A Few Small Integration Problems

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up integrals for calculating volumes of solids of revolution, specifically involving the function y=tan^3(x) and the line y=1, as well as conceptual questions regarding work and potential energy in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore how to correctly set up integrals for volume calculations using the disk method and question the correct orientation of the functions involved. There are also inquiries about the relationship between work done on a spring and its potential energy.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered corrections and clarifications regarding the setup of the integrals, while others are still questioning the implications of their findings. The discussion appears to be ongoing with multiple interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of potential misunderstandings regarding the continuity of the tangent function and the proper application of the disk method for volume calculations. Additionally, there are references to specific textbooks for conceptual clarity on work and energy.

Lancelot59
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I just have a few small questions.

For this first question I need to setup the integral to find the volume defined by.

[tex]y=tan^{3}(x)[/tex], [tex]y=1[/tex], and [tex]x=0[/tex] by rotating it about y=1.

My result was this:
[tex]\pi\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}} {(tan^{3}(x) - 1)^{2}dx}[/tex]

From my understanding all you need to do is offset the function by the axis in order to make it work. But the actual answer is:
[tex]\pi\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}} {(1 - tan^{3}(x))^{2}dx}[/tex]

Which looks like it would do something else entirely. I had a similar issue when doing the same thing for sin(x) about y=1. What's going on here?

My second issue is a conceptual question involving work. Just to make sure I have the order of everything correct, how does say, the work done to move a spring relate to it's potential energy? Is it the integral of work = potential energy?
 
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Lancelot59 said:
I just have a few small questions.

For this first question I need to setup the integral to find the volume defined by.

[tex]y=tan^{3}(x)[/tex], [tex]y=1[/tex], and [tex]x=0[/tex] by rotating it about y=1.
The tangent function (and its cube) are not continuous in the interval [0, pi], which you show below. The region being rotated is bounded by the y-axis, the line y = 1, and the graph of y = tan^3(x). For another, you are apparently using disks, but haven't set up the integral correctly. Using disks, the typical volume element [itex]\Delta V[/itex] is pi * R2[itex]\Delta x[/itex], where R is the radius from the line y = 1 to the curve.
Lancelot59 said:
My result was this:
[tex]\pi\int_{0}^{\pi} {(tan^{3}(x) - 1)dx}[/tex]

From my understanding all you need to do is offset the function by the axis in order to make it work. But the actual answer is:
[tex]\pi\int_{0}^{\pi} {(1 - tan^{3}(x))dx}[/tex]


Which looks like it would do something else entirely. I had a similar issue when doing the same thing for sin(x) about y=1. What's going on here?
Yes, that doesn't look right at all, based on the information you have given.
Lancelot59 said:
My second issue is a conceptual question involving work. Just to make sure I have the order of everything correct, how does say, the work done to move a spring relate to it's potential energy? Is it the integral of work = potential energy?
 
Sorry, I forgot to square the function when I entered it in...and I meant to put pi/4. I've corrected it now.

From what I was told in class though, all I need to do to get the volume using the disk method is this:

[tex]V = \int_{b}^{a} [f(x)]^{2} dx[/tex]

and if I was revolving around a differnet axis, say y=-3 then I would just do this:

[tex]V = \int_{b}^{a} [f(x)+3]^{2} dx[/tex]
 
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I think you have it now. To recap, your integral should look like this:
[tex]V = \pi \int_{0}^{\pi/4} [tan^3(x) - 1]^{2} dx[/tex]
 
That's what I got, but the book has the 1 and the cubic tangent reversed.
 
When you calculate the overall radius of the shell you should have R - r, with R being the larger y value and r being the smaller y value. In this case, the overall radius is 1 - tan^3(x). Doesn't matter in this case, because it's squared.
 
Lancelot59 said:
My second issue is a conceptual question involving work. Just to make sure I have the order of everything correct, how does say, the work done to move a spring relate to it's potential energy? Is it the integral of work = potential energy?
I had to look it up in my Halliday & Resnick, which says
[tex]W = \Delta K = - \Delta U[/tex]
where W = work, [itex]\Delta K[/itex] = change in kinetic energy, and [itex]\Delta U[/itex] = change in potential energy

If a force F is applied in a straight line, work W is defined as

[tex]W = \int_{x_0}^x F(x) dx[/tex]
 
Mark44 said:
When you calculate the overall radius of the shell you should have R - r, with R being the larger y value and r being the smaller y value. In this case, the overall radius is 1 - tan^3(x). Doesn't matter in this case, because it's squared.
Right, I see now.

Mark44 said:
I had to look it up in my Halliday & Resnick, which says
[tex]W = \Delta K = - \Delta U[/tex]
where W = work, [itex]\Delta K[/itex] = change in kinetic energy, and [itex]\Delta U[/itex] = change in potential energy

If a force F is applied in a straight line, work W is defined as

[tex]W = \int_{x_0}^x F(x) dx[/tex]

Great. Thanks for the help!
 

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