Calculating Work for Pumping Circular Pool - Riemann Sum & Integral Solution

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work required to pump water from a circular swimming pool with specific dimensions. The pool has a diameter of 22 ft, a height of 5 ft, and a water depth of 4 ft. The weight of the water is given as 62.5 lb/ft³, and the task includes approximating the work using a Riemann sum and expressing it as an integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the meaning and derivation of the formula related to the Riemann sum, questioning the units and components involved. There is an exploration of dividing the pool into layers to calculate work, with emphasis on the volume and weight of water in each layer. One participant seeks clarification on a variable "E" in the context of the Riemann sum.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants engaging in conceptual clarification and mathematical reasoning. Some have made progress in understanding the problem, while others are still questioning specific components of the Riemann sum and integral setup. There is no explicit consensus on the interpretation of the variable "E".

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the problem statement, which includes specific dimensions and weights. There is an ongoing discussion about the assumptions related to the setup of the Riemann sum and the integral formulation.

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Homework Statement


A circular swimming pool has a diameter of 22 ft, the sides are 5 ft high, and the depth of the water is 4 ft. How much work is required to pump all of the water over the side? (Use the fact that water weighs 62.5 lb/ft^3.)

(a) Show how to approximate the required work by a Riemann sum. Give your answer using the form below. (If you need to enter -infinity or infinity, type -INFINITY or INFINITY.)
http://www.webassign.net/www21/symImages/5/b/9d364b30bb301d2a03a8ec803e5bf6.gif

(b)Express the work as an integral and evaluate it.

The Attempt at a Solution


I've found everything in the riemann sum equation minus the "E". What would this be?
A=N
B=infinity
C=1
D=N
E=?

One I find that, I should be able to setup the integral and solve it.

Thanks!
 
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Do you understand what that formula MEANS? Or where it came from. Frankly, to me it makes no sense. Unless there is an x "hidden" in the E it has the wrong units: the area of a circle is \pi r^2, not \pi r!

Imagine dividing the pool into layers- with each layer a specific depth x below the level of the water and thickness \Delta x. That "layer" has area \pi(11^2) square feet and so volume 121\pi \Delta x cubic feet. All the water in that "layer" has weight (62.5)121\pi \Delta x pounds and it must be raised x+ 5 feet (5 feet up to the water level and another 5 feet to the top of the pool). How much work is required to do that? The total work is found by summing over all the different "\Delta x thickness layers. You turn that Riemann sum into an integral by taking \Delta x smaller and smaller- becoming dx. The limits of integration will be from 0 (the top of the pond) to 4 (the bottom).
 
Can you come up with a mathematical expression describing the amount of work done \delta W for each \delta V infinitesimal volume of water to be raised from its current depth in the pool to its height?
 
Thanks HallsOfIvy & Defennder. Well, now I've solved the problem and found the amount of work, but the elusive "E" variable in that question escapes me. :smile:
 

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