Understanding and Operating on 1/|x| in Spherical Coordinates

[anchovie]

Given the term 1/|x|, and assuming in the context of the problem that a spherical coordinate basis is preferred, how can I write 1/|x| so that I can perform operations on it (gradient, etc), i.e in terms of it's unit vectors? Sorry about the vagueness of the question, but I think that's the source of my confusion.

 

[Dick]

The norm of a vector in spherical coordinates is simply r. So 1/|x|=1/r. Gradient e.g. is (-1/r^2)*ur, where ur is the unit vector in the r direction. Is that too easy?