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Line Integral Cheat Sheet

This cheat sheet provides an overview of line integrals, including definitions, types, and step-by-step solutions for both scalar and vector fields. It outlines the formulas for calculating line integrals and offers common parametric curves for reference. Key tips emphasize the importance of parameterization and checking for conservative fields to simplify calculations.

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shahmeasum007
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2 views2 pages

Line Integral Cheat Sheet

This cheat sheet provides an overview of line integrals, including definitions, types, and step-by-step solutions for both scalar and vector fields. It outlines the formulas for calculating line integrals and offers common parametric curves for reference. Key tips emphasize the importance of parameterization and checking for conservative fields to simplify calculations.

Uploaded by

shahmeasum007
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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📘 LINE INTEGRALS – CHEAT SHEET

🔹 1. Definition & Concept


A Line Integral calculates the total value of a function (like mass or work) along a curve or
path in space.

It’s like summing small pieces of a function along a path:


➡ Scalar function = like measuring temperature or density
➡ Vector field = like measuring force or wind pushing an object

🔹 2. Types of Line Integrals

✅ A. Line Integral of Scalar Field


Used for:
- Calculating quantities like mass or heat along a curve

Definition:
It adds up values of a scalar function f(x, y) along a curve C, weighted by arc length.

Formula:
∫C f(x, y) ds = ∫a^b f(x(t), y(t)) √[(x'(t))² + (y'(t))²] dt

✅ B. Line Integral of Vector Field


Used for:
- Calculating work done by a force field along a path

Definition:
It adds up the effect of a vector field F = P𝑖 + Q𝑗 on a moving object along curve C

Formula (general):
∫C F · dr = ∫C P dx + Q dy

Parametric version:
= ∫a^b [ P(x(t), y(t)) · x'(t) + Q(x(t), y(t)) · y'(t) ] dt

🔹 3. How to Solve Line Integral Problems – Step-by-Step

🧮 A. For Scalar Field Line Integral


Given: Scalar function f(x, y) and a curve C
Steps:
1. Parameterize the curve: x = x(t), y = y(t), t ∈ [a, b]
2. Compute derivatives: x'(t), y'(t)
3. Plug into formula:
∫C f(x, y) ds = ∫a^b f(x(t), y(t)) · √[(x'(t))² + (y'(t))²] dt

🧮 B. For Vector Field Line Integral


Given: Vector field F = ⟨P(x, y), Q(x, y)⟩ and curve C

Steps:
1. Parameterize the curve: x = x(t), y = y(t), t ∈ [a, b]
2. Compute derivatives: x'(t), y'(t)
3. Plug into formula:
∫C F · dr = ∫a^b [ P(x(t), y(t)) · x'(t) + Q(x(t), y(t)) · y'(t) ] dt

🔹 4. Common Parametric Curves


Curve Type | Parametrization
--------------------|------------------------------
Line from A to B | x = a + (b-a)t, t ∈ [0,1]
Circle (radius r) | x = r cos t, y = r sin t, t ∈ [0, 2π]
Parabola | e.g. y = x² ⇒ x = t, y = t²

🔹 5. Tips to Remember
- Always parameterize the curve before integration.
- Scalar field uses arc length: ds = √(dx² + dy²)
- Vector field uses dot product of field and path direction.
- Check whether the field is conservative – if yes, use potential function to simplify!

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