Area-Volume of e: Find Solutions & Calculate Volumes

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the area and volume of a region S in the first quadrant bounded by the curves y=e^(-x^2) and y=2x^2, along with determining the volume of a solid with semi-circular cross-sections perpendicular to the x-axis. The discussion centers around the challenges posed by the presence of the exponential function and the integration of the resulting expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss finding the limits of integration by setting the two equations equal to each other, but express concerns about the complexity of solving e^{-x^2}=2x^2 using elementary methods. Some suggest the Lambert W function as a potential avenue for solving the equation. Others share their confusion regarding the integration process and the use of computational tools like Maple.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring various interpretations of the problem and sharing their attempts to understand the integration process. Some have provided insights into the use of computational tools, while others express frustration with the problem's complexity. There is no explicit consensus on a method, but several lines of reasoning are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem originates from an AP calculus practice test and that there is an expectation to solve it by hand, which adds to the difficulty given the nature of the functions involved.

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Homework Statement


Here is the problem.

Let S be the region in the first quadrant bounded by the graphs of y=e^(-x^2) , y=2x^2, and the y- axis

a. Find the area of the region S
b. Find the volume of the solid generated when the region S is rotated about the x axis
c. The region s is the base of a soid for which each cross section perpendicular to the x-axis is a semi-circle with diameter in the xy plane. Find the volume of this solid.

Homework Equations



y=e^(-x^2)
y=2x^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't really have any idea how to solve this problem. I understand the process using normal functions however the e is putting me at a loss. I am trying to do it by hand so I can understand it, but am completely lost.

Heres what I've done. Since e is base of ln.

lny= -x^2 ln e = lny=-x^2 Therefore x= sqrt(-lny)

With the other equation in terms of x as I am asuming I am solving for it about the y-axis for part a. x = sqrt(y/2)

From here I get confused, I don't know how to graph x=sqrt(-lny)

I can't figure out how to find the bounderies of the interval so I can't find the area or the volume. Any help would be appreciated.:rolleyes: :redface:
 
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find the upper and lower limits, set x equal to zero and find that e raised to zero will be one and 2x^2=0. Then find the point of intersection of the two graphs and use zero and that point as your interval.

I admit this looks tough due to the fact that you are working with e^(-x^2) which has no elementary solution.
 
Where in the world did you get this problem! To find the limits of integration, as Plastic Photon said, you need to solve
e^{-x^2}= 2x^2
which cannot be done with elementary methods. You might be able to solve it in terms of the Lambert W function. In any case, I see no reasonable way of integrating
\int (e^{-x^2}- 2x^2)dx
 
HallsofIvy said:
In any case, I see no reasonable way of integrating
\int (e^{-x^2}- 2x^2)dx

maybe YOU don't

...but...

Maple does :cool:

let's see if my newbie latex skills can do it justice

> a:=exp(-x^2)- 2*x^2;


a := e^{-x^2} - 2x^2

> int(a,x);
int/indef1: first-stage indefinite integration
int/indef1: first-stage indefinite integration
int/indef2: second-stage indefinite integration
int/exp: case of integrand containing exp
int/indef1: first-stage indefinite integration
int/indef2: second-stage indefinite integration
int/exp: case of integrand containing exp




\displaystyle{\frac{1}{2}}\sqrt{\pi}\ erf(x) -\displaystyle{\frac{2x^3}{3}}

ahhh maple...:!)
 
Last edited:
HallsofIvy said:
Where in the world did you get this problem! To find the limits of integration, as Plastic Photon said, you need to solve
e^{-x^2}= 2x^2
which cannot be done with elementary methods. You might be able to solve it in terms of the Lambert W function. In any case, I see no reasonable way of integrating
\int (e^{-x^2}- 2x^2)dx


I got this problem from my teacher, who got it from a AP calculus practice test. I'm supposed to use my calculator, but I hate doing that when I don't know how to do it by hand.
 
mybsaccownt said:
maybe YOU don't

...but...

Maple does :cool:

let's see if my newbie latex skills can do it justice

> a:=exp(-x^2)- 2*x^2;


a := e^{-x^2} - 2x^2

> int(a,x);
int/indef1: first-stage indefinite integration
int/indef1: first-stage indefinite integration
int/indef2: second-stage indefinite integration
int/exp: case of integrand containing exp
int/indef1: first-stage indefinite integration
int/indef2: second-stage indefinite integration
int/exp: case of integrand containing exp




\displaystyle{\frac{1}{2}}\sqrt{\pi}\ erf(x) -\displaystyle{\frac{2x^3}{3}}




ahhh maple...:!)

I am so lost in your post...lol :)
 
the erf function, or the error function, is simply defined to be the integral of e^(-x^2) with some constant factors. So, it really wasn't "integrated" but just rewritten in a different way.
 

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