Finding The Volume Of Solid Using Triple Integrals II

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the volume of a solid bounded by two paraboloids, specifically z = x^2 + y^2 and z = 36 - 3x^2 - 3y^2. Participants explore the setup of triple integrals to compute this volume, questioning the most effective coordinate system to use.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using both Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates for setting up the triple integral. Some suggest splitting the volume into two parts for easier integration, while others argue against this approach, citing the symmetry of the problem.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to set up the integral, with some participants providing guidance on the use of cylindrical coordinates. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being considered, and while some participants express uncertainty about their approaches, others provide insights that may help clarify the setup.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the intersection of the paraboloids and the limits of integration, indicating a need to carefully consider the bounds when setting up the integral. There is also a reference to the symmetry of the problem, which influences the choice of coordinate system.

wubie
Hello,

I am still unsure of my ability to evaluate the volume of a solid using triple integrals. Here is my question:

Find the volume of the region bounded by the paraboloids

z = x^2 + y^2

and

z = 36 - 3x^2 - 3y^2

Now I know that the intersection of the two paraboloids is

9 = x^2 + y^2.

But I am unsure how to set up the triple integral. I was thinking of splitting the volume into two halves.

But as I am writing this I am not sure that I have to do that. I would say I could set up the triple integral with the following limits of integration as so:

Let E be the solid in question. Then

E = {(x,y,z) | -3 <= x <= 3, -(9-x^2)^1/2 <= y <= (9-x^2)^1/2, x^2 + y^2 <= z <= 36 - 3x^2 - 3y^2 }

How does this look? First I would integrate with respect to z, then y then x.

I was thinking that I could split the solid into two triple integrals as such:

E = {(x,y,z) | -3 <= x <= 3, -(9-x^2)^1/2 <= y <= (9-x^2)^1/2, x^2 + y^2 <= z <= 9 }

and

E = {(x,y,z) | -3 <= x <= 3, -(9-x^2)^1/2 <= y <= (9-x^2)^1/2, 9 <= z <= 36 - 3x^2 - 3y^2 }

But I don't see a problem with the first way I set up the triple integral. However I haven't tried to integrate it as of yet.

Any thoughts on the problem would be appreciated. Thankyou.
 
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I really wouldn't do this volume in cartesian coordinates. This one's just begging for cylindrical coordinates (it's got rotational symmetry about the z-axis), so, without further ado:

z = x^2 + y^2 = r^2
z = 36 - 3x^2 - 3y^2 = 36 - 3r^2

r^2 = 36 - 3r^2
r = 3
z = 9

So the integral intersects when r = 3 and z = 9. It's not easy to figure out that it'd be real difficult do this in only one integral, so let's split the solid up into two smaller solids and add them.

Volume 1: The solid enclosed by z = r^2 and the plane z = 9.
Volume 2: The solid enclosed by the plane z = 9 and z = 36 - r^2

I'll do Volume 1, and you can have your hand at Volume 2.

Let's start with the obvious and go from there:

[tex]\int\!\!\!\int\!\!\!\int_{V_1}1\,dV[/tex]

So we have some kind of triple-integral over some volue. Since we're doing this is cylindrical coordinates,

[tex]dV = r\,dz\,dr\,d\theta[/tex]
with [itex]dz\,dr\,d\theta[/itex] arranged in whichever order we want.

Just because the math works out the easiest, I'll choose the order I wrote. So we have,

[tex]\int_{\theta_\textrm{low}}^{\theta_\textrm{high}}\!\!\!\int_{r_\textrm{low}(\theta)}^{z_\textrm{high}(\theta)}\!\!\!\int_{z_\textrm{low}(r,\theta)}^{z_\textrm{high}(r,\theta)}r\,dz\,dr\,d\theta[/tex]

For [itex]V_1[/itex],
[tex]z_\textrm{low}(r,\theta) = r^2[/tex]
[tex]z_\textrm{high}(r,\theta) = 9[/tex]
[tex]r_\textrm{low}(\theta) = 0[/tex]
[tex]r_\textrm{high}(\theta) = 3[/tex]
[tex]\theta_\textrm{low} = 0[/tex]
[tex]\theta_\textrm{low} = 2\pi[/tex]

So that gives us:

[tex]\int_0^{2\pi}\!\!\!\int_0^3\!\!\!\int_{r^2}^9r\,dz\,dr\,d\theta = \frac{81\pi}{2} = V_1[/tex]

Sorry about the 24-hour wait.

I got [itex]V = V_1 + V_2 = 243\pi[/tex] as the final answer.<br /> <br /> If you want, I can write up a way to do it in Cartesian coordinates but, as I said, it's not exactly pretty.<br /> <br /> cookiemonster[/itex]
 
This one's just begging for cylindrical coordinates

Yes. I thought so too. However I usually try to set up the integral using cartesian coordinates then I show the conversion to polar coordinates.

I ended up doing the question in polar coordinates but I don't remember my answer.

I also ended up doing the question in one volume instead of two. I used the upper limit of

36 - 3r^2

and a lower limit of

r^2.

However, intuitively, I thought that splitting up the integral into two separate integrals was the way to go. And I think that is what I should have done in the first place.

Thanks again for the help cookiemonster.

Chhers.
 
I don't see any reason to "break the solid up into two smaller solids and add them". The parabola z= 36- 3x2- 3y2= 36- 3r2 is always above the parabola z= x2+ y2= r2 so that will be the upper and lower limits on the "z" integration. There is complete circular symmetry so the &theta; integration will be from 0 to 2&pi;. Finally, all of the volume lies inside the circle or intersection (which has radius 3) so the r integration will be from 0 to 3.
In cylindrical coordinates the volume is given by
[tex]\int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi}\int_{r=0}^3\int_{z=r^2}^{36-3r^2}rdzdrd\theta[/tex].

That reduces very quickly to [tex]2\pi\int_0^3r(36-3r^2-r^2)dr[/tex] or
[tex]2\pi\int_0^3(36r- 4r^3)dr[/tex]
 
Y'know what, HallsofIvy (and wubie, originally) is absolutely right. No reason to split them up. Silly cookie should pay more attention.

cookiemonster
 
Thanks very much to the both of you for your insights. It's good to be aware of different approaches.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers.
 
answer is actually 162*pi... not 81/2 pi... you just multiply the 2pi through the equation at the end, not divide.
 

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