How to find the direction of the gradient at a point. Gradient of a given function

1 0 The gradient is directed normal to the level surface (or to the level line if the field is flat).

2 0 The gradient is directed towards increasing the field function.

3 0 The gradient modulus is equal to the largest derivative in direction at a given point in the field:

These properties provide an invariant characteristic of the gradient. They say that the vector gradU indicates the direction and magnitude of the greatest change in the scalar field at a given point.

Remark 2.1. If the function U(x,y) is a function of two variables, then the vector

lies in the oxy plane.

Let U=U(x,y,z) and V=V(x,y,z) be differentiable at the point M 0 (x,y,z) functions. Then the following equalities hold:

a) grad()= ; b) grad(UV)=VgradU+UgradV;

c) grad(U V)=gradU gradV; d) d) grad = , V ;

e) gradU( = gradU, where , U=U() has a derivative with respect to .

Example 2.1. The function U=x 2 +y 2 +z 2 is given. Determine the gradient of the function at point M(-2;3;4).

Solution. According to formula (2.2) we have

The level surfaces of this scalar field are the family of spheres x 2 +y 2 +z 2 , the vector gradU=(-4;6;8) is the normal vector of planes.

Example 2.2. Find the gradient of the scalar field U=x-2y+3z.

Solution. According to formula (2.2) we have

The level surfaces of a given scalar field are planes

x-2y+3z=C; the vector gradU=(1;-2;3) is the normal vector of planes of this family.

Example 2.3. Find the greatest steepness of the surface rise U=x y at point M(2;2;4).

Solution. We have:

Example 2.4. Find the unit normal vector to the level surface of the scalar field U=x 2 +y 2 +z 2 .

Solution. The level surfaces of a given scalar Field-sphere x 2 +y 2 +z 2 =C (C>0).

The gradient is directed normal to the level surface, so

Defines the normal vector to the level surface at point M(x,y,z). For a unit normal vector we obtain the expression

Example 2.5. Find the field gradient U=, where and are constant vectors, r is the radius vector of the point.

Solution. Let

Then: . By the rule of differentiation of the determinant we obtain

Hence,

Example 2.6. Find the gradient of the distance, where P(x,y,z) is the field point being studied, P 0 (x 0 ,y 0 ,z 0) is some fixed point.

Solution. We have - unit direction vector .

Example 2.7. Find the angle between the gradients of the functions at the point M 0 (1,1).

Solution. We find the gradients of these functions at the point M 0 (1,1), we have

; The angle between gradU and gradV at point M 0 is determined from the equality

Hence =0.

Example 2.8. Find the directional derivative, the radius vector is equal to

Solution. Find the gradient of this function:

Substituting (2.5) into (2.4), we obtain

Example 2.9. Find at point M 0 (1;1;1) the direction of the greatest change in the scalar field U=xy+yz+xz and the magnitude of this greatest change at this point.

Solution. The direction of the greatest change in the field is indicated by the vector grad U(M). We find it:

And that means... This vector determines the direction of the greatest increase in this field at point M 0 (1;1;1). The magnitude of the largest field change at this point is equal to

Example 3.1. Find the vector lines of the vector field where is a constant vector.

Solution. We have so that

Multiply the numerator and denominator of the first fraction by x, the second by y, the third by z and add term by term. Using the property of proportions, we get

Hence xdx+ydy+zdz=0, which means

x 2 +y 2 +z 2 =A 1, A 1 -const>0. Now multiplying the numerator and denominator of the first fraction (3.3) by c 1, the second by c 2, the third by c 3 and adding term by term, we get

Where from 1 dx+c 2 dy+c 3 dz=0

And, therefore, with 1 x+c 2 y+c 3 z=A 2 . A 2 -const.

The required equations of vector lines

These equations show that vector lines are obtained by the intersection of spheres having a common center at the origin with planes perpendicular to the vector. It follows that vector lines are circles whose centers are on a straight line passing through the origin in the direction of vector c. The planes of the circles are perpendicular to the specified line.

Example 3.2. Find the vector field line passing through the point (1,0,0).

