Line integrals with respect to x and y

[dontdisturbmycircles]

Homework Statement

I am having a bit of trouble relating the line integral of a function with respect to arc length with the line integrals with respect to x and y.

 

[quasar987]

It would be best to ask a specific question.

 

[foxjwill]

Let's say we have a curve C parameterized by a function \textbf{r}(t)=x(t)\textbf{i} + y(t)\textbf{j}. Differentiating with respect to t we get

\frac{d\textbf{r}}{dt} = \frac{dx}{dt}\textbf{i} + \frac{dy}{dt}\textbf{j}.

Multiplying through by dt, we get

d\textbf{r} = dx\textbf{i} + dy\textbf{j}.

Plugging into the line integral, we get

{\int_C \textbf{F} \cdot d\textbf{r} } = {\int_C (M\textbf{i}+N\textbf{j}) \cdot (dx\textbf{i} + dy\textbf{j})}={\int_C Mdx + Ndy}

where \textbf{F}=M\textbf{i}+N\textbf{j}.

 

[Gib Z]

foxjwill is either a physicist or an engineer =]

 

[foxjwill]

foxjwill is either a physicist or an engineer =]

Neither, actually. ;) I'm a high school senior who's really into math. Is the way I formulated the answer the way a physicist or engineer would do it?

 

[Gib Z]

"Multiplying through by dt" lol

 

[foxjwill]

"Multiplying through by dt" lol

lol. Thought it was that. I got that terminology from my physics teacher.

 

[Gib Z]

We'll, there's a lot of Physicists/Engineers on these forums, so I won't say anymore =]