Double Integral: Find Area Bounded by Two Circles with Polar Coordinates

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the area bounded by the circles defined by the equations x² + y² = 1 and x² + y² = x + y using polar coordinates. The correct limits for the integral are established as cos(t) + sin(t) ≤ r ≤ 1 and -π/4 ≤ t ≤ 3π/4. The initial integration approach yielded zero due to the periodic nature of the sine function over the chosen interval. The solution was corrected by splitting the integral into segments, resulting in a total area of (π + 1)/2.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polar coordinates and their application in integration.
  • Familiarity with double integrals and their limits in calculus.
  • Knowledge of periodic functions and their properties, particularly sine functions.
  • Ability to manipulate and evaluate integrals involving trigonometric functions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of polar coordinates in depth, focusing on their use in double integrals.
  • Learn how to split integrals effectively to handle periodic functions.
  • Explore the properties of sine and cosine functions over different intervals.
  • Practice solving similar problems involving areas bounded by curves in polar coordinates.
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Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on integration techniques and applications of polar coordinates. This discussion is also beneficial for educators looking for examples of common pitfalls in double integrals.

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Homework Statement


Find area bounded by x^2 + y^2 = 1 and x^2 + y^2 = x + y


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



from the second circle, we can see r^2 >= r cos t + r sin t
so r >= cos t + sin t

Limits are:
cos t + sin t <= r <= 1
-pi/4 <= t <= 3pi/4

Doing the integrals however, I always seem to get zero:

[tex]\int^{3pi/4}_{-pi/4}\int^{1}_{cos t+ sin t} r dr dt[/tex]
this gives me
[tex]\int^{3pi/4}_{-pi/4}-sin(2t)/2 dt[/tex]
which is zero. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks
 
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If you integrate a periodic function over one complete period, you don't get the area between the graph and the horizontal axis - you get zero. You are integrating a multiple of sin(2t) over an interval of length pi, so naturally you'll get zero. If you want the area, you have to break up the integral into two integrals - one for the part where sin(2t) is above the horizontal axis, and the other where it is below. Then you'll get the area between the curve and the horizontal axis.
 
Thanks, I just found that if I split the integral up into the first circle and two segments of the other circle, it ends up giving me a non-zero answer (not sure if right thought)
Area within first quadrant = pi/4

Area in 2nd and 4th quadrant =
[tex]\int^{0}_{-pi/4}\int^{cos t + sin t}_{0} r dr dt[/tex]

which gives me
[tex]\int^{0}_{-pi/4} (1+sin2t)/2 dt[/tex]
which is pi/8 + 1/4

so in total i have pi/4 + 2(pi/8 + 1/4)
= (pi + 1)/2

But yeah, what you said makes sense. Thanks
 

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