Calculating the Volume of a Tetrahedron using Integration Method

  • Thread starter Thread starter paraboloid
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Tetrahedron Volume
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of a tetrahedron using integration methods. The original poster describes their approach to setting up the integral and the bounds for integration, while expressing difficulty in identifying an error in their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to integrate with respect to y before x and sets specific bounds based on the equations of the tetrahedron. Some participants confirm the setup of the integral but suggest that the original poster should check their arithmetic for errors in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the setup of the integral and pointing out the need to verify calculations. There is no explicit consensus on the error, but guidance has been offered regarding the arithmetic involved.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions spending several hours on the problem, indicating a potential constraint in time or understanding. There is also a note about improving communication through the use of LaTeX for clarity in mathematical expressions.

paraboloid
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Volume of Tetrahedron[Solved]

20fdn29.jpg


My textbook opts to integrate with respect to y before x(dydx vs dxdy), so I assumed that it would not affect the outcome.

I set the upper and lower bounds of y, respectively, as y = 24 - 7x/4 (from 7x+4y=96) to y = x/4 (from x = 4y). For x I set it from upper bound x = 12 (using x/4 = 24 - 7x/4) to lower bound x = 0 (given).

Integrating with respect to y, I get [tex]\int(96y - 7xy - 2y^2)|dx[/tex] which after inputing the bounds become [tex]\int(1152-144x+8x^2)dx[/tex]. After integrating this I get [tex](1152x - 72x^2 + 8x^3/3)|[/tex].
Computing this I get 1152(12) - 72(144) + 8(1728)/3 = 13824-10368+4608 = 8064.

I've been at this for a few hours now, but I can't seem to find my error.
Any help would be great,
Thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
It would be good to learn a little tex to make it easier to read. Just click on the equation to see it:

[tex]\int_0^{12}\int_{\frac x 4}^{24 - \frac {7x}{4} }dydx[/tex]

If I read your post correctly, this is how you set up the integral and it is correct. You just need to chase down the arithmetic error in your calculation, which, unfortunately, I don't have time right now to help you with. Good luck.
 
I get 8x^2 - 192x + 1152 after integrating w/ respect to y.
 
Thank you both! I'll definitely work on my latex once things settle down so that I don't cause so much confusion. And yes, in fact I add 24 to -168 instead of subtracting.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
20
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K