Back to Line Integrals of Scalar Functions

Activity 13.6.4

Avg difficulty 2.5

In this activity, we will be explaining each of the Properties from Properties of Scalar Line Integrals in the context of our copium mining analogy from this activity. Remember that the curve in our scalar line integral corresponds to the path the mining rig will take and the function in the scalar line integral measures the density of copium at that point on the surface.

  1. Explain in your own words what ∫Cf ds\displaystyle\int_C f \, ds means in the copium analogy and what exactly would be measured by this scalar line integral.

  2. Explain in your own words what ∫C(kf) ds=k∫Cf ds\displaystyle \int_C (k f) \, ds = k \int_C f \, ds means in the copium analogy. It may be helpful to describe each side of the equation separately and say why they are equal in the analogy.

  3. Explain in your own words what ∫C(f+g) ds=∫Cf ds+∫Cg ds\displaystyle\int_C (f+g) \, ds = \int_C f \, ds + \int_C g \, ds means in the copium analogy. It may be helpful to describe each side of the equation separately and say why they are equal in the analogy. You may also find it helpful to consider ff and gg to measure density of different materials.

  4. Explain in your own words what ∫−Cf ds=∫Cf ds\displaystyle\int_{-C} f \, ds = \int_C f \, ds means in the copium analogy. It may be helpful to describe each side of the equation separately and say why they are equal in the analogy.

  5. Explain in your own words what ∫C1+C2f ds=∫C1f ds+∫C2f ds\displaystyle\int_{C_1+C_2} f \, ds = \int_{C_1} f \, ds + \int_{C_2} f \, ds means in the copium analogy. It may be helpful to describe each side of the equation separately and say why they are equal in the analogy.

Long, Keller & Schlicker, Active Calculus Multivariable, §13.6 Line Integrals of Scalar Functions, Activity 13.6.4

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Adapted from Active Calculus Multivariable © 2013–2026 Nicholas Long, Mitchel T. Keller, and Steven Schlicker. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Active Calculus Multivariable. Imported at revision 692c03c.