Department Of Mathematics

UNIT - II

VECTOR DIFFERENTIATION

Topic Learning Objectives:

 Understand the existence of vector functions, derivatives of vector functions and rules of
differentiation. Geometrical and physical interpretation of derivative of vector functions.
 The importance of defining vector differential operator ∇ and the operations- Gradient of
scalar point functions, Divergence and Curl of vector point functions.

Note: In all the vectors wherever i, j, k are used they have to be treated as unit vectors i^ , ^j, k^
along x, y, z directions respectively.

Vector calculus plays an important role in differential geometry and in the study of partial
differential equations. Vector calculus originated in the 19th century in connection with the needs of
mechanics and physics, when operations on vectors began to be performed directly, without their
previous conversion to coordinate form. More advanced studies of the properties of mathematical and
physical objects which are invariant with respect to the choice of coordinate systems led to a
generalization of vector calculus. It is used extensively in physics and engineering, especially in
the description of electromagnetic fields, gravitational fields and fluid flow.
Vector Fields:
If at each point (x, y, z) there is an associated vector
, then v (x , y , z) is a vector function and the
field processing such a vector function is called a vector field.

Examples:

(i) A magnetic field B in a region of space, B=B1 i+B 2 j+B2 k

(ii) The velocity field of water flowing in a pipe, v (x , y , z) .

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Vector function is a function whose domain is set of real numbers and whose range is a set of
vectors.

Differentiation of a Vector Function:

Let the position vector of a point P (x, y, z) in space be .

If x, y, z are all functions of t, then r is said to be a vector function of t. As the parameter t
varies the point P traces a curve in space. Therefore ⃗ r (t) = x(t)i + y(t)j + z(t) k is the vector
equation of the curve, where x(t), y(t)and z(t) are real functions of the real variable t.

This function can be viewed as describing a space curve. Intuitively it can be regarded as a
position vector, expressed as a function of ‘t’ that traces out a space curve with increasing
values of t.

r (t   t )
r (t   t )  r (t )  r

O r (t )

If is a vector function of a scalar variable t then the derivative

of r⃗ (t) with respect to t is

• For example, suppose you were driving along a wiggly

road with position r (t) at time t.
• Differentiating r (t) should give velocity v (t).
• Differentiating v (t) should yield acceleration a (t).
• Differentiating a (t) should yield the jerk j (t).

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Velocity and Acceleration:

If ⃗
r (t) = x(t)i + y(t) j + z(t) k is the position vector of a particle moving along a smooth curve
d ⃗r
in space, then v ( t )= is the particle’s velocity vector, tangent to the curve. At any time t,
dt
the direction of v(t) is the direction of motion, the magnitude of v(t) is the particle’s speed,
dv
and the derivative a ( t )= , when it exists, is the particle’s acceleration vector.
dt
In summary,
d ⃗r
 Velocity is the derivative of position vector: v ( t )=
dt
 Speed is the magnitude of velocity: speed=|v (t)|
2
dv d r⃗
 Acceleration is the derivative of velocity: a ( t )= = 2
dt d t
 Unit Tangent vector T ^ = v ( t) is the direction of motion at time t.
|v ( t)|
 Component of velocity along a given vector ⃗ ^
C is v (t)∙ C
 Component of acceleration along a given vector ⃗ ^
C is a (t)∙ C

Differentiation rules for vector functions:

Examples:
−t
1. A particle moves such that its position vector at time t is ⃗r =e i+2cos3tj+3sin3tk .
Determine its velocity, acceleration and their magnitude, direction at time t = 0.
d ⃗r
⃗v = =−e−t i−6sin3tj+9cos3tk
Solution: velocity : dt
1
(−i+9 k )
⃗v (0 )=−i+9k , magnitude = √ 82 , direction is √ 82
d 2 ⃗r −t
⃗a = 2 =e i−18cos3t j−27sin3t k
acceleration: dt a (0 )=i−18j , magnitude =√ 325 ,
, ⃗
1
(i−18j)
direction is √ 325 .

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2. For the curves whose equations are given below, find the unit tangent vectors:
2 2
i) x=t +1,y=4t−3,z=2(t −3t) at t =0 .
(
→ π
t=
r =acos3t i+asin3t j+4at k at 4
(ii)
Solution: (i) In the vector form equation of the given curve is
→
r =x i+y j+z k=(t 2 +1 ) i+( 4t−3 ) j+2(t2 −3t )k
→
dr
⇒ =2t i+4 j+2(2t−3) k
dt
→
dr
| |=√ 4t 2+16+(4t−6)2 =√ 20t2 +52−48t=2 √5t 2+13−12t
dt
∴ Unit tangent vector to the given curve at a point ‘n^ ’ is given by
→
d r /dt 2[ t i+2 j+(2t−3) k ]
n^ = → =
|d r /dt| 2 √5t 2 +13−12t
(2j−3k )
n^ =
At t = 0, √ 13
→
(ii) r =a cos3t i+a sin3t j+4at k
→
dr
=−3 asin3t i+3 acos3t j+4a k
dt
→
dr
| |=√ 9a 2 sin2 3t+9a2 cos2 3t+16a 2=5a
dt
→
a[−3sin3t i+3cos3t j+4 k ]
d r /dt
n^ = → =
|d r /dt| 5a

At t= 4 , 5 √ 2
[
π 1 −3 i− −3 j+4 k
√2
1
= 5 √2
] [
−3 i−3j+ 4 √ 2 k ]
2 3
3. Find the angle between the tangents to the curve ⃗r =t i+2t j−t k at the points t=±1 .
d ⃗r
=2t i+ 2 j−3t 2 k
Solution: dt
→
dr
| |=√ 4t 2 +4+9t 4
dt

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→
d r /dt 2t i+2 −3t 2 k
^n = → =
|d r /dt| √ 4t +4+9t
2 4

2 i+2j−3k
t=1, n^ 1 =
At √17
−2 i+2j−3k
t=−1, n^ 2 =
At √17
Angle between unit tangent vectors at the points t=±1 is given by
^
¿=
9
17
^. n
¿ ¿
2
cos θ= n1 ¿

θ=cos−1 (9/17 ) .

