Differentiation of Vector

Functions, Gradient
Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II
Course Code: C1UC222B
Session No. 1
Duration: 50 Minutes
Date of Conduction of Class: 03-03-2025
Instructor name:
Department of Mathematics
School of Basic Sciences
Galgotias University
Preliminaries
The physical quantities may be divided into two parts: (1)
Scalar (2) Vector.
• Scalar: A scalar is a quantity having magnitude but no
direction. Scalars are invariant under coordinate
transformations, meaning they remain unchanged
regardless of the chosen coordinate system.

Examples:
◦ Temperature (T) at a point in space.
◦ Pressure (P) in a fluid.
◦ Electric Potential (V ) at a location in an electric field.

A scalar field can be visualized as a contour map, where

different scalar values are represented using contour lines or
color gradients.
Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 2 of 29 pages
Figure: Here is a 3D visualization of a scalar field, where the surface
represents varying values of a scalar quantity. Warm colors (red,
orange) indicate high values, while cool colors (blue, green) indicate
low values.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 3 of 29 pages
Vector
• Vector : A vector is a quantity having both magnitude and
direction. Unlike scalar quantities, vectors change when
the coordinate system is rotated or transformed.

Note : A vector is represented by a letter with an arrow

⃗ and its magnitude is denoted by | A
over it such as A ⃗ |.

Examples of Vector Quantities:

◦ Velocity (v) of a moving particle
◦ Force (F) acting on a body.
◦ Electric Field (E) at a point in space.

A vector field is often visualized using arrows that indicate the

direction and magnitude of the vector quantity at different
points.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 4 of 29 pages
Figure: Here is a 3D visualization of a vector field, where arrows
indicate both the direction and magnitude of the vector quantity at
different points.

Unit Vector : Unit vector is that vector whose magnitude is

⃗ is denoted as Â.
Unity. Unit vector of A
Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 5 of 29 pages
Dot Product of Two Vectors

Scalar or Dot Product

If ⃗a = a1 î + a2 ĵ + a3 k̂ and ⃗b = b1 î + b2 ĵ + b3 k̂ are two vectors
then dot product of ⃗a and ⃗b are denoted and defined as
⃗a.⃗b = (a1 î + a2 ĵ + a3 k̂ ).(b1 î + b2 ĵ + b3 k̂) that is
⃗a.⃗b = a1 b1 + a2 b2 + a3 b3 .

Example
If ⃗a = 3î + 4ĵ + 5k̂ and ⃗b = 2î − ĵ + 3k̂ are two vectors then dot
product of ⃗a and ⃗b is given as
⃗a.⃗b = (3î + 4ĵ + 5k̂).(2î − ĵ + 3k̂) = 6 − 4 + 15 = 17
This means the dot product of A and B is 17, which is a scalar
quantity

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 6 of 29 pages
Cross Product of Two Vectors
Vector or Cross Product
If ⃗a = a1 î + a2 ĵ + a3 k̂ and ⃗b = b1 î + b2 ĵ + b3 k̂ are two vectors
then dot product of ⃗a and ⃗b are denoted and defined as
î ĵ k̂
⃗a × ⃗b = a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3

Example
If ⃗a = 3î + 4ĵ + 5k̂ and ⃗b = 2î − ĵ + 3k̂ are two vectors then the
î ĵ k̂
cross product of ⃗a and ⃗b is given as ⃗a × ⃗b = 3 4 5
2 −1 3

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 7 of 29 pages
Vector Differentiation:
• Vector differentiation extends differentiation to vector
functions.
Let r(t) is a vector function of a scalar parameter t. It is
also known as position vector of a moving object.
r(t) = x(t)î + y (t)ĵ + z(t)k̂ .
• Its derivative is:
dr dx dy dz
v= = î + ĵ + k̂
dt dt dt dt
This represents the velocity of a particle moving along a
path.
• Acceleration a is the first derivative of velocity (or second
d 2r
derivative of position): a = dv
dt = dt 2

