- #1
Brad Barker
- 429
- 0
the following problem is in the arfken/weber textbook and was also on a practice exam for my mathematical methods course:
Verify that
[tex]
\mathbf{A} \times (\nabla \times \mathbf{A}) = \frac{1}{2} \nabla(A^2) - (\mathbf{A} \cdot \nabla)\mathbf{A}.
[/tex]
i used the BAC-CAB rule, but i don't get the factor of 1/2.
the solutions booklet that came with the textbook very tersely explains, "the factor of 1/2 occurs because the del only operates on one of the A's."
i would very much appreciate an explanation that is perhaps more informative than this one sentence blurb! :tongue:
thank you.
Verify that
[tex]
\mathbf{A} \times (\nabla \times \mathbf{A}) = \frac{1}{2} \nabla(A^2) - (\mathbf{A} \cdot \nabla)\mathbf{A}.
[/tex]
i used the BAC-CAB rule, but i don't get the factor of 1/2.
the solutions booklet that came with the textbook very tersely explains, "the factor of 1/2 occurs because the del only operates on one of the A's."
i would very much appreciate an explanation that is perhaps more informative than this one sentence blurb! :tongue:
thank you.
Last edited: