Double integral on triangle using polar coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating a double integral over a triangular region defined by the inequalities -xtanα≤y≤xtanα and x≤1, using polar coordinates. The original poster attempts to set up the integral for the area, but expresses uncertainty about determining the appropriate limits for the polar angle and radial coordinate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to identify the correct integration boundaries for both the radial coordinate and the polar angle. There is mention of a substitution hint involving u=tanθ, and some participants question how to express the limits of integration in polar coordinates.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem setup. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to clarify the limits of integration, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take moving forward.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of determining the polar angle and radial limits based on the triangular region defined by the problem. There is an emphasis on visualizing the triangle to aid in understanding the integration boundaries.

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.
 

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