Help With: Area (Polar Coordinates), Confusing Integral

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the area of a region defined by polar coordinates, specifically between the curves \( r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta \) and \( r = \sqrt{3} \). Participants are exploring the setup of the integral needed to calculate this area and addressing potential misunderstandings regarding the limits of integration and the definitions of the curves involved.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to set up the integral for the area calculation but express uncertainty about the correct limits of integration and the interpretation of the curves. Some participants suggest sketching the curves to clarify which is the inside and outside curve. Others raise questions about the assumptions made regarding the endpoints of integration and the conditions under which the curves intersect.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correct interpretation of the problem, with some participants recognizing the need to identify the region where one curve is inside the other. Guidance has been offered regarding the inequalities that define the region of interest, and there is acknowledgment of the ambiguity in the original problem statement.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the curve \( r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta \) is not defined for certain values of \( \theta \) and that the integration limits must reflect the regions where the curves intersect. There is also mention of the need to clarify the interpretation of "inside" and "outside" in the context of the curves.

tolove
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Find the area of the following region:

Inside: r2 = 6 cos 2θ
Outside: r = √3

Here's how I've set up the integral. I have to be making a mistake somewhere in the set up, but I can't figure it out.

r1 = √3
r2 = (\sqrt{6 cos 2θ})

\frac{Area}{4}= \frac{1}{2}\int\ (\sqrt{6 cos 2θ})^{2} - \sqrt{3}^{2} dθ, Evaluated on θ = 0 .. \frac{π}{4}

This is wrong, however. 3√3 - π is the correct solution to this problem. (If this is the correct setup, let me know and I'll post the steps to how I'm incorrectly solving it for help there.)

Also, the second thing I need help with, a frustrating integral:

6\int \frac{1}{(1+cos θ)^{2} } \sqrt{2 + 2cos θ} dθ

Any hints on this? Thank you very much for reading!
 
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Check your integration limits. The curve ##r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta## is not the "inside" curve throughout the full range ##0 \leq \theta \leq \pi/4##. Try sketching both curves.
 
jbunniii said:
Check your integration limits. The curve ##r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta## is not the "inside" curve throughout the full range ##0 \leq \theta \leq \pi/4##. Try sketching both curves.

Trust me I have!

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=+r2+=+6+cos+2θ

0 to π/4 is all the shading in the first quadrant, right? Can't I simply take that and multiply it by 4? I've also tried this from 0 .. π and I get the same wrong answer.
 
You need to identify the region where the curve ##r^2 = 6\cos 2\theta## is on the inside. That is true when
$$6\cos 2\theta \leq 3$$
or equivalently
$$\cos 2\theta \leq \frac{1}{2}$$
For what values of ##\theta## does this inequality hold?
 
jbunniii said:
You need to identify the region where the curve ##r^2 = 6\cos 2\theta## is on the inside. That is true when
$$6\cos 2\theta \leq 3$$
or equivalently
$$\cos 2\theta \leq \frac{1}{2}$$
For what values of ##\theta## does this inequality hold?

Ahh, I see. I was incorrectly assuming that pi/4 was the end point.

I needed to set the two r values together for their intercept point. 0 .. pi/6

Thank you very much!
 
tolove said:
Ahh, I see. I was incorrectly assuming that pi/4 was the end point.

I needed to set the two r values together for their intercept point. 0 .. pi/6

Thank you very much!
Well, it is true that ##\theta = \pi/6## is a point where the two curves meet. But for ##0 \leq \theta \leq \pi/6## the reverse inequality is true:
$$\cos 2\theta \geq \frac{1}{2}$$
You want to find the region where
$$\cos 2\theta \leq \frac{1}{2}$$
Also note that the curve ##r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta## is not even defined for any ##\theta## such that ##\cos 2\theta < 0##. You need to take that into account as well when setting up your integral.
 
tolove said:
Find the area of the following region:

Inside: r2 = 6 cos 2θ
Outside: r = √3
Actually there's a bit of ambiguity here. I have been assuming that this means the region whose inside curve is ##r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta## and whose outside curve is ##r = \sqrt{3}##.

But it could also be taken to mean the region which is inside the curve ##r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta## and outside the curve ##r = \sqrt{3}##, which is the opposite of what I assumed.

Which interpretation is correct?
 
jbunniii said:
Actually there's a bit of ambiguity here. I have been assuming that this means the region whose inside curve is ##r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta## and whose outside curve is ##r = \sqrt{3}##.

But it could also be taken to mean the region which is inside the curve ##r^2 = 6 \cos 2\theta## and outside the curve ##r = \sqrt{3}##, which is the opposite of what I assumed.

Which interpretation is correct?

Ahh, I see what you're saying. The ambiguity is due to my short handing the problem.

The second of your too options.

Inside the lemniscate formed by r2 = 6cos2θ, outside the circle formed by r = sqrt 3
 

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