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

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.