Vector Calculus Formulas

Fundamental theorems (main result) Here, F(x, y, z) = P(x, y, z)i + Q(x, y, z)j + R(x, y, z)k.

FT of Line Integrals: If F = ∇ f , and the curve C has endpoints A and B, then

Z
F · dr = f (B) − f (A).
C

" ,
∂Q ∂P
!
Green’s Theorem: − dA = F · dr (circulation-curl form)
D ∂x ∂y C
" ,
Stokes’ Theorem: ∇ × F · n dσ = F · dr, where C is the edge curve of S
S C

" ,
Green’s Theorem: ∇ · F dA = F · n ds (flux-divergence form)
D C
$
Divergence Theorem: ∇ · F dV = F · n dσ
D S

Differential elements
 
Along a parametrized curve r(t), t ∈ [a, b], we have ds =  dr
dt dt.

∂r ∂r 
 
Along a parametrized surface r(u, v), (u, v) ∈ D, we have dσ =  ∂u × ∂v du dv.

Curl and divergence

For a continuously differentiable 3D vector field F(x, y, z) = P(x, y, z)i + Q(x, y, z)j + R(x, y, z)k,

∂R ∂Q ∂P ∂R ∂Q ∂P
! ! !
curl F = ∇ × F := − i+ − j+ − k.
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y

∂ ∂ ∂ ∂P ∂Q ∂R
!
div F = ∇ · F := , , · (P, Q, R) = + + .
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂x ∂y ∂z

Other 3D spatial coordinates

r = x2 + y2 = ρ sin φ,
p

ρ = x2 + y2 + z2 ,
p

x = r cos θ = ρ sin φ cos θ,

y = r sin θ = ρ sin φ sin θ,
z = ρ cos φ ,
dV = dz dy dx
= r dz dr dθ
= ρ2 sin φ dρ dφ dθ .