Solution. Differential equations vector lines

Hence we have . Solving the first equation. Or if we introduce the parameter t, then we will have In this case, the equation takes the form or dz=bdt, whence z=bt+c 2.

Gradient functions– a vector quantity, the determination of which is associated with the determination of the partial derivatives of the function. The direction of the gradient indicates the path of the fastest growth of the function from one point of the scalar field to another.

Instructions

1. To solve the problem of the gradient of a function, methods of differential calculus are used, namely, finding first-order partial derivatives with respect to three variables. It is assumed that the function itself and all its partial derivatives have the property of continuity in the domain of definition of the function.

2. The gradient is a vector, the direction of which indicates the direction of the most rapid increase in the function F. To do this, two points M0 and M1 are selected on the graph, which are the ends of the vector. The magnitude of the gradient is equal to the rate of increase of the function from point M0 to point M1.

3. The function is differentiable at all points of this vector; therefore, the projections of the vector on the coordinate axes are all its partial derivatives. Then the gradient formula looks like this: grad = (?F/?x) i + (?F/?y) j + (?F/?z) k, where i, j, k are the coordinates of the unit vector. In other words, the gradient of a function is a vector whose coordinates are its partial derivatives grad F = (?F/?х, ?F/?y, ?F/?z).

4. Example 1. Let the function F = sin(x z?)/y be given. It is required to detect its gradient at the point (?/6, 1/4, 1).

5. Solution. Determine the partial derivatives with respect to each variable: F'_х = 1/y сos(х z?) z?; F'_y = sin(х z?) (-1) 1/(y?); F'_z = 1/y cos(x z?) 2 x z.

6. Substitute the famous coordinate values ​​of the point: F’_x = 4 сos(?/6) = 2 ?3; F’_y = sin(?/6) (-1) 16 = -8; F’_z = 4 cos(?/6) 2 ?/6 = 2 ?/?3.

7. Apply the function gradient formula:grad F = 2 ?3 i – 8 j + 2 ?/?3 k.

8. Example 2. Find the coordinates of the gradient of the function F = y arсtg (z/x) at point (1, 2, 1).

9. Solution.F'_x = 0 arctg (z/x) + y (arctg(z/x))'_x = y 1/(1 + (z/x)?) (-z/x?) = -y z/ (x? (1 + (z/x)?)) = -1;F'_y = 1 аrсtg(z/х) = аrсtg 1 = ?/4;F'_z = 0 аrсtg(z/х) + y (arсtg(z/х))'_z = y 1/(1 + (z/х)?) 1/х = y/(х (1 + (z/х)?)) = 1.grad = (- 1, ?/4, 1).

The scalar field gradient is a vector quantity. Thus, to find it, it is necessary to determine all the components of the corresponding vector, based on knowledge of the division of the scalar field.

Instructions

1. Read in a textbook on higher mathematics what the gradient of a scalar field is. As you know, this vector quantity has a direction characterized by the maximum rate of decay of the scalar function. This interpretation of this vector quantity is justified by the expression for determining its components.

2. Remember that any vector is determined by the magnitudes of its components. The components of a vector are actually projections of this vector onto one or another coordinate axis. Thus, if three-dimensional space is considered, then the vector must have three components.

3. Write down how the components of a vector that is the gradient of a certain field are determined. All of the coordinates of such a vector are equal to the derivative of the scalar potential with respect to the variable whose coordinate is being calculated. That is, if you need to calculate the “x” component of the field gradient vector, then you need to differentiate the scalar function with respect to the “x” variable. Please note that the derivative must be partial. This means that during differentiation, the remaining variables that are not involved in it must be considered constants.

4. Write an expression for the scalar field. As is well known, this term implies only a scalar function of several variables, which are also scalar quantities. The number of variables of a scalar function is limited by the dimension of the space.

5. Differentiate the scalar function separately with respect to each variable. As a result, you will get three new functions. Write any function into the expression for the scalar field gradient vector. Each of the obtained functions is actually an indicator for a unit vector of a given coordinate. Thus, the final gradient vector should look like a polynomial with exponents in the form of derivatives of the function.