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 8 of 29 pages
Example

Consider the position function: r(t) = t 4 î + 3t 3 ĵ + 2t 2 k̂

Example

• Step 1: Velocity:
v = dr 3 2
dt = 4t î + 9t ĵ + 4t k̂
• Step 2: Acceleration:
dv
a= dt = 12t 2 î + 18t ĵ + 4k̂

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 9 of 29 pages
Learning Activity

Problem Solving
Consider the position function:
r(t) = t 5 î + 2t 4 ĵ + 3t 3 k̂ then find the following
vectors.
• Velocity:
• Acceleration:
• Jerk: The first derivative of Acceleration.
• Snap: The first derivative of Jerk.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 10 of 29 pages
Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• Compute the gradient of a function in Cartesian
coordinates.
• Determine the unit normal vector using gradient.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 11 of 29 pages
Opening Question:

”If you are standing on a temperature map

where different points have different
temperatures, how would you find the
direction in which the temperature increases
the fastest?”

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 12 of 29 pages
Vector Differentiation

Differentiation Operator
Differentiation operator is the Del operator.
⃗ =
The del operator is denoted and defined as ∇ ∂ ∂ ∂
∂x i + ∂y j + ∂z k

Gradient of a scalar field

Let f (x, y , z) be a scalar function then gradient of f is denoted
by grad f or ∇f ⃗ and given by ∇f⃗ = ∂f i + ∂f j + ∂f k .
∂x ∂y ∂z

Here grad f is the vector quantity.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 13 of 29 pages
Example:1
Consider the function:

f (x, y, z) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2

Step 1: Compute Partial Derivatives

∂f ∂f ∂f
= 2x, = 2y, = 2z
∂x ∂y ∂z

Step 2: Write the Gradient Vector

∇f = 2xi + 2yj + 2zk

Step 3: Evaluate at a Point (1, 2, 3):

∇f (1, 2, 3) = 2(1)i + 2(2)j + 2(3)k = 2i + 4j + 6k

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 14 of 29 pages
Example:2

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 15 of 29 pages
Think, Pair and Share

If the gradient of a temperature field T (x, y , z) in a room is zero

at a point then

• what does this imply about the temperature distribution in

that region?
• How does the gradient change when you move in different
directions from a given point?
• If two temperatures have the same gradient, what can you
conclude about them?

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 16 of 29 pages
Learning Activity

Problem Solving
• Find the gradient of the scalar field f (x, y) = y 2 − 4xy.
• Find the gradient
p of the scalar field
f (x, y , z) = x + y 2 + z 2 at the point (1, 1, 1).
2

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 17 of 29 pages
Answer
Answer of the opening Question:
• The direction in which the temperature increases the
fastest is given by the gradient of the temperature function.
• Mathematically, if the temperature at any point (x, y) is
given by a function T (x, y ), then the gradient of T , denoted
as
∇T , is: ∇T = ∂T ∂T
∂x i + ∂y j
• This gradient vector points in the direction of the steepest
increase in temperature, and its magnitude represents the
rate of increase.
• Therefore, to move in the direction where the temperature
rises the fastest, one should follow the gradient vector at
that point.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 18 of 29 pages
Normal Vector

Let f be a differentiable scalar function that represents a

surface S such that f (x, y , z) = c. then if the gradient of f at a
point P of S is not the zero vector, then it is called a normal
vector of S at P.
Normal Vector is
⃗ = ∇ f,
N
Unit Normal Vector is
∇f
N̂ =
|∇ f |

