Area of a Circle: Solving the Equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mathematical derivation of the area of a circle, particularly focusing on expressing the area in terms of the variable Y when the center of the circle is at (0, r). Participants explore integration techniques and the implications of using different coordinate transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the equation of a circle and attempts to derive the area using integration, expressing concern that their result may be incorrect.
  • Another participant suggests that calculating the area of the whole circle may lead to issues since Y is not a single-valued function of X when considering the entire circle.
  • A third participant agrees with the previous comment and notes that without seeing the integral used, it is difficult to identify the error in the initial result.
  • A later reply provides a starting point for the integration process, outlining a method to calculate the area of a quarter circle using a trigonometric substitution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the correctness of the initial approach and agree that the method may need refinement. There is no consensus on the validity of the calculations presented, and multiple viewpoints on how to approach the problem remain evident.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the integration approach may depend on the specific transformations used and the limits of integration. The discussion highlights the complexity of deriving the area of a circle in terms of Y and the potential pitfalls of treating the entire circle as a single-valued function.

Vector1962
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TL;DR
area of a circle in terms of Y if center of circle is at (0 , r) --> A=f(y)
i can write the equation of circle easy enough, x^2+(y-r)^2=r^2. i get A=r^2/2 * asin((y-r)/r) + (y-r)/2 * sqrt(r^2 - (y-r)^2) through integration (using change of variable). Letting u = (y-r) and u^2=(y-r)^2, du= dy. Here's the rub... it's not right... :-) Appreciate and thanks in advance for any pointers... it's been a long time since I've done anything like this.
 
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Vector1962 said:
Summary: area of a circle in terms of Y if center of circle is at (0 , r) --> A=f(y)

i can write the equation of circle easy enough, x^2+(y-r)^2=r^2. i get A=r^2/2 * asin((y-r)/r) + (y-r)/2 * sqrt(r^2 - (y-r)^2) through integration (using change of variable). Letting u = (y-r) and u^2=(y-r)^2, du= dy. Here's the rub... it's not right... :-) Appreciate and thanks in advance for any pointers... it's been a long time since I've done anything like this.
I'm not sure I know what you are doing. Normally, you would calculate the area of half or a quarter of the circle using ##x^2 + (y - r)^2 = r^2##. If you try to do the whole circle, then ##y## is not a single-valued function of ##x##.
 
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Vector1962 said:
i get A=r^2/2 * asin((y-r)/r) + (y-r)/2 * sqrt(r^2 - (y-r)^2) through integration (using change of variable).
I agree with @PeroK's comment. Seeing only your result, but not the integral you used, it's hard to say why your result is wrong.
 
Here is a start for you

## x^2 + (y-r)^2 = r^2 ##

##u = y-r##

## \displaystyle \dfrac{A}{4} = \int_0^r \sqrt{r^2 - x^2}\mathrm{d} x
= r \int_0^r \sqrt{1 - x^2/r^2}\mathrm{d} x##

##x= r \sin t##, ##x = 0 ##gives ##t = 0##, ##x = r## gives ##t = \pi / 2 ##

##\mathrm{d}x = r \cos t \mathrm{d}t ##

## \displaystyle \dfrac{A}{4} = r\int_0^{\pi/2} \sqrt{1 - \sin^2t} \cos t \mathrm{d} t
##
 

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