Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2021 / Prelims / Mathematics V / 2 / b / i / Solution

Parametrize the surface of revolution byAn oriented vector surface area element isUse the vector field $\mathbf{F}=(x/2,y/2,0)$, whose divergence is one. If this parametrization has the outward orientation on an enclosing surface, the divergence theorem givesThe second equality is integration by parts, using the endpoint values. For example this outward convention applies when the positive-$t$ branch lies above the negative-$t$ branch, $f(t)>f(-t)$ for $0<t<\pi /2$.

The stated $C^1$ regularity and endpoint conditions alone do not guarantee an embedded enclosing surface: branches can cross or coincide. Without an appropriate orientation assumption the flux formula is an algebraic signed volume. If “inside” is defined as the region between the two graph branches for each radius, its nonnegative geometric volume is insteadThis explicitly handles a reversal or change in the order of the two branches.