# ML-inequality, Estimation of Line Integrals

wifi
Problem:

Let ##\vec{F}## be a vector function defined on a curve C. Let ##|\vec{F}|## be bounded, say, ##|\vec{F}| ≤ M## on C, where ##M## is some positive number. Show that ##|\int\limits_C\ \vec{F} \cdot d\vec{r}| ≤ ML ## (L=Length of C).

Attempt at a Solution:

I honestly have no idea where to start with this one. It's not really clear to me exactly what the question is asking me to show.

I understand we have this vector function ##\vec{F}=F_1 \hat{i} + F_2 \hat{j} + F_3 \hat{k} ##, and that's about it... What does it mean to say that the magnitude ##|\vec{F}| ## is "bounded" in such a way that ##|\vec{F}| ≤ M##? Are we imposing a restriction here?

Last edited:

dirk_mec1
Bring the absolute values within the integral then this |F| in the integral is smaller than $$||F||_\infty$$. What remains is a simple line integral.

wifi
Is this what you're saying?

##|\int\limits_C\ \vec{F} \cdot d\vec{r}| ≤ \int\limits_C\ | \vec{F} | \cdot d\vec{r} ##

wifi
Any help guys?

wifi
Wouldn't ## |\vec{F}|## be a scalar? In which case taking the dot product is undefined in ##\int |\vec{F}| \cdot d\vec{r} ##?

Homework Helper
yes, the norm of ${\mathbf{F}}$ is a scalar, so your comment about the dot product with $d {\mathbf{r}}$ is correct. If the norm of ${\mathbf{F}}$ is a scalar, what can you do to simplify
$$\int_C {\mathbf{F}} \, d{\mathbf{r}} \text{ ?}$$

and what remains when you do simplify it? (Hint: it is here where you'll use the assumption that $|\mathbf{F}| \le M$.)

wifi
I'm not really sure how ## \int_C {\mathbf{F}} \, d{\mathbf{r}} ## can be simplified. Can you be more specific?

Gold Member
From calculus, you can prove that for smooth ##f(x)## defined on the curve C, (which is in the domain of f(x)) then $$\left|\int f(x)\, dx \right| \leq \int \left| f(x) \right|\,dx$$

wifi
I understand that ## \left|\int f(x)\, dx \right| \leq \int \left| f(x) \right| dx\,##, I don't see how that can be applied to this line integral.

Gold Member
I understand that ## \left|\int f(x)\, dx \right| \leq \int \left| f(x) \right|\,##, I don't see how that can be applied to this line integral.

##|\underline{F}|## is a scalar. How can you reexpress ##\int |\underline{F}|\,d\underline{r}##?

wifi
In the integral ##\int |\vec{F}| \cdot d\vec{r}##, isn't ## |\vec{F}| \cdot d\vec{r} ## undefined since the dot product is an operation between two vectors?

Gold Member
In the integral ##\int |\vec{F}| \cdot d\vec{r}##, isn't ## |\vec{F}| \cdot d\vec{r} ## undefined since the dot product is an operation between two vectors?

It is, but the integral in my last post does not include a dot product.
If ##k## is a scalar, then ##\int k f(x) dx = ?##
Once you make this step, use the condition of the boundedness of f.

wifi
## \int k f(x) dx = k\int f(x)dx ##. So I think you're trying to say ## \int |\vec{F}| d\vec{r} = |\vec{F}| \int d\vec{r}##. Right?

Gold Member
## \int k f(x) dx = k\int f(x)dx ##. So I think you're trying to say ## \int |\vec{F}| d\vec{r} = |\vec{F}| \int d\vec{r}##. Right?

Right. Now use the boundedness of ##|\underline{F}|## and evaluate ##\int_C d \underline{r}##

wifi
So since we know that ##|\vec{F}| \leq M## and ##\int d\vec{r}=L## , we have ## \int |\vec{F}| d\vec{r} = |\vec{F}| \int d\vec{r} \leq M \int d\vec{r} = ML##. Yes?

Gold Member
So since we know that ##|\vec{F}| \leq M## and ##\int d\vec{r}=L##, we have ## \int |\vec{F}| d\vec{r} = |\vec{F}| \int d\vec{r} \leq M \int d\vec{r} = ML##. Yes?

Yes, you are done.

wifi
CAF123, you're the best!