Finding Centroid Location using Symbolic Math in Matlab

[WRX200]

I'm at a complete loss on this one, so far. This problem needs to be solved symbolically with Matalb (which won't be a problem once I know what to do), but I'm not even sure where to begin. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[PLAIN]http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9344/prob18.jpg

 

[Mark44]

Due to symmetry of the function x_c = b/2. To find x_c, just evaluate the two integrals. Are you having trouble setting them up?

 

[WRX200]

Yes, I'm unsure how to manipulate the other functions in order to relate everything. I just seem to be completely missing something

 

[Mark44]

That's pretty vague. You need to evaluate two integrals. What do you have for them?

 

[WRX200]

I was just being dumb, looking at the problem the wrong way. I was trying to relate y_c and y, and I wasn't considering how y and dx were factoring into dA and y_bar.

I now have:
y_bar = y/2

dA = y*dx

y_c = (1/2) Integral(y²*dx) / Integral(y*dx)
evaluated from 0 to b

where y = H*sin(pi*x/b)

 

[Mark44]

Yes, that's pretty much it.