Double integral-Surface area

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the surface area of a cylinder oriented along the z-axis using double integrals, specifically transitioning from rectangular to cylindrical coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the equation of a cylinder and seeks assistance in setting up a double integral for surface area in cylindrical coordinates.
  • Another participant explains how the equation transforms in cylindrical coordinates and provides a method to compute the differential of surface area using the cross product of vectors.
  • A third participant comments on the nature of the cylinder as a developable surface and calculates the area of the flattened rectangle formed by the cylinder's lateral surface.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the method of calculating the surface area, but there is no explicit consensus on the necessity or implications of the developable surface concept.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the implications of using different coordinate systems or the relationship between the surface area calculations and the properties of developable surfaces.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in surface area calculations, cylindrical coordinates, and the properties of developable surfaces may find this discussion relevant.

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For a cylinder oriented along the z axis, of radius 3:

x2 + y2 = 9
-4 <= z <= 4

y(x, z) = ±√(9 - x2)

G(x, y, z) = ±√(9 - x2) - y(x,z) = 0


I am trying to set up a double integral to calculate surface area along the sides of the cylinder.

In rectangular coordinates:

http://image.cramster.com/answer-board/image/cramster-equation-20094271716356337644939541787501925.gif

http://image.cramster.com/answer-board/image/cramster-equation-20094271718496337644952983975006480.gif

How would I do this in cylindrical co-ordinates?

Thanks!
 
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In cylindrical coordinates x2+ y2= 9 becomes just r2= 9 or r= 3.

The lateral surface of the cylinder is given by r= <x, y, z>= <3 cos(theta), r sin(theta), z>. rtheta= <-3sin(theta), 3cos(theta), 0>, and rz= <0, 0, 1>. The cross product of those is <3cos(theta), 3sin(theta), 0>, which has length 3, so the differential of surface area is 3 dtheta dz. Integrate that for theta from 0 to 2pi and z from -4 to 4.
 
Awesome, I see. Thanks!
 
A cylinder is, by the way, a "developable surface"- you could cut it along a vertical line and flatten it out. Since a circle of radus 3 have circumference [itex]18\pi[/itex], doing that to the cylinder from -4 to 4 would give a rectangle with width [itex]18\pi[/itex] and height 8. Its area is [itex]144\pi[/itex].
 

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