Exercise · ZW-SCALAR-LINE-INTEGRAL-010 · ★★★ Advanced

Compute \(\int_C x^2\,ds\) with \(\mathbf r(t)=\langle\cos 2t,\sin 2t\rangle\), \(0\le t\le\pi\) (the circle traversed at speed \(2\)).

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  • D. \(\pi\)

Explanation

\(\|\mathbf r'\|=2\) and \(\int_0^\pi 2\cos^2 2t\,dt=\pi\). It is the same value as with the standard parametrization, since the integral depends on the curve, not on the speed.

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Review the concept: Line integral of a scalar function

The line integral of a scalar function \(f\) over a curve \(C\) parametrized by \(\mathbf r(t)\), \(a\le t\le b\), accumulates the values of \(f\) weighted by the arc length \(ds\).

\[\int_C f\,ds=\int_a^b f(\mathbf r(t))\,\|\mathbf r'(t)\|\,dt\]

More practice problems: line integral of a scalar function

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