Find center of mass and coordinates using double integrals?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the mass and center of mass of a lamina defined by a specific region D, which is bounded by the parabolas y = x^2 and x = y^2. The density function varies between two posts, with one using ρ(x, y) = 23√x and the other using a constant density of ρ(x, y) = 23.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration methods used to compute mass and coordinates of the center of mass, questioning the limits of integration and the density function applied. There are attempts to clarify the correct expressions for x-bar and y-bar, with some participants suggesting that the original poster may have misapplied the equations.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correct approach to finding the center of mass coordinates, with participants providing guidance on the need to divide the moments by the mass of the region. Some confusion remains regarding the integration of the density function and the limits of integration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies in the computed mass and center of mass coordinates, with one participant indicating a misunderstanding of the density function used in the calculations. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the correct setup for the integrals based on the defined region D.

monnapomona
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Homework Statement


Find the mass and center of mass of the lamina that occupies the region D and has the given density function ρ.
D is bounded by the parabolas y = x^2 and x = y^2; ρ(x, y) = 23√x

Homework Equations



m = \int\int_{D} ρ(x, y) dA
x-bar = \int\int_{D} x*ρ(x, y) dA
y-bar = \int\int_{D} y*ρ(x, y) dA

The Attempt at a Solution


I integrated 23√x using order dydx with limits: x^2 ≤ y ≤ √x and 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.
m = 69/14.

The problem I'm having is with the coordinates. I first got (x-bar,y-bar) as (14/62, 28/1265) but that was wrong in my online assignment. I used the same limits of integration and the above equations to find x-bar and y-bar. I don't know where I'm going wrong with the coordinates... Am I suppose to be using different limits?
 
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monnapomona said:

Homework Statement


Find the mass and center of mass of the lamina that occupies the region D and has the given density function ρ.
D is bounded by the parabolas y = x^2 and x = y^2; ρ(x, y) = 23

Homework Equations



m = \int\int_{D} ρ(x, y) dA
x-bar = \int\int_{D} x*ρ(x, y) dA
y-bar = \int\int_{D} y*ρ(x, y) dA

The Attempt at a Solution


I integrated 23√x using order dydx with limits: x^2 ≤ y ≤ √x and 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.
m = 69/14.

The problem I'm having is with the coordinates. I first got (x-bar,y-bar) as (14/62, 28/1265) but that was wrong in my online assignment. I used the same limits of integration and the above equations to find x-bar and y-bar. I don't know where I'm going wrong with the coordinates... Am I suppose to be using different limits?

If you are trying to compute m you just integrate 23. Why are you integrating sqrt(x) as well? m isn't 69/14. Can you spell out what you are doing in a little more detail?
 
Your equations for x-bar and y-bar are incorrect. What you have are the expressions for the moments of D about the x and y axes. In order to find x-bar and y-bar, you must divide the moment values by the mass of the region D.
 
SteamKing said:
Your equations for x-bar and y-bar are incorrect. What you have are the expressions for the moments of D about the x and y axes. In order to find x-bar and y-bar, you must divide the moment values by the mass of the region D.

Oh my mistake, I used:

y-bar = 1/m \int\int_{D} y*ρ(x, y) dA
x-bar = 1/m \int\int_{D} x*ρ(x, y) dA

to find the coordinates.
 
monnapomona said:
Oh my mistake, I used:

y-bar = 1/m \int\int_{D} y*ρ(x, y) dA
x-bar = 1/m \int\int_{D} x*ρ(x, y) dA

to find the coordinates.
And in your case, \rho(x,y)= 23, a constant. So
\overline{x}= \frac{23}{m}\int\int x dxdy
\overline{y}= \frac{23}{m}\int\int y dxdy
with
m= 23\int\int dxdy

You are given "D is bounded by the parabolas y = x^2 and x = y^2". Those, of course, intersect at x= 0 and at x= 1. What will the limits of integration be?
 
Dick said:
If you are trying to compute m you just integrate 23. Why are you integrating sqrt(x) as well? m isn't 69/14. Can you spell out what you are doing in a little more detail?

Sorry for the confusion, the question was asking to integrate 23√x. I edited my first post.
 

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