3
4. A particle moves along the curve x=cos(t−1) , y=sin(t−1), z=at where a is a
constant. Find a so that acceleration is perpendicular to position vectors at t=1 .
Solution: At time t position vector of particle is
→
r =cos(t−1) i+sin (t−1) j+at3 k
d ⃗r
⃗v = =−sin(t−1) i+cos(t−1 ) j+3at2 k
dt
v/ t=1= j+3a k
d ⃗v
=−cos(t−1) i−sin(t−1 ) j+6at k
Acceleration =dt
d ⃗v
=−i+6a k →
dt t=1 r =i+a k
, t=1
Given acceleration is perpendicular to position vector,
d ⃗v
⃗r . =0
dt
1
⇒−1+6 a2 =0⇒ a 2= ⇒ a=±1/ √ 6
6
→
5. A particle moves along the curve r =2t 2 i+(t 2−4t) j+(3t−5 ) k . Find the component of
velocity and acceleration in the direction of vectorc=i−3 j+2 k at t=1 .
→
Solution: Given r =2t 2 i+(t 2−4t) j+(3t−5 ) k
d ⃗r
⃗v = =4t i+(2t−4 ) j+3 k
Velocity dt
d v̄
=4 i+2 j
Acceleration=dt
At t =1 , ⃗v =4 i−2 j+3 k
d ⃗v
=4 i+ 2 j
dt
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Also c=i−3 j+2 k

|c|= √14
→
c i−3 j+ 2k
¿^ = =
|c| √ 14
c ¿
→
∴ Component of velocity at t=1 along the given vector c is,
1 16
¿^ = ( 4 +6+ 6) =
14 √ 14
⃗
v. c ¿
→
∴ Component of acceleration att=1 along the given vector c is,
^ = 1 ( 4 −6 )= −2
¿
14 √ 14
d⃗
v
. c ¿
dt .

Exercise:
1. A person on a hang glider is spiralling upward due to rapidly rising air on a path having
position vector r ( t )=( 3 cost ) i+ ( 3 sint ) j+t 2 k . Find
(a) The velocity and acceleration vectors
(b) The glider’s speed at any time t.
2. Given the curve x=t 2+ 2 , y =4 t−5 , z=2 t 2 −6 t find the unit tangent vector at the point
t=2.

Answers
1. ⃗v =– ( 3 sint ) i+ (3 cost ) j+2 t k ; a⃗ =(−3 cost ) i+ (−3 sint ) j+2 k ;∨⃗v ∨¿ √ 9+ 4 t 2
2i+2 j+k
2.
3

Scalar and Vector Point Functions:

A physical quantity that can be expressed as a continuous function and which can assume
definite values at each point of a region of space is called a point function in that region, and
the region containing the point function is called a field.
There are two types of point functions namely scalar point function and vector point
function.
Scalar point function:
At each point x, y, z  of a region R in space if there corresponds a definite scalar  x, y, z  ,
then such a function  x, y, z  is called a scalar point function and the region is called a scalar
field.
Examples: Functions representing the temperature, density of a body, gravitational potential
etc. are scalar point functions.

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Vector point function: At each point x, y, z  of a region R in space if there corresponds a
definite vector ⃗f ( x , y , z )=f 1 ( x , y , z ) i+ f 2 ( x , y , z ) j+ f 3 ( x , y , z ) k , then such a function
⃗f ( x , y , z ) is called a vector point function, the region is called a vector field.

Examples: Functions representing the velocity of moving fluid particle, gravitational force,
etc. are vector point functions.

Level surface: The scalar point function  x, y, z  is usually called the potential function and
 x, y, z  c represents the family of surfaces in the scalar field. If at each point on the
surface,  x, y, z = c has the same value then the surface is called the level surface.

Definition: The vector differential operator denoted by  read as del or nabla is defined by
  
 i  j k
x y z is called vector differential operator. This operator has no meaning
on itself but assumes specific meaning depending on how it operates on a scalar or vector
point function.

Gradient of a scalar point function: Let  x, y, z be any scalar point function defined at
some point x, y, z  of a scalar field so that the function is continuously differentiable. Then
  
i j k
the vector function x y z is called a gradient of scalar function  x, y, z  and it
  
grad   i  j k
is denoted by  or grad  . Thus x y z .
Note:
  
, ,
1. If  is a scalar point function, then x y z are called components of grad 
2 2 2
        
|  |        
2.  x   y   z  is called the magnitude of grad  .

Geometrical interpretation of gradient: grad ϕ is a vector normal to the surface ϕ=constant

and has a magnitude equal to the rate of change of f along this normal.

Properties of Gradient
^ ^
¿
¿ + dz k ¿

→ ^¿+ dy j ¿

1. The differential dφ of φ is given by where d r =dx i ¿

2. For any scalar function φ and ψ and any scalar α and β

For any scalar function φ and ψ

3.

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) ii) if ψ≠0
i
Unit normal vector:
¿^
Since ∇ φ is normal vector to surface φ ( x , y , z )=c then unit vector is denoted by n ¿ and is
→
n ∇φ
¿^ =
→ = |∇ φ |
|n| ^
¿=∇ φ

defined as, n ¿ where n ¿ = normal vector.

