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Mathematics 15 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

How to find out if a Vector Field is path independant or not

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ummm ill give u an example F= 2xyi+xyj

OpenStudy (anonymous):

what is curl?

OpenStudy (experimentx):

if curl is zero ... the field is path independent, else it is path dependent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_vector_field I guess this is it.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

thanks

OpenStudy (experimentx):

not sure though, this might give you lead.

OpenStudy (kinggeorge):

Another way to tell if it's path independent, is to see if your vector field is a gradient.

OpenStudy (kinggeorge):

If you can find a function with the vector field as a gradient, it must be path independent.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok yes i know that method and now that i just read further on in my book i found experimentx's method. YAY THANKS :DDDDDDDD

OpenStudy (kinggeorge):

you're welcome

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