑘̅ and r = |𝑟̅ | ∴ 𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝑥
Differentiating w.r.t ‘x’ partially we get 2r 𝜕𝑥 = 2x ⇒ 𝜕𝑥 = 𝑟
𝜕𝑟 𝑦 𝜕𝑟 𝑧
Similarly 𝜕𝑦 = 𝑟 and =𝑟
𝜕𝑧

We have (𝑟 𝑛 𝑟̅ ) = 𝑟 𝑛 (𝑥𝑖̅ + 𝑦𝑗̅ + 𝑧𝑘̅)

∇ × (𝑟 𝑛 𝑟̅ ) = ̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

x𝑟 𝑛 𝑦𝑟 𝑛 𝑧𝑟 𝑛
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= ̅𝑖 {𝜕𝑦 (𝑟 𝑛 𝑧) − (𝑟 𝑛 𝑦)} − ̅𝑗 {𝜕𝑥 (𝑟 𝑛 𝑧) − (𝑟 𝑛 𝑧)} + 𝑘̅ {𝜕𝑥 (𝑟 𝑛 𝑦) −
𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
𝜕
( 𝑟 𝑛 𝑥̅ )
𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝑦 𝑧
= ∑ ̅𝑖 {𝑧𝑛𝑟 𝑛−1 𝜕𝑦 − 𝑦𝑛𝑟 𝑛−1 } = n𝑟 𝑛−1 ∑ ̅𝑖 {𝑧 ( ) − 𝑦 ( )}
𝜕𝑧 𝑟 𝑟

̅
= 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 [ (zy- yz) ̅𝑖 + (𝑥𝑧 − 𝑧𝑥)̅𝑗 + (𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦𝑧) 𝑘]
= 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 [0 ̅𝑖 + 0̅𝑗 + 0𝑘̅] = 𝑛𝑟 𝑛−2 [0̅]
20
 =0̅
Hence 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟̅ is irrotational
*********************************************
10 .Show that the vector (𝒙𝟐 - yz) ̅𝒊 +(𝒚𝟐 - zx) ̅𝒋 + (𝒛𝟐 - xy) 𝒌̅ is irrotational and find its
scalar potential.
Sol:- let 𝑓 ̅ = (𝑥 2 - yz) ̅𝑖 + (𝑦 2- zx) ̅𝑗 + (𝑧 2 – xy) 𝑘̅
̅
Then curl 𝑓 = ̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= ∑ 𝑖 (−𝑥 + 𝑥) = 0̅
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧 𝑦 2 − 𝑧 𝑥 𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦

∴ 𝑓 ̅ is irrotational. Then there exists ∅ such that 𝑓 ̅ = ∇∅

𝜕∅ 𝜕∅ 𝜕∅
⇒ ̅𝑖 𝜕𝑥
+ ̅𝑗 𝜕𝑦
+ 𝑘̅ 𝜕𝑧
= (𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧) ̅𝑖 + (𝑦 2 − 𝑧 𝑥)̅𝑗 + ( 𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦)𝑘̅

Comparing components we get

𝜕∅ 𝑥3
= 𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧 ⇒ ∅ = ∫(𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑧) 𝑑𝑥 = – xyz + 𝑓1 (y,z) …………….(1)
𝜕𝑥 3
𝜕∅ 𝑦3
= 𝑦 2 − 𝑧𝑥 ⇒ ∅ = – xyz + 𝑓2 (z , x) …………….(2)
𝜕𝑦 3

𝜕∅ 𝑧3
= 𝑧 2 − 𝑥𝑦 ⇒ ∅ = – xyz + 𝑓3 (x,y) …………….(3)
𝜕𝑧 3
1
∴ ∅ = 3 (𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 + 𝑧 3 ) − 𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙

*********************************************
̅
̅ where 𝒓̅ = 𝒓̅ = 𝒙𝒊̅ + 𝒚𝒋̅ + 𝒛𝒌
11.If f(r) is differentiable show that curl {𝒓̅ 𝒇(𝒓)} = 𝟎
sol:- r = |𝑟̅ | = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
∴ 𝑟2 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝑥 𝜕𝑟 𝑦 𝜕𝑟 𝑧
⇒ 2r 𝜕𝑥 = 2𝑥 ⇒ = similarly 𝜕𝑦 = , 𝜕𝑧 = 𝑟
𝜕𝑥 𝑟 𝑟

