Finding Surface area of a Parametric Curve

AI Thread Summary
To find the surface area of the parametric curve defined by x = 1 - sin(t) and y = 2 + cos(t) when rotated about the line y = 2, the y-values need to be adjusted to y = cos(t). The surface area formula involves integrating 2πy multiplied by the square root of the sum of the squares of the derivatives dx/dt and dy/dt. A participant noted that their calculations yielded 4π instead of the expected answer of 2π², leading to confusion about the correct approach. The discussion highlights the need to ensure the correct function is used in the integration process, specifically that x(t) should be multiplied instead of y(t) in certain calculations. The consensus is that the correct answer should indeed be 2π², barring any typographical errors in the textbook.
trap
Messages
51
Reaction score
0
Can someone please help me with this question?

x = 1-sint, y = 2+cost, rotate about y = 2

Find the surface area of the parametric curve.

I don't know how to do it with y=2, I only know how if the question askes for rotating about the x-axis.
The answer to the question is 2(pi)^2.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
trap said:
Can someone please help me with this question?

x = 1-sint, y = 2+cost, rotate about y = 2

Find the surface area of the parametric curve.

I don't know how to do it with y=2, I only know how if the question askes for rotating about the x-axis.
The answer to the question is 2(pi)^2.

Since you are rotating about y=2, that makes each of your y-values 2 less, so the equations become:

x = 1 - sin(t)
y = cos(t)

Now I think you can do the rest:

\text{SA}=2\pi\int_{0}^{2\pi}y\,\sqrt{\left(\frac{dx}{dt}\right)^2+\left(\frac{dx}{dt}\right)^2}\, dt
 
Last edited:
I forgot to mention that the interval is t between (-pi/2, pi/2), how do i get the answer 2pi^2 with

\text{SA}=2\pi\int_{-\pi/2}^{\pi/2}y\,\sqrt{\left(\frac{ dx}{dt}\right)^2+\left(\frac{dx}{dt}\right)^2}\, dt ??

so i have... dx = -cost
dy = -sint

here's what I've done..but couldn't get the answer

\text{SA}=2\pi\int_{-\pi/2}^{\pi/2}y\,\sqrt{(sint)^2+(cost)^2}\, dt

=2\pi\int_{-\pi/2}^{\pi/2}y\,\sqrt{1}\, dt

=2\pi\int_{-\pi/2}^{\pi/2}cost\, dt

=2\pi\sin(\pi/2) - 2\pi\sin(-\pi/2)

=4\pi
 
Last edited:
but i got the formula of surface area from my textbook, which is,

\text{SA}=2\pi\int_{}^{}y\,\sqrt{\left(\frac{ dx}{dt}\right)^2+\left(\frac{dx}{dt}\right)^2}\, dt
 
trap said:
but i got the formula of surface area from my textbook, which is,

\text{SA}=2\pi\int_{}^{}y\,\sqrt{\left(\frac{ dx}{dt}\right)^2+\left(\frac{dx}{dt}\right)^2}\, dt

Yes, right. I fixed it sorry about that. Anyways, using this you should come up with your answer (I myself am coming up with -4π). Are you sure it's 2π2?

The only way I get 2π2 is by the following:

2\pi\int_{\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{3\pi}{2}}\cos^2{t}\,dt

...but you clearly don't have a cos2(t)...
 
Last edited:
yes..the answer is supposed to be 2pi^2, unless it is a typo in the textbook
 
trap said:
yes..the answer is supposed to be 2pi^2, unless it is a typo in the textbook

It happens but I doubt that. Does anyone have any ideas why the work above isn't giving the correct answer?
 
i think you were suppose to multiplied by x(t) not y(t)
 
Back
Top