Green’s Theorem
For a positively oriented simple closed curve \(C\) enclosing a region \(R\),
Area of an Astroid and a Generalised Hypocycloid
Green’s theorem and area are developed through three IOE past-paper questions. Use the shaded curves, positive orientation, parametric forms and symmetry.
For a positively oriented simple closed curve \(C\) enclosing a region \(R\),
Choose
\[F_1=-\frac{y}{2},\qquad F_2=\frac{x}{2}.\]
Then
Therefore,
The positive orientation is counterclockwise.
For the astroid, use
\[x=a\cos^3t,\qquad y=a\sin^3t.\]
For the generalised form, use
\[x=a\cos^3t,\qquad y=b\sin^3t.\]
The curve is symmetric in all four quadrants. Therefore, calculate the first-quadrant contribution and multiply by four.
Useful result: \(\displaystyle\int_0^{\pi/2}\sin^2t\cos^2t\,dt=\frac{\pi}{16}\).
Cartesian form
\[x^2+y^2=a^2\]Parametric form
\[x=a\cos t,\qquad y=a\sin t\] \[0\le t\le2\pi\]Cartesian form
\[\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1\]Parametric form
\[x=a\cos t,\qquad y=b\sin t\] \[0\le t\le2\pi\]Cartesian form
\[x^{2/3}+y^{2/3}=a^{2/3}\]Parametric form
\[x=a\cos^3t,\qquad y=a\sin^3t\] \[0\le t\le2\pi\]Cartesian form
Parametric form
\[x=a\cos^3t,\qquad y=b\sin^3t\] \[0\le t\le2\pi\]State Green’s theorem in the plane. Apply it to find the area enclosed by
By Green’s theorem,
The Cartesian equation of the astroid is
\[x^{2/3}+y^{2/3}=a^{2/3}.\]Use the parametric form
Indeed,
Differentiating the parametric equations,
\[dx=-3a\cos^2t\sin t\,dt\]\[dy=3a\sin^2t\cos t\,dt.\]Substituting the parametric values of \(x\), \(y\), \(dx\) and \(dy\),
Therefore,
Taking \(\sin^2t\cos^2t\) as the common factor,
Since \(\cos^2t+\sin^2t=1\),
\[A=\frac{3a^2}{2}\int_0^{2\pi}\sin^2t\cos^2t\,dt.\]The astroid is symmetric in all four quadrants. Hence,
Therefore,
\[A=6a^2\int_0^{\pi/2}\sin^2t\cos^2t\,dt.\]Now,
Hence,
\[A=6a^2\left(\frac{\pi}{16}\right)\]\[A=\frac{3\pi a^2}{8}.\]State Green’s theorem in the plane and use it to find the area of the hypocycloid
By Green’s theorem,
The Cartesian equation of the generalised hypocycloid is
Use the parametric form
Indeed,
Differentiating the parametric equations,
\[dx=-3a\cos^2t\sin t\,dt\]\[dy=3b\sin^2t\cos t\,dt.\]Substituting the parametric values of \(x\), \(y\), \(dx\) and \(dy\),
Therefore,
Taking \(\sin^2t\cos^2t\) as the common factor,
Since \(\cos^2t+\sin^2t=1\),
\[A=\frac{3ab}{2}\int_0^{2\pi}\sin^2t\cos^2t\,dt.\]The curve is symmetric in all four quadrants. Hence,
Therefore,
\[A=6ab\int_0^{\pi/2}\sin^2t\cos^2t\,dt.\]Now,
Hence,
\[A=6ab\left(\frac{\pi}{16}\right)\]\[A=\frac{3\pi ab}{8}.\]Using Green’s theorem, find the area enclosed by the astroid
By Green’s theorem,
The Cartesian equation of the astroid is
\[x^{2/3}+y^{2/3}=a^{2/3}.\]Use the parametric form
Indeed,
Differentiating the parametric equations,
\[dx=-3a\cos^2t\sin t\,dt\]\[dy=3a\sin^2t\cos t\,dt.\]Substituting the parametric values of \(x\), \(y\), \(dx\) and \(dy\),
Therefore,
Taking \(\sin^2t\cos^2t\) as the common factor,
Since \(\cos^2t+\sin^2t=1\),
\[A=\frac{3a^2}{2}\int_0^{2\pi}\sin^2t\cos^2t\,dt.\]The astroid is symmetric in all four quadrants. Hence,
Therefore,
\[A=6a^2\int_0^{\pi/2}\sin^2t\cos^2t\,dt.\]Now,
Hence,
\[A=6a^2\left(\frac{\pi}{16}\right)\]\[A=\frac{3\pi a^2}{8}.\]