Next: Vector line integrals Up: Vectors Previous: Vector calculus

## Line integrals

Consider a two-dimensional function which is defined for all and . What is meant by the integral of along a given curve from to in the - plane? We first draw out as a function of length along the path (see Fig. 11). The integral is then simply given by
 (60)

As an example of this, consider the integral of between and along the two routes indicated in Fig. 12. Along route 1 we have , so . Thus,

 (61)

The integration along route 2 gives
 (62)

Note that the integral depends on the route taken between the initial and final points.

The most common type of line integral is that where the contributions from and are evaluated separately, rather that through the path length :

 (63)

As an example of this, consider the integral

 (64)

along the two routes indicated in Fig. 13. Along route 1 we have and , so
 (65)

Along route 2,
 (66)

Again, the integral depends on the path of integration.

Suppose that we have a line integral which does not depend on the path of integration. It follows that

 (67)

for some function . Given for one point in the - plane, then
 (68)

defines for all other points in the plane. We can then draw a contour map of . The line integral between points and is simply the change in height in the contour map between these two points:
 (69)

Thus,
 (70)

For instance, if then and
 (71)

is independent of the path of integration.

It is clear that there are two distinct types of line integral. Those which depend only on their endpoints and not on the path of integration, and those which depend both on their endpoints and the integration path. Later on, we shall learn how to distinguish between these two types.

Next: Vector line integrals Up: Vectors Previous: Vector calculus
Richard Fitzpatrick 2006-02-02