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Nabla
The nabla operator ∇ is used to simplify notations when x-, y- and z-components can occur.
Explanation
The symbol is used in vector calculus in three distinct differential operators for the gradient ∇f, for the divergence ∇⋅F and for the rotation ∇×V.
Example 1
The Laplacian Δ is a differential operator given by the divergence of the gradient of a function f on euclidean space
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HistoryThe Scottish physicist Peter Tait (1831 - 1901) has suggested the nabla symbol. |