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 19 of 29 pages
Example
Finding the Unit Normal Vector to a Surface Given as:
F (x, y, z) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 − 9 = 0
Step 1: Compute the Gradient:
The normal vector to the surface is given by the gradient of
F (x, y , z) at the point (3, 0, 0):
∂F ∂F ∂F
∇F = i+ j+ k
∂x ∂y ∂z
Computing the partial derivatives:
∂F ∂F ∂F
= 2x, = 2y , = 2z
∂x ∂y ∂z
Thus, the normal vector is:
N = 2xi + 2yj + 2zk
Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 20 of 29 pages
Step 2: Normalize the Normal Vector:
The unit normal vector is obtained by dividing by its magnitude:
q q
|N| = (2x)2 + (2y)2 + (2z)2 = 4(x 2 + y 2 + z 2 )
Since the surface is a sphere of radius 3, we substitute
x 2 + y 2 + z2 = 9 :
p √
|N| = 4(9) = 36 = 6
Thus, the unit normal vector is:
2xi + 2yj + 2zk x y z
N̂ = = i+ j+ k
6 3 3 3
Step 3: Evaluate at a Specific Point at (3, 0, 0):
 
3 0 0
N̂ = i + j + k = 1i + 0j + 0k .
3 3 3
This unit normal vector 1i + 0j + 0k is perpendicular to the
surface at the point (3, 0, 0).

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 21 of 29 pages
Problem Solving

• Find a unit normal vector to the surface xy 2 + 2yz = 8 at

the point (3, −2, 1).
• Find a unit normal vector to the surface x 2 + 3y 2 + 2z 2 = 6
at the point P(2, 0, 1).

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 22 of 29 pages
Application of Gradient

• Image Processing and Computer Vision: The gradient

plays a crucial role in image processing and computer
vision, particularly in edge detection, feature extraction and
object recognition. In edge detection to find sharp changes
in pixel intensity.
• An image is represented as a 2D function f (x, y), where x
and y are pixel coordinates, and f (x, y ) represents
intensity (brightness) at that point.
∂f ∂f
• • The gradient of the image is given by: ∇f = ∂x i + ∂y j
∂f
• ∂x : Measures intensity change in the horizontal direction.
∂f
• ∂y : Measures intensity change in the vertical direction.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 23 of 29 pages
Continued.....

• The magnitude of the gradient gives the strength of edges

that means higher the magnitude |∇f |, the stronger the
edge.
• If an image has a sharp boundary (e.g., between black and
white regions), the gradient magnitude will be high at the
edge.
• If an image has a smooth transition, the gradient
magnitude will be low (indicating no sharp edge).

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 24 of 29 pages
More Applications

• In Machine learning and Optimization problems, the

gradient is used in gradient descent and gradient ascent
algorithms to find the minimum or maximum of a function.
• Heat Transfer: Thermodynamics
• Robotics and Path Planning: Used in autonomous
navigation and AI-driven decision-making.
• Medical Imaging (MRI CT Scans): Helps in detecting
variations in tissue density and diagnosing diseases.
• Geophysics and Earth Sciences: Used in seismic wave
analysis to locate earthquakes.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 25 of 29 pages
Assessment

Compute the Gradient for following functions:

• Given f (x, y) = x 2 + 4y 2 , compute ∇f at the point (2, 1).
• If the electricp
potential in a region is given by
V (x, y, z) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 , compute the electric field
E = −∇V at (1, 1, 1)

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 26 of 29 pages
Home Work

Compute the Gradient for following functions:

• f (x, y ) = x 2 + y 2 , f (x, y ) = 3x 2 y − 2xy 3 + 5y,
f (x, y ) = ln(x 2 + y 2 ),
• f (x, y , z) = ex+y sin(z), f (x, y, z) = x 3 + y 3 + z 3 − 3xyz
• If f (x, y , z) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 , evaluate ∇f at (1, −2, 3).
• Given the surface equation
F (x, y , z) = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 − 9 = 0, find the unit normal
vector at the point (2, 1, 2).

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 27 of 29 pages
Ensure Attainment of LOs in Alignment to
the Learning Activities:

Learning Outcomes:
• Compute the gradient of a function in Cartesian
coordinates.
• Determine the unit normal vector using gradient.

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 28 of 29 pages
Topic of next class:

• Directional Derivative and it’s Examples

Course name: Engineering Mathematics-II , Course Code: C1UC222B, February 28, 2025. 29 of 29 pages