# Calculate work for different paths [closed]

I've been given the following problem:

I honestly have no clue on how to approach it. I don't know how to approach those forces. Can someone give me some guidance?

## closed as off-topic by ACuriousMind♦May 2 '17 at 9:33

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• The text says "which of these forces...". $F_1$ and $F_2$ are forces. What is your question about these? – Steeven May 2 '17 at 7:58
• @Steeven Let me rephrase it. I don't know how to approach those forces. I don't know how to get the meaning of deltaxy(i+j) and apply it to calculate it times the distance to get W. – carloscc May 2 '17 at 8:03
• $\hat i$ and $\hat j$ are the coordinate axes (base vectors). They just define the direction of the forces. Do you know the formula to calculate work? – Steeven May 2 '17 at 8:04
• @Steeven It is Force times Distance. So I just plug the x and y values and then time it with the distance? – carloscc May 2 '17 at 8:07
• That is unfortunately not correct. The formula $W=Fd$ is a shortcut. It requires a constant and parallel force. Your two forces are neither. (The first one seems to be parallel to the first path all the way though, but it isn't constant.) you will have to use the more general expression for work. – Steeven May 2 '17 at 8:18

However since the forces depend on position you will have to integrate along the chosen path so you will be using work done = $\int \vec F \cdot d \vec s$.