 

Note: The angle between the normal’s to the surfaces is given by cos n1 . n 2 .

Directional derivative:
→
If a is any vector incline at an angle θ to the direction of ∇ φ where φ is scalar point
function then
( a1 i+a 2 j+ a3 k )
∇ ϕ . a^ =(∂ϕ ∂ ϕ ∂ϕ
i+
∂x ∂ y
j+
∂z
k ∙ ) |⃗a|
=a 1
∂ϕ
∂x
+a 2
∂ϕ
∂y
+ a3
∂ϕ
∂z
.
→
It represents component of ∇ φ in the direction of a which is known as directional derivative
→
φ
of in the direction of a .

Maximum Directional Derivative:

→
The direction derivative will be maximum in the direction of ∇ φ (a= ∇ φ) and maximum
∇ φ . ∇ φ |∇ φ|2
= = =|∇ φ|
value of the directional derivative |∇ φ| |∇ φ|
Maximum directional derivative is also called normal derivative.
∴ normal derivative =|∇ φ|

Problems:

1. If  x, y, z   xy z  x y z then find  and |  | at (1, -1, 1).

2 3 3 2

Solution: Given  x, y, z   xy z  x y z

2 3 3 2

  
 y 2 z 3  3x 2 y 2 z, 2 xyz 3  2 x 3 yz , 3 xy 2 z 3  x 3 y 2
x y z
  
  i 
x y
j
z
     
k  y 2 z 3  3 x 2 y 2 z i  2 xyz 3  2 x 3 yz j  3 xy 2 z 3  x 3 y 2 k

At (1, -1, 1),   2i  0 j  2k

|  |  2  0 2  2 2  8 2 2
2

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2. Find the directional derivative of  x, y, z   x yz  xz at the point

2 2

(1, -2, 1) in the direction of 2i  j  2k .

Solution:  x, y, z   x yz  xz
2 2

  
grad   i  j k 2 xyz  z 2 i  x 2 z j  x 2 y  2 xz k
x y z
At (1, -2, 1),   3i  j  0k
Given a⃗ =( 2 i− j+2 k ) ⇒|⃗a|=3
⃗a 1
a^ = = (2 i− j+2 k )
|⃗a| 3
1
The directional derivative of  x, y, z  is ∇ ∅ . a^ = (−3i+ j+ 0 k ) . 3 (2 i− j+2 k )
1 −7
The directional derivative∇ ∅ . a^ = (−6−1+ 0 )= .
3 3

3. Find the directional derivative of  x, y, z   xy  yz at ( 2, -1, 1) in the direction

2 3

2i  j  2k .

Solution:  x, y, z   xy  yz
2 3

  
grad   i  j k y 2 i  2 xy  z 3 j  3 yz 2 k
x y z
At (2, -1, 1)  i  3 j  3k
Given a⃗ =( 2 i+ j+2 k ) ⇒ |a⃗|=3
⃗a 1
a^ = = (2 i+ j+2 k )
|⃗a| 3
1
The directional derivative of  x, y, z  is ∇ ∅ . a^ = ( i−3 j−3 k ) . 3 ( 2i+ j+2 k )
1 −7
The directional derivative∇ ∅ . a^ = ( 2−3−6 )= .
3 3

4. Find the directional derivative of  x, y, z   x  y  z at the point

4 4 4

(-1, 2, 3) in the direction towards the point (2, -1, -1).

Solution: Given  x, y, z   x  y  z
4 4 4

  
  i j k 4 x 3 i  4 y 3 j  4 z 3 k
x y z
At (-1, 2, 3)   4i  32 j  108k
Let P  1,2,3 and Q 2, 1, 1
a⃗ =⃗
OQ−⃗
OP=( 3 i−3 j−4 k ) ⇒|⃗a|=√ 34
1
The directional derivative is ∇ ∅ . a^ = (−4 i+32 j+108 k ) . ( 3 i−3 j−4 k )
√34

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1 −540 .
∇ ∅ . a^ = (−12−96−432 )=
The directional derivative √ 34 √34
1
 x, y, z  
5. Find the directional derivative of x  y 2  z 2 at the point
2
1,2, 3 in the
direction of 2i  3 j  k .
1
 x, y, z  
Solution: Let x  y2  z2
2

    2x  2y  2z
  i  j k i j k
x y z 
x2  y2  z2 2
x 2
 y2  z 
2 2
x 2
 y2  z2 
2

 2  4 6  2
  i j k    i  2 j  3k 
At the point 1,2, 3 14 2
142
14 2
142
a⃗ =( 2 i−3 j+k ) ⇒|⃗a|=√ 14 ,
⃗a 1
a^ = = ( 2i−3 j+ k )
|⃗a| √ 14
−2 1
The directional derivative ∇ ∅ . a^ = ( i+ 2 j−3 k ) . ( 2i−3 j+ k )
( 14 ) 2
√ 14
−2 1
The directional derivative∇ ∅ . a^ = ( 2−6−3 )= .
( 14 ) √ 14
2
14 √ 14

6. Find the maximum directional derivative of  x, y, z   x y z at 1, 2,3.

3 2

Solution: Given  x, y, z   x y z

3 2

∂ϕ ∂ ϕ ∂ϕ
k= ( 3 x y z ) i+ ( 2 x yz ) j+ ( x y ) k
2 2 3 3 2
∇ ϕ= i+ j+
∂ x ∂x ∂x
At 1, 2,3  36i  12 j  4k

|  |4 9   3 1 4 91
2 2 2

The maximum directional derivative =

7. Find the maximum directional derivative of  x, y, z   x y  yz  xz at  1,2,1.

2 2 3

Solution: Given  x, y, z   x y  yz  xz

2 2 3

  
 
x
i
y
j
z
    
k  2 xy  z 3 i  x 2  z 2 . j  2 yz  3 xz 2 k 
At  1,2,1   5i  2 j  7 k
|  | =  52  2 2  7 2  78
The maximum directional derivative =
2 2
8. Find the unit normal vector to the surface x  y  z 3 at (1, 0, 2).
Solution: Let  x, y, z   x  y  z
2 2

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 2 xi  2 yj  k
At (1, 0, 2)  2i  k
|  | 2 2  12  5
  1
n  2i  k 
The unit normal vector |  | 5

9. Find the unit normal vector to the surface  x, y, z   x y  y z  z x 5 at the

2 2 2

point (1, -1, 2).

