Double Integral - Going from Cartesian to Polar

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting a double integral from Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates, specifically focusing on determining the correct limits of integration. Participants are addressing challenges related to the limits rather than the function itself.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the necessity of sketching the region in the x-y plane to better understand the limits of integration. There are questions about how to derive the limits for r as a function of theta and whether the integration order affects the conversion process.

Discussion Status

Some participants express confusion about the conversion process and the limits, while others suggest approaches to clarify the integration limits. There is an indication that certain insights have been gained, particularly regarding the relationship between Cartesian and polar coordinates, but no consensus has been reached on the correct limits.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention a lack of guidance from the instructor regarding the assignment, which involves converting Cartesian to cylindrical and spherical coordinates. This context may contribute to the uncertainty in the discussion.

erok81
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Homework Statement



See attachment.

Change the Cartesian integral into an equivalent polar integral, then evaluate the integral.

I have no problems at all converting the actual function I am integrating or the integration itself, it is just the limits I cannot do.

I've posted two examples in my attachment. The first one I have the answer for and I can get three of them but the 6csc theta I cannot figure how to get that. The other I've posted the three I can do (but don't know if it is right because I have no answer for this one) but still that fourth one I can't get get.

I think the problem is our teacher gave us an assignment to convert Cartesian to cylindrical to spherical but didn't explain how to do it or give us any answers. You can imagine that was a total waste of time - "here do this assignment but I am not going to tell you how or give you the answers." :eek:
 

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Why don't you sketch a graph of the region in the x-y plane? Then the theta limits of pi/4 to pi/2 shouldn't be any surprise. Now you want to find the r limits as a function of theta. y=r*sin(theta). The limits for y are 0 and 6. Solve for r. An upper limit of 6*csc(theta) shouldn't be a surprise either.
 
That makes sense.

I guess the part I am confused about is the cartesian coordinates are integrated as dx dy so I though you'd covert dx to dr and dy to d(theta) since they are in that order.

I thought I got it but after I read it I took my dog out and came back to work on it and now it doesn't make sense.
 
Or is it just in this case you know that y=rsin(theta) so you can pull the y values from the other integral limits?
 
Oh...maybe I do get it.

In my second example is the upper dr limit 2sec(theta)?

Now that I think about it more, I remember the teacher said carve with r and sweep with theta. If I do that my post #4 is irrelevant and that part makes sense.
 
erok81 said:
Oh...maybe I do get it.

In my second example is the upper dr limit 2sec(theta)?

Now that I think about it more, I remember the teacher said carve with r and sweep with theta. If I do that my post #4 is irrelevant and that part makes sense.

Yes, to 2*sec(theta). But in the second example I don't think the theta limits are right. Did you draw the region?
 

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