# Vector calc, gradient vector fields

 P: 20 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data Is F = (2ye^x)i + x(sin2y)j + 18k a gradient vector field? 3. 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!
 Sci Advisor HW Helper Thanks P: 26,167 hi calculusisrad! (try using the X2 button just above the Reply box ) learn: div(curl) = 0, curl(grad) = 0 does that help?
 Math Emeritus Sci Advisor Thanks PF Gold P: 38,882 For any g(x,y), $\nabla g= \partial g/\partial x\vec{i}+ \partial g/\partial y\vec{j}+ \partial g/\partial z\vec{k}$. So is there a function g such that $$\frac{\partial g}{\partial x}= 2ye^x$$ $$\frac{\partial g}{\partial z}= 18$$ and $$\frac{\partial g}{\partial y}= x sin(2y)$$? One way to answer that is to try to find g by finding anti-derivatives. Another is to use the fact that as long as the derivatives are continuous (which is the case here), the mixed second derivatives are equal: $$\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\left(\frac{\partial g}{\partial y}\right)= \frac{\partial}{\partial y}\left(\frac{\partial g}{\partial x}\right)$$ Is $$\frac{\partial x sin(2y)}{\partial x}= \frac{\partial 2ye^x}{\partial y}$$? etc.
P: 20

## Vector calc, gradient vector fields

Thank you soo much :)
I am still confused, though. So if I can prove that dg/dxy = dg/dyx and dg/dxz = dg/dzx and dg/dyz = dg/dzy , I will have proved that F is a gradient vector field, correct???

I found that dg/dxy = sin2y, and d/dyx = 2e^x. Since they are not equal, that means that F is not a gradient vector field?

Thanks
HW Helper
Thanks
P: 26,167

(have a curly d: ∂ and try using the X2 and X2 buttons just above the Reply box )
 Quote by calculusisrad So if I can prove that dg/dxy = dg/dyx and dg/dxz = dg/dzx and dg/dyz = dg/dzy , I will have proved that F is a gradient vector field, correct???
(your notation is terrible , but …) yes

this is because you're actually proving that curlF = 0,

and if F is a gradient, then F = ∇φ, and so curlF = (curl∇)φ = 0
 I found that dg/dxy = sin2y, and d/dyx = 2e^x. Since they are not equal, that means that F is not a gradient vector field?
yup

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