Evaluating Cartesian integral in polar coordinates

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on transforming a Cartesian integral, specifically the double integral ∫₀³ ∫₀ˣ (dy dx) / √(x² + y²), into polar coordinates and evaluating it. The correct polar integral is ∫₀^(π/4) ∫₀^(3 sec(θ)) (r dr dθ) / r, leading to the solution 3 ln(√2 + 1). Participants identified errors in the limits of integration for r and clarified that r depends on θ, correcting the initial misunderstanding regarding the bounds.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polar coordinates and their relationship to Cartesian coordinates
  • Familiarity with double integrals and their evaluation techniques
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions, specifically secant
  • Experience with integral calculus, particularly in transforming integrals
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the transformation of integrals from Cartesian to polar coordinates in detail
  • Learn about the properties and applications of the secant function in calculus
  • Practice evaluating double integrals with varying limits of integration
  • Explore common mistakes in integral transformations and how to avoid them
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on integral transformations, as well as educators teaching polar coordinates and double integrals.

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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