Curl {𝑟̅ 𝑓(𝑟)} = curl {𝑓(𝑟) 𝑥𝑖̅ + 𝑦𝑗̅ + 𝑧𝑘̅ } = curl (x. f(r) 𝑗̅ + 𝑧𝑘̅ )
̅𝑖 ̅𝑗 𝑘̅
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

X𝑓(𝑟) 𝑦 𝑓(𝑟) 𝑧𝑓(𝑟)

𝜕 𝜕
= ∑ ̅𝑖 [𝜕𝑦 [ 𝑧 𝑓(𝑟) ] − [ 𝑦 𝑓(𝑟)]]
𝜕𝑧
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝑦 𝑧
= ∑ ̅𝑖 [𝑧 𝑓 ′ (𝑟) 𝜕𝑦 – 𝑦 𝑓 ′ (𝑟) 𝜕𝑧 ] = ∑ ̅𝑖 [𝑧 𝑓 ′ (𝑟) 𝑟 – 𝑦 𝑓 ′ (𝑟) 𝑟 ]

21
 = ̅0
********************************************
12. Prove that div (grad 𝒓𝒎 ) = m (m+1) 𝒓𝒎−𝟐 (or) 𝜵𝟐 (𝒓𝒎 ) = m (m+1) 𝒓𝒎−𝟐
Sol:- let ̅𝑟 = = 𝑥𝑖̅ + 𝑦𝑗̅ + 𝑧𝑘̅
and r = |𝑟̅ | then 𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2
𝜕𝑟 𝑥
Differentiating partially w.r.t ‘x’ we get 2x = =𝑟
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑟 𝑦 𝜕𝑟 𝑧
Similarly = ; =𝑟
𝜕𝑦 𝑟 𝜕𝑍
𝜕
Now grad (𝑟 𝑚 ) = ∑ ̅𝑖 (𝑟 𝑚 )
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑟
= ∑ ̅𝑖 𝑚 . 𝑟 𝑚−1 𝜕𝑥
𝑚−1 𝑥
= ∑ ̅𝑖 𝑚 . 𝑟 𝑟

=∑ ̅𝑖 𝑚 . 𝑟 𝑚−2 x
𝜕
∴ div (grad 𝑟 𝑚 ) = ∑ [𝑚 . 𝑟 𝑚−2 𝑥]
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑟
= m ∑[(𝑚 − 2) 𝑟 𝑚−3 x + 𝑟 𝑚−2 ]
𝜕𝑥
𝑥 𝑥
=m ∑(𝑚 − 2) 𝑟 𝑚−3 + x +𝑟 𝑚−3 𝑟 + x + 𝑟 𝑚−2
𝑟

= m ∑[(𝑚 − 2) 𝑟 𝑚−4 (𝑥 2 ) + 𝑟 𝑚−2 ]

=m [ (m-2) 𝑟 𝑚−4 ∑ 𝑥 2 + ∑ 𝑟 𝑚−2 ]
= m [(m-2) 𝑟 𝑚−4 (𝑟 2 )+3𝑟 𝑚−2 ]
= m [(m-2) 𝑟 𝑚−4 (𝑟 2 )+3𝑟 𝑚−2 ]
= m [(m-2+3) 𝑟 𝑚−2 ]
= m(m+1) 𝑟 𝑚−2
Hence 𝛻 2 (𝑟 𝑚 ) = m(m+1) 𝑟 𝑚−2
*************************************
Note : If n=-1 then 𝛻 2 (𝑟 −1 ) = 0
Note:
1. ̅𝑖. 𝑖̅ = 𝑗̅.𝑗̅ = 𝑘̅ . 𝑘̅= 1
2. ̅𝑖. 𝑗̅ = 𝑗̅.𝑘̅ = 𝑘̅ . 𝑖̅=0
3. ̅𝑖 𝑋 𝑖̅ = 𝑗̅ 𝑋 𝑗̅ = 𝑘̅ X 𝑘̅= 0
4. ̅𝑖 𝑋 𝑗̅ = 𝑘̅ 𝑗̅ X 𝑖̅ = - 𝑘̅
5. ̅
̅𝑗 𝑋 𝑘 = 𝑖̅ 𝑘̅ X 𝑗̅ =- 𝑖̅
6. ̅̅̅
𝑘 𝑋 𝑖̅ = 𝑗̅ 𝑖̅ X 𝑘̅ =- 𝑗̅
7. ̅𝑎 𝑋 (𝑏̅ + ̅) 𝑐 = ̅̅̅̅
( 𝑎 𝑋 ̅̅̅𝑏 ) + ( ̅𝑎 𝑋 ̅)
𝑐
8. ̅
̅𝑎 . (𝑏𝑋 ̅) 𝑐 ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅ (
= ( 𝑎 𝑋 𝑏 ). ̅𝑐 𝑜𝑟 ̅𝑎 𝑋 ̅). 𝑐 ̅̅̅
𝑏
9. ̅𝑎 𝑋 𝑏̅ = −(̅̅̅̅ 𝑏 𝑋 𝑎̅)

