Math 21a Homework 27 Solution Spring, 2014

1. For each of the following vector fields F, determine whether or not F is a conservative vector field. If it is, find a function
f such that F = f .
(a) (Stewart 13.3 #8 ) F(x, y) = (3x2 2y 2 )i + (4xy + 3)j

Solution: Here P = 3x2 2y 2 and Q = 4xy + 3, so

P Q
3x2 2y 2 = 4y


= and = (4xy + 3) = 4y.
y y x x
Since these are not equal, F is not conservative.

(b) (Stewart 13.3 #10 ) F(x, y) = (xy cos xy + sin xy) i + (x2 cos xy) j

Solution: Here P = xy cos xy + sin xy and Q = x2 cos xy, so

P
= (xy cos xy + sin xy) = x2 y sin xy + 2x cos xy
y y
and
Q
= (xy cos xy + sin xy) = x2 y sin xy + 2x cos xy
x x
agree. Since the domain of F is all of R2 , we conclude that F is conservative. Thus there exists a function f such
that f = F.
From fx (x, y) = xy cos xy + sin xy and fy (x, y) = x2 cos xy, we would like to find f . It is simpler to integrate this
second equation, and we get f (x, y) = x sin xy+g(x) for some function g(x) (this is our constant when integrating
with respect to y). Thus fx (x, y) = xy cos xy + sin xy + g 0 (x). But fx (x, y) = xy cos xy + sin xy (we know this from
F), so g(x) = C, a constant. Thus a potential function for F is any function of the form f (x, y) = x sin xy + C.

2. For each Rof the following vector fields F and curves C, find a function f such that F = f and use this function to
evaluate C F dr along the given curve C.
(a) (Stewart 13.3 #12 ) F(x, y) = x2 i + y 2 j,
C is the arc of the parabola y = 2x2 from (1, 2) to (2, 8)

Solution: We are looking for a function f so that f = hfx , fy i = hx2 , y 2 i. That fx (x, y) = x2 implies
f (x, y) = 3 x + g(y), and it follows that fy (x, y) = 0 + g 0 (y). But we know that fy (x, y) = y 2 so g 0 (y) = y 2 and
1 3

thus g(y) = 31 x3 + C. Since we want only one such function, we can take C = 0 and use f (x, y) = 13 x3 + 13 y 3 .
Thus the line integral along this curve is given by
Z    
1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3
F dr = f (2, 8) f (1, 2) = 2 + 8 (1) + 2 = 171.
C 3 3 3 3

(b) (Stewart 13.3 #18 ) F(x, y, z) = ey i + xey j + (z + 1)ez k

C : r(t) = t i + t2 j + t3 k, 0 t 1
Solution: We want a function f (x, y, z) so that f = hfx , fy , fz i = hey , xey , (z + 1)ez i. Integrating fx (x, y, z) =
ey gives f (x, y, z) = xey + g(y, z) for some function g, and so fy (x, y, z) = xey + gy (y, z). Since fy (x, y, z) = xey ,
we find gy (y, z) = 0 and thus g(y, z) = h(z) is only a function of z. Since f (x, y, z) = xey + h(z), we can compute
fz (x, y, z) = 0 + h0 (z) and compare this to fz (x, y, z) = (z + 1)ez . We find h0 (z) = (z + 1)ez . Integrating (using
integration by parts), we get h(z) = zez + C. Hence f (x, y, z) = xey + zez (if we again take C = 0). The line
integral is thus Z
F dr = f (r(1)) f (r(0)) = f (1, 1, 1) f (0, 0, 0) = 2e 0 = 2e.
C
 3. (Stewart 13.3 #25 and #26 ) Are the vector fields shown in the two figures on page 933 conservative? Explain.

Solution:
Z
# 25 We know that if the vector field (call it F) is conservative, then around any closed path C, F dr = 0. But
C
take C to be a circle centered at the origin, oriented counterclockwise. All of the field vectors that start on C are
roughly in the direction of motion along C, so the integral around C will be positive. Therefore the field is not
conservative.
Z
# 26 Once again, if a vector field F is conservative, then around any closed path C, F dr = 0. For any closed path
C
we draw in the field, it appears that some vectors on the curve point in approximately the same direction as the
curve and a similar number point in roughly the opposite direction.
Z (There are those that appear perpendicular
to the curve as well). Therefore it is totally plausible that F dr = 0 for every closed curve C which means F
C
is conservative.

