Triangle Line Integral: Evaluating f(x,y)=(x+2y) Along Triangle C

I will let you do the same for the other two sides.In summary, to correctly evaluate the line integral of f along C, you need to parametrize each side of the triangle using straight lines. This can be done by setting up equations for x and y based on the coordinates of each point and finding the values of a and b. Then, you can integrate each segment separately and add them together to get the correct answer of (1/2)(3√2 + 7).
  • #1
xmflea
44
0
Let C be the triangle in the plane from (0,0) to (1,1) to (0,1) back to (0,0). evaluate the line integral of f along C if f(x,y)=(x+2y).

attempt:
C1: x=t y=t ds=root(1)dt, integrated t+2t from 0 to 1 to get 3/2
C2: x=-t ds=root(1)dt, integrated -t from -1 to 0 to get 1/2
C3: y=-t, ds=root(1)dt integrated -2t from -1 to 0 to get 1.
added up 3/2, 1/2, and 1 to get the wrong answer.
the correct answer is (1/2)(3root2 + 7)

looks like I am parametizing completely wrong. so how do i go about this? thanks.
 
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  • #2
For starters regarding path C1, c'(t)=(1,1). What is the length of the vector (1,1)? The rest of C1 is correct.

For path C2 c(1) should yield (1,1). In your case c(1)=(1,k), with k an undetermined parameter since you didn't parametrize y for this side of the triangle.

For path C3 a similar problem occurs.

You want to find yourself a parametrization of the following form:

[tex]c(t) = \left\{ \begin{matrix} (t,t) & 0 \leq t \leq 1 \\ (..,..) & 1 \leq t \leq 2 \\ (..,..) & 2 \leq t \leq 3 \end{matrix} \right[/tex]

What you have been doing so far is making some weird jumps in time for your C2 and C3 paths. I suggest you draw the triangle and seeing as all sides are straight lines use y=at+b to parametrize each segment.

Example for the side (1,1)->(0,1)

We know that the y coordinate remains constant and equals 1. Therefore our parametrization will be of the form (x(t),1). We now need to find x(t). x(t) decreases linearly between 1 and 0 so its equation will look like x=at+b. For t=1 we know that x=1 therefore 1=a+b. For t=2 we know that x=0 therefore 0=2a+b. Solving for a and b will yield x(t)=2-t therefore c(t)=(2-t,1).
 
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1. What is a triangle line integral?

A triangle line integral is a mathematical concept used in vector calculus to calculate the total value of a scalar or vector field along a given triangular path. It is also known as a path integral or contour integral.

2. How is a triangle line integral calculated?

To calculate a triangle line integral, the path along the triangle is divided into small segments, and the integral is calculated for each segment. The results are then summed up to find the total value of the integral.

3. What is the significance of a triangle line integral?

Triangle line integrals have many applications in physics and engineering, such as calculating work done by a force along a given path or finding the magnetic flux through a triangular surface.

4. What are the types of triangle line integrals?

The two main types of triangle line integrals are line integrals of a scalar field and line integrals of a vector field. In the former, the integral is calculated for a scalar quantity, while in the latter, it is calculated for a vector quantity.

5. Are there any special cases of triangle line integrals?

Yes, there are a few special cases of triangle line integrals, such as when the path of integration is a straight line, or when the integrand is a conservative vector field, leading to a simpler calculation process.

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