# Cross Products

1. Apr 8, 2008

### Nusc

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

Find A
If one is given B z-hat
2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

What mathematical operation would I apply to solve this?

2. Apr 8, 2008

### neu

Do you know what grad is?
$$B= \nabla A= \left(\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\hat{\textbf{x}} + \frac{\partial}{\partial y}\hat{\textbf{y}} + \frac{\partial}{\partial z}\hat{\textbf{z}}\right) A$$

3. Apr 8, 2008

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
By "one is given B z-hat" do you mean you are given only the z-component of grad A?
Then there are many solutions. For example, if we are given that the z-component of grad A, then A can be any function of x,y- as long as it has no dependence on z, the z-component of grad A is 0.

Since the grad of a function is a derivative, the "mathematical operation" you would use to find A is the anti-derivative or "indefinite" integral.

4. Apr 8, 2008

### Nusc

No

Since the grad of a function is a derivative, the "mathematical operation" you would use to find A is the anti-derivative or "indefinite" integral.

5. Apr 8, 2008

### Nusc

SOrry folks I meant Curl

6. Apr 8, 2008