Vector Calc: Can you verify my answer?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around verifying answers to a set of vector calculus problems involving arc length calculations and line integrals. The problems include calculating the arc length of a curve, evaluating a line integral over a contour defined by an intersection of geometric shapes, and another line integral involving a hyperbola and a vector field. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving in vector calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Post 1 presents three problems and claims to have found the answers: (A) e^2, (B) π, and (C) -(1+3π/2, 1+3π/2, 0).
  • Post 2 expresses disagreement with the answers for (A) and (B) and requests a detailed explanation of the calculations.
  • Post 3 reiterates the request for clarification on the calculations for (A) and (B).
  • Post 3 provides a detailed calculation for (A), arriving at e^2, and for (B), arriving at π, questioning if these calculations are incorrect.
  • Post 4 points out a potential oversight in the calculation for (B) regarding the relationship between y and z.
  • Post 5 acknowledges the oversight but suggests that the answer remains unchanged despite the correction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the answers for problems (A) and (B). There are multiple viewpoints regarding the calculations, and some participants express uncertainty about the results.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the calculations for problems (A) and (B), particularly in the interpretation of the contour and the relationships between variables in the integrals. The discussion reflects differing approaches to the problems without a clear resolution.

rsq_a
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Just looking for a yes/no. I worked out the following question:

(A) Calculate the arc length of the curve [tex]r(t) = (\log t, 2t, t^2)[/tex] where [tex]1 \leq t \leq e[/tex]

(B) Let C be the ellipsed form by intersecting the cylinder [tex]x^2 + y^2 = 1[/tex] and the plane [tex]z = 2y + 1[/tex] and let [tex]\textbf{f}(x,y,z) = (y,z,x)[/tex]. What is [tex]\int_C \textbf{f} d\textbf{r}[/tex].

(C) Let C be the hyperbola formed by intersecting the cone [tex]x^2 + y^2 = z^2[/tex] and the plane [tex]x+y+z=1[/tex] and let [tex]\textbf{f}(x,y,z) = \textbf{k}/z^2[/tex]. What is [tex]\int_C \textbf{f} \times d\textbf{r}[/tex]

I got,

(A) [tex]e^2[/tex]
(B) [tex]\pi[/tex]
(C) [tex]-(1+3\pi/2, 1+3\pi/2, 0)[/tex]

Did I hit the mark?
 
Last edited:
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I haven't done (C) yet but I don't get anything like you have for either (A) or (B). Show how you got those answers.
 
HallsofIvy said:
I haven't done (C) yet but I don't get anything like you have for either (A) or (B). Show how you got those answers.

Okay. So for (A):

[tex]\begin{align*}L &= \int_1^e |r'(t)| dt \\ &= \int_1^e |(1/t, 2, 2t)| dt \\ <br /> &= \int_1^e \sqrt{\frac{(2t^2+1)^2}{t^2}} dt = \int_1^e 2t + \frac{1}{t} dt \\<br /> &= e^2 - 1 + 1 = e^2\end{align*}[/tex]

For (B), the contour is,

[tex]\gamma(t) = (\cos t, \sin t, 2\cos t + 1)[/tex]

So the relevant integral is,

[tex]\int_0^{2\pi} (\sin t, 2 \sin t + 1, \cos t) \cdot (-\sin t, \cos t, -2 \cos t) \ dt = \pi[/tex]

Does that look wrong?
 
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In (B), if you say that y=sin(t), then you should find z=2*y+1=2*sin(t)+1, right?
 
daudaudaudau said:
In (B), if you say that y=sin(t), then you should find z=2*y+1=2*sin(t)+1, right?

Doh! But I think the answer is the same. I've corrected it in the post above.
 

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