Double Integration: Why Y to Sqrt(Y) & X^2 to X?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the limits of integration in double integrals involving the curves y = x^2 and y = x, specifically questioning why the limits are set from y to sqrt(y) and from x^2 to x, rather than the reverse. The context includes mathematical reasoning related to double integration and the geometric interpretation of the area enclosed by the curves.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants explain that when integrating with respect to y, the limits are from y = x to y = sqrt(y), while integrating with respect to x has limits from y = x^2 to y = x.
  • One participant suggests that the direction of integration (left to right for dy and bottom to up for dx) influences the choice of limits, emphasizing the need to identify which function is "greater" in the specified region.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the correctness of the explanation provided, referencing an external source for clarification.
  • Further, a participant questions which specific part of the external source's work is in disagreement with the previous claims, indicating a lack of consensus on the interpretation of the integration limits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the integration limits or the explanations provided. There are competing views and uncertainties regarding the reasoning behind the limits of integration.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in understanding the geometric interpretation of the curves and the conditions under which the integration limits are defined. There are unresolved aspects regarding the correctness of the claims made and the external references cited.

coverband
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If you can imagine two curves
y = x^2
y=x
between y=[0,1] and x=[0,1] and you are asked to perform a double integration (compute the area encloed by the two curves) you can perfom this with x as the inner integral or y as the inner integral.
When x is the inner integral the limits are from y to sqrt(y)
When y is the inner integral the limits are from x^2 to x

My question is why do they go from y to sqrt(y) and x^2 to x and not sqrt(y) to y and x to x^2?

For a picture of the above see http://www.math.oregonstate.edu/hom...usQuestStudyGuides/vcalc/255doub/255doub.html final example
 
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coverband said:
If you can imagine two curves
y = x^2
y=x
between y=[0,1] and x=[0,1] and you are asked to perform a double integration (compute the area encloed by the two curves) you can perfom this with x as the inner integral or y as the inner integral.
When x is the inner integral the limits are from y to sqrt(y)
When y is the inner integral the limits are from x^2 to x

My question is why do they go from y to sqrt(y) and x^2 to x and not sqrt(y) to y and x to x^2?

For a picture of the above see http://www.math.oregonstate.edu/hom...usQuestStudyGuides/vcalc/255doub/255doub.html final example

Because you are going "left to right" when your inner integral is wrt dy and from "bottom" to "up" when you do it wrt to dx. So when you do it wrt dy, note that you are going between y = x and y = x^2 (or x = sqrt(y) since we need bounds in terms of some function of y). When you are doing it wrt dx, you are going from y = x^2 to y = x. Visually you want to see which function is "greater". So when dealing with dy, rotate your graph and you will see that y = x^2 is "above" y = x and thus your lower bound is x = y and your upper bound is x = sqrt(y). Now when you do it wrt dx, you should see that y = x is "above" y = x^2 (at least on your interval of [0,1] x [0,1]) and that is why dx goes from y = x^2 to y = x.
 
you're a genius
 
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