Sorry your browser is not supported!

So, I'm supposed to take a vector R=(x,y,z) and find 1/R...
Then I'm supposed to take the gradient of this 1/R.

If anyone could explain this, that would be.... just... great....

OH! So 1/R has to be a scalar to take the gradient of it, so it probably means 1/R=1/|R|. So the gradient would be del (1/(x^2+y^2+z^2)^(1/2))

[href]http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Gradient(1/Sqrt(x^2+y^2+z^2))[/href]

[edit]
I'm assuming you know what the gradient operator is, it just involves partial derivatives. It's the third equation under the definitions section here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gradient#Definition

Yep, I know gradients. That's been the trouble. The problem says that R is a vector. There are no bars though or other indication of them referring to the magnitude.

Anyway, I guess I'll run that through Maxima real quick to check if it could be that.

Yep, that worked. WTF though? The problem is one line. 2 sentences. One defines R to be a vector. The other asks for gradient(1/R).

Yeah, I guess you just have to know the conventions in whatever book you're using (which sucks because conventions vary).

Anyways, since I'm studying the subject right now... isn't vector analysis freaking awesome? I've only actually proficient up to stokes' theorem (and related), but I've read through the curvilinear coordinate and tensor analysis sections of the book I'm going through (Schaum outline), and it's crazy stuff. I've always thought I was proficient with coordinate transformations, and that I would be totally OK when it came to curvy coordinate systems, but... the terminology, the actual details of it all, etc. keep getting me confused.

Heh, part of my confusion is actually well expressed in an SMBC comic:
http://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20120717.gif
Combining partial derivatives, regular derivatives, and differentials in one equation without explanation definitely gets me confused.