Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2012 / Paper 2 / 16

The multivariable chain rule givesSubstituting the three parametrizing functions also writes the complete derivative asAt $t=\pi /2$, the point is $(0,3,\pi )$, its velocity is $(-3,0,2)$, and $\nabla F=(3,0,1)$. Hence

Write the differential one-form as $Mdx+Ndy$. An exact differential form must satisfy equality of mixed partial derivatives, $M_y=N_x$. HereEquality at every $(x,y)$ holds precisely when $\boxed{a=2}$. Since these polynomials are smooth on the simply connected plane, the closed-form condition is also sufficient for exactness; the explicit potential of a conservative vector field constructed in (c) verifies that sufficiency directly.

With $a=2$, integrate the $dx$ coefficient with respect to $x$:Its other partial derivative is ${\Phi }_y=x^2/2-2xy+g^{\prime }(y)$. Matching the $dy$ coefficient gives $g^{\prime }=0$. Therefore the differential equation is $d\Phi =0$, and its implicit general solution isThese are level curves of the potential of a conservative vector field. Where $N\ne 0$, they give the usual graph solution $dy/dx=-M/N$. At $N=0$, the implicit description retains possible vertical tangents instead of dividing by zero.