22
 10. ̅𝑎 𝑋 (𝑏̅𝑋 ̅)
𝑐 𝑐 ̅̅̅
= ( ̅𝑎 . ̅). 𝑏 − ( ̅𝑎 . ̅𝑏). ̅𝑐
11. ((̅̅̅ ̅̅̅𝑋 ̅)
𝑎 𝑋 𝑏) 𝑐 ̅̅̅
𝑐 = ( ̅𝑎 . ̅). 𝑏 − ( ̅𝑏 . ̅𝑐 ). ̅̅̅
𝑎

Operators :
1. Vector Differential operator ∇ :
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
The operator ∇= i̅ + j̅ + k̅ is defined as ∇∅ = (i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ ) where ∅ is a
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z

scalar point function.

∂∅
Note: If ∅ is a scalar point function then ∇∅ = grad ∅ = ∑ i̅ ∂x

2. Scalar Differential operator 𝒂

̅. 𝛁 :
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂∅
̅ . 𝑗)̅
The operator 𝑎̅. ∇= (𝑎̅. 𝑖̅) ∂x + (𝑎 +(𝑎̅ . 𝑘̅ ) ∂z is defined such that (𝑎̅ . ∇)∅ = (𝑎̅ . 𝑖)̅ ∂x +
∂y

∂∅ ∂∅ ∂𝑓̅ ∂𝑓̅ ∂𝑓̅

(𝑎̅ . 𝑗)̅ +(𝑎̅ . 𝑘̅ ) ∂z and (𝑎̅ . ∇)𝑓̅ = (𝑎̅ . 𝑖)̅ ∂x + (𝑎̅ . 𝑗)̅ ∂y +(𝑎̅ . 𝑘̅ ) ∂z
∂y

̅𝑿 ∇ :
3. Vector Differential operator 𝒂
∂ ∂ ∂
The operator 𝑎̅𝑋∇= (𝑎̅X𝑖̅)
∂x
+ (𝑎̅ X𝑗)̅ ∂y +(𝑎̅ X𝑘̅ ) ∂z is defined such that
∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
(i) (𝑎̅ 𝑋∇)∅ = (𝑎̅ X𝑖)̅ ∂x + (𝑎̅ X𝑗)̅ ∂y +(𝑎̅ X𝑘̅ ) ∂z

∂𝑓 ̅ ∂𝑓 ∂𝑓 ̅ ̅
(ii) (𝑎̅ 𝑋∇)𝑓̅ = (𝑎̅ X𝑖)̅ ∂x + (𝑎̅ X𝑗)̅ ∂y +(𝑎̅ X𝑘̅ ) ∂z
∂𝑓 ̅∂𝑓 ∂𝑓 ̅ ̅
(iii) (𝑎̅ 𝑋∇)X𝑓̅ = ((𝑎̅ X𝑖)̅ 𝑋 ∂x) + ((𝑎̅ X𝑗)̅ 𝑋 ∂y) +((𝑎̅ X𝑘̅ )𝑋 ∂z )

4. Scalar Differential operator 𝛁 :

∂ ∂ ∂ ∂f ∂f ̅ ̅ ∂f̅
The operator ∇= i̅ . + j̅. ∂y + k̅ . ∂z is defined as ∇.f̅ = (i̅ . ∂x + j̅. ∂y + k.
̅ )
∂x ∂z

Note: ∇.f̅ is defined as div f̅ . It is scalar point function

5. Vector Differential operator ∇ 𝑿 :
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂f ̅ ∂f̅
The operator ∇ 𝑋 = i̅ 𝑋 + j̅X + k̅ X ∂z is defined such that ∇ 𝑋f̅ = i̅ 𝑋 ∂x + j̅X +
∂x ∂y ∂y

∂f ̅
k̅ X ∂z

Note: ∇ 𝑋f̅ is defined as curl f̅ . It is a vector point function.

