Evaluating Cartesian integral in polar coordinates

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The discussion revolves around transforming a given integral from Cartesian to polar coordinates and evaluating it. The original integral is identified as involving the expression √(x² + y²), and the participant initially miscalculates the limits for r in polar coordinates. After clarification, it is determined that the correct limits for r depend on θ, specifically that r should range from 0 to 3 sec(θ). The participant acknowledges the correction and expresses gratitude for the guidance received in understanding the problem.
toforfiltum
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Homework Statement


Transform given integral in Cartesian coordinates to one in polar coordinates and evaluate polar integral.

##\int_{0}^3 \int_{0}^x \frac {dydx}{\sqrt(x^2+y^2)}##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I drew out the region in the ##xy## plane and I know that ##0 \leq \theta \leq \frac{\pi}{4}##.
For ##r##, I thought that it should be ##3 \leq r \leq 3\sqrt 2##

So my polar integral is ##\int_{0}^ \frac{\pi}{4} \int_{3}^{3\sqrt 2} \frac{1}{\sqrt(r^2)} r drd\theta##.

The answer I get from this integral is ##\frac{3\pi}{4} (\sqrt2 -1)##

But the answer is ##3 \ln(\sqrt2+1)##.

I have no idea how ##ln## appears in the answer.

Where am I wrong?

Thanks!
 
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toforfiltum said:

Homework Statement


Transform given integral in Cartesian coordinates to one in polar coordinates and evaluate polar integral.

##\int_{0}^3 \int_{0}^x \frac {dydx}{\sqrt(x^2+y^2)}##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I drew out the region in the ##xy## plane and I know that ##0 \leq \theta \leq \frac{\pi}{4}##.
For ##r##, I thought that it should be ##3 \leq r \leq 3\sqrt 2##

So my polar integral is ##\int_{0}^ \frac{\pi}{4} \int_{3}^{3\sqrt 2} \frac{1}{\sqrt(r^2)} r drd\theta##.

The answer I get from this integral is ##\frac{3\pi}{4} (\sqrt2 -1)##

But the answer is ##3 \ln(\sqrt2+1)##.

I have no idea how ##ln## appears in the answer.

Where am I wrong?

Thanks!
Assuming you are working the same problem as appears in your book, I agree with you. If this is the problem --
##\int_{0}^3 \int_{0}^x \frac {dydx}{x^2+y^2}##
that would explain the book's answer.
 
Mark44 said:
Assuming you are working the same problem as appears in your book, I agree with you. If this is the problem --
##\int_{0}^3 \int_{0}^x \frac {dydx}{x^2+y^2}##
that would explain the book's answer.
Ah, thank you! I did check the question again in the book, and I did not misread it.
 
Mark44 said:
Assuming you are working the same problem as appears in your book, I agree with you. If this is the problem --
##\int_{0}^3 \int_{0}^x \frac {dydx}{x^2+y^2}##
that would explain the book's answer.
toforfiltum said:

Homework Statement


Transform given integral in Cartesian coordinates to one in polar coordinates and evaluate polar integral.

##\int_{0}^3 \int_{0}^x \frac {dydx}{\sqrt(x^2+y^2)}##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I drew out the region in the ##xy## plane and I know that ##0 \leq \theta \leq \frac{\pi}{4}##.
For ##r##, I thought that it should be ##3 \leq r \leq 3\sqrt 2##
Your limits for ##r## are incorrect. Your text's answer is correct for the problem as stated.
 
LCKurtz said:
Your limits for ##r## are incorrect.
Are both upper and lower ones incorrect? I don't know any other way to find the limits for ##r##. Any hints?

Or since value of ##x## is constant, are the bounds in Cartesian coordinates something like ##3 \leq \sqrt{9+y^2} \leq 3\sqrt2##?
 
toforfiltum said:
Are both upper and lower ones incorrect? I don't know any other way to find the limits for ##r##. Any hints?

Or since value of ##x## is constant, are the bounds in Cartesian coordinates something like ##3 \leq \sqrt{9+y^2} \leq 3\sqrt2##?
Both are incorrect. What does the region look like? Put your pencil on the origin and move it in the ##r## direction. What does it hit?
 
LCKurtz said:
Both are incorrect. What does the region look like? Put your pencil on the origin and move it in the ##r## direction. What does it hit?
I honestly do not know. In the ##xy## plane, the region is bounded by the line ##y=x##, the ##x## axis and the line ##x=3##. What does moving it in the ##r## direction mean? If I do so, for ##\theta=0##, I get ##0 \leq r \leq 3##, but for ##\theta=\frac{\pi}{4}##, I get ##0 \leq r \leq 3 \sqrt2##.

I'm confused.
 
toforfiltum said:
I honestly do not know. In the ##xy## plane, the region is bounded by the line ##y=x##, the ##x## axis and the line ##x=3##. What does moving it in the ##r## direction mean? If I do so, for ##\theta=0##, I get ##0 \leq r \leq 3##, but for ##\theta=\frac{\pi}{4}##, I get ##0 \leq r \leq 3 \sqrt2##.

I'm confused.
Well, at least you are thinking about it. You have noticed that if ##\theta = 0##, ##r## goes from ##0## to ##3## and for ##\theta = \frac \pi 4##, ##r## goes from ##0## to ##3\sqrt 2##. Both observations are correct. So what you have noticed is what ##r## goes to depends on what ##\theta## is. So if you take some in between value of ##\theta## and move ##r## in that direction, don't you hit the line ##x=3##? What is the equation of that in polar coordinates? What is ##r## on that line? It will depend on ##\theta##.
 
LCKurtz said:
Well, at least you are thinking about it. You have noticed that if ##\theta = 0##, ##r## goes from ##0## to ##3## and for ##\theta = \frac \pi 4##, ##r## goes from ##0## to ##3\sqrt 2##. Both observations are correct. So what you have noticed is what ##r## goes to depends on what ##\theta## is. So if you take some in between value of ##\theta## and move ##r## in that direction, don't you hit the line ##x=3##? What is the equation of that in polar coordinates? What is ##r## on that line? It will depend on ##\theta##.
Ah, I see. Is it ##0 \leq r \leq \frac{3}{cos\theta}##?
 
  • #10
LCKurtz said:
Well, at least you are thinking about it. You have noticed that if ##\theta = 0##, ##r## goes from ##0## to ##3## and for ##\theta = \frac \pi 4##, ##r## goes from ##0## to ##3\sqrt 2##. Both observations are correct. So what you have noticed is what ##r## goes to depends on what ##\theta## is. So if you take some in between value of ##\theta## and move ##r## in that direction, don't you hit the line ##x=3##? What is the equation of that in polar coordinates? What is ##r## on that line? It will depend on ##\theta##.

toforfiltum said:
Ah, I see. Is it ##0 \leq r \leq \frac{3}{cos\theta}##?

No. Answer the two questions I asked before (now in red). You have about 10 minutes before I hit the sack. [Edit:] I see you corrected it so now it's correct. Write it as ##3\sec\theta## and integrate it.
 
  • #11
LCKurtz said:
No. Answer the two questions I asked before (now in red). You have about 10 minutes before I hit the sack. [Edit:] I see you corrected it so not it's correct. Write it as ##3\sec\theta## and integrate it.
Thanks! if it weren't correct, it would be too much pressure for me. 10 minutes! :wink:

Anyway, thanks so much for your time, and good night!
 
  • #12
Apologies for my incorrect conclusion. r indeed does depend on ##\theta##.
 

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