The integral is independent from the road that unites A and B,there is a f...

In summary: F = \nabla f = i\ f_{x} + j\ f_{y} + k\ f_{z}$ at any point of the region D, then the integral $\displaystyle \int_A^B F\ dR$ is independent from the path connecting A to B. In fact, by the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus we have that... $\displaystyle \int_A^B F\ dR = \int_A^B \nabla f\ dR = f(B) - f(A)$... and so it doesn't depend on the path connecting A to B
  • #1
evinda
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Hey! ;)
I am looking at the proof of this theorem:
"Let $F$ be a vector field with components $M,N$ and $P$,$F=Mi + Nj+Pk$,$M,N$ and $P$ continuous at a region $D$.Then a necessary and sufficient condition,so that the integral $\int_A^BFdR$ is independent from the road that unites $A$ and $B$ at $D$ is that there is a differentiable function $f$,so that $F=\nabla{f}=if_x+jf_y+kf_z$ at $D$.
At this case,the value of the integral is given by:
$\int_A^BFdR=f(B)-f(A)$ "

For the one direction,the proof is the following:
We suppose that there is a differentiable function $f$,such that: $F=\nabla {f}=if_x+jf_y+kf_z$.
We see that $\frac{df}{dt}=f_x\frac{dx}{dt}+f_y\frac{dy}{dt}+f_z\frac{dz}{dt} \Rightarrow \frac{df}{dt}= \nabla {f} \frac{dR}{dt}$,where $R(t)=(x(t),y(t),z(t))$.
Since, $F=\nabla {f} \Rightarrow FdR=\nabla {f} dR \frac{dt}{dt}=df \Rightarrow \int_A^BFdR=f(B)-f(A)$

How can show the other direction?? :confused:
 
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  • #2
Here is a suggestion. Pick a point $p$ in the region. Define the following function $f$ on your region. Given a point $x$, choose any path from $p$ to $x$, and define $f(x)$ to be the integral along that path of your vector field. Notice that $f(x)$ is well-defined because by assumption the vector field is path-independent. Then argue that $\nabla f$ recovers your vector-field.
 
  • #3
evinda said:
Hey! ;)
I am looking at the proof of this theorem:
"Let $F$ be a vector field with components $M,N$ and $P$,$F=Mi + Nj+Pk$,$M,N$ and $P$ continuous at a region $D$.Then a necessary and sufficient condition,so that the integral $\int_A^BFdR$ is independent from the road that unites $A$ and $B$ at $D$ is that there is a differentiable function $f$,so that $F=\nabla{f}=if_x+jf_y+kf_z$ at $D$.
At this case,the value of the integral is given by:
$\int_A^BFdR=f(B)-f(A)$ "

For the one direction,the proof is the following:
We suppose that there is a differentiable function $f$,such that: $F=\nabla {f}=if_x+jf_y+kf_z$.
We see that $\frac{df}{dt}=f_x\frac{dx}{dt}+f_y\frac{dy}{dt}+f_z\frac{dz}{dt} \Rightarrow \frac{df}{dt}= \nabla {f} \frac{dR}{dt}$,where $R(t)=(x(t),y(t),z(t))$.
Since, $F=\nabla {f} \Rightarrow FdR=\nabla {f} dR \frac{dt}{dt}=df \Rightarrow \int_A^BFdR=f(B)-f(A)$

How can show the other direction?? :confused:

For semplicity let's suppose to have a function f (x,y) of two variables and define...

$\displaystyle M = \frac{\partial {f}}{\partial {x}}, N = \frac{\partial {f}}{\partial {y}}\ (1)$

If in a region D with contour C the following condition is verified... $\displaystyle \frac{\partial{M}}{\partial{y}} = \frac{\partial{N}}{\partial{x}}\ (2)$

... then is...

$\displaystyle \int_{C} (M\ d x + N\ d y) = 0\ (3)$

... so that the integral from A to B is independent to the path connecting A to B. All that is consequence of the Green's Theorem that extablishes that... $\displaystyle \int_{C} (M\ d x + N\ d y) = \int \int_{D} (\frac{\partial {N}}{\partial {x}} - \frac{\partial{M}}{\partial{y}})\ dA\ (4)$In the case of three [or more...] variables the details are a little more complex... Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #4
chisigma said:
For semplicity let's suppose to have a function f (x,y) of two variables and define...

$\displaystyle M = \frac{\partial {f}}{\partial {x}}, N = \frac{\partial {f}}{\partial {y}}\ (1)$

Hold on. This is not the other direction is it?
For the other direction this is what needs to be proven...
 
