Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2007 / ia / Paper 3 / 9A (Vector Calculus)

A conservative vector field is the gradient of a single-valued differentiable scalar potential. Its line integral is path independent and equals the potential difference. If $\psi \mathbf{A}=\nabla F$ with a twice continuously differentiable potential, equality of mixed partial derivatives givesThe product rule then gives ${\psi }_y{A}_1+\psi A_{1,y}={\psi }_x{A}_2+\psi A_{2,x}$. Rearranging proves the integrating-factor equation for a planar vector field:This argument does not require division by $\psi$, so it remains valid even at its zeros. A nonvanishing integrating factor is normally sought when one wants to recover useful potential curves for the original field.

Assume $P,Q$ are continuously differentiable on a neighbourhood of a bounded region with a positively oriented piecewise smooth simple boundary. To prove Green theorem, first take a region between the graphs $y=f(x)$ and $y=g(x)$, $a\le x\le b$, with $f\le g$. Counterclockwise orientation traverses the lower graph to the right and the upper graph to the left; vertical end pieces contribute nothing to $Pdx$. Thus the fundamental theorem of calculus givesLikewise, for a region between graphs $x=u(y)$ and $x=v(y)$, the right boundary is traversed upwards and the left one downwards. Horizontal end pieces contribute nothing to $Qdy$, soFor a polygonal region, triangulate its interior. Each triangle is of both graph types with piecewise linear bounds, so adding the formulae gives the result: the double integrals add and the integrals on internal edges cancel because the adjacent triangles traverse them in opposite directions. For a regular piecewise smooth simple boundary, choose inscribed simple polygonal approximations to its piecewise smooth parametrization. Their line integrals converge to the original line integral, since the parametrizations converge uniformly and their piecewise constant tangent vectors converge in the integral norm on each smooth arc. Their regions converge in area: the symmetric difference lies in a shrinking neighbourhood of the original boundary, which has planar measure zero. Boundedness of the continuous integrand then gives convergence of the area integrals. Passing to the limit proves the formula for the stated boundary class. Combining the two identities givesPositive orientation is essential for the sign.

Choose $P=-y/2$ and $Q=x/2$, for which $Q_x-P_y=1$. The boundary formula for planar area isFor the ellipse, take $a,b>0$ so the given increasing-angle parametrization is counterclockwise. Then $dx=-a\sin \theta d\theta$ and $dy=b\cos \theta d\theta$, soIf signed nonzero parameters are allowed, the unsigned area is $\pi |ab|$, with orientation corrected accordingly.