6. Laplacian Operator :
𝜕 ∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅ 𝜕2∅ 𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2
∇. ∇∅ = ∑ i̅ . 𝜕𝑥 (i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ ) = ∑ 𝜕𝑥 2 = (𝜕𝑥 2 + 𝜕𝑥 2 + 𝜕𝑥 2 )∅= ∇2 ∅
∂y ∂z

𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2
Thus, the operator ∇2 = 𝜕𝑥 2 + 𝜕𝑥 2 + 𝜕𝑥 2 is called Laplacian Operator.

Note: (i) ∇2 ∅ = ∇ (∇∅) = div (grad ∅)

(ii) ∇2 ∅ = 0 then ∅ is said to be satisfy Laplacian Equation. This ∅ is called

23
 as a harmonic
(iii) ∇2 ∅ = 0 i.e ∅ is a harmonic function and ∅ (x, y , z) is a constant
Function represented by∅ is called a potential surface.
Problems :
1. Show that ∇.(𝝓 ̅𝐚 ) = (𝛁∅). ̅𝐚 + ∅. (𝛁. ̅𝐚)
Or
Div (𝝓 ̅𝐚 ) = (𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝 ∅). ̅𝐚 + ∅. (𝐃𝐢𝐯 ̅𝐚)
𝜕𝜙 ̅a
Sol: Div (𝜙 ̅a ) = ∇.(𝜙 ̅a ) = ∑ i̅ . 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝜙 ∂a̅
= ∑ i̅ ( ̅a + ∅ ∂x )
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝜙 𝜕 ̅a
= ∑ i̅ ( a ∑ i̅ (
̅)+ ∅)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝜙 𝜕 ̅a
=∑ i̅ ( a ∑ i̅ (
). ̅+ ). ∅
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥

= (∇∅). ̅a + ∅. (∇. ̅)
a
******************************************
𝐚 = (𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝 ∅)𝑿 ̅𝐚 + ∅ (𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐥 ̅𝐚)
2. Prove that Curl (𝝓 ̅)
𝜕
Sol: Curl (𝜙 ̅) a ∑ i̅ X( 𝜕𝑥 𝜙 ̅)
a = ∇ X(𝜙 ̅)= a
𝜕𝜙 ∂a̅
= ∑ i̅ X [ 𝜕𝑥 ̅a + ∅ ∂x]
𝜕𝜙 𝜕 ̅a
̅
= ∑(i ̅ 𝑋
)𝑋 ̅a + ∑(i )∅
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥

= (∇∅)𝑋 ̅a + (∇X ̅)∅

a
= (Grad ∅)𝑋 ̅a + ∅ (Curl ̅)
a
****************************************
3. Prove that Grad ( ̅𝐚. ̅𝐛 )= ( ̅𝐛 . 𝛁 ) ̅𝐚+ ( ̅𝐚 . 𝛁 ) ̅𝐛 + ( ̅𝐛 𝑿 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒍 ̅𝐚)+( ̅𝐚 𝑿 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒍 ̅𝐛)
𝜕 ̅b
̅ 𝑋
Sol: ̅a 𝑋 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑙 ̅b = ̅a 𝑋 ( ∇ X ̅b )= ̅a 𝑋 ∑(i )
𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅b 𝜕 ̅b
= ∑ {(𝑎. ) 𝑖 − ( ̅.
a ̅)
i }
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅b 𝜕
= ∑ 𝑖 { ̅.
a } − { ̅a ∑ 𝑖 } ̅b
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅b
= ∑ 𝑖 { ̅.
a a ∇} ̅b …………(1)
} − { ̅.
𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅a
Similarly, ̅b 𝑋 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑙 ̅a = ∑ 𝑖 { ̅b. 𝜕𝑥 } − { ̅b. ∇} ̅a ………………(2)

