Area of Cone \(z^2 = 4x^2 + 4y^2\) 0-4: Solve & Find Answer

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the surface area of a cone defined by the equation \(z^2 = 4x^2 + 4y^2\) within the bounds \(0 \leq z \leq 4\). Participants explore various methods for solving the problem, including surface integrals and geometric reasoning, while addressing conceptual challenges related to integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Mac, expresses confusion about the surface integral approach and suggests an integration method that leads to an area of \(8\pi^2\sqrt{5}\), which conflicts with the solution manual's answer of \(4\sqrt{5}\).
  • Another participant provides a geometric perspective, stating that the curved surface area of the cone can be calculated as \(4\pi\) times the slant height divided by two, resulting in \(4\pi\sqrt{5}\).
  • There is a proposal to switch to cylindrical coordinates for integration, with a surface element defined as \((z/2)\;d\theta\; (\sqrt{5}/2) dz\), leading to an area expression involving \(z\).
  • Mac questions the necessity of using a triple integral in cylindrical coordinates and expresses a preference for spherical integration, seeking clarification on the integration setup.
  • Another participant points out that the area expression derived from integration does not equal \(4\pi\sqrt{5}\), suggesting a potential error in the integration process.
  • There is a discussion about the Jacobian and whether factors in the integration setup are being accounted for correctly, with some participants noting discrepancies in the factors used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct method for calculating the surface area, with no consensus reached on the final answer or the integration approach. Disagreements arise regarding the integration setup and the factors involved in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their understanding of geometric concepts and integration techniques, which may affect their ability to solve the problem correctly. There are unresolved questions about the appropriate use of cylindrical versus spherical coordinates and the correct application of the Jacobian in the context of surface integrals.

MacLaddy1
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Hello all,

I've hit a roadblock on a question regarding Surface Integrals. I seem to be having a problem conceptualizing many of these concepts. Anyway, here goes.

Find the area of the following surface using an explicit description of a surface.

The cone \(z^2 = 4x^2 + 4y^2\) for \(0\leq z\leq4\)

I have solved for z and found the dS portion to = \(\sqrt{5}\) dA. This jives with the answer sheet that I have. It's the rest that I seem to be having troubles with.

Since it's a cone, shouldn't I just integrate like so?

\(\sqrt{5}\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^4 (1)dz rdr \mbox{ for a final answer of }8\pi^2\sqrt5 \mbox{? The solution manual is showing an answer of }4\sqrt5\).

Any assistance, or a point in the right direction, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mac
 
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MacLaddy said:
Hello all,

I've hit a roadblock on a question regarding Surface Integrals. I seem to be having a problem conceptualizing many of these concepts. Anyway, here goes.

Find the area of the following surface using an explicit description of a surface.

The cone \(z^2 = 4x^2 + 4y^2\) for \(0\leq z\leq4\)

I have solved for z and found the dS portion to = \(\sqrt{5}\) dA. This jives with the answer sheet that I have. It's the rest that I seem to be having troubles with.

Since it's a cone, shouldn't I just integrate like so?

\(\sqrt{5}\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^4 (1)dz rdr \mbox{ for a final answer of }8\pi^2\sqrt5 \mbox{? The solution manual is showing an answer of }4\sqrt5\).

Any assistance, or a point in the right direction, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mac

First observe that you have a cone with slant height \(2 \sqrt{5}\) and base radius \(2\), so the curved surface area is the circumference of the base (\(4 \pi\)) times the slant heigh over two = \(4 \pi \sqrt{5}\).

Now let's do this using integration. First switch to cylindrical polars, then the surface element is \((z/2)\;d\theta\; (\sqrt{5}/2) dz\), so the area is:

\[A=\int_{z=0}^4 \int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} \frac{z}{2} d\theta dz\]

etc...

(you should always draw a picture for these problems if you can)
 
Last edited:
CaptainBlack said:
First observe that you have a cone with slant height \(2 \sqrt{5}\) and base radius \(2\), so the curved surface area is the circumference of the base (\(4 \pi\)) times the slant heigh over two = \(4 \pi \sqrt{5}\).

Now let's do this using integration. First switch to cylindrical polars, then the surface element is \((z/2)\;d\theta\; (\sqrt{5}/2) dz\), so the area is:

\[A=\int_{z=0}^4 \int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} z d\theta dz\]

etc...

(you should always draw a picture for these problems if you can)

Thanks Captain, I appreciate the assistance.

I do have a couple of follow up questions, as I'm still not quite grasping this as well as I should.

I never actually took geometry, which is funny considering I'm now in Multivariate Calculus, but I haven't really needed it up to this point. So even though I know and can figure things out with simple geometry, it isn't usually the first thing that pops in my head when these problems arise.

I am still having some problems understanding this line,
CaptainBlack said:
Now let's do this using integration. First switch to cylindrical polars, then the surface element is \((z/2)\;d\theta\; (\sqrt{5}/2) dz\), so the area is:

\[A=\int_{z=0}^4 \int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} z d\theta dz\]

When doing cylindrical integrals in polar, I was under the impression that I had to use a triple integral? Also, for this particular question above my first instinct would be to use spherical integration, but I guess that would just find the area of the cone?

Can you clarify where you found \((z/2)\;d\theta\; (\sqrt{5}/2) dz\)? Also, why is there an extra factor of "z" in your integrand? Is that similar to the Jacobian rdr, but zdz instead?

