Double Integrals Homework: Solve (a) & (b)

  • Thread starter Thread starter roam
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integrals
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of double integrals, specifically focusing on the substitution method involving the variable transformation \( u = x^4 \). Participants are exploring the implications of this substitution on the limits of integration and the behavior of the Jacobian.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the breakdown of the method when limits of integration are equal and question the implications of the Jacobian vanishing. There are inquiries about forming the Jacobian matrix and the correct treatment of integrals after substitution.

Discussion Status

Guidance has been offered regarding the nature of the Jacobian and its relationship to the variable \( x \). Some participants are attempting to clarify the correct form of the integrals after substitution, while others are exploring the need to separate integrals to avoid undefined points.

Contextual Notes

There is confusion regarding the definitions of "Type I" and "Type II" regions in relation to the problem. Additionally, participants are grappling with the constraints imposed by the substitution and the behavior of the integrand at specific points within the integration limits.

roam
Messages
1,265
Reaction score
12

Homework Statement



[PLAIN]http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/6839/49887281.gif


The Attempt at a Solution



(a)

du=4x3dx

[tex]\int^b_{a} f(x^4)dx= \int^{1^4}_{(-1)^4} 1+u \frac{du}{4x^3}[/tex]

So, why does the method break down? Is it because a=b=1 (it should've been a < b)?

(b) What does it mean for the Jacobian [tex]\frac{du}{dx}[/tex] to "vanish"? And how do we find this point? :confused:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
roam said:

Homework Statement



[PLAIN]http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/6839/49887281.gif


The Attempt at a Solution



(a)

du=4x3dx

[tex]\int^b_{a} f(x^4)dx= \int^{1^4}_{(-1)^4} 1+u \frac{du}{4x^3}[/tex]

So, why does the method break down? Is it because a=b=1 (it should've been a < b)?
Both limits of integration in the new integral are 1, so the value of the definite integral is 0.
roam said:
(b) What does it mean for the Jacobian [tex]\frac{du}{dx}[/tex] to "vanish"? And how do we find this point? :confused:
An expression "vanishes" if its value becomes zero. For what value of x does your Jacobian become zero?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mark44 said:
Both limits of integration in the new integral are 1, so the value of the definite integral is 0.

An expression "vanishes" if its value becomes zero. For what value of x does your Jacobian become zero?

So, the first step is to find the Jacobian? Can I get some clues on how to form the Jacobian matrix for this problem? I know that the u=x4, but I can't work out what the four entries in J are supposed to be. :confused: Any help is appreciated.
 
There aren't four entries, since u is a function of only one variable, x. The problem even tells you what it is when it asks in part b, at what point does the "Jacobian" du/dx vanish. "Jacobian" is in quotes here because it's normally applied to functions of more than one variable.
 
Mark44 said:
There aren't four entries, since u is a function of only one variable, x. The problem even tells you what it is when it asks in part b, at what point does the "Jacobian" du/dx vanish. "Jacobian" is in quotes here because it's normally applied to functions of more than one variable.

Oh, I see. Since u=x4

[tex]\frac{du}{dx}=4x^3[/tex]

It is only zero when x=0. So is this the point we were required to find (the "Jacobian" is zero here)?

And for part (c) in order to exclude this point, do I need to treat the integral as a "type I region" or a "type II" region? I sketched the function and it is symmetric about the y axis...
 
Last edited:
I don't remember what "Type I" and "Type II" regions are. When you make the substitution u = x^4, what is the new integral you get? It should not have x or dx in it.
 
Mark44 said:
I don't remember what "Type I" and "Type II" regions are. When you make the substitution u = x^4, what is the new integral you get? It should not have x or dx in it.

So, the question says I need to separate it into two integrals (using the substitution u=x4) to avoid the point found in part (b) as an interior point. So is the following correct?

[tex]\frac{du}{dx}=4x^3[/tex], so [tex]dx=\frac{du}{4x^3}[/tex]

[tex]\int^0_{-1} 1+u \frac{du}{4x^3} + \int^1_0 1+u \frac{du}{4x^3}[/tex]
 
No. As I said before, expressions involving x should not appear in the new integrals.
 
Mark44 said:
No. As I said before, expressions involving x should not appear in the new integrals.

I see, so is the following correct:

Since 4x3=4u3/4

[tex]\int^0_{-1} (1+u) \frac{du}{4u^{3/4}} + \int^1_0 (1+u) \frac{du}{4u^{3/4}}[/tex]

since the graph is even about the y=axis we can write it as

[tex]2 \int^1_{0} (1+u) \frac{du}{4u^{\frac{3}{4}}}[/tex]

[tex]=2 \int^1_{0} 1+u 4u^{-\frac{4}{3}}[/tex]

[tex]=\frac{2}{4} \int^1_{0} 1+u^{-\frac{1}{3}}[/tex]

[tex]=\frac{1}{2} \int^1_{0} u+\frac{3}{2}u^{\frac{2}{3}}[/tex]

[tex]=\frac{1}{2} \frac{5}{2} = \frac{5}{4} =1.25[/tex]

Is this correct now?
 
  • #10
No, not correct. Evaluate the first integral you started with, which is a very easy one. The transformed integral should have the same value.

You have made several mistakes in your work.
[tex](1+u) \frac{du}{4u^{\frac{3}{4}}} \neq 1+u 4u^{-\frac{4}{3}}[/tex]

(1 + u)/(4u^(3/4)) is not symmetric about the y-axis. It's not even defined for u <= 0 . Your substitution was u = x^4, so u must be >= 0. If you solve for x, you need one formula for x >= 0 and another for x <= 0.

Finally, part b asked you where du/dx was equal to zero, which happens to be in the interval [-1, 1]. You will have to account for the fact that both integrands are undefined at some point in the interval of integration.
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
11K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K