What are the dimensions and boundaries for different types of integrals?

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    Circle Integral
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the dimensions and boundaries associated with different types of integrals, particularly in the context of a unit circle and the application of polar coordinates. Participants are exploring the correct interpretation of differential elements such as ds, dx, and dy in relation to line and surface integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conversion of integrals to polar coordinates and the implications of using different parametrizations. Questions arise regarding the correct limits of integration and the interpretation of ds in various contexts, including whether it represents a line or surface integral.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with several participants providing insights into the nature of ds and its relationship to different types of integrals. There is a mix of interpretations being explored, particularly regarding the dimensionality of boundaries in relation to integrals.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion over the notation and definitions used in different references, particularly concerning the distinction between line integrals and surface integrals. The problem context involves integrating around the boundary of a circle, which influences the type of integral being discussed.

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Homework Statement


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[/B]

Homework Equations


Substitution.

The Attempt at a Solution


Since the circle is of unit radius and around origin,
limits are x = -1 to 1, and y = -1 to 1

I replaced x by cos t, and y by sin t.
But what to put in place of ds?
I thought about divergence theorem, but then I'd have to find curl of F.
How to break ds in terms of dx + dy or dt?
 

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I wrote as 2 parts
Total integral = blue part + red part
Blue part = x = -square root (1 - y2) . limits of y are -1 to +1
For red part x = +square root (1 - y2) . limits of y are +1 to -1
But how to resolve ds in terms of x and y.

I tried with ds = dx dy but didn't get answer
upload_2018-1-6_11-29-10.png

I'm getting answer as 2 * 3.14 divide by 3. But that's not in options. Book answer is A.
Is my ds = dx dy right or is ds = i dx + j dy?
 

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Last edited:
Use ##ds^2 = dx^2+dy^2##. Also, it's probably easiest to do this integral after converting to polar coordinates.
 
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But doesn't ds mean surface integral? So ds = dx multiplied by dy ?
 
No, ds is the curve length.

vela said:
Use ##ds^2 = dx^2+dy^2##. Also, it's probably easiest to do this integral after converting to polar coordinates.
Essentially, the curve parametrisation given does this for you as it is parametrising the circle using the polar angle.
 
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Okay.
and for limits:
x = cos t
x = -1 to + 1
so t = 180 to 0 degrees

y = sin t
y = -1 to + 1
so t = -90 to + 90
I'm confused which limits to take.
upload_2018-1-6_10-29-4-png.png

Is the drawing above correct of ds region?
 

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No. The integral is taken around the border of the circle. Not over a two-dimensional region. The curve parameter should be chosen such that you complete one full turn.
 
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upload_2018-1-6_14-28-16.png

theta = positive angle. So i have theta = 0 to 180 and theta = -180 to 0?
x = r cos theta. y = r sin theta. This helps. r is given to be 1 in question.
 

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jaus tail said:
So i have theta = 0 to 180 and theta = -180 to 0?
Why not just -180 to 180? Also note that the angle should be given in radians in order for ##ds## to be conveniently expressed in terms of it.
 
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  • #10
Okay that gives the answer. Thanks. But I still didn't understand why dS = line integral and not surface.
As per book:
dl = line, ds = surface, dv = volume.
 
  • #11
Do not confuse capital and small letters. Also, it is not always the case that notation is unique between different references.
 
  • #12
Okay. So:
had it been like: compute integral by region bounded by circle. Then it would've been surface integral, right?
And for volume integral it's region enclosed.
 
  • #13
jaus tail said:
Okay that gives the answer. Thanks. But I still didn't understand why dS = line integral and not surface.
As per book:
dl = line, ds = surface, dv = volume.
Here are the commonly used symbols:
ds -- increment of arc length
dV -- increment of volume
dS or dA - increment of area of a surface (the wikipedia article on Surface Integral uses dΣ)
As Orodruin already said, don't confuse uppercase and lowercase letters -- they are often used to mean different things.

The problem could have been stated more clearly, but a clue to their intent is "compute [the integral] around the circle..."
 
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  • #14
jaus tail said:
But doesn't ds mean surface integral? So ds = dx multiplied by dy ?
The " Infinitesimal Length" depends on the parametrization, on the region over which you are integrating. Informally, dx=1dx, dy=1dy are infinitesimal straight-line displacement. Change of variable using parametrization "corrects" this.
 
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  • #15
jaus tail said:
Okay. So:
had it been like: compute integral by region bounded by circle. Then it would've been surface integral, right?
And for volume integral it's region enclosed.

Enclosed or bounded are the same: will either be area or volume, depending on what is the dimension (2D vs. 3D).
 
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  • #16
In general, the boundary of a manifold is of dimension one higher than the manifold they are bounding.
 
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  • #17
WWGD said:
In general, the boundary of a manifold is of dimension one higher than the manifold they are bounding.
Lower.
 
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  • #18
Orodruin said:
Lower.
FALSE Statement: In general, the boundary of a manifold is of dimension one higher than the manifold they are bounding.
(Lower-enough Orodruin ;) ?)
EDIT: The boundary of a manifold is one dimension lower than the manifold it bounds.
 
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  • #19
WWGD said:
FALSE Statement: In general, the boundary of a manifold is of dimension one higher than the manifold they are bounding.
EDIT: The boundary of a manifold is one dimension lower than the manifold it bounds.
And the grammar is now correct, as well, with the pronoun agreeing in number with its antecedent.
 
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  • #20
Meaning?
For line integral, dimension is metre. Boundary dimension is also metre.
For surface integral, dimension is dx, dy so metre square. Boundary dimension is ??
Volumte integral, dimension is metre cube.
 
  • #21
jaus tail said:
Meaning?
For line integral, dimension is metre. Boundary dimension is also metre.
In a line integral, you're calculating the length of the curve, which could be meters, centimeters, feet, miles, whatever.
jaus tail said:
For surface integral, dimension is dx, dy so metre square. Boundary dimension is ??
The boundary of such a surface would be a one-dimensional figure, embedded in a space of higher dimension.
Also, the integral does not have to have dx and dy -- it could be in terms of polar coordinates ##dr## and ##d\theta##.
jaus tail said:
Volumte integral, dimension is metre cube.
 
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