When considering issues involving gradient representation, it is common to think of functions as scalar fields. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce the appropriate notation.

You will need

• – boom;
• - pen.

Instructions

1. Let the function be specified by three arguments u=f(x, y, z). The partial derivative of a function, for example, with respect to x, is defined as the derivative with respect to this argument, obtained by fixing the remaining arguments. Similar for other arguments. The notation for the partial derivative is written in the form: df/dx = u’x ...

2. The total differential will be equal to du=(дf/дх)dx+ (дf/дy)dy+(дf/дz)dz. Partial derivatives can be understood as directional derivatives coordinate axes. Consequently, the question arises of finding the derivative with respect to the direction of a given vector s at the point M(x, y, z) (do not forget that the direction s is determined by the unit vector s^o). In this case, the vector-differential of the arguments (dx, dy, dz) = (дscos(alpha), dscos(beta), dscos(gamma)).

3. Looking at the view full differential du, we can conclude that the derivative in direction s at point M is equal to: (дu/дs)|M=((дf/дх)|M)сos(alpha)+ ((дf/дy)|M) сos (beta) +((df/dz)|M) cos(gamma).If s= s(sx,sy,sz), then the direction cosines (cos(alpha), cos(beta), cos(gamma)) are calculated (see Fig. 1a).

4. The definition of the directional derivative, considering point M a variable, can be rewritten in the form dot product: (дu/дs)=((дf/dh, df/дy,дf/дz), (cos(alpha), cos(beta), cos(gamma)))=(grad u, s^o). This expression will be objective for a scalar field. If a function is considered easily, then gradf is a vector having coordinates coinciding with the partial derivatives f(x, y, z).gradf(x,y,z)=((df/dh, df/dy, df/ dz)=)=(df/dx)i+(df/dy)j +(df/dz)k. Here (i, j, k) are the unit vectors of the coordinate axes in a rectangular Cartesian coordinate system.

5. If we use the Hamilton Nabla differential vector operator, then gradf can be written as the multiplication of this operator vector by the scalar f (see Fig. 1b). From the point of view of the connection between gradf and the directional derivative, the equality (gradf, s^o)=0 is acceptable if these vectors are orthogonal. Consequently, gradf is often defined as the direction of the fastest metamorphosis of the scalar field. And from the point of view of differential operations (gradf is one of them), the properties of gradf exactly repeat the properties of differentiating functions. In particular, if f=uv, then gradf=(vgradu+u gradv).

Video on the topic

Gradient This is a tool that, in graphic editors, fills a silhouette with a smooth transition from one color to another. Gradient can give a silhouette the result of volume, imitate lighting, glare of light on the surface of an object, or the result of a sunset in the background of a photograph. This tool is widely used, so for processing photographs or creating illustrations, it is very important to learn how to use it.

You will need

• Computer, graphics editor Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, Paint.Net or another.

Instructions

1. Open an image in the program or take a new one. Make a silhouette or select the desired area in the image.

2. Turn on the gradient tool on the graphics editor toolbar. Place the mouse cursor on the point inside the selected area or silhouette where the 1st color of the gradient will begin. Click and hold the left mouse button. Move the cursor to the point where you want the gradient to change to the final color. Release the left mouse button. The selected silhouette will be filled with a gradient fill.

3. Gradient You can set transparency, colors and their ratio at a certain point of the fill. To do this, open the gradient editing window. To open the editing window in Photoshop, click on the gradient example in the Options panel.

4. The window that opens displays the available gradient fill options in the form of examples. To edit one of the options, select it with a mouse click.

5. At the bottom of the window an example of a gradient is displayed in the form of a wide scale on which sliders are located. The sliders indicate the points at which the gradient should have specified collations, and in the interval between the sliders the color evenly transitions from the color specified at the first point to the color of the 2nd point.

6. The sliders located at the top of the scale set the transparency of the gradient. To change the transparency, click on the required slider. A field will appear under the scale in which you enter the required degree of transparency as a percentage.

