Double integral/change of variable

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of changing variables in a double integral, specifically focusing on the application of the Jacobian in the transformation. Participants explore the validity of a proposed substitution and its implications for the integral's evaluation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the necessity of calculating the Jacobian for their change of variable, proposing a straightforward substitution instead.
  • Another participant suggests that the proposed variables, r and s, are independent of each other, implying that the Jacobian is implicitly accounted for in the transformation.
  • The second participant provides a detailed calculation of the Jacobian, showing how it relates to the transformation and confirming the validity of the substitution.
  • There is an acknowledgment of the complexity involved in the transformation and the implications for the integral's evaluation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While one participant expresses confidence in the correctness of the transformation, the discussion does not reach a consensus on whether the Jacobian must be explicitly calculated or if the substitution is valid as proposed. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved regarding the necessity of the Jacobian in this context.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the potential ambiguity in the application of the Jacobian when performing variable substitutions in double integrals, particularly when the relationships between the variables are not straightforward.

hnh
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Hello, it may look long but if written down-
is really quite short, I have only included a detailed explanation to try and be more clear.
My question is; I am doing a change of variable which doesn't seem to 'fit' the theory of finding the jacobian to make
the transformation. It seems to me that I make a straightforward substitution:

The integral is \int\int_A f'(t) ln( f(x) - f(t) + t - x)dxdt In my area, x <= t so the order cannot be switched.

I make the following change of variable:

Let r=x-f(x) and h(r) = x and let s=t-f(t) and h(s)=t
notice that this gives f(x)=h(r)-r and f(t)=h(s)-s, hence f'(t)dxdt = dxf'(t)dt = h'(r)dr(h'(s) - 1)ds=h'(r)(h'(s)-1)drds.

Now the integral appears to be

\int\int_A' ln(r-s)h'(r)(h'(s)-1)drds

Is this correct-can I do this change of variable without actually doing the jacobian. It seems that I do not actually
have the integral \int\int f(x,y) dxdt in this case to make the transformation with the jacobian so I am wondering
if there is anything wrong with the way I have done this?
 
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I think it would work because your r and s variables are not each one dependent on x and t at the same time, so it's like you're doing two one-variable changes, so you really are doing the Jacobian thingy even if you don't realize that you are, if you know what I mean. You have:[tex]r(x) \equiv x -f(x) \ \ \rightarrow \ \ x=h(r);[/tex]
[tex]s(t) \equiv t-f(t) \ \ \rightarrow \ \ t=h(s);[/tex]

[tex]f(x)=x-r(x) \ \ \rightarrow \ \ f(x(r)) \equiv F(r) = h(r)-r;[/tex]
[tex]f(t)=t-s(t) \ \ \rightarrow \ \ f(t(s)) \equiv F(s) = h(s)-s;[/tex] The Jacobian would be:

[tex] <br /> J = det \left(<br /> \begin{array}{cc}<br /> \frac {\partial x} {\partial r} & \frac {\partial t} {\partial r}\\<br /> \frac {\partial x} {\partial s} & \frac {\partial t} {\partial s}<br /> \end{array}<br /> \right) = det<br /> \left( \begin{array}{cc}<br /> h'(r) & 0\\<br /> 0 & h'(s)<br /> \end{array}<br /> \right) = h'(r) h'(s)<br /> [/tex]

so you have:

[tex]dxdt = J \ dr ds = h'(r) h'(s) dr ds[/tex]

and

[tex]ln|f(x(r))-f(t(s))+t(s)-x(r)| = ln|s-r|[/tex]

and

[tex]f'(t) \ = \ \frac {df} {dt} = \left( 1 - \frac {ds} {dt} \right)[/tex]

And so:

[tex] <br /> \iint_\textrm{A} f'(t) \ ln|f(x)-f(t)+t-x|dxdt = \iint_\textrm{A'} \left( 1 - \frac {ds} {dt} \right) ln|s-r|h'(r) h'(s) dr ds= \iint_\textrm{A'} \left( h'(s)- \frac {ds} {dt} \frac {dh} {ds} \right) ln|s-r|h'(r) dr ds[/tex]

[tex]= \iint_\textrm{A'} \left( h'(s)- \frac {ds} {dt} \frac {dt} {ds} \right) ln|s-r|h'(r) dr ds= \iint_\textrm{A'} \left( h'(s)- 1 \right) ln|s-r|h'(r) dr ds<br /> [/tex]

which is what you got so I think it's correct :)
 
Thank you very much-that is a huge help!
 
You're welcome :smile:
 

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