Calculating the Area Between Two Curves: A Shorter Method?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the area of a region defined by specific inequalities involving the variables x and y. Participants explore different methods for finding this area, particularly focusing on the potential for a shorter or more efficient approach, including the use of polar coordinates.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their initial method of calculating the area in one quadrant and multiplying by four due to symmetry, expressing dissatisfaction and seeking a shorter method.
  • Another participant proposes using polar coordinates and dividing the region into octants, providing a detailed mathematical formulation for the area calculation.
  • A similar approach is reiterated by another participant, who also provides the area expression and notes an approximation of the result.
  • One participant acknowledges the beauty of the proposed method but points out a small error in the logarithmic expression, suggesting a correction.
  • There is a clarification regarding a typo in the polar equivalent of one of the curves, with the participant confirming they used the correct form in their calculations despite the initial error.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the use of polar coordinates as a viable method for calculating the area, but there are minor disagreements regarding specific expressions and calculations. The discussion remains open with no consensus on a singular method being established as superior.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the region's symmetry and the correctness of mathematical expressions are present, but these are not fully resolved within the discussion.

Saitama
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Problem:

Calculate the area of region defined by the inequalities:

$$-1<xy<1$$
$$-1<x^2-y^2<1$$

Attempt:

Although I have solved the problem but I am not very satisfied with the method I used. The graph of region is symmetrical in all the four quadrants so I calculated the area in the first quadrant and multiplied by 4. I found the points of intersection and got the following integrals:

Wolfram Alpha

But I feel that given the shape of region, there exists an easier method. Has someone got any idea about a shorter method?

Here's an image depicting the region:

jsip9l.jpg


Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
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I would use polar coordinates and divide the region into octants.

The curve:

$$x^2-y^2=1$$

becomes:

$$r^2=\sec(2\theta)$$

and the curve:

$$xy=1$$

becomes:

$$r^2=2\csc(2\theta)$$

we find they intersect at:

$$\theta=\frac{1}{2}\tan^{-1}(2)$$

and so we may express the area as:

$$A=8\left(\frac{1}{2}\int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\tan^{-1}(2)} \sec(2\theta)\,d\theta+\int_{\frac{1}{2}\tan^{-1}(2)}^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \csc(2\theta)\,d\theta \right)$$

You should then be able to show that:

$$A=2\sinh^{-1}(2)-4\ln\left(\frac{2}{1+\sqrt{5}} \right)\approx4.81211825059603$$

When you multiply the result you give from W|A by 4, you find they are equivalent.
 
MarkFL said:
I would use polar coordinates and divide the region into octants.

The curve:

$$x^2-y^2=1$$

becomes:

$$r^2=\sec(2\theta)$$

and the curve:

$$xy=1$$

becomes:

$$r^2=2\csc(\theta)$$

we find they intersect at:

$$\theta=\frac{1}{2}\tan^{-1}(2)$$

and so we may express the area as:

$$A=8\left(\frac{1}{2}\int_0^{\frac{1}{2}\tan^{-1}(2)} \sec(2\theta)\,d\theta+\int_{\frac{1}{2}\tan^{-1}(2)}^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \csc(2\theta)\,d\theta \right)$$

You should then be able to show that:

$$A=2\sinh^{-1}(2)-4\ln\left(\frac{1}{1+\sqrt{5}} \right)\approx4.81211825059603$$

When you multiply the result you give from W|A by 4, you find they are equivalent.

That's beautiful MarkFL! Thanks a bunch. :) (Clapping) (Clapping)

You seem to have made a very small error in the end. I get $4\ln\left(\frac{2}{1+\sqrt{5}}\right) $ instead of $4\ln\left(\frac{1}{1+\sqrt{5}}\right)$, rest everything is great. Thanks once again.
 
Pranav said:
That's beautiful MarkFL! Thanks a bunch. :) (Clapping) (Clapping)

You seem to have made a very small error in the end. I get $4\ln\left(\frac{2}{1+\sqrt{5}}\right) $ instead of $4\ln\left(\frac{1}{1+\sqrt{5}}\right)$, rest everything is great. Thanks once again.

Yes, that was a typo, when I entered the expression into the calculator, I used the correct number. I will fix my post. :D

I also had a typo when I stated the polar equivalent of $xy=1$, but I used the correct form in the integrand. :D I have now fixed that as well.
 

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