Calculating Mass in a Plane Region: Finding a Clever Change of Variables

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the mass of a plane region in the first quadrant bounded by specific hyperbolas and defined by a density function. The original poster is seeking a clever change of variables to simplify the integration process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts various transformations to express the density function in terms of new variables but encounters difficulties in finding suitable expressions. Some participants suggest considering specific forms of the transformations.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the transformations and their implications for the density function. There is a focus on clarifying the relationships between the variables and the density, with some guidance offered regarding the transformations. However, there is no explicit consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses frustration with the complexity of the transformations and the difficulty in finding a "nice" region for integration. There are indications of typos and misunderstandings in the mathematical expressions being discussed.

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Homework Statement



Find the mass of the plane region R in the first quadrant of the (x,y)-plane bounded by the hyperbolas

xy=1 \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, xy=2\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, x^2-y^2=3\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, x^2-y^2=5

Assume the density at the point (x,y) is \rho=x^2+y^2

Homework Equations



m=\int \int_R \rho(x,y)dxdy

The Attempt at a Solution



I am stuck at finding a suitable change of variables to transform this into a "nice" region so I don't have to perform 3 separate integrals. Even if I took the long way (3 integrals) the point of intersection is not easy to find analytically. What is a clever change of variables that I can use?

I have tried the following:

u=xy \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, v=x^2-y^2

then I can't find a nice expression for \rho(u,v)

I also tried

x=u/v \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, y=v

but then solving for v is ugly.

I even tried

u=x^2 \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, v=y^2

which gave another ugly region.

Please help, thank you.
 
Last edited:
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Your first set of transformations is the one you want. Now consider ##4 u^2+v^2##.
 
vela said:
Your first set of transformations is the one you want. Now consider ##4 u^2+v^2##.

Im still lost. I want \rho=x^2+y^2.
4u^2=x^2+y^2
v^2=x^4-2x^2y^2+y^4

I'm still getting nowhere.
 
How did you get 4u2=x2+y2 from u=xy?
 
namu said:
Im still lost. I want \rho=x^2+y^2.
4u^2=x^2+y^2
v^2=x^4-2x^2y^2+y^4

I'm still getting nowhere.
Isn't 4u^2=4(xy)^2=4x^2y^2\,?

Now, add that to x^4-2x^2y^2+y^4\,?

Factor that !
 
vela said:
How did you get 4u2=x2+y2 from u=xy?

Sorry, I made a typo since I was copy pasting

4u^2=4x^2 y^2
 
SammyS said:
Isn't 4u^2=4(xy)^2=4x^2y^2\,?

Now, add that to x^4-2x^2y^2+y^4\,?

Factor that !

Ok, round 2, here it goes.

4u^2=4x^2 y^2
v^2=x^4-2x^2y^2+y^4
4u^2+v^2=x^4+2x^2 y^2+y^4=(x^2+y^2)^2=\rho^2

Thank you!
 

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