(1)+(2) gives
𝜕 ̅b 𝜕 ̅a
̅a 𝑋 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑙 ̅b + ̅b 𝑋 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑙 ̅a = ∑ 𝑖 { ̅.
a a ∇} ̅b + ∑ 𝑖 { ̅b. 𝜕𝑥 } − { ̅b. ∇} ̅a
} − { ̅.
𝜕𝑥

24
 𝜕 b 𝜕 ̅a ̅
( ̅a 𝑋 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑙 ̅b )+ ( ̅b 𝑋 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑙 ̅)
a + ( ̅b . ∇ ) ̅+
a ( ̅a . ∇ ) ̅b = ∑ 𝑖 { ̅.
a 𝜕𝑥 + ̅b. 𝜕𝑥 }
𝜕
= ∑ i̅ a ̅b)
( ̅.
𝜕𝑥

a ̅b)
= ∇( ̅.
a ̅b)
= Grad( ̅.
**************************************************
4. Prove that Div ( ̅𝐚 𝑿 ̅𝐛) = ̅𝐛. Curl ̅𝐚 - ̅𝐚. Curl ̅𝐛
Or
𝛁. ( ̅𝐚 𝑿 ̅𝐛) = ̅𝐛. (𝛁 𝐗 ̅𝐚) – ̅𝐚.( 𝛁 𝐱 ̅𝐛)
𝜕
Sol: Div ( ̅a 𝑋 ̅b) = ∑ i̅ ( ̅a 𝑋 ̅b)
𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅b
=∑ i̅ . ( 𝜕𝑥 X ̅b + ̅
a𝑋 )
𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅b
= ∑ i̅ . ( 𝜕𝑥 X ̅b) + ∑ 𝑖 ( ̅
a𝑋 )
𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅b
= ∑( i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 ). ̅b − ∑(𝑖𝑋 ). ̅
a
𝜕𝑥

= ̅b. Curl ̅a - ̅.
a Curl ̅b
= ̅b. (∇ X ̅) a ∇ x ̅b)
a – ̅.(
**************************************************
5. Prove that Curl ( ̅𝐚 𝑿 ̅𝐛) = ̅𝐚 𝒅𝒊𝒗 ̅𝐛 - ̅𝐛 𝒅𝒊𝒗 ̅𝐚 + ( ̅𝐛. 𝛁 ) ̅𝐚 - ( ̅𝐚. 𝛁 ) ̅𝐛
Or
𝛁 𝐗 ( ̅𝐚 𝑿 ̅𝐛) = (𝛁. ̅𝐛 ) ̅𝐚 -(𝛁. ̅𝐚 ) ̅𝐛 + ( ̅𝐛. 𝛁 ) ̅𝐚 - ( ̅𝐚. 𝛁 ) ̅𝐛
𝜕
Sol: Curl ( ̅a 𝑋 ̅b) = ∑ i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 ( ̅a 𝑋 ̅b)
𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅a
= ∑ i̅ X[ X ̅b + ̅
a X ]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅b
= ∑ i̅ X [ X ̅b ] + ∑ i̅ 𝑋 [ ̅
a X ]
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅b 𝜕 ̅b
= ∑ {( ̅.i ̅b) − ( ̅.i 𝜕𝑥 ) ̅b} + ∑ { ( ̅.i ) ̅a − ( ̅.i ̅)
a )}
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅a 𝜕 ̅b 𝜕
= ∑( ̅b. ̅)
i − ∑ ( ̅.i ) ̅b +∑( ̅.i a ∑ 𝑖 𝜕𝑥) ̅b
) ̅a – ( ̅.
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥

= ( ̅b. ∇) ̅a - (∇. ̅a ) ̅b + (∇. ̅b ) ̅a - ( ̅.

a ∇) ̅b
= ( ∇. ̅b ) ̅a - (∇. ̅a ) ̅b + ( ̅b. ∇) ̅a - ( ̅.
a ∇) ̅b
= ̅a div ̅b - ̅b div ̅a + ( ̅b. ∇) ̅a - ( ̅.
a ∇) ̅b
************************************************

25
6. Prove that Curl grad ф = 0
∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
Sol: Let ∅ be a scalar point function then ∇∅ = grad ∅ = i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅
∂y ∂z

i̅ j̅ k̅
∂ ∂ ∂
Curl grad ф = ||∂x ∂y ∂z |
|
∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
∂x ∂y ∂z

