Finding Bounds for a Triple Integral in the First Octant

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up a triple integral for the volume of a solid in the first octant, specifically bounded by the coordinate planes and the plane defined by the equation z = 4 - x - y. Participants explore how to determine the bounds for the integral without actually calculating the volume.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants establish that the bounds for z are 0 ≤ z ≤ 4 - x - y, but seek clarification on the bounds for x and y.
  • One participant notes that in the first octant, all variables must be nonnegative, leading to the bounds 0 ≤ y ≤ 4 - x and 0 ≤ x ≤ 4.
  • Another participant confirms the relationship of the plane x + y + z = 4 with the xy-plane, providing a similar set of bounds for the triple integral.
  • Some participants express a need for practice in setting up double and triple integrals, indicating that evaluating integrals is less of an issue for them.
  • One participant introduces the concept of changing the order of integration and provides an example of a different region, discussing Type I and Type II regions.
  • Participants discuss the geometric interpretation of vertical and horizontal strips in relation to setting up integrals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the understanding of the first octant and the setup of the integral, as some participants express confusion while others provide clarifications. Multiple viewpoints on the bounds and the interpretation of the integration process are present.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate a lack of clarity regarding the first octant and the implications for setting bounds, suggesting that further exploration of these concepts may be necessary.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and individuals interested in calculus, particularly in understanding triple integrals and the geometric interpretations of integration bounds.

harpazo
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Set up a triple integral for the volume of the solid. DO NOT FIND THE VOLUME.

The solid in the first octant bounded by the coordinates planes and the plane z = 4 - x - y.

We are dealing with the xy-plane where z = 0.

I know that 0 ≤ z ≤ 4 - x - y. The bounds of the integral pertaining to dz are z = 0 to z = 4 - x - y.

How do I find the other bounds?
 
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Harpazo said:
Set up a triple integral for the volume of the solid. DO NOT FIND THE VOLUME.

The solid in the first octant bounded by the coordinates planes and the plane z = 4 - x - y.

We are dealing with the xy-plane where z = 0.

I know that 0 ≤ z ≤ 4 - x - y. The bounds of the integral pertaining to dz are z = 0 to z = 4 - x - y.

How do I find the other bounds?

Since you're in the first octant you immediately know that all variables are nonnegative, so $\displaystyle \begin{align*} x, y, z \geq 0 \end{align*}$. When z = 0 we have $\displaystyle \begin{align*} y = 4 - x \end{align*}$. When x = 0, y is at its maximum of 4, and when y = 0, x is at its maximum of 4. Thus the bounds are $\displaystyle \begin{align*} 0 \leq z \leq 4 - x - y , \, 0 \leq y \leq 4 - x, \, 0 \leq x \leq 4 \end{align*}$.
 
The plane x+ y+ z= 4 cuts the xy-plane (z= 0) at x+ y= 4 or y= 4- x. That line cuts the x-axis (y= 0) at x= 4. x goes from 0 to 4, for each x, y goes from 0 to 4- x and, for each (x, y), z goes from 0 to 4- x- y. The integral is \int_0^4\int_0^{4-x}\int_0^{4-x-y} dzdydx.
 
Prove It said:
Since you're in the first octant you immediately know that all variables are nonnegative, so $\displaystyle \begin{align*} x, y, z \geq 0 \end{align*}$. When z = 0 we have $\displaystyle \begin{align*} y = 4 - x \end{align*}$. When x = 0, y is at its maximum of 4, and when y = 0, x is at its maximum of 4. Thus the bounds are $\displaystyle \begin{align*} 0 \leq z \leq 4 - x - y , \, 0 \leq y \leq 4 - x, \, 0 \leq x \leq 4 \end{align*}$.

Thanks for providing the bounds. I am not too clear on the first octant idea.

- - - Updated - - -

I definitely need to practice finding the bounds more than I originally considered.
 
Harpazo said:
Thanks for providing the bounds. I am not too clear on the first octant idea...

Three perpedicular axes will divide the space into 8 regions known as octants:

2e75202e00f69adeff8f07a790d6f28e605886d0.png


The octant where all coordinates are positive is know as the first octant...in the image above, it is the top-front-right octant.
 
