A new method of treating vector analysis

A novel method of treating vector analysis is suggested. By means of this method the three basic functions in vector analysis, namely, the gradient, the divergence and the curl and the integral theorems involving these functions can be derived by a relatively simple and orderly approach. All vector identities can be obtained by an algebraic manipulation without performing the differentiation. The key feature of this work is to introduce an operational expression with a symbolic operator which is more general than the conventional del operator. The rest of the analysis is straightforward.<>