Cartesian to polar integral help?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates for integration, specifically focusing on determining the appropriate limits for the angle θ in relation to a circle defined by the equation x² + y² = 1.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the interpretation of the equation x² + y² = 1, questioning whether it represents a full circle or a semi-circle. There is discussion about the limits for θ based on the region of integration, with some participants suggesting that the integration should cover the right hemisphere of the circle.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the limits for θ and the implications of the chosen bounds on the integration process. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the circle and the corresponding values for θ, but there is no explicit consensus on the final approach.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of confusion stemming from the teacher's notes regarding the integration bounds, which may affect participants' understanding of the problem setup.

asdf12312
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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


my only problem curently is in finding the angle θ. I do get the equation x^2 + y^2 =1 however am confused whether this would be a semi-circle on the positive axis or a full circle. because my teacher has notes that confuse me. for instance ∫[itex]\sqrt{1-y^2}[/itex] -[itex]\sqrt{1-y^2}[/itex] my formatting is a bit off but that would be higher/lower bound. that is the only case where she made a complete circle, instead of a semi circle.

if it is a semi circle, theta would be 0≤ θ ≤ PI/2
however if its a full circle, since from y=-1 to y=1 it would be -PI/2 ≤ θ≤ PI/2.
 
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x goes from 0 to the positive square root of ##1-y^2##. What part of the circle do you get when you solve it for ##x## and take the positive root? That will tell you which ##\theta##'s to use.
 
i think it would be the right hemisphere of the circle, since x=0 and increases, and the circle has radius of 1. so -PI/2 ≤ θ ≤ PI/2 what i got is right?
 
asdf12312 said:
i think it would be the right hemisphere of the circle, since x=0 and increases, and the circle has radius of 1. so -PI/2 ≤ θ ≤ PI/2 what i got is right?

Yes.
 
OK. then i got r3 by looking at f(x,y) so I ended up integrating ∫(r4 dr)dθ and got my final answer as PI/5.
 
Integrating with r from 0 to 1, [itex]\theta[/itex] from [itex]-\pi/2[/itex] to [itex]\pi/2[/itex].

Yes, that is correct.
 

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