Vector Diff. Q: Dot & Cross Prod. Differentiation?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the differentiation of the dot product and cross product of vectors, specifically whether the expressions for their derivatives are equivalent. The participants confirm that both the dot product and cross product differentiation follow the same rules due to the commutative property of addition in vector mathematics. Thus, the equations presented for both the dot product and cross product differentiation are indeed valid and interchangeable.

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sams
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I have a question regarding the dot product and the cross product differentiation. I was wondering whether:
$$\frac{d(\vec{A}.\vec{B})}{du} = \vec{A}. \frac{d\vec{B}}{du} + \frac{d\vec{A}}{du} .\vec{B}$$
is the same as
$$\frac{d(\vec{A}.\vec{B})}{du} = \frac{d\vec{A}}{du} .\vec{B} + \vec{A}. \frac{d\vec{B}}{du}$$

and
$$\frac{d(\vec{A}×\vec{B})}{du} = \vec{A}× \frac{d\vec{B}}{du} + \frac{d\vec{A}}{du} ×\vec{B}$$
is the same as
$$\frac{d(\vec{A}×\vec{B})}{du} = \frac{d\vec{A}}{du} ×\vec{B} + \vec{A}× \frac{d\vec{B}}{du}$$

or not!

Thank you so much for your help...
 
Last edited:
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Addition is commutative even with vector elements, so yes, all equalities you wrote hold.
 
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DrClaude said:
Addition is commutative even with vector elements, so yes, all equalities you wrote hold.
Thank you DrClaude for your reply and for your help
 

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