You are right, the maximum value is π.

[gtfitzpatrick]

Homework Statement

find a simple closed curve with counter-clockwise orientation that maximises the value of \oint (cos x^2 + 4yx^2) dx + (4x-xy^2)dy

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

from greens theorem \oint Pdx+qdy = \int\int \frac{\partial q}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial p}{\partial y} dA

so\int\int_{D} 4-y^2-4x^2 dxdy

the integrand is positive everywher inside the elipse,zero on the ellipse and negative outside. so to maximise the integral C should be the oriented boundary of the ellipse oriented in the counter-clockwise direction.

x=2cosr y=sinr dx=rdr

sooo i think the maximum value is \int^{2\pi}_{0} \int^{2}_{0} 4 - sin^2 r - 16 cos ^2 r drd\theta

which i the simplify.
anyone know if I'm on the right lines here...

 

[tiny-tim]

hi gtfitzpatrick!

find a simple closed curve with counter-clockwise orientation that maximises the value of …

sooo i think the maximum value is \int^{2\pi}_{0} \int^{2}_{0} 4 - sin^2 r - 16 cos ^2 r drd\theta

yeees (except you've missed out an "r", and the limits are wrong) …

but the question only asks for the curve ​

 

[gtfitzpatrick]

Hi tiny-tim,
thanks for that, i see the missed r thanks. which of my limits are wrong, should my limit be 0 to 4?

 

[tiny-tim]

it's an ellipse …

shouldn't r depend on θ ? ​

 

[gtfitzpatrick]

ah yes i see, i had set my limits as if it was a circle. but as you say it is an ellipse. I know the question doesn't ask for it but, i'll have to think about it! can't see straight off what to set my limits to..

 

[gtfitzpatrick]

just reading over this again. So the question only asks for the curve so \int\int_{D} 4-y^2-4x^2 dxdy so the curve C = to the ellipse 4-y^2-4x^2 this is the curve that maximises the area right but how to i explain it better than that?

 

[tiny-tim]

if you want to find the region D over which ∫∫_D f(x,y) dxdy is maximised,

then if you choose D to be the region in which f(x,y) ≥ 0, then clearly either enlarging or dikminishing D will decrease the integral

 

[LCKurtz]

just reading over this again. So the question only asks for the curve so \int\int_{D} 4-y^2-4x^2 dxdy so the curve C = to the ellipse 4-y^2-4x^2 this is the curve that maximises the area right but how to i explain it better than that?

But that isn't the equation of the ellipse because there is no = sign.

 

[gtfitzpatrick]

getting back to this...
So my equation for an ellipse is\frac{x^2}{1^2} + \frac{y^2}{2^2} = 1 so parametizing this I get x=cos\theta and y=2sin\theta and from green the area is \frac{1}{2}\int^{2\pi}_{0} cos\theta(2cos\theta)-sin\theta(-2sin\theta d\theta = \frac{1}{2}\int^{2\pi}_{0} 2(1) d\theta = 2\pi

 

[tiny-tim]

hi gtfitzpatrick!

(ah! you corrected the "2" ! )

to check: put z = 2x, and then halve the area of z² + y² = 4