梯度的数学定义、物理意义、几何意义和形象化比喻

上面两个图中，标量场的值用灰度表示，越暗表示越大的数值，而其相应的梯度用蓝色箭头表示。

将函数 f(x,y) = −(cos2x + cos2y)2的梯度描绘为在底面上投影的向量场。

将2D函数 f(x, y) = xe−(x2 + y2)的梯度绘制为蓝色箭头，还绘制了这个函数的伪色图。

经典书籍推荐

• Bachman, David, Advanced Calculus Demystified, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007, ISBN 0-07-148121-4
• Beauregard, Raymond A.; Fraleigh, John B., A First Course In Linear Algebra: with Optional Introduction to Groups, Rings, and Fields, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973, ISBN 0-395-14017-X
• Downing, Douglas, Ph.D., Barron's E-Z Calculus, New York: Barron's, 2010, ISBN 978-0-7641-4461-5
• Dubrovin, B. A.; Fomenko, A. T.; Novikov, S. P. Modern Geometry—Methods and Applications: Part I: The Geometry of Surfaces, Transformation Groups, and Fields. Graduate Texts in Mathematics 2nd. Springer. 1991. ISBN 978-0-387-97663-1.
• Harper, Charlie, Introduction to Mathematical Physics, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1976, ISBN 0-13-487538-9
• Kreyszig, Erwin, Advanced Engineering Mathematics 3rd, New York: Wiley, 1972, ISBN 0-471-50728-8
• McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology 10th. New York: McGraw-Hill. 2007. ISBN 0-07-144143-3.
• Moise, Edwin E., Calculus: Complete, Reading: Addison-Wesley, 1967
• Protter, Murray H.; Morrey, Jr., Charles B., College Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2nd, Reading: Addison-Wesley, 1970, LCCN 76087042
• Schey, H. M. Div, Grad, Curl, and All That 2nd. W. W. Norton. 1992. ISBN 0-393-96251-2. OCLC 25048561.
• Stoker, J. J., Differential Geometry, New York: Wiley, 1969, ISBN 0-471-82825-4
• Swokowski, Earl W.; Olinick, Michael; Pence, Dennis; Cole, Jeffery A., Calculus 6th, Boston: PWS Publishing Company, 1994, ISBN 0-534-93624-5
• 张贤达, 《矩阵分析与应用》, 清华大学出版社, 2004, ISBN 9787302092711