Solution:  x, y, z   x y  y z  z x
2 2 2

+2 yz) ^j+( y + 2 xz ) k^
2 ^ 2 2
∇ ϕ=(2 xy + z ) i+(x
At (1, -1, 2)
 2i  3 j  5k and |  | 2   3  5  38
2 22

  1
n  2i  3 j  5k 
The unit normal vector |  | 38
2 2
10. Find the angle between the normals to the surface 2 x  3 y 5 z at the points (2, -2, 4)
and (-1, -1, 1).
Solution: Let  x, y, z  2 x  3 y  5 z
2 2

  
  i j k
x y z
  4 xi  6 yj  5k
1 8i  12 j  5k  | 1 | 8 2   12    5  233
2 2
Now at (2, -2, 4),

 2  4i  6 j  5k  |  2 |  4    6    5  77
2 2 2
At (-1, -1, 1),

 1 1
n1   8i  12 j  5k 
Unit normal vector to the surface at (2, -2, 4) is | 1 | 233
  2 1
n2    4i  6 j  5k 
Unit normal vector to the surface at (-1, -1, 1) is |  2 | 77
 

Angle between the normals is given by cos n1 . n 2

1
cos   8i  12 j  5k . 1  4i  6 j  5k   1  32  72  25  65
233 77 17941 17941
 65 
 cos  1  
 17941  is the angle between the normals.

2
11. Find the angle between the normals to the surface xy  z at the points
(1, 9, -3) and (-2, -2, 2).

First Semester 11 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

Solution: Let  x, y, z   xy  z

2

  
  i  j k
x y z
  yi  xj  2 zk

Now at (1, 9,-3) 1 9i  j  6k  | 1 | 9  1  6  118

2 2 2

 1 1
 n1   9i  j  6k 
| 1 | 118
 2  2i  2 j  4k  |  2 |  2    2    4   24
2 2 2
At (-2, -2, 2),
  2 1
 n2    2i  2 j  4k 
|  2 | 24
 

Angle between the normal is cos n1 . n 2

cos  
1
9i  j  6k . 1 . 2i  2 j  4k   1  18  2  24   44   11
118 24 2832 4 117 117
 11 
 cos  1  
Hence the acute angle  117 .

2 2 2 2 2
12. Find the angle between the surfaces x  y  z 16 and x  y  z 4 at the point
(2, -1,2) common to them.
Solution: The angle between the two surfaces at common point is angle between the normals
drawn to the surfaces at that point.
Let 1 x, y, z   x  y  z , 1 2 xi  2 yj  2 zk
2 2 2

 | 1 | 4 2   2   4 2 6
2
At (2, -1, 2) 1 4i  2 j  4k
 1 1
n1   4i  2 j  4k 
Now | 1 | 6

Let  2 x, y, z   x  y  z ,  2 2 xi  2 yj  k
2 2

 |  2 | 4 2   2    1  21
2 2
At (2, -1, 2)  2 4i  2 j  k
  2 1
n1   4i  2 j  k 
Now |  2 | 21
 

Angle between the normals is cos n1 . n 2

1 1 1
cos   4i  2 j  4k . .4i  2 j  k   16  4  4  16  8
6 21 6. 21 6 21 3 21
 8 
 cos  1  
 3 21 

First Semester 12 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics
2
13. Find whether the surfaces 4 x  z 4 and 5 x  2 yz 7 x intersect orthogonally at the
2 3

point 1, 1, 2 .

Solution: Let ϕ 1 ( x , y , z )=4 x 2−z 3−4 , ∇ ϕ1=8 x i+ 0 J −3 z 2 k

At 1, 1, 2 , 1 8i  0 j  12k  | 1 | 64  144  208

 1 1
n1   8i  0 j  12k 
| 1 | 208
2
ϕ 2 ( x , y , z )=5 x −7 x−2 yz , ∇ ϕ2= (10 x−7 ) i−2 z j−2 y k

At (1, -1, -2),  2 3i  4 j  2k  |  2 | 3  4  2  29

2 2 2

  2 3i  4 j  2k
n2  
|  2 | 29
 
cos n1 . n 2
Angle between two normals is
1 1 1
cos   8i  0 j  12k . 3i  4 j  2k   24  0  24  0
208 29 6032

cos  0   
2
Therefore the surfaces intersect orthogonally.
2 2 2
14. Find the constants a and b so that the surface 3 x  2 y  3 z  8 0 is orthogonal to the
2 2
surface ax  y bz at the point (-1, 2, 1).
Solution: Let 1 x, y, z  3x  2 y  3 z  8
2 2 2

