Scalar and Vector Functions, Point Functions, Scalar Point Functions, Vector PDF

Scalar and vector functions, point functions, scalar point functions, vector point functions, scalar and vector
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SCALAR AND VECTOR FUNCTIONS, POINT FUNCTIONS, SCALAR POINT FUNCTIONS, VECTOR POINT FUNCTIONS, SCALAR AND VECTOR FIELDS
In vector analysis we deal with scalar and vector functions.
Def. Scalar function. A scalar function is a function that assigns a real number (i.e. a scalar) to a set of real variables. Its general form is
u = u(x 1 , x2 , ... , xn ) where x1 , x2 , ... , xn are real numbers.
Def. Vector function. A vector function is a function that assigns a vector to a set of real variables. Its general form is
F = f 1 (x 1 , x2 , ... , xn ) i + f 2 (x 1 , x2 , ... , xn ) j + f 3 (x 1 , x2 , ... , xn ) k or equivalently,
where x1 , x2 , ... , xn are real numbers.
Example 1. Function defining a space curve . Let R(t) = x(t) i + y(t) j + z(t) k or equivalently,
be a radius vector to a point P(x, y, z) in space which moves as t increases in value. It traces out a curve in space. The parametric representation of space curves is x = x(t) y = y(t) z = z(t) . Example 2. Function defining a surface in space . The function R(u, v) = x(u, v) i + y(u, v) j + z(u, v) k represents a surface in space. Surfaces are represented by parametric equations of the type x = x(u, v) y = y(u, v) z = z(u, v) If v is regarded as a parameter, u a variable, then 7) describes a space curve. For each value of v there is another space curve, thus generating a surface.
Def. Point function. A point function u = f(P) is a function that assigns some number or value u to each point P of some region R of space. Examples
of point functions are scalar point functions and vector point functions.
Def. Scalar point function. A scalar point function is a function that assigns a real number (i.e. a scalar) to each point of some region of space. If
to each point (x, y, z) of a region R in space there is assigned a real number u = (x, y, z), then is called a scalar point function. Examples. 1. The temperature distribution within some body at a particular point in time. 2. The density distribution within some fluid at a particular point in time. Syn. scalar function of position
Scalar field. A scalar point function defined over some region is called a scalar field . A scalar field which is independent of time is called a
stationary or steady-state scalar field. A scalar field that varies with time would have the representation u = (x, y, z, t)
Def. Vector point function. A vector point function is a function that assigns a vector to each point of some region of space. If to each point (x, y,
z) of a region R in space there is assigned a vector F = F(x, y, z), then F is called a vector point function. Such a function would have a representation F = f 1 (x, y, z) i + f 2 (x, y, z) j + f 3 (x, y, z) k or equivalently,
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Scalar and vector functions, point functions, scalar point functions, vector point functions, scalar and vector fields
Syn. vector function of position
Vector field. A vector point function defined over some region is called a vector field . A vector field which is independent of time is called a
stationary or steady-state vector field. A vector field that varies with time would have the representation F = f 1 (x, y, z, t) i + f 2 (x, y, z, t) j + f 3 (x, y, z, t) k or equivalently,
Examples. 1. Gravitational field of the earth. 2. Electric field about a current-carrying wire. 3. Magnetic field generated by a magnet. 3. Velocity at different points within a moving fluid. 4. Acceleration at different points within a moving fluid.
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Scalar and Vector Functions, Point Functions, Scalar Point Functions, Vector PDF

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Scalar and Vector Functions, Point Functions, Scalar Point Functions, Vector PDF

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Scalar and vector functions, point functions, scalar point functions, vector point functions, scalar and vector

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where x1 , x2 , ... , xn are real numbers.

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Syn. vector function of position

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