Review Topics on Material Covered After Exam 2

Summary. The following is a summary of tools and techniques for calculating line and flux integrals,
beginning with the four “big theorems” of our course. On the exam, a lot of emphasis will be placed on line and
flux integrals, and it will be important to understand the big theorems well enough so that you can choose an
appropriate solution strategy. Many of the exam problems will be relatively straightforward if you choose an
appropriate theorem but extremely difficult or impossible to do if you try to blindly use brute force.

1. The Fundamental Theorem of Line Integrals.

Applies when: F~ is a conservative vector field.
Used for: Eliminating brute force calculation of a line integral by simply evaluating a potential
function (which you must be able to calculate) at the beginning and the end of the
path of integration.
2. Green’s Theorem.
Applies when: F~ is a “nice” vector field on R2 and C is a simple closed curve in R2 . (See text or
notes for a complete list of hypotheses.)
Replacing the line integral C F~ · d~r with a hopefully easier to evaluate double in-
R
Used for:
tegral over the region inside C.
3. The Divergence Theorem.
Applies when: F~ is a “nice” vector field on R3 and S is the boundary of a solid region E in R3 .
Note that this implies that S must be a totally enclosed surface that surrounds a
solid, three-dimensional region of space. (See text or notes for a complete list of
hypotheses.)
Replacing the flux integral S F~ · dA~ with an easier to evaluate triple integral
R
Used for:
div F~ dV.
R
E

4. Stokes’ Theorem.
Applies when: F~ is a “nice” vector field on R3 and C is the boundary curve of a surface S.
Replacing the flux integral S curl F~ · dA
~ with the line integral F~ · d~r, or vice-
R R
Used for: C
versa.

Tools For Computing Line Integrals. The brute-force way to compute a line integral is, of
course, to parametrize the curve and use the formula
Z Z b
F~ · d~r = F~ (~r(t)) · ~r 0 (t) dt.
C a

If your curve is complicated, however, this can be difficult to nearly impossible, so we developed certain “easier”
methods which apply in specific situations. It will be important that you can look at a problem and decide which
method is appropriate in that particular case.

1. Conservative Vector Fields. When a vector field F~ in 2-space or in 3-space is conservative, there exists a
potential function f such that F~ = ∇f. This allows you to compute the line integral C F~ · d~r without
R

parameterizing your curve (just use the Fundamental Theorem of Line Integrals). Here are some important
questions and points:
• How do you know when a vector field is conservative? How can you tell graphically? How can you tell
algebraically? (curl test)
• How do you find a potential function given a conservative vector field? How do you use it to compute a
line integral in a conservative vector field?
• Remember, the Fundamental Theorem only works if your vector field is conservative.

Turn Over −→
Math 261 – Final Exam Information 2

2. Green’s Theorem. If a closed curve in R2 consists of several pieces or is complicated, Green’s Theorem can
be useful since it allows you to evaluate a double integral instead. Keep in mind that this theorem only
applies to closed curves in R2 .
3. Stokes’ Theorem. If a closed curve C in R3 consists of several pieces or is complicated, Stokes’ Theorem
can be useful, especially if you can find a relatively simple surface S with C as its boundary and curl F~ is not
too complicated.

Tools For Computing Flux Integrals. A flux integral is very similar to a line integral, except
that we’re integrating over a surface instead of along a path. As with line integrals, we have discussed brute force
methods for computing flux integrals as well as much shorter methods which apply in specific situations, and it will
be important that you know how to identify the best method to use on a given problem.

1. Brute Force Methods. We wrote down three brute force formulas for calculating flux integrals directly.
They applied to (a) surfaces of the form z = f (x, y), (b) cylindrical surfaces centered along the z-axis, and
(c) spherical surfaces centered at the origin. See Section 19.1 in the workbook to view these formulas.
2. The Divergence Theorem. If a totally enclosed surface consists of several pieces or is complicated, the
Divergence Theorem can be useful since it allows you to evaluate a triple integral instead. Keep in mind that
this theorem only applies to totally enclosed surfaces that surround a solid three-dimensional region in space.

3. Stokes’ Theorem. If you are trying to calculate an integral of the form S curl F~ · dA, ~ it is sometimes easier
R

to calculate the line integral C F~ · d~r, where C is the boundary curve of the surface.
R

4. Other Things. There are some special situations that are useful to recognize to avoid laborious integration
when it’s unnecessary. Here are some highlights:

(a) If F~ is a constant vector field, and S is flat, then the flux integral S F~ · dA~ simplifies to F~ · A,
~ where A~
R

is the area vector of S. Do you know how to correctly calculate an area vector?
(b) On surfaces for which F~ · ~n is constant; that is, if F~ · ~n = p (for some constant p) over the entire surface
S, then Z Z Z
F~ · dA
~ = F~ · ~n dA = p dA = p · (area of S),
S S S
meaning that the flux through S is simply equal to the constant p times the surface area of S. Before
you waste time integrating, you should check to see if this short cut is available, especially if F~ and ~n are
parallel everywhere on your surface.
(c) If F~ and dA ~ are perpendicular to each other everywhere along S, then there is no flux through S, so
F~ · dA
~ is zero.
R
S

Once again, remembering these items is much easier if you have a good picture in your mind of what the F~
~ ~ ~ Conceptual question for you: When is a flux integral
R
and the dA represent in the flux integral S F · dA.
positive? negative? zero?