Double integral on triangle using polar coordinates

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The discussion centers on calculating the double integral ∫∫R (x²+y²)dA over a triangular region defined by -xtanα≤y≤xtanα and x≤1 using polar coordinates. Participants highlight the need to determine the correct boundaries for the polar coordinates, specifically the radial coordinate r and the angular coordinate θ, noting that θ will vary rather than being a single value. A suggestion is made to sketch the triangle to better understand the integration limits. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clearly defining the integral and its boundaries before proceeding with the calculation. Overall, clarity in setting up the polar coordinates is essential for solving the integral correctly.
sxyqwerty
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Homework Statement


Let R be the triangle defined by -xtanα≤y≤xtanα and x≤1 where α is an acute angle sketch the triangle and calculate
∫∫R (x2+y2)dA using polar coordinates
hint: the substitution u=tanθ may help you evaluate the integral

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


so the triangle has points (0,0) (1, xtanα) (1, -xtanα)
and r=1/cosα=secα
and I am stuck from here i don't know how to find the θ value of the polar coordinate
 
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The polar angle does not have one value. Like the radial coordinate r, it is an integration variable and you must integrate over it. The question you need to answer first is: What is the integral you need to solve and what are the integration boundaries?
 
i got ∫∫R r3drdθ i get that the boundary for r is 0 to secα but I am stuck after this...
i get that the polar angle is supposed to be multiple values (i.e. in a general form like θ or α) but i seriously have no clue on how to approach this further

from the original set of data i get ∫01-xtanαxtanαx2+y2dA
 
Last edited:
sxyqwerty said:
i get that the boundary for r is 0 to secα

This is wrong. I suggest you draw the triangle on a piece of paper and try to figure out which limits your integration variables have. Think about what the angles ##\alpha## and ##\theta## represent.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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