Solving Line Integral Limits: Negative Result?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evaluation of a line integral in a vector field defined by f(x)=\hat{x} along a path directed from right to left. The user initially sets up the integral with limits from 1 to 0, resulting in a positive value of 1, which contradicts the expected negative outcome. The confusion arises from the double counting of the negative sign in the differential element ds, where the user incorrectly incorporates the negative sign of dx while also reversing the limits of integration. The correct interpretation clarifies that the integral should yield a negative result due to the direction of the path.

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OmegaKV
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I want to the line integral in the following picture:

P220f03.png


The field is the blue arrows that go left to right, and the path is the orange line that is going from right to left.

Just by looking at the picture, it is clear that the result will be negative, but when I set up the integration this is what I get:

I'm letting the field be:

f(x)=\hat{x}

and since the path is pointing left, ds will be:

ds=dx*(-\hat{x})=-dx\hat{x}

and the path goes from x=1 to x=0, so the integration limits are from 1 to 0.

so the line integral is:

\int^b_a f \cdot ds=\int^0_1 (\hat{x} \cdot (-dx\hat{x})) = \int^0_1 (-dx) = 1

Why am I getting a positive number?
 
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You are double counting the negative sign of dx by both inserting it explicitly and letting the integration go from 1 to 0.
 
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