Gradient vector Definition and 45 Threads

İf $$f:\mathbb{R^n}\to \mathbb{R}$$ then $$\nabla f:\mathbb{R^n}\to \mathbb{R^n}$$ $$x\to \nabla f(x)$$ is true?

During the calculations, I tried to solve the following $$ \vec{\nabla} \big[\vec{M}\cdot\vec{\nabla} \big(\frac{1}{r}\big)\big] = -\big[\vec{\nabla}(\vec{M}\cdot \vec{r}) \frac{1}{r^3} + (\vec{M}\cdot \vec{r}) \big(\vec{\nabla} \frac{1}{r^3}\big) \big]$$ by solving the first term i.e...

Given the equation ##\frac{xy} 3##. It is a fact that the gradient vector function is always perpendicular to the contour graph of the origional function. However it is not so evident in the plot above. Any thought will be appreciated.

For my understanding, to move to the coolest place, it has to move in direction of -∇f(x,y) How can I find the value of 'k' to evaluate the directional derivative and what can I do with the vertices given.

1. We find the partial derivatives of ##f## with respect to ##x## and ##y## to get ##f_x = \frac{2\ln{(x)}}{x}## and ##f_y = \frac{2\ln{(y)}}{y}.## This makes the gradient vector $$\nabla{f} = \begin{bmatrix} f_x \\ f_y \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} \frac{2\ln{(x)}}{x} \\ \frac{2\ln{(y)}}{y}...

Is it possible to introduce the concept of a gradient vector on a manifold without a metric?

In 'Introduction to Electrodynamics' by Griffiths, in the section of explaining the Gradient operator, it is stated a theorem of partial derivatives is: $$ dT = (\delta T / \delta x) \delta x + (\delta T / \delta y) \delta y + (\delta T / \delta z) \delta z $$ Further he goes onto say: $$ dT =...

I have seen and gone through this thread over and over again but still it is not clear. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/vectors-one-forms-and-gradients.82943/The gradient in different coordinate systems is dependent on a metric But the 1-form is not dependent on a metric. It is a metric...

Homework Statement Let ##u## and ##v## be differentiable functions of ##x,~y## and ##z##. Show that a necessary and sufficient condition that ##u## and ##v## are functionally related by the equation ##F(u,v)=0## is that ##\vec \nabla u \times \vec \nabla v= \vec 0## Homework Equations (Not...

Hello, My professor just gave us a True or False problem that states: ∇H(x,y), the gradient vector of H(x,y), gives us the largest possible rate of change of H at (x,y). Now, he said the answer is true, but it was my understanding that the gradient itself gives the direction of where the...

Homework Statement Find all points at which the direction of fastest change of the function f(x,y) = x^2 + y^2 -2x - 2y is in the direction of <1,1>. Homework Equations <\nabla f = \frac{\delta f}{\delta x} , \frac{\delta f}{\delta y} , \frac{\delta f}{\delta z}> The Attempt at a Solution...

Homework Statement Let f(x,y)=arctan(x/y) and u={(√2)/2,(√2)/2} d.) Verify that ∇fp is orthogonal to the level curve through P for P=(x,y)≠(0,0) where y=mx for m≠0 are level curves for f. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution ∇f={(y)/(x^2+y^2),(-y)/(x^2+y^2)} m=1/tan(k) where...

Homework Statement [/B] A shark will in the direction of the most rapidly increasing concentration of blood in water. Suppose a shark is at a point x_0,y_0 when it first detects blood in the water. Find an equation for the path that the shark will follow by setting up and solving a...

If the unit vector u makes an angle theta with the positive x-axis then we can write u = <cos theta, sin theta> Duf(x, y) = fx(x,y) cos theta + fy(x,y) sin theta What if I am dealing with a function with three variables (x, y, z)? How can I find the directional derivative if I have been given...

Homework Statement can anyone explain/prove why the gradient vector is perpendicular to level curves? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution

I'm supposed to find the gradient vector of the function below at (0,0), and then use the dot product with the unit vector to find the directional derivative. Then find the directional derivative using the limit definition of a directional derivative, and explain why I get two different...

Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Ok so I think I know how to get the direction. It's going to be perpendicular to the tangent of the level curve and pointing in the direction where f(x,y) is increasing. So on the graph that was provided it will...

I've always thought of the gradient of a scalar function (id est, ##\nabla\varphi##) as being a vector field. However, I started thinking about it just now in terms of transformation with respect to coordinate changes, and I noticed that the gradient transforms covariantly. Thus, shouldn't the...

Homework Statement For a hill the elevation in meters is given by z=10 + .5x +.25y + .5xy - .25x^2 -.5y^2, where x is the distance east and y is the distance north of the origin. a.) How steep is the hill at x=y=1 i.e. what is the angle between a vector perpendicular to the hill and the z...

Homework Statement The temperature ##T## in a region of Cartesian ##(x,y,z)-## space is given by $$T(x,y,z) = (4 + 3x^2 + 2y^2 + z^2)^{10},$$ and a fly is intially at the point ##(-5,6,7)##. Find a vector parametric representation for the curve which the fly should move in order to ensure...

Homework Statement The temperature T of a plate lying in the (x,y) plane is given by T(x,y) = 50 - x^2 - 2y^2. A bug on the plate is intially at the point (2,1). What is the equation of the curve the bug should follow so as to ensure that the temperature decreases as rapidly as possible...

Homework Statement Is F = (2ye^x)i + x(sin2y)j + 18k a gradient vector field? The Attempt at a Solution Yeah I just don't know...I started to find some partial derivatives but I really don't know what to do here. Please help!