7. The sliders at the bottom of the scale set the colors of the gradient. By clicking on one of them, you will be able to select the desired color.

8. Gradient may have several transition colors. To set another color, click on the free space at the bottom of the scale. Another slider will appear on it. Give it the required color. The scale will display an example of the gradient with one more point. You can move the sliders by holding them with the left mouse button to achieve the desired combination.

9. Gradient They come in several types that can give shape to flat silhouettes. For example, in order to give a circle the shape of a ball, a radial gradient is used, and in order to give the shape of a cone, a cone-shaped gradient is used. To give the surface the illusion of convexity, you can use a mirror gradient, and a diamond-shaped gradient can be used to create highlights.

Video on the topic

Video on the topic

Brief theory

A gradient is a vector whose direction indicates the direction of the fastest increase in the function f(x). Finding this vector quantity is associated with determining the partial derivatives of the function. The directional derivative is a scalar quantity and shows the rate of change of a function when moving along the direction specified by some vector.

Example of problem solution

The task

Given a function, a point and a vector. Find:

The solution of the problem

Finding the gradient of a function

1) Find the gradient of the function at the point:

The desired gradient:

Finding the derivative with respect to the direction of a vector

2) Find the derivative in the direction of the vector:

where is the angle formed by the vector and the axis

The required derivative at the point:

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GRADIENT FUNCTION u = f(x, y, z), given in some region. space (X Y Z), There is vector with projections denoted by the symbols: grad Where i, j, k- coordinate unit vectors. G. f. - there is a point function (x, y, z), i.e. it forms a vector field. Derivative in the direction of the G. f. at this point reaches highest value and is equal to: The direction of the gradient is the direction of the fastest increase in the function. G. f. at a given point is perpendicular to the level surface passing through this point. Efficiency of using G. f. during lithological studies it was shown in the study of aeolian exc. Central Karakum.

Geological Dictionary: in 2 volumes. - M.: Nedra. Edited by K. N. Paffengoltz et al.. 1978 .

See what "GRADIENT FUNCTION" is in other dictionaries:

This article is about the mathematical characteristic; about the filling method, see: Gradient (computer graphics) ... Wikipedia

- (lat.). Differences in barometric and thermometric readings in different areas. Dictionary foreign words, included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. GRADIENT is the difference in the readings of a barometer and thermometer at the same moment... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

gradient- Changing the value of a certain quantity per unit distance in given direction. Topographic gradient is the change in terrain elevation over a horizontally measured distance. Topics: relay protection EN gradient of the differential protection tripping characteristic … Technical Translator's Guide

Gradient- a vector directed in the direction of the fastest increase in the function and equal in magnitude to its derivative in this direction: where the symbols ei denote the unit vectors of the coordinate axes (orts) ... Economic-mathematical dictionary

One of the basic concepts of vector analysis and the theory of nonlinear mappings. The gradient of the scalar function of the vector argument from the Euclidean space E n is called. derivative of the function f(t). with respect to the vector argument t, that is, an n-dimensional vector with... ... Mathematical Encyclopedia

Physiological gradient- – a value reflecting a change in a function indicator depending on another value; e.g., partial pressure gradient - the difference in partial pressures that determines the diffusion of gases from the alveoli (accini) into the blood and from the blood into ... ... Glossary of terms on the physiology of farm animals

I Gradient (from Latin gradiens, gender gradientis walking) A vector showing the direction of the fastest change of some quantity, the value of which changes from one point in space to another (see Field theory). If the value... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Gradient- (from the Latin gradiens walking, walking) (in mathematics) a vector showing the direction of the fastest increase of a certain function; (in physics) a measure of increase or decrease in space or on a plane of any kind physical quantity per unit... ... The beginnings of modern natural science

Books

• Methods for solving some problems in selected sections of higher mathematics. Workshop, Konstantin Grigorievich Klimenko, Galina Vasilievna Levitskaya, Evgeniy Alexandrovich Kozlovsky. This workshop discusses methods for solving certain types of problems from such sections of the generally accepted course. mathematical analysis, as the limit and extremum of a function, gradient and derivative...