MarkFL said:
Three perpedicular axes will divide the space into 8 regions known as octants:
The octant where all coordinates are positive is know as the first octant...in the image above, it is the top-front-right octant.

Nice picture. Good notes.
 
I need to practice setting up double and triple integrals. Evaluating in most cases is not an issue.
 
Harpazo said:
I need to practice setting up double and triple integrals. Evaluating in most cases is not an issue.

Being able to change the order of integration can be crucial as well. Some iterated integrals that may be impossible to evaluate using one order of integration can, perhaps, be evaluated using the reverse order of integration.

Consider the following example:

Evaluate $$\iint\limits_{R}xe^{y^2}\,dA$$ over the region bounded by $y=x^2$, $x=0$ and $y=4$.

When viewed as a Type I region (vertical strips), we find:

$$0\le x\le2$$

$$x^2\le y\le4$$

And so:

$$\iint\limits_{R}xe^{y^2}\,dA=\int_0^2 x\int_{x^2}^4 e^{y^2}\,dy\,dx$$

The difficulty here is that the partial integral $$\int_{x^2}^4 e^{y^2}\,dy$$ cannot be evaluated since $e^{y^2}$ has no elementary antiderivative with respect to $y$. However, we can interpret the same region as a Type II region (horizontal strips) defined by:

$$0\le y\le4$$

$$0\le x\le\sqrt{y}$$

Hence:

$$\iint\limits_{R}xe^{y^2}\,dA=\int_0^4 e^{y^2}\int_{0}^{\sqrt{y}}x \,dx\,dy=\frac{1}{4}\int_0^4 2ye^{y^2}\,dy=\frac{1}{4}\left(e^{16}-1\right)$$
 
MarkFL said:
Being able to change the order of integration can be crucial as well. Some iterated integrals that may be impossible to evaluate using one order of integration can, perhaps, be evaluated using the reverse order of integration.

Consider the following example:

Evaluate $$\iint\limits_{R}xe^{y^2}\,dA$$ over the region bounded by $y=x^2$, $x=0$ and $y=4$.

When viewed as a Type I region (vertical strips), we find:

$$0\le x\le2$$

$$x^2\le y\le4$$

And so:

$$\iint\limits_{R}xe^{y^2}\,dA=\int_0^2 x\int_{x^2}^4 e^{y^2}\,dy\,dx$$

The difficulty here is that the partial integral $$\int_{x^2}^4 e^{y^2}\,dy$$ cannot be evaluated since $e^{y^2}$ has no elementary antiderivative with respect to $y$. However, we can interpret the same region as a Type II region (horizontal strips) defined by:

$$0\le y\le4$$

$$0\le x\le\sqrt{y}$$

Hence:

$$\iint\limits_{R}xe^{y^2}\,dA=\int_0^4 e^{y^2}\int_{0}^{\sqrt{y}}x \,dx\,dy=\frac{1}{4}\int_0^4 2ye^{y^2}\,dy=\frac{1}{4}\left(e^{16}-1\right)$$

Please, explain the difference between vertical and horizontal strips via geometric interpretation.
 
  • #10
Harpazo said:
Please, explain the difference between vertical and horizontal strips via geometric interpretation.

Consider the following diagram of the region $R$ from the example I posted:

View attachment 6626

Now, if we consider this a region of Type I, then the outer integral will be in terms of $x$, which we see ranges from $0\le x\le 2$, and the inner integral will be in terms of $y$, which we see ranges from $x^2\le y\le4$...the vertical red strip.

If we consider this a region of Type II, then the outer integral will be in terms of $y$, which we see ranges from $0\le y\le 4$, and the inner integral will be in terms of $x$, which we see ranges from $0\le x\le\sqrt{y}$...the horizontal green strip.
 

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  • #11
MarkFL said:
Consider the following diagram of the region $R$ from the example I posted:
Now, if we consider this a region of Type I, then the outer integral will be in terms of $x$, which we see ranges from $0\le x\le 2$, and the inner integral will be in terms of $y$, which we see ranges from $x^2\le y\le4$...the vertical red strip.

If we consider this a region of Type II, then the outer integral will be in terms of $y$, which we see ranges from $0\le y\le 4$, and the inner integral will be in terms of $x$, which we see ranges from $0\le x\le\sqrt{y}$...the horizontal green strip.

An excellent reply.
 

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