# Calculus question

1. Mar 16, 2005

### Sneaksuit

Anyone know how to do this question?
Let C be the boundary of any rectangular region in R2. Show that the value of the line integral
$$\oint (x^2 y^3 -3y)dx + x^3 y^2 dy$$
depends only on the area of the rectangle and not on its placement in R2.

2. Mar 16, 2005

### Data

Can you think of a good way to start the question (I'm assuming you've learned a few useful theorems on line integrals)?

BIG HINT: What theorem will let you incorporate the area of the rectangle into the evaluation of the integral?

Last edited: Mar 16, 2005
3. Mar 17, 2005

### Sneaksuit

Well, we are working on Green's Theorem right now but i don't remember it incorporating the area of a rectangle. So, to answer your question...no, i don't even know where to begin.

4. Mar 17, 2005

### arildno

Let "t" be in some interval, so that the perimeter of the rectangle is given as some path (x(t),y(t)). Note that $$dx=\frac{dx}{dt}dt$$
similarly for dy, and that on regions where say x=constant, dx must equal 0.

5. Mar 17, 2005

### Crosson

Green's theorem applies to rectangles, and any curves that have a finite number of corners and don't cross themselves.

6. Mar 17, 2005

### arildno

I din't imply that you couldn't use Green's theorem.
Of course you can, and it is probably the easiest way to do this.

(I thought to be "creative" in giving an alternative way of doing this, but reviewing the problem, following my earlier "advice" is simply inadvisable..)

Last edited: Mar 17, 2005
7. Mar 17, 2005

### Data

Green's Theorem is definitely the way to go for this problem. Just apply it and see where it leads you.