Double integral in polar coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the volume of a solid bounded by two paraboloids, specifically z = 3x² + 3y² and z = 4 - x² - y², using polar coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to find the intersection of the two surfaces to determine the limits of integration in polar coordinates. Some participants question the correctness of the approach and suggest alternative interpretations of the volume calculation.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various interpretations of the problem setup and the equations involved. While some participants express doubts about the original poster's method, others acknowledge that the integration performed aligns with the stated problem. There is no explicit consensus reached, but some guidance is offered regarding the use of polar coordinates.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster is constrained to using polar coordinates as per their coursework, which influences the discussion on the appropriateness of the methods being used.

simmonj7
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Homework Statement


Ok so I solved the problem, I think. I would just like to check my work.
So the problem is:
Use polar coordinates to find the volume of the given solid bounded by the paraboloids z = 3x^2 + 3y^2 and z = 4 - x^2 - y^2.


Homework Equations


r^2 = x^2 + y^2
x = r cos Θ
y = r sin Θ


The Attempt at a Solution


Ok so I starts by setting the two equations equal to each other to find their intersection.
3x^2 + 3y^2 = 4 - x^2 - y^2
4x^2 + 4y^2 = 4 (add the x^2 and y^2 across)
x^2 + y^2 = 1 (divide by four)
So then that the paraboloids intersect in the circle x^2 + y^2 = 1.

So from this, I figured that the area I was integrating over in polar coordinates was 0 ≤ r ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ Θ ≤ 2pi.

Then, I converted the two equations to polar coordinates:
z = 3x^2 + 3y^2 = 3r^2
z = 4 - x^2 - y^2 = 4 - r^2

Then I took the double integral of (4 - r^2 - 3r^2) r dr dΘ from 0 to 1 (with respect to r) and then from 0 to 2pi (with respect to Θ).

I subtracted the two r^2 and mulitplied to other r through so that I was now taking the double integral of 4r - 4r^3 dr dΘ over the same area.

I integrated that to get 2r^2 - r^4 and plugged in 1 and 0 for the values of r and got 1.

Then I integrated 1 from 0 to 2pi to get a final answer of 2pi.

Did I do something wrong?
Thanks! :)
 
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I don't think you have done this properly. I think that you need to find the volume of the solid for a surface which is

[tex]z=4(-x^2-y^2+1)[/tex]

for z>0

Which intersects the xy-plane on the unit circle centred at (0,0)
 
That equation you gave is not in the problem I stated so I have no idea where you are coming from.
 
Well you said that you need to find the volume between the two surfaces?

[tex]z_1 = 3x^2 + 3y^2[/tex]
[tex]z_2 = -x^2 - y^2 + 4[/tex]

The difference in their height at every point is

[tex]z=z_2-z_1=-4x^2-4x^2+4[/tex]

I think that the solution will be to find the area under the surface above which can be written as

[tex]z=4(-x^2-y^2+1)[/tex]

that is, the volume between this curve and the xy-plane. Also, to find a volume, polar co-ordinates are not sufficient, how can you get a volume when integrating for a 2D problem? Use cyclinderical polar coordinates or spherical polar coordinates.

Also, I suggest the former method, adding small disks of varying radius and infinitesimal height dz.
 
I can only use polar coordinates cause that is the unit we are doing in the book so they have to be sufficient.
 
And you were saying that I was trying to find the area under the surface z = 4(-x^2 - y^2 +1).
However, if you look, I did that because I integrated 4 - 4r^2 which is exactly that.
 
Then I think actually it should be OK
 
simmonj7 said:
Did I do something wrong?
Thanks! :)

No. It is exactly right.
 

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