Triangle Line Integral: Evaluating f(x,y)=(x+2y) Along Triangle C

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on evaluating the line integral of the function f(x,y) = (x + 2y) along the triangular path C defined by the vertices (0,0), (1,1), and (0,1). The initial attempts at parametrization for the paths C1, C2, and C3 were incorrect, leading to an erroneous result. The correct approach involves a proper parametrization of each segment of the triangle, specifically using linear equations for each side. The final correct answer for the integral is (1/2)(3√2 + 7).

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Let C be the triangle in the plane from (0,0) to (1,1) to (0,1) back to (0,0). evaluate the line integral of f along C if f(x,y)=(x+2y).

attempt:
C1: x=t y=t ds=root(1)dt, integrated t+2t from 0 to 1 to get 3/2
C2: x=-t ds=root(1)dt, integrated -t from -1 to 0 to get 1/2
C3: y=-t, ds=root(1)dt integrated -2t from -1 to 0 to get 1.
added up 3/2, 1/2, and 1 to get the wrong answer.
the correct answer is (1/2)(3root2 + 7)

looks like I am parametizing completely wrong. so how do i go about this? thanks.
 
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For starters regarding path C1, c'(t)=(1,1). What is the length of the vector (1,1)? The rest of C1 is correct.

For path C2 c(1) should yield (1,1). In your case c(1)=(1,k), with k an undetermined parameter since you didn't parametrize y for this side of the triangle.

For path C3 a similar problem occurs.

You want to find yourself a parametrization of the following form:

c(t) = \left\{ \begin{matrix} (t,t) & 0 \leq t \leq 1 \\ (..,..) & 1 \leq t \leq 2 \\ (..,..) & 2 \leq t \leq 3 \end{matrix} \right

What you have been doing so far is making some weird jumps in time for your C2 and C3 paths. I suggest you draw the triangle and seeing as all sides are straight lines use y=at+b to parametrize each segment.

Example for the side (1,1)->(0,1)

We know that the y coordinate remains constant and equals 1. Therefore our parametrization will be of the form (x(t),1). We now need to find x(t). x(t) decreases linearly between 1 and 0 so its equation will look like x=at+b. For t=1 we know that x=1 therefore 1=a+b. For t=2 we know that x=0 therefore 0=2a+b. Solving for a and b will yield x(t)=2-t therefore c(t)=(2-t,1).
 
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