# finding line integral with potential function [duplicate]

Evaluate the line integral

$$\int_C (\ln y) e^{-x} \,dx - \dfrac{e^{-x}}{y}\,dy + z\,dz$$

where C is the curve parametrized by $r(t)=(t-1)i+e^{t^4}j+(t^2+1)k$ for $0\leq t\leq 1$

I know that the potential function is $$f(x, y, z) = -e^{-x}\ln y + \frac{z^2}{2} + C$$ but exactly how would I use that to evaluate the line integral?

## marked as duplicate by Simon S, Winther, Aditya Hase, ml0105, hardmathNov 28 '14 at 3:35

Pretty much like an ordinary real integral. The potential function takes the place of the antiderivative; if the the path goes from $A$ to $B$ then the integral is $$f(B)-f(A)\ .$$ In this case $A$ is $r(0)$ and $B$ is $r(1)$. Can you do the calculations?
• I don't think $r(0)$ is $(0,0,0)$ is it? Look at the formula for $r(t)$. – David Nov 28 '14 at 1:51
• Now you have to calculate $f(B)-f(A)$. You know $f$, you know $B$, you know $A$, so you should not have any difficulty with this. – David Nov 28 '14 at 2:08