Double integration of circles, spheres etc

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around double integration problems involving circular and spherical domains. The original poster presents three distinct integration questions, each with specific boundaries and integrands, while expressing a preference against using polar coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the setup of double integrals, questioning the appropriateness of fixed limits for integration based on the geometric boundaries of circles and semicircles. There is a focus on understanding how to correctly define the limits of integration in relation to the variables involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the integration process, emphasizing the need to integrate with respect to y first and to consider the variable nature of the limits. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the correct boundaries and methods to apply, particularly regarding the interpretation of the areas of integration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note constraints regarding the use of polar coordinates, as the original poster specifies that the questions are part of a set requiring rectangular coordinates only. This limitation influences the discussion on how to approach the integration problems.

Lil_Margie
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Homework Statement


So I have three questions. The first one is the double integration of x+2 from y=0 to y=sqrt(9^2-x^2). The second question is the double integration of sqrt(r^2-x^2-y^2) where the domain is in the circle of radius R and origin 0. And the last question is the double integration of ax^3+by^3+sqrt(a^2-x^2), where xis from -a to a and y is from -b to b. Please no polar coordinates!


Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


1. I drew a semicircle where the radius was 3. The x is therefore from -3 to 3. And the y can be simplified to be from 0 to 3*pi, since the outer border of the semicircle is half the circumference, which is 2*pi*r. So, (2*pi*3)/2 is 3*pi. Therefore x is from -3 to 3 and y is from 0 to 3*pi. After I integrated, first with respect to y, then to x, I got 36*pi. But the textbook answer is 9*pi. Why?

2. I don't really know where to start. I just know that I'll have z^2+x^2+y^2=r^2 and that on the xy plane z=0 so I have x^2+y^2=r^2 which is one of the boundaries. So I can have the boundaries 0≤y≤sqrt(r^2-x^2) and -r≤x≤r, say if I'm only focusing on the semicircle which lies on the xy plane. But after that I don't know what to do!

3. I first simplified the formula by noticing the sqrt part can be drawn as a semicircle, with radius a. This means that the circumference of that semicircle will be 2*pi. So I can put in 2*pi and get rid of the sqrt equation. Then by integrating first with respect to y, then to x, and using the boundaries I mentioned, I get 4*a^2*b*pi. I don't know how to get rid of the 4!

Thanks.
 
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Lil_Margie said:
The x is therefore from -3 to 3. And the y can be simplified to be from 0 to 3*pi, since the outer border of the semicircle is half the circumference, which is 2*pi*r.

This is where you go wrong. You can't have fixed limits for y here, because it is from 0 to the border of the circle, and that depends on x. You need to integrate w.r.t. y first, which is trivial because the integrand does not depend on it, then plug in the y-limits, which are functions of x, then integrate by x.

2. I don't really know where to start.

The integral over the entire circle is the sum of the integrals over its semicircles. And you already know how to tackle those.

3. I first simplified the formula by noticing the sqrt part can be drawn as a semicircle, with radius a.

No, this is completely wrong. The area of integration is a rectangle, not a circle (unless you change coordinates). The area makes things simple in the sense that the limits of integration are constant, so the double integral becomes trivial. Just integrate w.r.t. one variable first, assuming the other is constant, then integrate by the other one.
 
No sorry I don't understand. Could you specifically say what boundaries I would have to use? I don't see how I'd use the y-limits for the first question as you said, unless I use polar coordinates which I'm not supposed to do, because this question is part of a set with rectangular coordinates only.
 
For the first case, you have this: <br /> <br /> \int_{x = -3}^{x = 3} dx \int_{y = 0}^{y = \sqrt{9-x^2}} (x + 2)dy<br /> <br /> You first integrate with respect to y: <br /> <br /> \int_{x = -3}^{x = 3} dx \int_{y = 0}^{y = \sqrt{9-x^2}} (x + 2)dy<br /> <br /> = \int_{x = -3}^{x = 3} dx \left[ (x + 2)y \right]_{y = 0}^{y = \sqrt{9-x^2}}<br /> <br /> = \int_{x = -3}^{x = 3} dx (x + 2)\sqrt{9-x^2}<br /> <br /> This is on ordinary definite integral.
 

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