Evaluate Multiple Integrals with Polar Coordinates

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating a double integral using polar coordinates, specifically the integral of the function e^(-√(x² + y²)) over the first quadrant, with both integrals extending from 0 to infinity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the integral in polar coordinates and the challenges of determining the correct limits of integration. There are questions about the region of integration and how it translates into polar coordinates.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring the limits of integration for both r and θ, with some suggesting that r should range from 0 to infinity and θ from 0 to π/2, while others are clarifying the nature of the region being integrated over.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on understanding the geometric interpretation of the region defined by the original Cartesian limits, as well as the importance of correctly identifying the bounds in polar coordinates.

Blamo_slamo
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Homework Statement


By changing to polar coordinates, evaluate:

[tex]\int[/tex][tex]\int[/tex] e ^(-[tex]\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}[/tex]) dx dy

Both integrals go from 0 --> infinity

Homework Equations



r = [tex]\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}[/tex]

x = r cos[tex]\theta[/tex]

y = r sin[tex]\theta[/tex]

Using the Jacobian to switch to polar coord we get:

J = r d[tex]\theta[/tex] dr


The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]\int[/tex][tex]\int[/tex] e ^ (-r) r d[tex]\theta[/tex] dr

I have my integral set up, but I have no clue what the integration limits are. My prof. said this is always the hardest part of multiple integrals, any help hinting in the right direction would be great!

Thanks!
 
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Hi Blamo_slamo! :smile:

(have a square-root: √ and a theta: θ and an infinity: ∞ and try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)
Blamo_slamo said:
Both integrals go from 0 --> infinity

I have my integral set up, but I have no clue what the integration limits are. My prof. said this is always the hardest part of multiple integrals, any help hinting in the right direction would be great!

x and y each go from 0 to ∞.

So what does the region look like?

Then where does r go from?

And then where does θ go from? :smile:
 
tiny-tim said:
So what does the region look like?

So this region has a peak at x = y = 0, and it's at 1. The region also slopes off to 0, as both x, and y go to ∞

tiny-tim said:
Then where does r go from?

I'm still not entirely sure on this, but technically the original function runs off to infinity, as it gets closer and closer to 0, so would r then be from ∞ --> 1? This is an even function, so I can just say it runs over that interval and take a 2 out in front right?

tiny-tim said:
And then where does θ go from?

This one just completes the circle right? So it would go from 0 --> 2π
 
Hi Blamo_slamo! :smile:
Blamo_slamo said:
So this region has a peak at x = y = 0, and it's at 1. The region also slopes off to 0, as both x, and y go to ∞

… technically the original function runs off to infinity, as it gets closer and closer to 0, so would r then be from ∞ --> 1? …

no no no no noforget the function, for the limits, you're only interested in the region

the region is the whole of the first quadrant … 0 ≤ x ≤ ∞ and 0 ≤ y ≤ ∞

so what is that in terms of r and θ ? :smile:
 
Would it be reliable, if I just subbed in the bounds of x and y, in r?

e.g. r2 = x2 + y2
so as 0 ≤ x ≤ ∞ and 0 ≤ y ≤ ∞; r would then go from 0 ≤ r ≤ ∞ ?

and as you explained, we're only looking at the first quadrant, so 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/2 ?
 
Hi Blamo_slamo! :smile:

(just got up :zzz: …)
Blamo_slamo said:
Would it be reliable, if I just subbed in the bounds of x and y, in r?

e.g. r2 = x2 + y2
so as 0 ≤ x ≤ ∞ and 0 ≤ y ≤ ∞; r would then go from 0 ≤ r ≤ ∞ ?

and as you explained, we're only looking at the first quadrant, so 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/2 ?

Yup! :biggrin:

That's exactly the way to do it! :smile:
 
:smile: Thanks a lot tiny-tim!
 

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