Checking method and answer of Triple Integral

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of a solid defined by specific geometric boundaries: above by the sphere \(x^2+y^2+z^2=9\), below by the plane \(z=0\), and laterally by the cylinder \(x^2+y^2=4\). Participants explore the appropriate methods for setting up the triple integral required to find this volume, considering different coordinate systems and the implications of the boundaries.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that the volume can be found using a single integral setup, suggesting limits for \(z\) from 0 to 3 and for \(x\) and \(y\) from 0 to 2.
  • Another participant argues that the integral should be split into two parts due to the non-smooth transition at the intersection of the cylinder and sphere, providing detailed limits for both the cylindrical and spherical sections.
  • Questions arise about the integrand, with one participant suggesting it can be assumed to be 1 for volume calculations, while another insists it should be 0, leading to confusion about the implications of these choices.
  • Participants discuss the necessity of including terms like \(x^2+y^2\) or \(r^2\) in the upper limits of integration, with one expressing confusion about their relevance at the top of the cap.
  • Clarifications are sought regarding the treatment of the integrand and the implications of setting it to 0 versus 1.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the correct approach to setting up the integral, with multiple competing views on how to handle the boundaries and the integrand. Participants express differing opinions on the necessity of certain terms in the integrals and the treatment of the integrand itself.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their understanding of the integration process, particularly regarding the treatment of the integrand and the implications of boundary conditions. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about the geometry involved and the mathematical techniques applicable.

hivesaeed4
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The question is:

find the volume of the solid bounded above by x^2+y^2+z^2=9, below by z=0 and on the sides by the cylinder x^2+y^2=4.

Now rho comes out to be 3. At the very top of the solid, phi is 0 so z=3.

So limits of z are 0 (lower limit) and 3 (upper limit).

As far as the limits of x and y are I found their lower and upper limits to be 0 and 2 respectively.

When we do the triple integal ∫∫∫dxdydz (while pluggung the limits) I got 12 (units of volume) . Is this the correct way and answer for this question?
 
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It looks to me like you are going to have to divide this into two integrals because the boundary does not change smoothly. The cylinder [itex]x^2+ y^2= 4[/itex] crosses the sphere [itex]x^2+ y^2+ z^2= 9[/itex] where [itex]4+ z^2= 9[/itex] or [itex]z= \sqrt{5}[/itex] (since z> 0).

So do this as two separate integrals:

First the cylinder. With [itex]x^2+ y^2= 4[/itex], [itex]y= \pm\sqrt{4- x^2}[/itex] while x goes, overall, from -2 to 2. The integral is
[tex]\int_{z=0}^\sqrt{5}\int_{x=-2}^2\int_{y=-\sqrt{4- x^2}}^{\sqrt{4- x^2}} f(x,y,z) dydxdz[/tex]
Because of the cylindrical symmetry, of course, it is simpler in cylindrical coordinates:
[tex]\int_{z= 0}^\sqrt{5}\int_{r=0}^2\int_{\theta= 0}^{2\pi} f(r,\theta,z)d\theta dr dz[/tex]

Now do the spherical "cap", x and y still cover the circle of radius \sqrt{5}[/itex] while z goes from [itex]\sqrt{4}[/itex] up to the sphere, [itex]x^2+y^2+ z^2= 9[/itex] which is the same as [itex]z^2= 9- x^2- y^2[/itex] or [itex]z= \sqrt{9- x^2- y^2}[/itex]. The integral is
[tex]\int_{x= 0}^2\int_{y=-\sqrt{4- x^2}}^\sqrt{4- x^2}\int_{z=\sqrt{5}}^{\sqrt{9- x^2- y^2}} f(x,y,z) dzdydx[/tex]
or, in cylindrical coordinates
[tex]\int_{r= 0}^2\int_{\theta= 0}^{2\pi}\int_{z=\sqrt{5}}^\sqrt{9- r^2} f(r,\theta, z) rsin^2(\theta)dz d\theta dr[/tex]

The original integral is the sum of those.
 
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Okay.
Here's what I get:

1) I get why you split the integral and how the solid object is split into a simple cylinder and then a cap.

Here's what I don't get:

1) I was'nt given any function so can't I assume that f(x,y,z) of f(r,∅,θ) (just to be clear the symbol before ∅ is phi ) or f(r,θ,z) all are equal to 1.

2) Did'nt you miss out an r in the integrand of the first cylindrical integration you did. ( The reason why I stated that is not to point out your mistake, but just in case you intentionally omitted the r, I want to know why, so that I don't make mistakes in the exam).

3) When the cap's volume is being integrated you're taking the upper limit of z as sqrt(9-r^2) or sqrt(9-x^2-y^2). Is'nt it sort of pointless to include the r^2 or -x^2-y^2 terms in the upper limit as at the top of the cap the point will have only a single x,y,r value so why integrate it. I mean one integrates when one is summing over a variable. Now when you start at the bottom pf the cap ( say in Cartesian Coordinates) x and y are in the form of x^2+y^2=4. But at the top of the cap x^2+y^2=0. So why even bother to inlude the x^2+y^2 terms (or r^2) in the upper limit. If we don't write them it will be understood that they have gone to 0 and the top of the cap is a point.

Hope you can clear the 3rd point as I'm most confused regarding it. I just hope that I have sufficiently conveyed what I'm confused about.
 
hivesaeed4 said:
Okay.
Here's what I get:

1) I get why you split the integral and how the solid object is split into a simple cylinder and then a cap.

Here's what I don't get:

1) I was'nt given any function so can't I assume that f(x,y,z) of f(r,∅,θ) (just to be clear the symbol before ∅ is phi ) or f(r,θ,z) all are equal to 1.
Yes, since the question is to find the volume, and [itex]V= \int\int\int dV[/itex], your integrand is 0.

2) Did'nt you miss out an r in the integrand of the first cylindrical integration you did. ( The reason why I stated that is not to point out your mistake, but just in case you intentionally omitted the r, I want to know why, so that I don't make mistakes in the exam).
Yes. Sorry about that. I was focusing on the limit of integration.


3) When the cap's volume is being integrated you're taking the upper limit of z as sqrt(9-r^2) or sqrt(9-x^2-y^2). Is'nt it sort of pointless to include the r^2 or -x^2-y^2 terms in the upper limit as at the top of the cap the point will have only a single x,y,r value so why integrate it. I mean one integrates when one is summing over a variable. Now when you start at the bottom pf the cap ( say in Cartesian Coordinates) x and y are in the form of x^2+y^2=4. But at the top of the cap x^2+y^2=0. So why even bother to inlude the x^2+y^2 terms (or r^2) in the upper limit. If we don't write them it will be understood that they have gone to 0 and the top of the cap is a point.
Because you have to integrate over the entire cap, not just the top of the cap. It is true that at the top of the cap x= y= 0 so z= 3 but when you are doing the "inside" z-integral, x and y can take any values from 0 to 2.

Hope you can clear the 3rd point as I'm most confused regarding it. I just hope that I have sufficiently conveyed what I'm confused about.
 
Thanks a lot HallsofIvy.
 
Sorry, last question:-

I said that since the integrand is'nt given we should take it to be 1 ( or we can just write it as ∫∫∫ 1 dV or ∫∫∫ dv i.e. writing nothing as the integrand).

You said we should take it as 0 ( ∫∫∫ 0 dV ). Won't the volume then always come out to be 0 since zero is being multiplied with everything.

So should'nt we take the integrand as ∫∫∫ 1 dV or ∫∫∫ dv instead of ∫∫∫ 0 dV. In other words should'nt the integrand be 1 instead of 0.
 

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