 1 6 xi  4 yj  6 zk
 | 1 |  6   8   6  136 2 34
2 2 2
At (-1, 2, 1) 1  6i  8 j  6k
1 1
 6i  8 j  6k   1 3i  4 j  3k 

n1  
Now | 1 | 2 34 34
 2 x, y, z  ax 2  y 2  bz ,  2 2axi  2 yj  bk

At (-1, 2, 1)  2  2ai  4 j  bk  |  2 | 4a  16  b
2 2

  2  2ai  4 j  bk
n2  
|  2 | 4a 2  b 2  16
Since the surfaces intersect orthogonally
1
3i  4 j  3k . 2 1 2
 
n1 . n 2 0    2ai  4 j  bk  0
34 4a  b  16
 3i  4 j  3k  .  2ai  4 j  bk  0   6a  16  3b 0
i.e. 6a  3b 16 .............. (1)
2 2
Also the point (-1, 2, 1) lies on the surface ax  y bz  a  4 b
i.e. a  b  4 .............. (2)

First Semester 13 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

4 40
a b
Solving the equation (1) and (2) 9 and 9
Exercise:
  
 0, ,1
1. If  x, y, z   x  sin y  z then find  at  2  .
2

2. Find the directional derivative of  x, y, z   xyz  xy z at (1, 2,-1) in the direction of
2 3

i  j  3k .
3. Find the maximum directional derivative of  x, y, z   x y z at the point
3 2

(1, -2, 3).

2 2 2
4. Find the unit normal vector to the surface 3 x  2 y  4 z 9 at (1, -1, 1).
3 3 3
5. Find the unit normal vector to the surface x  y  z 14  3 xyz at (1, -1, 2).
2
6. Find the angle between the normals to the surface z  xy 0 at the points
(4, 1, 2) and (3, 3, -3).
2 2
7. Find the angle between the normals to the surface 2 x  3 y 3 z at the points
(2, -2, 4) and (-1, -1, 1).
2
8. Find the angle between the normals to the surface x log z  y  1 at the points
(1, 1, 1) and (2, 1, 1).
2
9. Find the angle between the normals to the surface x log z  y  1 and
x 2 y 2  z at the point (1, 1, 1) common to them.
2
10. Find the constants a and b so that the surfaces x  ayz 3 x and
bx 2 y  z 3 b  8y intersect orthogonally at the point (1, 1,-2).

Answers:

1. K  1 
cos  1  
29 6.  22  9.
2. 11
 1 
cos  1  
3. 4 91  30 
1  65 
3i  2 j  4k  cos  1   5
a= , b=1
4. 29
7.  17941  10. 2
1  3 
3i  j  5k  cos  1  
5. 35 8.  10 

First Semester 14 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

Divergence of a vector function:

Let ⃗f ( x , y , z )=f 1 ( x , y , z ) i+ f 2 ( x , y , z ) j+ f 3 ( x , y , z ) k be a continuously differentiable vector
function, then divergence of a vector point function is denoted by ∇ ∙ ⃗f or¿ ⃗f and defined as

( )
∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ f1 ∂f2 ∂ f3
∇ ∙ ⃗f or¿ ⃗f = i+ j+ k ∙(f 1 i+ f 2 j+f 3 k )= + +
∂x ∂ y ∂z ∂x ∂ y ∂z

Clearly divergence of a vector point function is a scalar point function.

Physical interpretation: If f⃗ represents a velocity field of a gas or fluid then ¿ ⃗f represents

the rate of expansion per unit volume under the flow of gas or fluid.


⃗
Definition: A vector function f is said to be a Solenoidal if ¿ f =0 .
Clearly constant vector function is a solenoidal vector function.

Curl of vector function: Let ⃗f ( x , y , z )=f 1 ( x , y , z ) i+ f 2 ( x , y , z ) j + f 3 ( x , y , z ) k be a

continuously differentiable vector function, then∇ operating vectorially on ⃗f is denoted by
curl ⃗f or ∇ × ⃗f is given by

| |
i j k
∇ × ⃗f = (∂
i+
∂x ∂y
∂ ∂
)
j+ k ×(f 1 i+ f 2 j+ f 3 k )=
∂z
∂
∂x
∂
∂y
∂
∂z
f1 f2 f3

∇ × ⃗f = [
∂f3 ∂f 2
−
∂ y ∂z
i+ ][
∂f1 ∂f3
−
∂z ∂x
j+
∂f2 ∂f1
−
∂x ∂ y ] [ k ]
Clearly curl of a vector function is a vector function.

Physical interpretation: The curl of a vector function represents rotational motion.


⃗ ⃗
Definition: A vector function f is said to be irrotational vector function if curl f =0 .

Laplacian of a scalar field

Let φ=φ (x , y , z ) be a given scalar field. Then ∇ φ is a vector field given by,

∴ divergence of ∇ φ is given by

div (∇ φ)=∇ . (∇ φ)= ∂ + ( ) ( ) ( )

∂ φ ∂ ∂ φ ∂ ∂φ
+
∂ x ∂ x ∂ y ∂ y ∂z ∂z
∂2 φ ∂2 φ ∂2 φ
div (∇ φ)= + +
∂ x2 ∂ y2 ∂ z2
2
The RHS is call Laplacian of φ and denoted by ∇ φ .

First Semester 14 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

∂2 φ ∂2 φ ∂2 φ
∇ 2 φ= + +
∴ By definition ∂ x2 ∂ y 2 ∂ z 2 …. (1)

Equation (1) can be rewritten as,

( )
2 2 2
∇ φ= ∂ 2 + ∂ 2 + ∂ 2 φ
2
∂x ∂y ∂z

∇ 2
= ∂2 + ∂2 + ∂2
∇ 2 is the differential operator given by, ∂ x 2 ∂ y 2 ∂ z 2 and is called Laplacian
operator.
Problems:
 
2
1. If f  x yi  2 xzj  2 yzk then find div f .
f f f   
div f . f  1  2  3  x 2 y   2 xz   2 yz 
 

Solution: x y z x y z
∇ ∙ ⃗f =2 xy +0+2 y=2 y (x +1).


