What is the equation for line integrals involving the gradient of a function?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equation for line integrals involving the gradient of a function, specifically focusing on the expression involving the product of two functions and its implications in the context of closed curves.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how to apply the product rule for gradients, specifically the equation ##\nabla fg = f\nabla g + g\nabla f##.
  • Another participant questions the evaluation of the line integral ##\displaystyle\oint_C \vec \nabla (fg) \cdot d \vec r##.
  • A participant proposes that for any closed curve, the integral can be expressed as ##\displaystyle\oint_C \nabla (fg) \cdot dr = \displaystyle\oint_C f\nabla g \cdot dr + \displaystyle\oint_C g\nabla f \cdot dr##, and suggests that this leads to the conclusion that ##\displaystyle\oint_C f\nabla g \cdot dr = -\displaystyle\oint_C g\nabla f \cdot dr##.
  • Another participant reiterates the expression for the line integral over closed curves, asserting its validity for all lines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the proposed equations and whether the logic presented is correct, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions under which the integrals are evaluated, particularly concerning the nature of the curves and the functions involved.

WMDhamnekar
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TL;DR
Let f (x, y) and g(x, y) be continuously differentiable real-valued functions in a region R.
Show that ##\displaystyle\oint_C f\nabla g \cdot dr = -\displaystyle\oint_C g\nabla f \cdot dr## for any closed curve in R
I don't have any idea to answer this question. So, any math help will be accepted.
I know ##\nabla fg = f\nabla g + g\nabla f \rightarrow (1) ## But I don't understand to how to use (1) here?
 
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What will ## \displaystyle\oint_C \vec \nabla (fg) \cdot d \vec r ## become?
 
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drmalawi said:
What will ## \displaystyle\oint_C \vec \nabla (fg) \cdot d \vec r ## become?
I think ## \displaystyle\oint_C \nabla (fg) \cdot dr = \displaystyle\oint_C f\nabla g \cdot dr + \displaystyle\oint_C g\nabla f \cdot dr ## for any closed curve.

But, for any closed curve in R , ##\displaystyle\oint_C \nabla (fg) \cdot dr = 0,## Hence, we can deduce that ##\displaystyle\oint_C f\nabla g \cdot dr = -\displaystyle\oint_C g\nabla f \cdot dr ##
Is that logic correct?
 
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WMDhamnekar said:
I think ∮C∇(fg)⋅dr=∮Cf∇g⋅dr+∮Cg∇f⋅dr for any closed curve.
This is valid for all lines.
 
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