  • #5
chisigma said:
For semplicity let's suppose to have a function f (x,y) of two variables and define...

$\displaystyle M = \frac{\partial {f}}{\partial {x}}, N = \frac{\partial {f}}{\partial {y}}\ (1)$

If in a region D with contour C the following condition is verified... $\displaystyle \frac{\partial{M}}{\partial{y}} = \frac{\partial{N}}{\partial{x}}\ (2)$

... then is...

$\displaystyle \int_{C} (M\ d x + N\ d y) = 0\ (3)$

... so that the integral from A to B is independent to the path connecting A to B. All that is consequence of the Green's Theorem that extablishes that... $\displaystyle \int_{C} (M\ d x + N\ d y) = \int \int_{D} (\frac{\partial {N}}{\partial {x}} - \frac{\partial{M}}{\partial{y}})\ dA\ (4)$In the case of three [or more...] variables the details are a little more complex...

I apologize for the fact that my answer has been incomplete and may be it produced some misundestanding. Remaining in the case of a two variables function, what I intended to say is that, if we start from an f(x,y) which is twice differentiable in a region D with a contour C, then, setting... $\displaystyle F = \nabla f = i\ f_{x} + j\ f_{y} = i\ M + j\ N\ (1)$

... the condition for which the integral $\displaystyle \int_{A}^{B} F\ dR$ doesn't depend from the path connecting A to B is that the following condition, consequence of the Green's Theorem, holds... $\displaystyle \frac{\partial {M}}{\partial {y}} = \frac {\partial {N}}{\partial {x}}\ (2)$

But (2) is verified only if $\displaystyle f_{x y} = f_{y x}$ and that is true only if the Schwartz Theorem Hypotheses are respected and in not true for all twice differentiable f(x,y). For more details see... http://www2.math.technion.ac.il/~mcwikel/h2m/SchwarzFxyFyx.pdfKind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Last edited:
  • #6
If the integral is independent of the way then we can define
$$\phi(x,y,z) = \int_{(x_0,y_0, z_0)}^{(x,y,z)} \mathbf F \cdot d\mathbf R$$
where the integral is along any curve from a fixed point $(x_0,y_0, z_0)$ to $(x,y,z)$.
This is well-defined since it does not depend on which path we integrate along.
In particular we can pick a curve going from $(x_0,y_0, z_0)$ to $(a,y, z)$ and then along a straight line segment from $(a,y, z)$ to $(x,y,z)$:
$$\phi(x,y,z)
= \int_{(x_0,y_0, z_0)}^{(a,y,z)} \mathbf F \cdot d\mathbf R + \int_{(a,y, z)}^{(x,y,z)} \mathbf F \cdot d\mathbf R
= \int_{(x_0,y_0, z_0)}^{(a,y,z)} \mathbf F \cdot d\mathbf R + \int_a^x M(t,y,z) dt$$

The first integral is independent of x, so
$$\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x}(x,y,z) = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}\int_a^x M(t,y,z) dt = M(x,y,z)$$

Similarly we can proof that \(\displaystyle \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y}(x,y,z)=N\) and \(\displaystyle \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial z}(x,y,z)=P\).

In other words, if $\int_A^B \mathbf F \cdot d\mathbf R$ is independent of the path taken, then $\phi$ is the required differentiable function $f$.$\qquad \blacksquare$
 

1. What is the integral and how is it related to the road that connects points A and B?

The integral is a mathematical concept that represents the accumulation of a quantity over a certain interval. In this context, the integral is independent from the road that connects points A and B, meaning that the value of the integral does not change based on the specific path taken between the two points.

2. Why does the independence of the integral from the road between A and B matter?

This concept is important because it allows us to calculate the integral using different methods or approaches, as long as the start and end points remain the same. It also helps simplify complex integrals by allowing us to break them down into smaller, more manageable parts.

3. Is the independence of the integral from the road between A and B always true?

Yes, this is a fundamental property of integrals known as the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. It holds true for all types of integrals, including single and multivariable integrals.

4. Can you provide an example to illustrate the independence of the integral from the road between A and B?

Sure, let's say we want to calculate the distance traveled by a car between points A and B. We can do this by calculating the integral of the car's velocity over the given time interval. It doesn't matter if the car took a straight path or a curvy road, the integral will give us the same answer.

5. How is the independence of the integral from the road between A and B related to real-life situations?

This concept has many practical applications, such as in physics, engineering, economics, and more. It allows us to model and analyze real-life situations without having to consider the specific path taken. It also helps us understand how changes in one variable affect the overall outcome, regardless of the road taken.

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