⃗
2. If f 3 xyi  x zj  y e k then find ∇ ∙ f at (1, 2, 0).
2 2 2z

f f f   
div f . f  1  2  3  3 xy   x 2 z   y 2 e 2 z 
 

Solution: x y z x y z
3 y  0  2 y 2 e 2 z

At (1, 2, 0)∇ ∙ ⃗f =−2.

 xi  yj
f  

3. If x  y then find div f .

 x y
f  i j
Solution: x  y x  y
  x   y  y x x y 1
div f          
x  x  y  y  x  y  x  y  x  y 
2 2
x  y  x  y
2

4. If  x, y, z  2 x y z then find divgrad  .

3 2 4

Solution:  x, y, z  2 x y z
3 2 4

  
grad  i j k  grad 6 x 2 y 2 z 4 i  4 x 3 yz 4 j  8 x 3 y 2 z 3 k
x y z
  
div grad  
x

6x 2 y 2 z 4 
y
 
4 x 3 yz 4 
z
  
8 x 3 y 2 z 3 12 xy 2 z 4  4 x 3 z 4  24 x 3 y 2 z 3


2 2
( ⃗)
5. If f 3 xyi  20 yz j  15 xzk and   y  xz then find ¿ ∅ f .

First Semester 15 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

Solution: ϕ ⃗f =( y 2 −xz) ( 3 xy i+20 y z2 j−15 z k )

ϕ ⃗f =(3 x y −3 x yz )i +( 20 y z −20 xy z ) j−(15 x y z−15 x z ) k

3 2 3 2 3 2 2 2

∂ ∂ ∂
¿ ( ϕ ⃗f )= (3 x y −3 x y z)+
3 2 3 2 3 2 2 2
(20 y z −20 xy z )− (15 x y z−15 x z )k
∂x ∂y ∂z
⃗
¿ ( ϕ f )=3 y −6 xyz + 60 y z −20 x z −15 x y −30 x z
3 2 2 3 2 2 ❑

   

2 2
6. Show that the vector function f 2 xyzi  xy  y z j  x  zx k is solenoidal.
  
div f  2 xyz   xy  y 2 z  x 2  zx 


Solution: Consider x y z

div f 2 yz  x  2 yz  x 0

 f is solenoidal vector function.

7. If f ax  3 y  4 z i  x  2 y  3 z  j  3 x  2 y  z k is solenoidal vector field, then find

the value of a .

⃗
Solution: If f is solenoidal then ¿ f =0

ax  3 y  4 z    x  2 y  3z    3x  2 y  z  0
Hence x y z
 a  2  1 0  a 3

 
( n )
8. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then show that ¿ r r⃗ =( n+ 3)r
n

, r x  y  z = 
2
r | r | x 2  y 2  z 2 2 2 2 2 x
Solution: Given
r 
2r 2 x  r  x
x x r
r y r z
 , 
Similarly y r z r


Now r r r xi  yj  zk  r xi  r yj  r zk
n n n n n

 
div  r n r   r 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  nr n
 
 
 div  r n r  3  n r n
 


  r
9. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | 3
then show that r is solenoidal.


, r x  y  z = 
2
r | r | x 2  y 2  z 2 2 2 2 2 x
Solution: Given

First Semester 16 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

∂r ∂r x
2r =2 x ⟹ =
∂x ∂x r
r 
2r 2 x  r  x
x x r
r y r z
 , 
Similarly y r z r

r 1
3
 3 xi  yj  zk 
Now r r
r
 r 3 .1  x.3r 2
r  x x
div  3    3  
Consider
r 
 
x  r  r 
3 2

x
   r 3  3.x.r 2 .
 r  r r 3  3r , x 2 r 3 3r
div  3   6
 6
 6  6  x 2
r  r r r r
 
     
 r  1 3r 2  r  3 3
div  3   3  6 .r  div  3   3  3 0
r  r r r  r r
   

r

r 3 is solenoidal vector field.

2
 
2 f r   f (r )  f (r )
10. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then prove that r .


, r x  y  z = 
2
r | r | x 2  y 2  z 2 2 2 2 2 x
Solution: Given
r 
2r 2 x  r  x
x x r
r y r z
 , 
Similarly y r z r
2 f (r ) 
2
f (r )    f (r ) r     f (r ) x     x f (r ) 
x 2 x  x  x  r x  r 
  r  r    x x
 r  f (r )  x f r    x f r    r  f r  x f r    x f r . 
2 f r    x x   
 r r
 r 2
  r 2

   
   
f r  f r  f r  f r  f r  2 f r  2
2 f (r )   2  x2  3 
x 2 3  2 .r  .r
r r r r r r3
2 f r 
2 f r    f r 
r

First Semester 17 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

 

If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then prove that  r  n  1n  2 r .

2 n 1 n 1

11.


Solution: Given r | r | x  y  z , r  x  y  z = 
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 x2
 r 
2 r n 1  n  1 r n  1 .x  n  1  r n  1 .1  x.n  1r n  2 . 

x  x 
x
 
2 r n 1 n  1 [r n  1  x.(n  1).r n  2 .
r]
 r  n  1 r
2 n 1 n 1
 
 (n  1)r n  3  x 2 n  1 3.r n  1  (n  1)r n  3 .r 2 
 r  n  13r
2 n 1 n 1

 (n  1).r n  1 n  13  n  1r n  1 n  1n  2 r n  1 .