As we know grad F (F surface) is in normal direction. But we also have (grad F(r)) x r = F'(r) (r) x r = 0 this implies grad F is in direction of r i.e., radial direction. Radial and normal directions need not be same. Can any öne clarify THE DIRECTION OF GRAD VECTOR?

In functions involving only two variables the gradient is supposed to be the instantaneous rate of change of one variable with respect to the other and this is usually TANGENT to the curve. So then why is the gradient NORMAL to the curve at that point, since it is supposed to represent the...

Homework Statement If z = f(x,y) such that x = r + t and y = e^{rt}, then determine \nabla f(r,t) Homework Equations \nabla f(x,y) = <f_x,f_y> The Attempt at a Solution Now if i follow this the way i think it should be done then i find the partials of f wrt x and y and then...

A gradient vector points out of a graph (or a surface in 3D case). Locally, it makes an angle of 90 degrees with the graph at a particular point. Why is that so? Thanks.

Homework Statement Show that the operation of taking the gradient of a function has the given property. Assume that u and v are differentiable functions of x and y and that a, b are constants. Homework Equations Δ = gradient vector 1) Δ(u/v) = vΔu - uΔv / v^2 2) Δu^n = nu^(n-1)Δu...

Trying to prove that the gradient of a scalar field is symmetric(?) Struggling with the formatting here. Please see the linked image. Thanks. http://i.imgur.com/9ZelT.png

Dear All I am having trouble understanding the gradient vector of a scalar field (grad). I understand that you can have a 2D/3D space with each point within that space having a scalar value, determined by a scalar function, creating a scalar field. The grad vector is supposed to point in...

IMPORTANT! ---- what is the geometric intepretation of the gradient vector? Assume the situation in which I have a slope, a component of a function dependent on x and y, which is at an angle to the xy plane. The gradient vector would be perpendicular to the tangent plane at the point in which i...

Homework Statement A hiker climbs a mountain whose height is given by z = 1000 - 2x2 - 3y2. When the hiker is at point (1,1,995), she moves on the path of steepest ascent. If she continues to move on this path, show that the projection of this path on the xy-plane is y = x3/2 Homework...

OK, this is really confusing me. Mostly because i suck at spatial stuff. If the gradient vector at a given point points in the direction in which a function is increasing, then how can it be perpendicular to the tangent plane at that point? If it's perpendicular to the tangent plane...

Homework Statement show that the pyramids cut off from the first octant by any tangent planes to the surface xyz=1 at points in the first octant must all have the same volume Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution i don't know how to start this problem. any hints?

Homework Statement Suppose you are climbing a hill whose shape is given by the equation below, where x, y, and z are measured in meters, and you are standing at a point with coordinates (120, 80, 1064). The positive x-axis points east and the positive y-axis points north. z = 1200 - 0.005x2...

Homework Statement Find the gradient vector of: g(r, \theta) = e^{-r} sin \theta Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I know how to get gradients for Cartesian - partially derive the equation of the surface wrt each variable. But I have no idea how to do it for...

Homework Statement Suppose that the function f: Rn --> R has first-order partial derivatives and that the point x in Rn is a local minimizer for f: Rn --> R, meaning that there is a positive number r such that f(x+h) > f(x) if dist(x,x+h) < r. Prove that Df(x)=0. Homework Equations...

Homework Statement Calculate the gradient vector at the point S for the function, f(x,y,z)=x-\sqrt{z^2 - y^2}; S(x,y,z)=(4, 8, -6). 2. The attempt at a solution \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 1 \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = \frac{y}{\sqrt{z^2-y^2}} \frac{\partial f}{\partial z} =...

I'm trying to understand why the gradient vector is always normal to a surface in space. My textbook describes r(t) as a curve along the surface in space. Subsequently, r'(t) is tanget to this curve and perpendicular to the gradient vector at some point P, which implies the gradient vector to be...

Homework Statement Find the angle between (grad)u and (grad)v at all points with x!=0 and y!= 0 if x =( e^u)*(cos v) and y = (e^u) (sinv) . The Attempt at a Solution is not here x and y a function of u and v? How are we going to find grad of u and v? Should we pull out u and y from...

"You are standing at the point (30, 20, 5) on a hill with the shape of the surface z=100exp((-x^2+3y^2)/701). In what direction should you proceed in order to climb most steeply?" SInce the grad vector allegedly points in the most steep direction of the surface, I guess I'll have to compute...

What is the gradient vector, really? My textbook both states that it is a vector normal to a certain point on a surface, but also that it is a vector that points in the direction with the maximum slope of a surface. I find this slightly ambiguous.

Homework Statement Find the directional derivative of f=sqrt(xyz) at P(2,-1,-2) in the direction of v=i+2j-2k The Attempt at a Solution I calculate the gradient vector and obtain grad(f) at P= <1/2, 1, 1/2> Then I find the unit vector of v, which is <1/3, 2/3, -2/3> The...

I want to find the gradient vector of f(x,y,z)=2*sqrt(xyz) at the point ((3,-4,-3). I find the partials and set in for the x-, y-, and z-values, and find the grad. vector (2, (1,5), 2). The right solution is (2, (-1,5), -2), so I have obviously made a mistake with the sqrt. How do I know...

what follows is a question I asked myself, the answer I figured out, and the new question that arose as a result. I was thinking about the gradient vector on a 3d surface, and how it shows the direction of the max rate of change at a point. the 2 directions perpendicular to it are tangent to...

"partial integration" of gradient vector to find potential field I'm studying out of Stewart's for my Calc IV class, and hit a stumbling block in his section on the fundamental theorem for line integrals. He shows a process of finding a potential function f such that \vec{F} = \nabla f , where...