=0
**********************************************************
7. Prove that div curl 𝒇̅ = 0
Sol: Let 𝑓̅ = 𝑓1 𝑖̅ + 𝑓2 𝑗̅ + 𝑓3 𝑘̅
i̅ j̅ k̅
∂ ∂ ∂
Curl 𝑓̅ = | |
∂x ∂y ∂z
𝑓1 𝑓2 𝑓3
∂𝑓 ∂𝑓2 ∂𝑓 ∂𝑓1 ∂𝑓 ∂𝑓1
= i̅ ( ∂y3 − ) − j̅( ∂x3 − ) + k̅( ∂x2 − )
∂z ∂z ∂y

∂ ∂𝑓 ∂𝑓2 ∂ ∂𝑓 ∂𝑓1 ∂ ∂𝑓 ∂𝑓1

div curl 𝑓 ̅ = ∂x ( ∂y3 − )- ∂y ( ∂x3 − )+ ∂z ( ∂x2 − )
∂z ∂z ∂y

=0
*************************************************
8. If f and g are two scalar point functions , prove that div (f 𝛁𝐠) = f 𝛁 𝟐 𝐠 + 𝛁𝐟. 𝛁𝐠
Sol: Let f and g are two scalar point functions. Then
∂g ∂g ∂g
∇g = i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅
∂y ∂z

∂g ∂g ∂g
f ∇g = i̅ 𝑓 ∂x + j̅ f + k̅ f
∂y ∂z

∂ ∂g ∂ ∂g ∂ ∂g
∇(f ∇g) = ∂x ( 𝑓 ∂x)- ∂y (f )+ ∂z (f )
∂y ∂z

𝜕2g 𝜕2g 𝜕2g ∂f ∂g ∂f ∂g ∂f ∂g

= f (𝜕𝑥 2 + 𝜕𝑦 2 + 𝜕𝑧 2)+( ∂x ∂x +∂y ∂y + ∂z ∂z )
∂f ∂f ∂f ∂g ∂g ∂g
= f ∇2 g + (i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ ). (i̅ ∂x + j̅ + k̅ )
∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z

= f ∇2 g + ∇f. ∇g
***************************************************

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9. Prove that 𝛁𝐗 (𝛁 𝐗 𝐚̅ ) = 𝛁𝐗 (𝛁 𝐗 𝐚̅ ) − 𝛁 𝟐 𝐚̅
𝜕
Sol: ∇X (∇ X a̅ ) = ∑ i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 ( ∇𝑋 ̅)
a
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕a̅ 𝜕a̅ 𝜕a̅
a = i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 (i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 + j̅ X 𝜕𝑦 + k̅ X
Now i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 ( ∇𝑋 ̅) )
𝜕𝑧

𝜕 𝜕2 a̅ 𝜕2 a̅ 𝜕2 a̅
= i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 (i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 2 + j̅ X + k̅ X 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧)
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦

𝜕2 a̅ 𝜕 2 a̅ 2
= i̅ X (i̅ X 𝜕𝑥 2 ) + i̅ X (j̅ X ) + i̅ ̅ X 𝜕 a̅ )
X(k
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑧

𝜕2 a̅ 𝜕2 a̅ 𝜕 2 a̅ 𝜕2 a̅
= (i̅ . 2
) . i̅ − + (i̅. ) . j̅ + (i̅. ) . k̅
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦

(∵ i. i=1, i. j=i. k=0)

𝜕 𝜕a̅ 𝜕 𝜕a̅ 𝜕 𝜕a̅ 𝜕 2 a̅
= i̅ . 𝜕𝑥 ( i̅ . )+𝑗 ( i̅ . )+ 𝑘 ( i̅ . )−
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2

𝜕a̅ 𝜕2 a̅
= ∇. (i̅ . )−
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕 𝜕a̅ 𝜕2 a̅
∑ i̅ X ( ∇𝑋 ̅)
a = ∇. ∑ i̅ . − ∑ 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2 a̅ 𝜕2 a̅ 𝜕2 a̅
= ∇. (∇ . a̅ ) − ( 𝜕𝑥 2 + + )
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2

Hence ∇X (∇ X a̅ ) = ∇. (∇ . a̅ ) − ∇2 a̅
i.e., Curl Curl a̅ = Grad Div a̅ − ∇2 a̅
**************************************

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