 
( n ) n
12. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then prove that¿ r r⃗ =( n+ 3)r and
  
2  r n r  nn  3r n  2 r
hence show that   .
Solution: From the problem number 12 we already proved that ∇ . ( r n r⃗ )=(n+3)r n
      
 
2  r n r    r n r    n  3rn  n  3r. n i (n  3) n r n  1
r
i
     x x
Now
   
2  r n r  nn  3 r n  1 x i  2  r n r  nn  3 rn  2  x
  r  
i
  
 2  r n r  nn  3 rn  2 r
 
 
2 2 2
13. If f  xy i  2 x yzj  3 y zk then find curl f .
Solution:
i j k
  
 
 
curl f   f  i  6 yz  2 x 2 y  j 0  0   k 4 xyz  2 xy 
x y z
xy 2 2 x 2 yz  3y 2 z

14. Show that f sin x  z i  cos y  z  j  x  y k is irrotational.

i j k
   
curl f  i  1  1  j 1  1  k 0  0 
x y z
Solution: Consider sin x  z cos y  z x  y
 
curl f 0  f is irrotational.


 

2 curl  curl f
15. If f  x i  2 xzj  2 yzk then find  .

First Semester 18 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

i j k
    
curl f   f  i 2 z  2 x   j 0  0   k  2 z 
x y z
x2  2 xz 2 yz
Solution:
i j k
 
   
curl  curl f   i 0  0   j 0  2   k 0  0  2 j
  x y z
2 x  2 z  0  2z


16. Prove that curl r 0


Let r  xi  yj  zk
i j k
    
curl r  i 0  0   j 0  0   k 0  0   0
x y z
x y z

 r is irrotational.


 
 div  curl f  0
17. For any differentiable vector function f prove that   .


Solution: Let f  f 1i  f 2 j  f 3 k
  f f   f f   f f 
 curl f  3  2  i   1  3  j   2  1  k
 y z   z x   x y 

 
   f f    f f    f f 
div  curl f    3  2    1  3    2  1 
  x  y z  y  z x  z  x y 
2 2 2 2 2 2
 
  f 3  f 2  f1  f 3  f 2  f1
div  curl f       
  xy x.z yz yx zx zy
But mixed partial derivatives are equal.

 
 div  curl f  0 
   curl f is solenoidal.

 


the vector field f  axy  z i  a  2 x j  1  a xz k is

a 3 2 2
18. For what value of
irrotational.
 

Solution: If f is irrotational, then curl f 0

First Semester 19 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

i j k
  
0
x y z
Hence
axy  z 3 a  2x 2 1  a xz 2
 
 0  0i  1  a z 2  0  3 z 2  j  2 xa  2   ax k 0
 0i  4  a z 2 j  a  4xk 0  a 4

19. Find the constants a , b , c so that


f x  2 y  az i  bx  3 y  z  j  4 x  cy  2 z k is irrotational.
 

Solution: If f is irrotational, then curl f 0

i j k
  
0
x y z
Hence x  2 y  az bx  3 y  z 4 x  cy  2 z
 c  1i  4  a  j  b  2k 0
 c  1 0,4  a 0, b  2 0  a 4, b 2, c  1

 


20. Show that f  2 xy  z i  x j  3 xz k is irrotational and find the function  such

3 2 2

that ⃗f =grad ∅ .

 

3 2 2
.Solution: Given that f  2 xy  z i  x j  3 xz k
i j k
  

x y z
curl f = 2 xy  z 3 x2 3xz 2
 0  0i  3 z 2  3 z 2  j  2 x  2 x k 0
 
curl f 0  f is irrotational vector field.

We have to find the function  such that ⃗f =grad ∅

  
2 xy  z i  x
3 2
j  3 xz 2 k 
x
i
y
j
z
k
i.e.
  
 2 xy  z 3 , x 2 , 3 xz 2
x y z
  
d  dx  dy  dz
We have  x y z
 
d  2 xy  z 3 dx  x 2 dy  3 xz 2 dz
Regrouping the terms we get

First Semester 20 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

d 2 xyd  x 2 d  z 3 d  3 z 2 xd  d d x 2 y d x z 3 
x y x z

 
 d d x 2 y  xz 3    x 2 y  xz 3  c

21. Show that f sin y  z i  x cos y  z  j  x  y k is irrotational. Find the function 

such that ⃗f =grad ∅ .


Solution: Given that f sin y  z i  x cos y  z  j  x  y k

i j k
  
 x y z
Consider curl f  sin y  z xcoy  z x  y

curl f i 1  1  j1  1  k cos y  cos y  i 0  j 0   k 0  0


Therefore f is irrotational.


Find the function  such that f  grad

  
sin y  z i  x cos y  z  j  x  y k  i j k
x y z
  
 sin y  z ,  x cos y  z , x  y
x y z
  
d  dx  dy  dz
x y z
d sin y  z dx  x cos y  z dy  x  y dz
Regrouping the terms
dϕ=sin y dx + x cos y dy + z dx + x dz−z dy− y dz
dϕ=d ¿
ϕ=x sin y + x z− yz+ c .

     


22. Show that f  6 xy  z i  3 x  z j  3 xz  y k is irrotational. Find the function 

3 2 2

such that ⃗f =grad ∅ .

     

3 2 2
Solution: Given f  6 xy  z i  3 x  z j  3 xz  y k
i j k
   
curl f 
x y z
6 xy  z 3 3 x  z 3 xz 2  y
2
Consider
 

curl f i 1  1  j 3 z 2  3 z 2  k 6 x  6 x  i 0   j 0   k 0  0

First Semester 21 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics


 f is irrotational.
Find the function  such that ⃗f =grad ∅
6 x  z 3 i  3 x 2  z ̂j 3 x 2  yk  i 
 
̂j

k
x y z
y z
  
 6 xy  z 3 , 3 x 2  z , 3 xz 2  y
x y z
  
d  dx  dy  dz
x y z
d 6 xy  z 3 dx  3 x 2  z dy  3 xz 2  y dz
Regrouping the terms
d 6 xydx  3 x 2 dy  z 3 dx  3 xz 2 dz  zdy  ydz
d d 3 x 2 y  d x.z 3  d yz 
d d 3 x 2 y  xz 3  yz    3 x 2 y  xz 3  yz  c

  
n
23. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then show that r r is irrotational for all values of and
n

solenoidal for n=−3.



