Calculating an Integral with a Parameterized Curve Oriented Clockwise

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To calculate the integral ##\int_C z^{1/3} dz## over a clockwise-oriented circle of radius 1, the curve is parameterized as ##z(t) = e^{-it}## for ##0 \le t \le 2 \pi##. The integral simplifies to ##\lim_{a \rightarrow 0}_{b \rightarrow 2 \pi} -i \int_a^b e^{-i \frac{4}{3}t} dt##, leading to the expression ##\frac{3}{4} [e^{-i \frac{8}{3}} - 1]##. However, a correction is noted regarding the parametrization, as it should reflect the branch cut for ##z^{1/3}##, specifically ##z^{1/3} = e^{i\theta/3}##. The discussion highlights the importance of correctly accounting for the orientation of the contour in complex integrals.
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Homework Statement


Calculate ##\int_C z^{1/3} dz##, where ##C## is the circle of radius ##1## centered at the origin oriented in the clockwise direction. Use the branch ##0 \le \arg z \le 2 \pi## to define ##z^{1/3}##.

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The Attempt at a Solution


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I was hoping that someone could verify my work.

Parameterizing the curve: ##z(t) = e^{-it}##, ##0 \le t \le 2 \pi##.

##\int_C z^{1/3} dz = \lim_{a \rightarrow 0}_{b \rightarrow 2 \pi} \int_a^b (e^{-it})^{1/3}(-ie^{-it}) dt \iff##

##\int_C z^{1/3} dz = \lim_{a \rightarrow 0}_{b \rightarrow 2 \pi} -i \int_a^b e^{-i \frac{4}{3}t} dt \iff##

##\int_C z^{1/3} dz =\lim_{a \rightarrow 0}_{b \rightarrow 2 \pi} (-i)(i \frac{3}{4}) [e^{-i \frac{4}{3} t}|_a^b \iff##

##\int_C z^{1/3} dz = \frac{3}{4} \lim_{a \rightarrow 0}_{b \rightarrow 2 \pi} [e^{- \frac{4}{3} (b)} - e^{-i \frac{4}{3} (a)}]##

Taking the limits,

##\int_C z^{1/3} dz = \frac{3}{4} [e^{-i \frac{8}{3}} - 1]##
 
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You dropped something in the final step.
 
On the contour, you should have ##z^{1/3} = e^{i\theta/3}## where ##0 \le \theta \le 2\pi##. The parametrization you used doesn't give that.
 
vela said:
On the contour, you should have ##z^{1/3} = e^{i\theta/3}## where ##0 \le \theta \le 2\pi##. The parametrization you used doesn't give that.

That was my thought too, but isn't C oriented in the clockwise direction (as opposed to the usual anti-clockwise convention)?
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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