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J-villa
May31-09, 10:33 AM
EDIT - Solved. Thank you.

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Find the Centroid of the region bounded by the x-axis and \sqrt{9-x^2}


2. Relevant equations
So far, I found my Mx which ended up being 27p after applying this forumula:
p\int(\frac{\sqrt{9-x^2}+0}{2}) (\sqrt{9-x^2}-0)dx
*My interval was [-3,3]

3. The attempt at a solution

My problem is when I go to find the mass so I can find the centroid and get my final answer. The equation to find the mass is:

m=p\int[f(x)-g(x)]dx

so when applying the formula to my problem, I get this:

m=p\int\sqrt{9-x^2}

So really, it ends up being a simple integration stumble. I just can't figure out how to integrate this. I tried the substitution rule, but it didn't work out.

Can someone point me in the right direction please?

elliotician
May31-09, 11:09 AM
I'm guessing you have probably gone wrong somewhere unfortunately i don't know where. But the solution to your integral:

http://www5a.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP8641961aa713bih43db00000ebbd4gc0a51fd4i?MSPStor eType=image/gif&s=15

J-villa
May31-09, 11:40 AM
Thank you greatly for the reply. I'm in Calc. II, learning all this integration as fast as I can and I stumble here and there in my theorems.

I was looking at my inverse and hyperbolic trig. functions to try and make a connection, but never thought of double substituting regular sine.

However, I'm not the kinda person to write an answer/work down and claim it as my own, especially since I won't be able to do it when the test comes, so using your reply I have a few questions.

#1 - I notice you didn't see the constant (p) I have to have prior to the integral. I'm guessing that the p would just go along for the ride with the all the other constants.

#2 - speaking of constants, how did you get that 9 outside the integral (Step:1/2)? I was thinking you just pulled the 9 out from the integrand; but wouldn't that leave a 1-sin^2?

Once again, thanks for the responses. I'm going to be lurking on these forums a lot more often now.

elliotician
May31-09, 12:09 PM
We are using the constant multiple rule for integration and 1-sin^2=cos^2.

J-villa
May31-09, 01:37 PM
We are using the constant multiple rule for integration and 1-sin^2=cos^2.

oh, duh'. I appreciate the help. I'll respond soon w/ my answer.

vaibhav1803
May31-09, 01:53 PM
substitute x=3sin(t)..and the answer comes by itself...