4. (Based on Stewart 13.3 #30 ) Clairauts Theorem implies that if the vector field F = P i + Q j + R k is conservative and
P, Q, and R have continuous first-order partial derivatives, then
P Q P R Q R
= = =
y x z x z y
R
(a) Use the statement above to show that the vector line integral
Z C
y dx + x Z
dy + xyz dz is not independent of path.
(Remember that when you see an integral that looks like P (x, y) dx + Q(x, y) dy it is a shorthand notation
Z C C

for F(r(t)) dr where F(x, y) = hP (x, y), Q(x, y)i. The same thing is true in three dimensions.)
C

Solution: Here F(x, y, z) = yi + xj + xyzk. Well call this hP, Q, Ri, so P = y, Q = xRand R = xyz. Then P z
=0
and R
x
= yz; since these arent equal, F is not conservative. Thus the line integral C F dr is not independent
of path.

(b) Find two directed curves C1 and C2 that start at the same point and end at the same point, such that
Z Z
y dx + x dy + xyz dz 6= y dx + x dy + xyz dz.
C1 C2

Solution: Many different curves could give us an appropriate answer. One option is to connect (0, 0, 0) and
(1, 1, 1) with a straight line r1 (t) = ht, t, ti and a twisted cubic r2 (t) = ht, t2 , t3 i for 0 t 1. Many such curves
that can demonstrate the result are possible!

(c) There is a 3D analog to the VectorPlot Command that you discovered last week. In case you havent done so
already, use the Documentation Center to find the syntax for that command. Plot:
myVectors = CommandYouFoundFor3D[{y, x, x y z},{x,...,...},{y,...,...},{z,...,...}]
(you need spaces between x y z so that Mathematica doesnt treat xyz as one symbol) to plot the vector field
F(x, y, z) = y i + x j + xyz k. (You should pick bounds a,b,c,d,e,f so that the vector field and your curves C1
and C2 will be visible.) Then use the ParametricPlot3D command to plot the curves C1 and C2 you found in part
(b) and the Show command to put them all on the same plot.

Solution: This picture is shown in Figure 1.

Reading: On Friday, the MWF sections will cover Greens Theorem, which relates vector line integrals around simple closed
plane curves to double integrals over plane regions. TTh covered this material on Thursday. In either case, please read
Section 13.4, and answer the following problem:

Preparing for Greens Theorem.

 Figure 1: The vector plot and curves for Problem 3(c)

5. (Based on Stewart 13.4 #4 ) Let D be the region in the first quadrant of the xy-
plane bounded by the parabola y = 1 x2 , and let C be the simple closed curve
that makes up the boundary of D. Note: C consists of three parts: C1 , C2 and C3 .
(a) Let F(x, y) = x i+y j. (That is, F(x, y) = hP (x, y), Q(x, y)i, where P (x, y) = x
and Q(x, y) = y.)
H H
(b) Compute C F dr = C x dx + y dy directly, by computing the appropriate
vector line integrals over the three pieces of C and summing.

Solution: We parameterize C1 by letting x = 1 t (with 0 t 1) and

then y = 1 x2 = 1 (1 t)2 = 2t t2 . We get

r1 (t) = h1 t, 2t t2 i (0 t 1) and so r01 (t) = h1, 2 2ti.

For C2 and C3 we use the trick of parameterizing line segments as starting

point plus t times the vector ending point minus starting point. This gives
us

r2 (t) = h0, 1 ti (0 t 1) and r2 (t) = ht, 0i (0 t 1).

From this we find r02 (t) = h0, 1i and r03 (t) = h1, 0i. Thus
I I I I
x dx + y dy = x dx + y dy + x dx + y dy + x dx + y dy
C C1 C2 C3
Z 1   Z 1   Z 1
= (1 t)(dt) + (2t t2 )(2 2t)dt + 0dt + (1 t)(dt) + (tdt + 0dt)
0 0 0
Z 1
3 2

= 2t 6t + 7t 2 dt
0
 1
1 4 7
= t 2t2 + t2 2t
2 2 0
1 7
= 2 + 2 = 0.
2 2
RR
According to Greens Theorem, the line integral you calculated is equal to D (Qx (x, y) Py (x, y)) dA, where P and Q
are the components of F, and D is the region surrounded by the curve C.
H H
(c) Use Greens Theorem to find C F dr = C x dx + y dy by computing the appropriate double integral. Which was
easier, part (b) or part (c)?
Solution: In this case P = x and Q = y, so Qx Py = 0 0 = 0. Thus Greens Theorem says that
I ZZ   ZZ
y x
x dx + y dy = dA = 0 dA = 0.
C D x y D

It seems pretty clear which option was easier.