Double integral, cylindrical coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating a triple integral using cylindrical coordinates, specifically for the function \(\sqrt{x^2 + y^2 + z^2}\) over a region defined by a plane and a cone. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the appropriate limits of integration and the choice of coordinate system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conversion to cylindrical coordinates and the implications for the limits of integration. There is uncertainty about the correct boundaries for \(r\) and \(z\), with suggestions to visualize the region to clarify the setup.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on considering the boundaries defined by the cone and the plane. There is an ongoing exploration of the limits of integration, with multiple interpretations being discussed. The original poster and others are actively questioning their assumptions and attempting to clarify the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a potential preference for spherical coordinates, but the problem specifically requires cylindrical coordinates. Participants are grappling with the geometric interpretation of the region defined by the cone and the plane.

Ed Aboud
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Homework Statement



The problem states: Use cylindrical coordinates to evaluate

\iiint_V \sqrt{x^2 +y^2 +z^2} \,dx\,dy\,dz

where V is the region bounded by the plane z = 3 and the cone z = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}

Homework Equations


x = r cos( \theta )
y = r sin( \theta )
z = z

dV = dx dy dz = r dz dr d \theta

The Attempt at a Solution



Changing to cylindrical coordinates:

\iiint_V r \sqrt{r^2 +z^2} \,dz\,dr\,d \theta

The limits are:

3 \le z \le r
0 \le r \le 9 ?
0 \le \theta \le 2 \pi

I'm not sure how to tackle this integral. Attempting to evaluate it in mathematica returns an error too. To me, this question would be easier to solve using spherical polar coordinates, but the question states cylindrical.

One thing to note, \sqrt{r^2 +z^2} = R is the equation for a sphere of radius R, in cylindrical coordinates. Not sure if this may play a part in the solution.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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First think about your boundaries! In your cylinder coordinates they are given by the plane z=3 and the cone z=r. Thus for each z, from where to where runs r? What's the maximal value of r? Note that first integrating over r and then over z is simpler than the other order!
 
Thanks for your reply!

So am I correct in saying:

3 \le r \le 9 ?

Correction:

3 \le r \le z ?
 
Apologies but I still can't get it to work out. My limits are:

3 \le r \le z
3 \le z \le r
0 \le \theta \le 2 \pi

I'm fairly sure this is wrong, but can't figure out the correct ones
 
Just make a drawing to show you the region. Than it's easier to read it off. As far as I understand the question, the region should be the interior of a cone of height 3.
 
So I plotted it out, and by inspection I concluded that the limits are:

0 \le r \le 3
0 \le z \le 3
0 \le \theta \le 2 \pi

However, I can't get past the integral:

\iiint_V r \sqrt{r^2 + z^2} \,dr\,dz\,d \theta

gives

\iint_V \frac{1}{3} (r^2 + z^2)^(3/2) \,dz\,d \theta

integrating this out i got really odd answers with inverse hyperbolic sines so I'm guessing it's probably wrong
 
Ed Aboud said:
So I plotted it out, and by inspection I concluded that the limits are:

0 \le r \le 3
0 \le z \le 3
0 \le \theta \le 2 \pi

Don't those limits describe a cylinder, not a cone?
 

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