Proving div(F X G) = G·curl(F) - F·curl(G)

t_n_p

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

If F = F1i + F2j + F3k and G = G1i + G2j + G3k are differentiable vector functions of (x,y,z) prove that div(F X G) = G·curl(F) - F·curl(G)

3. The attempt at a solution

If computed both sides of the equation, but they are not the same. My left hand side is
div(F X G) = (∂/∂x)(F2G3-G2F3) + (∂/∂y)(G1F3-F1G3) + (∂/∂z)(F1G2-F2G1)

My right hand side is
G·curl(F) - F·curl(G) = (∂/∂x)(2F2G3-2G2F3) + (∂/∂y)(2G1F3-2F1G3) + (∂/∂z)(2F1G2-2F2G1)

This weird two has appeared out of nowhere! I've checked over many, many times and still can't spot any arithmatic mistakes. I'll break it down below and hopefully somebody may be able to point out a mistake.

G·curl(F) = G1F3(∂/∂y) - G1F2(∂/∂z) - G2F3(∂/∂x) + G2F1(∂/∂z) + G3F2(∂/∂x) - G3F1(∂/∂y)

F·curl(G) = F1G3(∂/∂y) - F1G2(∂/∂z) - F2G3(∂/∂x) + F2G1(∂/∂z) + F3G2(∂/∂x) - G1F3(∂/∂y)

HallsofIvy

You seem to have added rather than subtracted G·curl(F) and F·curl(G)!

t_n_p

That's what it appears like, but I checked that as well. for instance, lets just group the ∂/∂x terms.

From G·curl(F) we have:
∂/∂x (G3F2 - G2F3)

and from F·curl(G) we have:
∂/∂x (F3G2- F2G3)

Then G·curl(F) - F·curl(G) = [∂/∂x (G3F2 - G2F3)] - [∂/∂x (F3G2- F2G3)]
= ∂/∂x (2F2G3 - 2F3G2)

as shown above!

t_n_p

bump!

Dick

From G.curl(F) I get G3*d/dx(F2)-G2*d/dx(F3). That's different from your result. Why? G.curl(F) shouldn't have ANY derivatives of G, right?

t_n_p

ok, I've taken that onboard. I am still struggling though.

My left hand side remains the same,
div(F X G) = (∂/∂x)(F2G3-G2F3) + (∂/∂y)(G1F3-F1G3) + (∂/∂z)(F1G2-F2G1)

Now taking into account the help from Dick, my RHS G·curl(F) - F·curl(G) now becomes
G1(∂/∂y)F3 - G1(∂/∂z)F2 - G2(∂/∂x)F3 + G2(∂/∂z)F1 + G3(∂/∂x)F2 - G3(∂/∂y)F1 - [F1(∂/∂y)G3 - F1(∂/∂z)G2 - F2(∂/∂x)G3 + F2(∂/∂z)G1 + F3(∂/∂x)G2 - G1(∂/∂y)F3]

My quesiton now, is how do I make them equal? I am thinking of product rule. On the right track?

Dick

Yes, product rule! Product rule!

t_n_p

Done, thank you!