We can directly integrate the left integral as a dou-

ble integral
ZZ
∂M
− dA
D ∂y
Proof of Green’s theorem Z b Z δ(x)
∂M
Math 131 Multivariate Calculus = − dy dx
a γ(x) ∂y
D Joyce, Spring 2014 δ(x)
Z b

= −M (x, y) dx
Summary of the discussion so far. a y=γ(x)
Z b

= M (x, γ(x)) − M (x, δ(x)) dx
I ZZ  
∂N ∂M
M dx + N dy = − dA. a
∂D D ∂x ∂y Z b Z b
= M (t, γ(t)) dt − (t, δ(t)) dt
Green’s theorem can be interpreted as a planer a a
case of Stokes’ theorem We’re almost done. The first integral
I ZZ Z b
F · ds = (∇ × F) · k dA. M (t, γ(t)) dt
∂D D
a

In words, that says the integral of the vector field is the path integral along Z the curve y = γ(x) from
F around the boundary ∂D equals the integral of
left to right, that is, it is M (x, y) dx. Likewise,
the curl of F over the region D. In the next chapter γ
Z b
we’ll study Stokes’ theorem in 3-space.
Green’s theorem implies the divergence theorem the second integral (t, δ(t)) dt is the parameter-
a
in the plane. ization along the curve y = δ(x) from left to right,
I ZZ but that portion of the boundary ∂D should go
F · n ds = ∇ · F dA. from right to left, and the minus sign reverses the
∂D D orientation. The two vertical sides x = a and x = b
dx
It says that the integral around the boundary ∂D of D form the other two parts of ∂D. Since dt is
of the the normal component of the vector field F 0 on those vertical paths, therefore
equals the double integral over the region D of the Z Z
dx
Z
divergence of F. M (x, y) dx = M (x, y) dt = 0 dt = 0
dt
along them. Therefore,
Proof of Green’s theorem. We’ll show why
Z b Z b
Green’s theorem is true for elementary regions D.
I
These regions can be patched together to give more M (t, γ(t)) dt − (t, δ(t)) dt = M (x, y) dx
a a ∂D
general regions.
First, suppose that D is a region of “type 1,” that Likewise, if D is a region of “type 2,” that is, one
is, it can be described by inequalities a ≤ x ≤ b and bounded between horizontal lines, then
γ(x) ≤ y ≤ δ(x) where γ and δ are C 1 functions.
ZZ I
∂N
First, we’ll show that dA = N (x, y) dy
D ∂x ∂D

where the minus sign is dropped because the sym-

ZZ I
∂M
− dA = M (x, y) dx metry exchanging y for x reverses orientation.
D ∂y ∂D

1
Adding these two equations gives Green’s theorem
for D
ZZ   I
∂N ∂M
− dA = M (x, y) dx+N (x, y) dy
D ∂x ∂y ∂D

That takes care of the case when the region is of

both type 1 and type 2. But regions that can be
decomposed into a finite number of these can be
patched together to take care of the general case.
q.e.d.
There are other proofs that are more inclusive
to show that some regions that are a union of an
infinite number of these regions also satisfy Green’s
theorem.

Math 131 Home Page at

http://math.clarku.edu/~djoyce/ma131/