Calculating a volume through cylindrical coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating a volume using cylindrical coordinates, specifically involving the integral of a function defined in terms of \( r \), \( \theta \), and \( z \). The region of interest is bounded by the surface defined by \( x^2 + y^2 = z^2 \) and the limits for \( z \) between -1 and 1.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the integral and the implications of changing the order of integration. Questions arise regarding the clarity of the original problem and the specific region being calculated. There is also a focus on understanding the geometric interpretation of the limits and the surfaces involved.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various interpretations of the problem and the implications of different integration orders. Some guidance has been offered regarding the necessity of clearly defining the region of integration and the effects of the limits on the resulting volume. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the exact nature of the calculation being performed, whether it is for volume or another property, and the specific region described by the integrals. Participants note the importance of visualizing the geometric shape to better understand the integration limits.

Fanta
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Just a question.
Say you have a function, which in cylindrical coordinates it gives that
\int\int\int \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} dx dy dz

which is

\int\int\int r^2 dr d/theta dz

i want to find in cylindrical coordinates, in the area limited by the functions :

x^2 + y^2 = z^2
z is greater or equal than -1 and less than equal to 1.

so, i solve it, but then i realize:
why is the value of solving the inner integral in order to dr (with limits of integration from 0 to z) different that the one in order to dz (with limits from 0 to r), with the middle one being dz or dr, respectively, with limits 0 to 1, and the outside one (d theta) 0 to 2pi?
(all multiplied by two)

the order shouldn't matter, i think.

please explain what the order should be and why, I am really confused on this one... thanks
 
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you're correct the value of the integral shouldn't change - though exactly what you;re doing isn't very clear - try tex below to show your limits

\int_{z_1}^{z_2} \int_{\theta_1(z)}^{\theta_2(z)}\int_{r_1(z,\theta)}^{r_2(z,\theta)} r^2 dr d\theta dz
 
You haven't stated the original problem clearly enough to even tell whether the first integral you have written down is correct, regardless of your limits.

What are you trying to find? A volume? A mass given a variable density? Are you interested in the region (not area) inside or outside of the surface? Do you know what the surface looks like?

If you draw a picture you will see that z going from 0 to r doesn't describe the same region as r going from 0 to z.
 
Last edited:
The problem doesn't state what exactly I'm trying to calculate.

anyway, the integral would be

\int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{1}\int_{0}^{r} r^2 dz dr d\theta

or

\int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{1}\int_{0}^{z} r^2 dr dz d\theta

yes, i think i know what it looks like.

Basically, since the limits are

<br /> x^2 + y^2 = z^2<br />

it should be a cone, with symetry about the xy plane

<br /> z = r <br />

the limits of z are
<br /> -1 &lt;= z &lt;= 1<br />

so i can integrate the triangle that makes the cone, considering only the xz plane, plotting z/r.
Then I integrate the volume, since it's a solid of revolution and multiply it by two, because of the symmetry.

So ultimately, I know:

2 \cdot 2\pi \int_{0}^{1}\int_{0}^{r} r^2 dz dr d\theta or 2 \cdot 2\pi \int_{0}^{1}\int_{0}^{z} r^2 dr dz d\theta

and yes, i want the region. sorry, if i said area before
 
Last edited:
Fanta said:
The problem doesn't state what exactly I'm trying to calculate.

anyway, the integral would be

\int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{1}\int_{0}^{r} r^2 dz dr d\theta

or

\int_{0}^{2\pi} \int_{0}^{1}\int_{0}^{z} r^2 dr dz d\theta

yes, i think i know what it looks like.

No, you don't get to choose. Those integrals don't describe the same region. One gives the region inside (above) the cone and the other outside (below) the cone but inside the cylinder r = 1.
 
i got it. thanks
 

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