Double Integral of a Circle with Limits of Integration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a double integral of the function f(x,y) = y²√(1-x²) over the region defined by x² + y² < 1, which represents the interior of a circle centered at the origin with a radius of 1.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to evaluate the integral using different limits for x and y, initially integrating over half the circle and then adjusting to cover the full area. Some participants question the correctness of the integrand and the limits used in the integration process.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the setup of the integral and the implications of the chosen limits. There is an exploration of different methods of integration, with some guidance provided on the need to expand expressions and correctly apply integration techniques. No consensus has been reached on the final answer, and various interpretations of the integration process are being examined.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the integration limits and the handling of the integrand, as well as the application of integration rules. Participants are also reflecting on the implications of using different methods and the resulting discrepancies in answers.

LASmith
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Homework Statement


Evaluate
f(x,y)=y2\sqrt{1-x<sup>2</sup>}
over the region
x2+y2< 1

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



using x limits between -1 & 1 followed by the y limits of 0 & \sqrt{1-x<sup>2</sup>}

\int\inty2\sqrt{1-x<sup>2</sup>}.dy.dx

Evaluating this and multiplying be 2 to get the whole circle I get 0 as the 1 and -1 limits both give zero as the answer. Therefore I used the x limits of 0 & 1 and multiplied by 4 instead, this gave an answer of 4/9, however I have been given the answer of 32/45, and I have no idea how this could possibly be wrong.
 
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Hi LASmith! :smile:
LASmith said:
… Therefore I used the x limits of 0 & 1 and multiplied by 4 instead, this gave an answer of 4/9 …

Your intermediate integrand must be wrong. :redface:

Show us what you had inside the ∫ when it was just ∫ … dx​
 
tiny-tim said:
Show us what you had inside the ∫ when it was just ∫ … dx​

\int y3\sqrt{1-x<sup>2</sup>}/3 .dx

Then substituting the limits \sqrt{1-x<sup>2</sup>} and 0 for y I obtained

\int (1-x2)2)/3 .dx

Limits between 0 and 1 for this final integral
 
The set x^2+ y^2&lt; 1 is the interior of a circle with center at (0, 0) and radius 1. That means that a diameter, on the x-axis, goes from -1 to 1, and on the y-axis, from -1 to 1. By taking y from 0 (the x-axis) up to \sqrt{1- x^2} (the circle) and x from -1 to 1, you are only integrating over 1/2 of the circle.

Your y needs to go from the point where the vertical line crosses the circle below the x-axis to the point where it crosses the circle above the x-axis.
 
LASmith said:
\int (1-x2)2)/3 .dx

= ∫ (1 - 2x2 + x4)/3 dx …

how did you not get a factor 1/5 after integrating this? :confused:
 
tiny-tim said:
= ∫ (1 - 2x2 + x4)/3 dx …

how did you not get a factor 1/5 after integrating this? :confused:

Expanding the brackets and then integrating I obtained the correct answer, so thanks for that.

However, looking back I had no idea how I did not get a factor of 1/5, I did not expand out the brackets, and just used the chain rule to obtain
(1-x2)3/-18x
Then putting in the limits 0 and 1 gets the answer 0-0, out of curiosity how does this method not work?
 
Hi LASmith! :smile:
LASmith said:
… looking back I had no idea how I did not get a factor of 1/5, I did not expand out the brackets, and just used the chain rule to obtain
(1-x2)3/-18x
Then putting in the limits 0 and 1 gets the answer 0-0, out of curiosity how does this method not work?

Just try differentiating (1-x2)3/-18x …

you'd have to use both the chain rule and the product (or quotient) rule, and they don't cancel (why should they?).
 

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