I went to create the gradient tag as discussed, but I found that it was assigned as a synonym for vector-analysis in 2014 by Alexander Gruber ♦.

It seems to me that (1) the existence of the analogous curl and divergence tags and (2) the large number of questions that it would apply to---~6.5k questions mention the gradient, and (compared to ~4.4k questions tagged with vector-analysis---comprise a strong case for removing gradient as a synonym and letting it function as a free-standing tag.

Barring this, it would only be consistent to make curl and divergence synonyms of vector-analysis, too.

It's a bit embarrassing that several experienced users discussed the new tag here and on meta without noticing that it is a synonym.

@AlexanderGruber Since you are creator of the synonym, I thought it might be good to bring this to your attention.

There is a recent post on this in the tag management thread: math.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/29718/tag-management-2019/…

Thanks again, Martin. I've just added to the top of my proposal post in the tag management meta thread addressing this (essentially with the same content as in my previous message here).