Deducing the volume of an elliptical cone

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the volume of a right elliptical cone with an elliptic base defined by semi-axes a and b, and height h. The original poster presents an equation for the volume but expresses uncertainty about their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the use of change of variables in double integrals and suggest exploring the area of the ellipse as a potential approach. Others propose examining the elliptical cross-sections at various heights to facilitate the volume calculation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different methods and questioning the assumptions about the area of the ellipse. There is no explicit consensus, but several lines of reasoning are being examined, including the use of known formulas and integration techniques.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering whether the area formula for the ellipse can be used as a given in their calculations. There is also mention of the original poster's difficulty in applying implicit differentiation to integral expressions.

yaakob7
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Here again

Homework Statement



Find the volume of a right elliptical cone with an elliptic base with semi-axes a and b and heigh h

Homework Equations



So: \frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1

The Attempt at a Solution



image.jpg


image.jpg


That's what I have, but answer should be:

V=\frac{1}{3}abh\pi

I've checked it all over again like 10 times, but I can't find the mistake. If you can see it I'd be grateful
 
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To tell you the truth, I can 't bring myself to slog through all your steps. But I have a question for you. Have you had change of variables in double integrals yet? For example, do you know how to show the area of the ellipse $$\frac {x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$$ is ##\pi a b## by mapping the ellipse to a circle? The reason for my asking is that if you have studied that, a much easier way to do the problem is to use the elliptical cross-sections. You can figure out the equation of the ellipse cross section at height ##z## for ##0\le z \le h## and either use the above formula or develop it with the appropriate change of variables.
 
LCKurtz said:
To tell you the truth, I can 't bring myself to slog through all your steps. But I have a question for you. Have you had change of variables in double integrals yet? For example, do you know how to show the area of the ellipse $$\frac {x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$$ is ##\pi a b## by mapping the ellipse to a circle? The reason for my asking is that if you have studied that, a much easier way to do the problem is to use the elliptical cross-sections. You can figure out the equation of the ellipse cross section at height ##z## for ##0\le z \le h## and either use the above formula or develop it with the appropriate change of variables.

I know how to make an implicit differentation but, I can't do that to an intregal expression.
 
LCKurtz said:
To tell you the truth, I can 't bring myself to slog through all your steps. But I have a question for you. Have you had change of variables in double integrals yet? For example, do you know how to show the area of the ellipse $$\frac {x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$$ is ##\pi a b## by mapping the ellipse to a circle? The reason for my asking is that if you have studied that, a much easier way to do the problem is to use the elliptical cross-sections. You can figure out the equation of the ellipse cross section at height ##z## for ##0\le z \le h## and either use the above formula or develop it with the appropriate change of variables.

yaakob7 said:
I know how to make an implicit differentation but, I can't do that to an intregal expression.

What I asked you has nothing to do with implicit differentiation. Just tell me this: Are you allowed to use the area formula ##\pi ab## for your standard xy ellipse area as a given? If the answer to that is yes, then figure out the equation of the elliptical cross section of your cone at height ##z## for ##0\le z \le h## and use that formula for its area. Then you can integrate the elliptical cross section area as a function of z to get the volume.
 

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