2 cylinders intersect, area of resulting parametric surface

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the area of a parametric surface formed by the intersection of two cylinders. The problem involves using vector calculus and surface integrals to determine the area, with specific reference to symmetry and integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods for calculating the area, including subdividing the surface using symmetry and converting to polar coordinates. There are questions about the correctness of specific calculations and expressions used in the area formula.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided alternative methods and preliminary calculations that yield the same area result. There is ongoing exploration of the mathematical reasoning behind the calculations, with some participants questioning specific steps and expressions used in the original attempts.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster is working from a problem set that only provides answers for odd-numbered problems, which may influence their approach and verification of results.

kostoglotov
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Homework Statement



I want to know if I got the answer correct and if my reasoning is sound. The text answers and solutions manual only gives answers/solutions for odd numbered problems.

Here is the problem:
Tko1xFh.png


And a direct link to the imgur page: http://i.imgur.com/Tko1xFh.png

Homework Equations



A(S) = \int \int_D \left|\vec{r}_u\times\vec{r}_v\right|dA

The Attempt at a Solution



Instead of trying to come up with a parametric vector equation for the entire surface, I started subdividing the surface as much as possible using symmetry. I got it down to one sixteenth of the whole surface. Basically, just consider the surface in the first octant, and then divide that in two again along the line y = x.

By doing that I get the following:

A(S) = 16 \times \int\int_D\left|\vec{r}_x\times\vec{r}_y\right|dA

where \vec{r} = \left< x,y,\sqrt{1-x^2}\right> and D = \{(x,y)|0\leq x \leq 1, 0 \leq y \leq x\}

so

\vec{r}_x = \langle 1,0,\frac{-x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} \rangle and \vec{r}_y = \langle 0,1,0 \rangle

\vec{r}_x \times \vec{r}_y = \langle \frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}},0,1 \rangle

\left| \vec{r}_x \times \vec{r}_y \right| = \sqrt{1+\frac{x^2}{1-x^2}} = \frac{1}{1-x^2}

Now

A(S) = 16 \times \int_0^1\int_0^x \frac{1}{1-x^2} dydx

A(S) = 16 \times \int_0^1 \frac{x}{1-x^2} dx = -16 \times\left[\sqrt{1-x^2}\right]_0^1 = 16
 
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kostoglotov said:

Homework Statement



I want to know if I got the answer correct and if my reasoning is sound. The text answers and solutions manual only gives answers/solutions for odd numbered problems.

Here is the problem:
Tko1xFh.png


And a direct link to the imgur page: http://i.imgur.com/Tko1xFh.png

Homework Equations



A(S) = \int \int_D \left|\vec{r}_u\times\vec{r}_v\right|dA

The Attempt at a Solution



Instead of trying to come up with a parametric vector equation for the entire surface, I started subdividing the surface as much as possible using symmetry. I got it down to one sixteenth of the whole surface. Basically, just consider the surface in the first octant, and then divide that in two again along the line y = x.

By doing that I get the following:

A(S) = 16 \times \int\int_D\left|\vec{r}_x\times\vec{r}_y\right|dA

where \vec{r} = \left< x,y,\sqrt{1-x^2}\right> and D = \{(x,y)|0\leq x \leq 1, 0 \leq y \leq x\}

so

\vec{r}_x = \langle 1,0,\frac{-x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} \rangle and \vec{r}_y = \langle 0,1,0 \rangle

\vec{r}_x \times \vec{r}_y = \langle \frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}},0,1 \rangle

\left| \vec{r}_x \times \vec{r}_y \right| = \sqrt{1+\frac{x^2}{1-x^2}} = \frac{1}{1-x^2}
Shouldn't that be$$
\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}$$
 
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LCKurtz said:
Shouldn't that be$$
\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}$$

Typo :) In my original work that typo isn't there.
 
I haven't tried to follow your working (yet), but a mental calculation using a simpler method gives me 16 also.
 
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haruspex said:
I haven't tried to follow your working (yet), but a mental calculation using a simpler method gives me 16 also.
My method:
Convert the xz plane to polar, measuring theta from lowest point.
Consider face on the positive x side.
Between ##\theta## and ##\theta+d\theta##, there is a rectangle measuring ##r.d\theta## by ##2r\sin(\theta)##. Integrate 0 to ##\pi## and multiply by 4.
 

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