Change of variables in multiple integrals. What am I doing wrong?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a double integral using a change of variables. Participants explore the setup of the integral, the transformation of variables, and the calculation of the Jacobian, while attempting to identify errors in integration steps. The focus is on the theoretical and mathematical aspects of multiple integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a double integral over a specified region and proposes a change of variables to simplify the evaluation.
  • The same participant calculates the Jacobian and expresses confidence in the transformation, stating the new region in (u,v) coordinates.
  • Another participant agrees with the setup but suggests the error lies in the integration process, providing their own calculations for the integral.
  • A later reply challenges a specific integration result, correcting the calculation of an integral involving u².
  • Another participant provides a detailed step-by-step integration process, arriving at a result of -66/125, which they assert is the correct answer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the integration steps, with some asserting different results for the same integrals. Disagreements persist regarding the correctness of specific calculations and the final result of the integral.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the integration steps and the correctness of the transformations. Participants express varying interpretations of the results, and some calculations are challenged without a definitive resolution.

math_maj0r
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the problem:

evaluate the following integral by making appropriate change of variables.

double integral, over region R, of xy dA

R is bounded by lines:
2x - y = 1
2x - y = -3
3x + y = 1
3x + y = -2

my attempt:

let 2x - y = u, and let 3x + y = v

then the new region in (u,v) coordinates is bounded by the following lines:
u = 1
u = -3
v = 1
v = -3

I calculated the Jacobian of u and v, with respect to x and y, and got 5. The area in (u,v) coordinates also looks like it could be 5 times the area in (x,y) coordinates.

Solving for x and y, I get x = (u + v)/5, y = (2v - 3u)/5

Then I integrated [(-uv - 3u2 + 2v2)/125] du dv, where u is from -3 to 1, and v is from -2 t o 1.

I got -102/125. The correct answer is -66/125.

What am I doing wrong?
 
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I agree with everything you said up to the last line, which means the error must be in your carrying out the integration.

The integral of -3u2 gives -3 (13 - (-3)3) = -84, the v2-integral gives 24 and the u v integral contributes -6. This adds up to -66 for me.
 
thank you so much :)
 
CompuChip said:
The integral of -3u2 gives -3 (13 - (-3)3) = -84

Uh ... no!

[tex]\int^{1}_{-3} -3u^2 du = -1\times\int^{1}_{-3} 3u^2 du = -\left( u^3 \right) \Big|^{1}_{-3} = -\big(1^3 - (-3)^3\big) = -\big(1 - (-27)\big) = -(1 + 27) = -28[/tex]
 
Here's what I came up with:

[tex]\int^{1}_{-2} \int^{1}_{-3} \frac{-uv - 3u^2 + 2v^2}{125}\,du\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{1}{125}\int^{1}_{-3} -uv-3u^2+2v^2\,du\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{1}{125}\left( -\frac{1}{2}u^2v - u^3 + 2uv^2 \right) \bigg|^{1}_{-3} \,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{1}{125}\Bigg( \bigg(-\frac{1}{2}v(1)^2 - (1)^3 + 2v^2(1)\bigg) - \bigg(-\frac{1}{2}v(-3)^2 - (-3)^3 + 2v^2(-3)\bigg)\Bigg)\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{1}{125}\Bigg( \bigg(-\frac{1}{2}v - 1 + 2v^2\bigg) - \bigg(-\frac{1}{2}v(9) - (-27) - 6v^2\bigg)\Bigg)\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{1}{125}\Bigg( \bigg(-\frac{1}{2}v - 1 + 2v^2\bigg) - \bigg(-\frac{9}{2}v + 27 - 6v^2\bigg)\Bigg)\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{1}{125}\bigg( -\frac{1}{2}v - 1 + 2v^2 + \frac{9}{2}v - 27 + 6v^2\bigg)\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{1}{125}\Big( 8v^2 + 4v - 28 \Big)\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{1}{125}\Big( 4(2v^2 + v - 7) \Big)\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \int^{1}_{-2} \frac{4}{125}\Big( 2v^2 + v - 7 \Big)\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \int^{1}_{-2}\Big( 2v^2 + v - 7 \Big)\,dv[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \Bigg( \frac{2}{3}v^3 + \frac{1}{2}v^2 - 7v \Bigg) \Bigg|^{1}_{-2}[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \Bigg( \bigg( \frac{2}{3}(1)^3 + \frac{1}{2}(1)^2 - 7(1)\bigg) - \bigg( \frac{2}{3}(-2)^3 + \frac{1}{2}(-2)^2 - 7(-2) \bigg) \Bigg)[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \Bigg( \bigg( \frac{2}{3} + \frac{1}{2} - 7\bigg) - \bigg( \frac{2}{3}(-8) + \frac{1}{2}(4) + 14 \bigg) \Bigg)[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \Bigg( \bigg( \frac{4}{6} + \frac{3}{6} - \frac{42}{6}\bigg) - \bigg( -\frac{16}{3} + \frac{4}{2} + 14 \bigg) \Bigg)[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \Bigg( \bigg( \frac{4}{6} + \frac{3}{6} - \frac{42}{6}\bigg) - \bigg( -\frac{32}{6} + \frac{12}{6} + \frac{84}{6} \bigg) \Bigg)[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \Bigg( \frac{4 + 3 - 42 + 32 - 12 - 84}{6}\Bigg)[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \Bigg( -\frac{99}{6}\Bigg)[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{4}{125} \Bigg( -\frac{33}{2}\Bigg)[/tex]

[tex]= -\frac{66}{125}[/tex]
 

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