The value of curl(curl A) - grad(div A) + div(grad A) for an absolute vector A

Abstract

The well-known identity involving the expression presented in the above title is considered in Riemannian and in Euclidean space without restriction on the coordinate system adopted therein. The Riemann and Ricci tensors intrinsically assume a defining role in the analysis. The analysis is designed to put an end to the myriad of confusing and mostly incorrect statements about the identity, which are found in textbooks and in the literature.