5.

Vector Calculus

lS/s.'Hfil-r- ~Gl' C~

The GRADIENT and RATES of CHANGE

~r3)

,.;;k

let <I>(x, y, z)and its first partial derivatives be continuous in some sphere about Po and suppose
that V<I> (Po)

* O.

Then

i) At Po, <I>(x, y, z) has its maximum rate of change in the direction of V<I> (Po), This maximum
rate of change is II V<I> ( Po) II .
ii) At Po, <I>(x, y, z) has its minimum rate of change in the direction of - V<I>( Po). This
minimum rate of change is -II V<I> ( Po) II .

ExampleS:

let <I>(x,y,z)=2xz+eYz2. Find the direction from (2, 1, 1) in which

<I>(x, y, z)has its greatest and least rates of change, and find the values of these
rates of change.

Then
V<I>(2,1,1)= 2i +ej+(4+ 2e)k
This vector points in the direction in which <I>(x, y, z) has its greatestrate of change at (2,1,1).
This maximum rate of change is the magnitude of this gradient vector, or

= ,j20+16e+5e2

I.A',[

k0 ky

p\llVI

The vector - 2i - ej - (4 + 2e)k is in the direction in which <I>(x, y, z) has its least rate of change at

(2,1, I), and this minimum rate of cbange is

Advanced Engineering Mathematics [ENG4200]

.j 20+ 16e + 5e'

.~1V ~

G~

Page 7 of 31

.r

5. Vector Calculus

Recall, the VECTOR DIFFERENTIAL OPERATOR, written V , called "del" :

n

V~ =gradientof~= (~i+ d~ j+ d~k)

del times=

In formally,

d. d
d. d. d
k = - 1 +-J+- k
= -dxd.1 +-J+dy
dZ
dx dy dZ

dx

dy

dz

(dV dV dV) V f.f

dy
dz

del dot = V V = divergence of V = ~+_2 +_3

(IX

del cross = VxV = curl of V

t:t

vevfcr:'

-tV'LA-fl

(l\-\)

=(dV3 _ dV2)i+ (d~ _dV;)j + (dV2 _ d~)k

dy

dz

dz

dx

dx

dy

Definition 5.4: Curl of a Gradient

Vx(V~) = curl (V~)=O. Thecurlofthegradientof~iszero.

Definition 5.5: Divergence of a Curl

V (V x V) = O. The divergence of the curl of V is zero.

v'f (JJrf) ::::.

d---j.

cJ

1<"

,{,a

~ ;;;f - (

.El1
~ d1
o-f...
'J o~

iK

(del)

(-.4),)J-<1.e;.
rM.siIl
.d
d0'7t

"'J;;::C -;;;: J

(:3;. (~)-~ (~))

::0

Advanced Engineering Mathematics [ENG4200]

Page 10 of 31

r.

5. Vector Calculus

Laplace's Equation

Laplace's equation in three dimensions it is

The symbol V 2u is call the laplacian of u, and is defined by

Using this notation, laplace's equation is

In two variable x and y, we simply omit the z dependence. In the plane, then the Laplacian of
u(x, y) is

Advanced Engineering Mathematics [ENG4200]

Page 11 of 31