Area of overlapping polar coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the overlapping area of two polar equations: r=3sin(x) and r=1+sin(x). Participants are exploring the integration techniques and limits necessary to calculate this area.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss finding the intersection points of the polar curves and the corresponding angles. There are attempts to set up integrals for the area calculations, with some participants questioning their integration steps and limits.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided alternative methods for calculating the area, including using polar coordinates and sector area formulas. There is an acknowledgment of mistakes in integration, and the discussion is ongoing with no clear consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention difficulties in typing out their solutions and calculations, indicating potential constraints in conveying their reasoning effectively. There is also a reference to a professor's key that suggests a different answer than what some participants have calculated.

ex81
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Homework Statement


find the over lapping area of the following equations

r=3sin(x)
r=1+sin(x)

Homework Equations



area =1/2 ∫ f(x)^2 dx

The Attempt at a Solution



first off I started by finding the intersecting angle by:
3sin(x)=1+sin(x)
2sin(x)=1
sin(x)=1/2
x=pi/6

and the peak is at pi/2

so I started with a = 2×1/2 ∫ (1+sin(x))^2 dx from pi/6 to pi/2

so (3/2)x-2cos(x) -1/4 sin(x) from pi/6 to pi/2
comes out to 2pi/4 + (7√3)/8

then I have the other segment

a= 2×1/2 ∫ (3sin(x))^2 dx from 0 to pi/6
(9/2)x-(9/2)sin(2x)

for which I get 3pi/4 - (9√3)/8

which totals up to 7pi/4 -(2√3)/8

and according to my professor's key the answer is pi

needless to say I am lost.
 
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You should always plot the graph to easily understand and deduce the limits. I have attached the graph and the overlapped area is shaded in blue.

You could use the formula for area of sector of a circle, but the problem will become longer than needed.

Calculating the half area on the right of the line ∏/2 using polar coordinates:
Half\; area\;=\int^{x=\pi /2}_{x=0} \int^{r=1+\sin x}_{r=0} rdrdx-<br /> \int^{x=\pi /6}_{x=0} \int^{r=1+\sin x}_{r=3\sin x} rdrdx<br /> Then, multiply by 2.

Now, using the method involving the formula for area of sector of a circle:

First, find the area from x = 0 to x=∏/2 inside the cardioid.
\frac{1}{2}\int^{x=\pi /2}_{x=0} (1+\sin x)^2dx
Then, you need to find the small area wedged between both graphs, in the interval x=0 and x=∏/6
\frac{1}{2}\int^{x=\pi /6}_{x=0} (1+\sin x)^2dx-\frac{1}{2}\int^{x=\pi /6}_{x=0} (3\sin x)^2dx
Finally, subtract area of wedge from cardioid, to get the half area, then multiply by 2 to get the total overlapping area.

There is still another way (a shorter version) of doing this problem using the area of sector formula:

First, find the area of sector inside cardioid from x=∏/6 to x=∏/2:
\frac{1}{2}\int^{x=\pi /2}_{x=\pi / 6} (1+\sin x)^2dx
Then, find the area inside circle from x=0 to x=∏/6:
\frac{1}{2}\int^{x=\pi /6}_{x=0} (3sin x)^2dx
Add them up and multiply by 2.
You could also write its equivalent in terms of polar coordinates. :smile:
 

Attachments

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Last edited:
Thanks but that is actually doing. I think I am messing up the integration somewhere. It is just hard to type this all out on a tablet.
 
ex81 said:
so I started with a = 2×1/2 ∫ (1+sin(x))^2 dx from pi/6 to pi/2

so (3/2)x-2cos(x) -1/4 sin(x) from pi/6 to pi/2
comes out to 2pi/4 + (7√3)/8
2\times \frac{1}{2}\int^{x=\pi /2}_{\pi /6} (1+\sin x)^2 \,.dx=\int^{x=\pi /2}_{\pi /6} (1+\sin x)^2 \,.dx=\int^{x=\pi /2}_{\pi /6} (1+2\sin x+\sin^2x) \,.dx=\frac{\pi}{2}+\frac{9\sqrt 3}{8}<br />
ex81 said:
then I have the other segment

a= 2×1/2 ∫ (3sin(x))^2 dx from 0 to pi/6
(9/2)x-(9/2)sin(2x)

for which I get 3pi/4 - (9√3)/8
\int^{x=\pi /6}_{x=0} (3\sin x)^2\,.dx=\int^{x=\pi /6}_{x=0} 9\sin^2x\,.dx=\frac{3\pi}{4}-\frac{9\sqrt 3}{8}
Adding them up, the total area is: \frac{5\pi}{4}
 
Last edited:
Thanks, so I did make at least one mistake :-D
 

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