, r x  y  z = 
2
r | r | x 2  y 2  z 2 2 2 2 2 x
Solution: Given
r 
2r 2 x  r  x r y r z
 , 
x x r
, Similarly y r z r

r n r r n xi  yj  zk  r n xi  r n yj  r n zk
i j k
     n  n 
   

curl f    r z  r y i
x y z  y z 
rnx rn y rnz
 r  r  

y  z
curl f  [nr n 1 .z  nr n 1 y]   n r n 1 z  nr n 1 y i

y z  r r 

 
curl f  n r n 2 y  n r n 2 y i  0 i 
 

z z

 r n r is irrotational for all values of n .
 r  x
div  r n r   r n x    r n .1  x.nr n  1 .    r n  nr n  1 .x. 
   
Consider   x  x   r
 

di  r n r   [r n  n.r n 2 .x 2 ]  r n  n.r n 2  x 2 3r n  n.r n 2 .r 2
  

 
v
 
div  r n r  3r n  n.r n 3  n r n
 

First Semester 22 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

 
 div  r n r  0  n  3r n 0  n  3 0
r n r is solenoidal implies   ,  n  3 .
Exercise:
 
2 2 3
1. If f 3 x i  5 xy j  xyz k then find div f at (1, 2, 3)
     
  
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2. If f  y  z  x i  z  x  y j  x  y  z k then find div f , curl f
  
3 3 3
3. If f  zx i  x. y j  yz k then find . f , and   f


4. Show that the vector field f x  3 y i  y  3 z k  x  2 z k is solenoidal.


2 2
5. Show that f 2 x zi  10 xyzj  3 xz k is solenoidal.


6. Determine so that the vector field f x  2 i  y  2 z  j  x  az k is solenoidal.

a
7. Determine the constant a such that the vector field

f x  3 y i  y  2 z  j  x  az k is solenoidal.
 

8. If f  xy  z i  y z  x  j  z x  y k then find curl f

 

3 2 2
9. Show that f  2 xy  z i  x j  3 xz k is irrotational.
f 6 xy  z i  3 x   

3 2
10. Show that  z j  3 xz 2  y k is irrotational.
 xi  yj  zk
f  1

11. Show that the vector field x 2

 y2  z2 
2
is irrotational.
 
2 2 2
12. If f  x i  y j  z k and g  yzi  zxj  xyk then show that f g is solenoidal.


13. If f 2 x  3 y  az i  bx  2 y  3 z  j  2 x  cy  3 z k is irrotational vector

Field, then find the constants a, b, c .
14. If   x y  2 xy  z then show that  is irrotational.
2 2

15. If   x  y then show that  satisfies the Laplacian equation.

2 2

16. If  2 x yz then find   at (1, 1, 1).

2 3 2

17. If   x  y  4 z then find   .

2 2 2

   
r
grad  div   
    r 
18. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then find   
 1
  grad  
19. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then prove that  r  is solenoid.
 
   r 3 . r  6r 3
20. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then show that  

First Semester 23 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

 

21. If r  xi  yj  zk and r | r | then find  r  and hence show that

2 n

 1
2   0
r
 1 
    w  curl v
22. If v  wr where w is a constant vector. Then prove that 2


23. Prove that grad is irrotational and curl f is solenoidal.



is irrotational and find the function 

2 2
24. Show that f 2 xyzi  x zj  x yk


such that f  grad .



25. Show that f sin y  z cos x i  x cos y  sin z  j  y cos z  sin x k is



irrotational and find the function  such that f 

   

26. Show that r | r | is irrotational and find the function  such that r | r |
 2
div r  , 

27. Show that r where r  xi  yj  zk

28. Find the scalar function  such that   y z i  2 xyz j  3 xy z k given
2 3 3 2 2

that  x, y, z  0 at the origin.

1
2 log r  
29. Show that r2

r
3
30. Show that r is both solenoidal and irrotational.
Answers:
1. 80
 

2. div f  2x  y  z , curl f 2y  z i  z  x  j  x  y k 

3. divf 3x z  y x  z y , curlf  z i  x j  y k
2 2 2 3 3 3

6. a=2
7. a=2
8. z  y i  z  x  j  y  x k
13. a 2, b 3, c 3
16. 16
17. 0

 2r
3
18. r

First Semester 24 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)

 Department Of Mathematics

24.  2 x yz  c
2

25.   x sin y  y sin z  z sin x +c

3
1
  x 2  y 2  z 2 2  c
26. 3

28.   xy z
2 2

Video Links:

1. Vector differentiation
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/multivariable-calculus/multivariable-derivatives/
position-vector-functions/v/differential-of-a-vector-valued-function

2. Gradient
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ231k3zsAA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkB4vW16QHI

3. Directional derivative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcnj1bYEZlY

4. Applications of Gradient, Divergence and curl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOcFJKQPZfo https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=vvzTEbp9lrc

Disclaimer: The content provided is prepared by department of Mathematics for the specified
syllabus by using reference books mentioned in the syllabus. This material is specifically for the
use of RVCE students and for education purpose only.

First Semester 25 Engineering Mathematics–I (18MA11)