Double Integral for Volume Under a Surface

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the volume under the surface defined by z = y(x+2) over a specific area bounded by the equations y + x = 1, y = 1, and y = sqrt(x). Participants are exploring the setup and evaluation of double integrals to solve this problem.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking the integral into parts based on the geometry of the bounds and the intersections of the curves involved. There are questions about the correctness of the integrals set up and the expected volume result. Some participants suggest that the region may require multiple integrals, while others propose that a single integral could suffice.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning the assumptions regarding the number of integrals needed. Some have offered guidance on the order of integration and the interpretation of the bounded area, but there is no clear consensus on the correct approach or the final answer.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the boundaries of the region and the appropriate limits for integration. Some participants express uncertainty about the volume calculations and the validity of the claimed answer of 9/8, suggesting that it may not be feasible based on their calculations.

eprparadox
Messages
133
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


Find the volume under the surface z = y(x+2) and over the area bounded by y+x = 1, y = 1 and y = sqrt(x)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Based on the geometry of the bounds, I broke this integral into two parts. I first found the intersection of the sqrt(x) and y = 1-x. This is at x = [itex]\dfrac {1} {2}\left( 3-\sqrt {5}\right)[/itex]

Then my first integral was this:

[tex]\int _{x=0}^{x=\dfrac {1} {2}\left( 3-\sqrt {5}\right) }\int _{y=1-x}^{y=1}y\left( x+2\right) dydx[/tex]

and my second integral is this:

[tex]\int _{x=\dfrac {1} {2}\left( 3-\sqrt {5}\right) }^{x=1}\int _{y=\sqrt {x}}^{y=1}y\left( x+2\right) dydx[/tex]

However when I solve this integral, I don't get the correct answer (which should be 9/8 according to the solution).

Where am I going wrong?

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
By plotting the region it looks like you should be using four double integrals.
 
Last edited:
eprparadox said:

Homework Statement


Find the volume under the surface z = y(x+2) and over the area bounded by y+x = 1, y = 1 and y = sqrt(x)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Based on the geometry of the bounds, I broke this integral into two parts. I first found the intersection of the sqrt(x) and y = 1-x. This is at x = [itex]\dfrac {1} {2}\left( 3-\sqrt {5}\right)[/itex]

Then my first integral was this:

[tex]\int _{x=0}^{x=\dfrac {1} {2}\left( 3-\sqrt {5}\right) }\int _{y=1-x}^{y=1}y\left( x+2\right) dydx[/tex]

and my second integral is this:

[tex]\int _{x=\dfrac {1} {2}\left( 3-\sqrt {5}\right) }^{x=1}\int _{y=\sqrt {x}}^{y=1}y\left( x+2\right) dydx[/tex]

However when I solve this integral, I don't get the correct answer (which should be 9/8 according to the solution).

Where am I going wrong?

Thanks!

I assume you want to bound the volume below by the plane z = 0.

What was your final answer? I do not get the value 9/8, either. In fact, since 9/8 > 1 it cannot be the correct answer, for even getting a crude upper bound gives an answer < 1. Below, let
[tex]a = \frac{3}{2}-\frac{\sqrt{5}}{2} \doteq 0.381966012[/tex]
be x-value of the intersection between the square root and the slanted line.

The base of the first integral is the right-triangle with sides ##a## and ##a##, so has area ##A_1 = a^2/2 \doteq 0.07294901715.## A simple upper bound on ##z## is ##z \leq 3## for all feasible ##x,y##, so the first integral, ##I_1##, has the simple upper bound ##I_1 \leq U_1 = 3 A_1 \doteq 0.2188470514##.

The base of the second integral is a "triangle" with a curved hypotenuse, so has area less than a true triangle with the same base and height; that is we have:
[tex]\text{area}_2 < A_2 \equiv a (1-a)/2 \doteq 0.1180339888[/tex]
Thus, an upper bound on the second integral, ##I_2##, is ##I_2 \leq U_2 = 3A_2 \doteq 0.3541019664##. An upper bound on the whole double integral is ##U = U_1 + U_2 \doteq 0.5729490180.## This is a lot smaller than the claimed value of 9/8 = 1.125.
 
Last edited:
Also, I would point out that, given the shape of that region, a dxdy order of integration allows setting up only one double integral.
 
@Zondrina: I don't think there are 4 double integrals because this area is bounded by y = 1 and comes to a point at the intersection of y = 1 - x and y = sqrt(x)

@Ray Vickson: yeah I get a number much smaller than 1. I calculated the integrals on wolfram alpha and I ended up getting something like .38@LCKurtz: I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Care to explain more?
 
LCKurtz said:
Also, I would point out that, given the shape of that region, a dxdy order of integration allows setting up only one double integral.

@LCKurtz: I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Care to explain more?

I mean put the proper limits on$$
\iint y(x+2)~dxdy$$Just one double integral is necessary.
 
@Zondrina: I don't think there are 4 double integrals because this area is bounded by y = 1 and comes to a point at the intersection of y = 1 - x and y = sqrt(x)

Yes I didn't notice this when I was sleepy. The region looks like it's divided up into three pieces, not four (somehow my brain convinced me there was a line at ##x=1## last night); The left triangle like piece, the upper triangular like piece and the bottom piece.

The limits for ##x## appear to be different in each region, as are the limits for ##y##. If I'm seeing this now, it looks like you would need five integrals. Not quite sure how you would do this with just one integral.
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2014-09-03 at 9.14.01 AM.png
    Screen Shot 2014-09-03 at 9.14.01 AM.png
    7.7 KB · Views: 560
eprparadox said:
@Zondrina: I don't think there are 4 double integrals because this area is bounded by y = 1 and comes to a point at the intersection of y = 1 - x and y = sqrt(x)

@Ray Vickson: yeah I get a number much smaller than 1. I calculated the integrals on wolfram alpha and I ended up getting something like .38


@LCKurtz: I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Care to explain more?

Intuitively, you have chosen to split up the base area into thin vertical slices parallel to the y-axis. Essentially, the suggestion of LCKurtz is that you split it up instead into thin horizontal slices parallel to the x-axis.
 
Zondrina said:
Yes I didn't notice this when I was sleepy. The region looks like it's divided up into three pieces, not four (somehow my brain convinced me there was a line at ##x=1## last night); The left triangle like piece, the upper triangular like piece and the bottom piece.

The limits for ##x## appear to be different in each region, as are the limits for ##y##. If I'm seeing this now, it looks like you would need five integrals. Not quite sure how you would do this with just one integral.

attachment.php?attachmentid=72664&d=1409750071.png


@Zondrina: The only region that is described in the original post is the upper one, and it takes one double integral if done as a dxdy integral.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
  • #10
I see all the lines only have one region where they all form a closed boundary.

Thank you for clarifying that.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Hey, thanks so much! Makes sense now.

Thanks!
 
  • #12
eprparadox said:
Hey, thanks so much! Makes sense now.

Thanks!

Which response are you replying to? Please use the "quote" button when responding; it keeps the thread under control.
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
11K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K