Area of a Circle: Solving the Equation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the area of a circle using the equation \(x^2 + (y - r)^2 = r^2\) and integrating to express the area in terms of \(y\). The initial attempt resulted in the formula \(A = \frac{r^2}{2} \cdot \arcsin\left(\frac{y - r}{r}\right) + \frac{(y - r)}{2} \cdot \sqrt{r^2 - (y - r)^2}\), which was identified as incorrect. Participants emphasized the importance of calculating the area of a quarter or half of the circle and provided insights on the integration process needed to arrive at the correct area formula.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the equation of a circle: \(x^2 + (y - r)^2 = r^2\)
  • Knowledge of integration techniques, particularly substitution methods
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities and their applications in calculus
  • Basic understanding of area calculations in geometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the area of a circle using polar coordinates
  • Learn about integration techniques for calculating areas under curves
  • Explore the application of trigonometric substitution in integral calculus
  • Review the properties of inverse trigonometric functions and their geometric interpretations
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, engineering students, and anyone interested in advanced calculus and geometric applications will benefit from this discussion.

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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