Mathematically we can say the following
$$ \frac{d}{d\vec{x}}\frac{1}{|\vec{x}|} = -\frac{\vec{x}}{|\vec{x}|^3}.$$
However, in Mathematica, I perform the following D[Abs[x]^(-1), x] which outputs -Abs'[x]/Abs[x]^2.
Any suggestions?
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Rumplestillskin
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what you mean deriving scalar by vector? The closest assumption i can think about is d F[x]/d x = Grad[F, x], x={x1,x2,...,xn} – k_v Jul 07 '17 at 09:33
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1It's one of the examples of the help page for Grad. – b.gates.you.know.what Jul 07 '17 at 10:16
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Quiet[xx = Table[x[[i]], {i, 1, 3}]];
D[1/Sqrt[Dot[xx, xx]], {xx, 1}]
Remark: The length of a vector in Mathematica is obtained by Norm[x]. Abs operates on each entry, thus Abs[x] is the vector of moduli.
Henrik Schumacher
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I thought so however, when I use Norm I get results using Conjugates. Any suggestions for that? – Rumplestillskin Jul 07 '17 at 10:09
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