Find suitable curve, Green's theorem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding a closed, positively oriented, continuously differentiable curve in the plane to maximize a line integral defined by a specific vector field, using Green's Theorem. The integral is expressed in terms of a double integral over a region related to an ellipse.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Green's Theorem and the interpretation of the region defined by the ellipse. There are questions about the parametrization of the ellipse and the correct form of the integrand used in the double integral.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the correct interpretation of the region of integration and the form of the integrand. There is acknowledgment of errors in previous calculations and a recognition of the need to clarify the integration limits and the integrand itself.

Contextual Notes

Participants note confusion regarding the parametrization of the ellipse and the integration limits, as well as the need to ensure the integrand reflects the correct area of integration. There is an emphasis on the importance of reviewing assumptions made during the problem-solving process.

usn7564
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Homework Statement


Excuse my terminology, not sure what the actual translations are.

Find a simple (no holes in it), closed, positively oriented, continuously differentiable curve T in the plane such that:

[tex]\int_{T}(4y^3+y^2x-4y)dx + (8x +x^2y-x^3)dy[/tex]

is as big as possible, finally calculate the value of the integral.

The attempt at a solution
I used Green's Theorem to get a rather simple (or so I figured) expression:
[tex]12\iint_{D}1-(\frac{x^2}{4}+y^2)dxdy[/tex]
This made it clear (I presume) that I wanted the ellipse satisfying the equation [tex]1 \leq \frac{x^2}{4}+y^2[/tex]
Then I parametrised it with
[tex]x = 2cos\theta[/tex]
[tex]y = sin\theta[/tex]

And got
[tex]12 \cdot 2\iint r(1-r^3)drd\theta[/tex]

With the 2 and extra r due to the Jacobian determinant. Solved it with [tex]0 \leq \theta \pi[/tex] and [tex]0 \leq r \leq 1[/tex].

I get 6pi, done it numerous times and it stays at 6pi. The answer should be 12pi. Any idea where I'm messing up? I haven't really parametrized an ellipse for a while but I don't remember there being any oddities there, though I guess that's an area where I could have messed up. Quite google search lead me to believe it's not it though, so really not sure.
 
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usn7564 said:

Homework Statement


Excuse my terminology, not sure what the actual translations are.

Find a simple (no holes in it), closed, positively oriented, continuously differentiable curve T in the plane such that:

[tex]\int_{T}(4y^3+y^2x-4y)dx + (8x +x^2y-x^3)dy[/tex]

is as big as possible, finally calculate the value of the integral.

The attempt at a solution
I used Green's Theorem to get a rather simple (or so I figured) expression:
[tex]12\iint_{D}1-(\frac{x^2}{4}+y^2)dxdy[/tex]
This made it clear (I presume) that I wanted the ellipse satisfying the equation [tex]1 \leq \frac{x^2}{4}+y^2[/tex]

No. You want the region where the integrand is positive, which is the inside of that ellipse, not the exterior as you have written.

And got
[tex]12 \cdot 2\iint r(1-r^3)drd\theta[/tex]

With the 2 and extra r due to the Jacobian determinant. Solved it with [tex]0 \leq \theta \pi[/tex] ##\color{red}{2\pi}##? and [tex]0 \leq r \leq 1[/tex].

Apparently you did integrate over the interior of the ellipse. That integral is correct and when I evaluate it I get ##12\pi##.
 
usn7564 said:
...

And got
[tex]12 \cdot 2\iint r(1-r^3)drd\theta[/tex]
...

Why is the integrand r(1 - r3) ?

Shouldn't it be r(1 - r2), or am I overlooking something?
 
SammyS said:
Why is the integrand r(1 - r3) ?

Shouldn't it be r(1 - r2), or am I overlooking something?

You are right, I missed that when I read his proof. The integrand should be ##r-r^3##, which is how you get the ##12\pi##.
 
God, I need to proof read next time I make a topic. It was [tex]r-r^3[/tex] though I can find my error I believe. I integrated [tex]0 \leq \theta \leq \pi[/tex] thinking that's the part of the integral that will give me a positive value. Come to think of it that makes less sense when I'm not doing a regular single variable integral, how silly of me. Just slipped my mind that I was working with the domain and not 'everything' so to speak.

Thanks a lot. Won't make that mistake again.
 

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