To assist you in assisting me, the things I do understand are, of course, the radius, the slant height (or hypotenuse in my non-geometry world). I also see that \(z^2 = 4x^2 + 4y^2\mbox{ can be worked to equal }\frac{z}{2}=r\), but I don't know if that is where you came up with \((z/2)\;d\theta\), or how it applies.

Thanks again, I appreciate the assistance.

Mac
 
MacLaddy said:
Thanks Captain, I appreciate the assistance.

I do have a couple of follow up questions, as I'm still not quite grasping this as well as I should.

I never actually took geometry, which is funny considering I'm now in Multivariate Calculus, but I haven't really needed it up to this point. So even though I know and can figure things out with simple geometry, it isn't usually the first thing that pops in my head when these problems arise.

I am still having some problems understanding this line,

You draw a picture of the surface element at a point on the surface where angle subtended by the element is \(\Delta \theta\) and height is \(\Delta z\) and calculate its area for small \(\Delta\)s (so they are replaced by \(d\theta\) and \(dz\) )

When doing cylindrical integrals in polar, I was under the impression that I had to use a triple integral? Also, for this particular question above my first instinct would be to use spherical integration, but I guess that would just find the area of the cone?

Can you clarify where you found \((z/2)\;d\theta\; (\sqrt{5}/2) dz\)? Also, why is there an extra factor of "z" in your integrand? Is that similar to the Jacobian rdr, but zdz instead?

Yes, as you would be able to see if you draw a picture.

To assist you in assisting me, the things I do understand are, of course, the radius, the slant height (or hypotenuse in my non-geometry world). I also see that \(z^2 = 4x^2 + 4y^2\mbox{ can be worked to equal }\frac{z}{2}=r\), but I don't know if that is where you came up with \((z/2)\;d\theta\), or how it applies.

Thanks again, I appreciate the assistance.

The area of a surface patch is \(r\;d\theta dl\) where \(dl\) is the distance in the surface between \(z\) and \(z+dz\) and you replace \(r\) by its equivalent in terms of \(z\).

As I have said repeatedly draw a picture showing the area element on the surface between \(\theta\) and \(\theta+\Delta \theta\) and \(z\) and \(z+\Delta z\) and claculate its area.

CB
 
CaptainBlack said:
You draw a picture of the surface element at a point on the surface where angle subtended by the element is \(\Delta \theta\) and height is \(\Delta z\) and calculate its area for small \(\Delta\)s (so they are replaced by \(d\theta\) and \(dz\) )
Yes, as you would be able to see if you draw a picture.
The area of a surface patch is \(r\;d\theta dl\) where \(dl\) is the distance in the surface between \(z\) and \(z+dz\) and you replace \(r\) by its equivalent in terms of \(z\).

As I have said repeatedly draw a picture showing the area element on the surface between \(\theta\) and \(\theta+\Delta \theta\) and \(z\) and \(z+\Delta z\) and claculate its area.

CB

Actually, I did draw a picture, still didn't help.

Thanks anyway.
Mac
 
CaptainBlack said:
First observe that you have a cone with slant height \(2 \sqrt{5}\) and base radius \(2\), so the curved surface area is the circumference of the base (\(4 \pi\)) times the slant heigh over two = \(4 \pi \sqrt{5}\).

Now let's do this using integration. First switch to cylindrical polars, then the surface element is \((z/2)\;d\theta\; (\sqrt{5}/2) dz\), so the area is:

\[A=\int_{z=0}^4 \int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} z d\theta dz\]

etc...

(you should always draw a picture for these problems if you can)

Just a quick observation,

\(A=\int_{z=0}^4 \int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} z d\theta dz \neq 4 \pi \sqrt{5}\)
 
Last edited:
MacLaddy said:
Just a quick observation,

\(A=\int_{z=0}^4 \int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} z d\theta dz \neq 4 \pi \sqrt{5}\)

$$
\int_0^{2\pi}d\theta = 2\pi\Rightarrow\int_0^4\pi\sqrt{5}zdz = \frac{\pi\sqrt{5}}{2}\left.z^2\right|_0^4 = \frac{16\pi\sqrt{5}}{2} = 8\pi\sqrt{5}
$$
Are you missing a factor of 1/2 with the Jacobian or something?
In post 2, it shows two factors of 1/2 which would be 1/4. Making that correction, we would have the desired results.

CaptainBlack said:
Now let's do this using integration. First switch to cylindrical polars, then the surface element is \((z/2)\;d\theta\; (\sqrt{5}/2) dz\), so the area is:

\[A=\int_{z=0}^4 \int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} z d\theta dz\]

etc...

(you should always draw a picture for these problems if you can)


So I think the integral should have been expressed as
$$
\int_{0}^4 \int_{0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{4} z d\theta dz$$
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have solved the integral the following way.

$$\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^2 (\sqrt{5})rdrd\theta = 4\pi\sqrt{5}$$

Thanks everyone for their contributions.
 
Last edited:
MacLaddy said:
Just a quick observation,

\(A=\int_{z=0}^4 \int_{\theta=0}^{2\pi} \frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} z d\theta dz \neq 4 \pi \sqrt{5}\)

There is a typo that is obvious if you look at the previous line, that is supposed to be the integral of the area element which has an extra 1/2 in it that has got lost.

Anyway it is fixed now.

CB
 
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