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What happens to the stepped boundary and the summation expression as the grid size approaches zero in the proof of Green's Theorem?

As the grid size approaches zero, the stepped outer boundary converges uniformly to the original smooth curve L, and the summation expression becomes the exact Riemann sum for the function (∂Q/∂x−∂P/∂y)(\partial Q/\partial x - \partial P/\partial y), which converts into a double integral over region D.

Conditions

  • The mesh becomes infinitely dense (Δx,Δy→0\Delta x, \Delta y \to 0).
  • P and Q have continuous first partial derivatives.
  • The boundary L is piecewise smooth.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Let the grid size approach zero.
  2. Observe that the stepped outer boundary converges to the smooth curve L.
  3. Recognize that the summation of (∂Q/∂x−∂P/∂y)Δσ(\partial Q/\partial x - \partial P/\partial y) \Delta \sigma becomes a Riemann sum.
  4. Convert the Riemann sum into a double integral over D.
  5. Derive Green's Theorem: the line integral along L equals the double integral of the curl over D.

Example

The script states: 'As the mesh becomes infinitely dense—meaning Δx and Δy approach zero—the stepped outer boundary on the left side converges uniformly to the original smooth curve L... Simultaneously, the summation expression on the right becomes the exact Riemann sum... which naturally converts into a double integral.'

Common misconceptions

  • Thinking that the stepped boundary remains distinct from the smooth curve L in the limit.
  • Believing that the summation remains a discrete sum rather than becoming an integral.

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