Step by step
The question
Question: use Green's theorem to find ∮ (−x²y) dx + (xy²) dy around the square 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1.
1 Find P and Q
The path goes once around the square, counterclockwise.
The part before dx is P = −x²y.
The one before dy is Q = xy².
2 Find the inside
Green's theorem: the line integral around equals the double integral inside of ∂Q/∂x minus ∂P/∂y.
Term by term.
In xy², y² is fixed and waits in front.
x gives 1.
So y².
So ∂Q/∂x = y².
Term by term.
In x²y, x² is fixed and waits in front.
y gives 1.
So x².
So ∂P/∂y = −x².
Take away: y² minus (−x²).
So the inside is y² + x².
Careful!
The order matters.
Q by x, minus P by y.
The other way round changes the sign.
3 Find the limits
Over the square: y from 0 to 1 inside, x from 0 to 1 outside.
4 The inner integral
Integrate each term: the power goes up by 1, and we divide by the new power.
Put in the top y = 1, then take away the bottom y = 0.
The bottom part is 0.
So it is 1/3 + x².
5 The outer integral
Integrate each term: the power goes up by 1, and we divide by the new power.
Put in the top x = 1, then take away the bottom x = 0.
The bottom part is 0.
So it is 2/3.
6 Check
Let's check by walking the four sides, one at a time.
Bottom 0, right 1/3, top 1/3, left 0.
On each side, only one of x and y moves.
Added up: 2/3.
The same as the double integral.
Right!
Let's look back.
First: find P and Q.
Then: find the inside.
Then: find the limits.
Then: the inner integral.
Then: the outer integral.
Last: check.