Calc Change of Var: Non-Graphical Limits of Integration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of new limits of integration when performing a change of variables in double integrals, specifically in the context of polar coordinates. Participants explore non-graphical methods for determining these limits, with a focus on the implications of different geometries and the relationships between variables.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to calculate new limits of integration non-graphically when changing variables in a double integral.
  • Another participant suggests that providing a specific example would facilitate assistance in finding the new limits.
  • A participant expresses a need for time to formulate their question due to fatigue, indicating a desire for help with their problem.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of drawing a graph to aid in understanding the limits, while others propose using algebraic methods instead.
  • A mathematical expression is presented, but one participant later acknowledges a mistake in their initial formulation.
  • Another participant clarifies that the limits of integration for the inner integral depend on the other variable, and discusses the geometry involved when converting from rectangular to polar coordinates.
  • There is a suggestion to break the integral into separate areas to avoid discontinuities at the corners of the region being integrated over.
  • Further discussion includes the specific limits for the angles and radial distances in polar coordinates, with one participant questioning the values of the angle variable in different cases.
  • It is noted that taking constants for all limits of integration results in limited areas, and that the limits of the inner integrals may depend on remaining variables.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of graphical representation versus algebraic methods for determining limits. There is no consensus on a single method or approach, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best practices for changing variables in double integrals.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of changing variables in double integrals, particularly in polar coordinates, and the dependence on the specific geometry of the region being integrated. Limitations include assumptions about the geometry and the nature of the integrals involved.

Krypton
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How to calculate, non-graphically, the new limits of integration when change of variables r done to a double integral?
 
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Krypton said:
How to calculate, non-graphically, the new limits of integration when change of variables r done to a double integral?
Perhaps if you posted a specific example, we could help you out?
 
Plz wait 4 a day., its midnight in INDIA n ma brain had almost slept. I 'ill b vhappy if u could solv ma prob... Thanks in advance!
 
Wow...what kind of english do they learn in India?

To answer the question, it always helps to draw a graph but if you post a specific example we'll show you how to use some algebra to find the new limits.
 
"inte[x=a to b] [y=c to d] f(x,y) dxdy = inte[r=sqrt(a^2+c^2) to r =sqrt(b^2+d^2)] [ß=arctan(c/a) to arctan(d/b)] f(rcosß,rsinß) rdrdß "
is this expression currect ?
 
Edit: I see that I was mistaken.
 
Last edited:
[tex]\int_{x=a}^b\int_{y= c^d} f(x,y)dxdy[/tex]
[tex]\int_{r=\sqrt{a^2+ c^2}}^{\sqrt{b^2+ d^2}}\int_{\theta= arctan(c/a)}^{arctan(d/b)} f(rcos(\theta}, rsin(\theta)) r dr d\theta[/tex]

No those are not the same. The first is over a rectangle in the plane while the second is over a portion of an annulus- that is, over the region between two circles bounded by two angles. Those will always be what you get if your limits of integration in rectangular and polar coordinates are all constants.

In general, the limits of integration for the "inside" integral will depend on the other variable. If you really had to put that first integral into polar coordinates (not a good idea because of the lack of symmetry) you would probably do best to break it into four areas: draw lines from the origin to the four vertices and do a separate integral on each of those areas in order to avoid the "discontinuity" at the corners. For example, the first integral might be with [itex]\theta[/itex] between arctan(c/b) and arctan(c/a) to get the region between those two lower vertices (I am assuming that d-c> b- a. Otherwise you will "hit" the vertex (b,d) before (a,c).) Now on each line between those, r must go from the lower line, y= c, to the vertical line x= b. In polar coordinates, that is [itex]r sin(\theta)= c[/itex] to [itex]r cos(\theta)= b[/itex]. That means that r varies from [itex]c/sin(\theta)[/itex] to [itex]b/cos(\theta)[/itex].
The first of the four integrals would be
[tex]\int_{\theta= arctan(d/b)}^{arctan(c/a)}\int_{r= c/sin(\theta)}^{b/cos(\theta)}f(r cos(\theta),r sin(\theta)) r dr d\theta[/tex]

How you change a double integral from one set of coordinates to another depends very strongly on the specific geometry of the situation.
 
Thanx ! , both u geniees ...
 
Plz show me how u arrived at the new limits '' "
 
  • #10
Krypton said:
Plz show me how u arrived at the new limits '' "
I DID:
HallsofIvy said:
integral might be with [itex]\theta[/itex] between arctan(c/b) and arctan(c/a) to get the region between those two lower vertices (I am assuming that d-c> b- a. Otherwise you will "hit" the vertex (b,d) before (a,c).)
Those values are the angle of the straight line from the origin to each of the two points (b,c), (a,c).

Now on each line between those, r must go from the lower line, y= c, to the vertical line x= b. In polar coordinates, that is [itex]r sin(\theta)= c[/itex] to [itex]r cos(\theta)= b[/itex]. That means that r varies from [itex]c/sin(\theta)[/itex] to [itex]b/cos(\theta)[/itex].
 
  • #11
If r varies frm c/sinß to b/cosß ,
what are the values of ß in both the cases ?
 
  • #12
It is a variable. I said before that taking constants for all limits of integration will give only very limited areas- in the case of polar coordinates it would be a part of an annulus. For more general areas- and in polar coordinates a rectangle is a "general area", only the limits of the "outer integral" must be constants. The limits of integration of the "inner integrals" may be functions of the variiables that still remain.
 

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