Nabla Symbol - Use in Mathematics

Use in Mathematics

Nabla is used in mathematics to denote the del operator, a differential operator that indicates taking gradient, divergence, or curl. It also can refer to a connection in differential geometry and to the backward difference operator in the calculus of finite differences, as well as the all relation (most commonly in lattice theory). It was introduced by the Irish mathematician and physicist William Rowan Hamilton in 1837. William Thomson wrote in 1884: "I took the liberty of asking Professor Bell whether he had a name for this symbol and he has mentioned to me nabla, a humorous suggestion of Maxwell's. It is the name of an Egyptian harp, which was of that shape".

In 1901, Josiah Willard Gibbs and Edwin Bidwell Wilson wrote: "This symbolic operator was introduced by Sir W. R. Hamilton and is now in universal employment. There seems, however, to be no universally recognized name for it, although owing to the frequent occurrence of the symbol some name is a practical necessity. It has been found by experience that the monosyllable del is so short and easy to pronounce that even in complicated formulae in which occurs a number of times, no inconvenience to the speaker or listener arises from the repetition. V is read simply as 'del V' ".