Prove Calculus Identities: f, g Real Valued Functions

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving certain calculus identities involving continuously differentiable real-valued functions \( f \) and \( g \) in \( \mathbb{R}^3 \), as well as a continuously differentiable vector field \( F \). The specific identities to prove include integrals that are suggested to equal zero under certain conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the nature of the integrals and question whether expressions like \( f \nabla g + g \nabla f \) and \( f \nabla f \) might be conservative. There are inquiries about the continuity and differentiability of the functions involved, particularly whether \( g \) is also continuously differentiable.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the problem's setup, with some participants noting potential typos and missing information. Clarifications are being sought regarding the definitions and assumptions related to the functions \( f \) and \( g \), as well as the context of the integrals. The discussion is productive, with participants attempting to reconcile the statements and hypotheses of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight that the problem may lack clarity regarding the function \( g \) and its properties. Additionally, there is mention of a smooth, simple closed curve \( C \) lying on a paraboloid, which may influence the integrals' evaluation. The relationship to Stokes' Theorem is also referenced, suggesting a deeper connection to vector calculus principles.

bugatti79
Messages
786
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement



Suppose f is a continously differentiable real valued function on R^3 and F is a continously differentiable vector field

Prove 1)##\oint (f \nabla g +g\nabla f) \cdot dr=0##

2) ##\oint(f \nabla f)\cdot dr=0##

Homework Equations



##\nabla f = f_z i+ f_y j+f_z k##
Real valued function ##f(x,y,z)## and ##g(x,y,z)##

The Attempt at a Solution



1)

##f \nabla g =fg_x i +fg_y j+fg_z k##
##g \nabla f =gf_x i +gf_y j+gf_z k##

##\implies (f \nabla g + g \nabla f )\cdot dr##

##= (fg_x i +fg_y j+fg_z k+gf_x i +gf_y j+gf_z k)\cdot(dx i+dyj+dzk)##

2)

##(f \nabla f)\cdot dr= (ff_xi+ff_yj+ff_zk)\cdot(dxi+dyj+dzk)##

How do these work out to be 0?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Any chance ## f \nabla g +g\nabla f ## and ## f \nabla f## might be conservative?
 
In my opinion, there are some missing information in your problem.

Is ##g## also a continously differentiable real valued function in R^3?

bugatti79 said:

Homework Equations



##\nabla f = f_z i+ f_y j+f_z k##
Shouldn't this be: [itex]\nabla f = f_x i+ f_y j+f_z k[/itex]?
 
gopher_p said:
Any chance ## f \nabla g +g\nabla f ## and ## f \nabla f## might be conservative?

sharks said:
In my opinion, there are some missing information in your problem.

Is ##g## also a continously differentiable real valued function in R^3?


Shouldn't this be: [itex]\nabla f = f_x i+ f_y j+f_z k[/itex]?

Yes, you are correct sharks, that is a typo. It should be as you have stated.
##...f_xi...##

It does not mention anything about g but perhaps we take it that it is also a real valued function?

I believe I left out the following important information
C is a smooth, simple closed curve which lies on the surface of a paraboloid in R^3. I guess this means integrand is conservative, right?
But I still not sure how it goes to 0, there must be additional lines
Thanks
 
bugatti79 said:
F is a continously differentiable vector field

Do you mean ##f## or did the question involve ##\vec F##, in which case, has any information been given about the latter?
 
sharks said:
Do you mean ##f## or did the question involve ##\vec F##, in which case, has any information been given about the latter?

Here is the proper question asked in full. Apologies again.

Suppose that sigma and C satisfy the hypothesis of Stokes Theorem and that f and g have continuous second order partial dervivatives. Prove each of the following

##\oint_C (f \nabla g) \cdot dr = \oint \oint_\sigma (\nabla f \times \nabla g)\cdot dS##

##\oint_C (f \nabla f) \cdot dr=0##

##\oint (f \nabla g +g \nabla f)\cdot dr=0##

I am interested in the last 2 but maybe the first one allows me to complete the last 2?

Thanks
 
bugatti79 said:

Homework Statement



Suppose f is a continously differentiable real valued function on R^3 and F is a continously differentiable vector field

Prove 1)##\oint (f \nabla g +g\nabla f) \cdot dr=0##

2) ##\oint(f \nabla f)\cdot dr=0##
This makes no sense. You have "g" in the conclusion but not in the hypotheses and "F" in the hypotheses but not in the conclusion. What is the problem, really?

Homework Equations



##\nabla f = f_z i+ f_y j+f_z k##
Real valued function ##f(x,y,z)## and ##g(x,y,z)##

The Attempt at a Solution



1)

##f \nabla g =fg_x i +fg_y j+fg_z k##
##g \nabla f =gf_x i +gf_y j+gf_z k##

##\implies (f \nabla g + g \nabla f )\cdot dr##

##= (fg_x i +fg_y j+fg_z k+gf_x i +gf_y j+gf_z k)\cdot(dx i+dyj+dzk)##

2)

##(f \nabla f)\cdot dr= (ff_xi+ff_yj+ff_zk)\cdot(dxi+dyj+dzk)##

How do these work out to be 0?

Thanks
 
HallsofIvy said:
This makes no sense. You have "g" in the conclusion but not in the hypotheses and "F" in the hypotheses but not in the conclusion. What is the problem, really?

The correct thread/question is post #6 and not #1. The is no 'F' involved, that was in another very similar question (#1 which I will ignore). Only f and g are involved.

THanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K