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We know that certain 1-D forms $m(x,y,z)\,dx + n(x,y,z)\,dy + p(x,y,z)\,dz$ admit integrating factors as we teach in basic differential equations. How does the integrating factor geometrically turn this "unlayered" situation into the "layered situation" of level surfaces with the new vector field being the gradient field of of a suitably differentiable function $f(x,y,z)$ of $3$ variables. I know that the general question of integrability is very complicated. Just a good intuitive example would suffice.

I know how an integrating factor which is essentially a continuous "reweighting" of the vector field can make the required the field "exact" algebraically. What I want to get a feel for is "What is happening geometrically?". How is a vector field which is wandering around and many times trying to form closed loops and does not "layer" transformed geometrically into a vector field which is inwardly or outwardly directed by the "layered" set of level surfaces when before there were no natural surfaces to assign to the vector field?

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    An integrating factor does not uncurl a vector field. What it does is stretch the vectors while preserving their directions in such a way that the field becomes a gradient flow (i.e. admits a potential).2011-08-15
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    All-caps is interpreted as yelling in sites like this. For emphasis, you can use *italics* (either `*emphasis*` or `_emphasis_`) or **boldface** (`**emphasis**`).2011-08-16

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