Finding Centroid of 2D Shapes & Parabolas

AI Thread Summary
The centroid of a 2D shape is determined by the intersection of lines that create equal areas, but it is more accurately defined by equal moments about those lines. For a parabola like y = x^2, its centroid lies on the y-axis, with its exact value requiring calculus for determination. A section of the parabola retains similarity to the original shape, maintaining consistent area ratios with its bounding rectangle. The area calculations show that the centroid can be derived from the area of the parabola and its corresponding rectangle. Confirmation of these methods and calculations is sought for accuracy in determining the centroid.
BlackWyvern
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I think I'm right when I say that the centroid of a 2D shape is found by the intersection of the lines that separate that shape into two shapes of equal areas.
Is that correct? I don't want to (for now) think about it in terms of moments and integrals, because frankly, it's a little confusing.
It would make sense if that's the case.

Then lastly, say we have a parabola, just a standard y = x^2. It's centroid will be found on the y axis, but the exact value is only able to be determined by calculus. I think I'm correct when I say that a section of parabola (made with a horizontal cut) will be similar to the parabola before the cut. Also as a result of the similarity, a parabola will take up the same amount of space for a given rectangle with vertexes on (0, 0) and (x, y).

Using this definition, we can say that the centroid of a parabola that extends to x = 10, y = 100 is found by this method:

x = 10
y = x^2 = 100
A_{rectangle}= xy = x^3 = 1000

A_{underparabola} = \int_{0}^{10} x^2 dx = 333.3333...

A_{rectangle} - A_{underparabola} = A_{parabola}
1000 - 333.333... = 666.666...

A_{parabola} / A_{rectangle} = P:A = 0.666...

P:A is the ratio this parabola takes of it's envelope rectangle (should be constant for all values of \infty > x > 0
Now the area of the parabola is halved (which gives the area of the lower, parabola shaped section:

666.666... / 2 = 333.333...
333.333... / P:A = A_{smallrectangle} = 500

500 = xy = x^3
x = \sqrt[3]{500}
y = x^2
y = 500^{2/3}

y ~ 63
Centroid = (0, 63)

I'm pretty sure this is correct, but can someone who's a bit more senior confirm for me?
Thanks.
 
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BlackWyvern said:
I think I'm right when I say that the centroid of a 2D shape is found by the intersection of the lines that separate that shape into two shapes of equal areas.
Is that correct?
No. The lines must divide the shape into parts of equal moment about the line.
I don't want to (for now) think about it in terms of moments and integrals, because frankly, it's a little confusing.
Oh well...

Think of it as finding the center of mass of the object.
 
For the parabola example then, how would you do it?
 
BlackWyvern said:
For the parabola example then, how would you do it?
See: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ParabolicSegment.html"
 
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