Help with Solid of Revolution/Partial Fraction Decompisition Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter student93
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fraction Solid
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the disk method for calculating the volume of a solid of revolution and the use of partial fraction decomposition. Participants are attempting to find coefficients in a rational function integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the disk method and partial fraction decomposition, noting specific values for coefficients B and D while struggling to determine A and C. There are suggestions to substitute different values for x to generate more equations and to compare coefficients of powers of x.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach finding the unknown coefficients, suggesting alternative values for x and methods for comparing coefficients. There is ongoing exploration of the problem without a clear consensus on the next steps.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the methods they can employ. There is also a question regarding the applicability of trigonometric substitution, which has not been fully explored.

student93
Messages
83
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Question is attached in this post.


Homework Equations



Question is attached in this post.

The Attempt at a Solution



Disk Method with the radius equal to 1/(x^2+5x+6)

∫A/(x+2) + B/(x+2)^2 + C/(x+3) + D/(x+3)^2 from 0 to 3

I've used algebra to solve for both B and D, both of which are equal to 1, but can't seem to be able to solve for the values of A and C.

The answer to the question is 2π(5ln2 - 2ln5)
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2014-02-24 at 12.40.39 PM.png
    Screen shot 2014-02-24 at 12.40.39 PM.png
    11 KB · Views: 553
Physics news on Phys.org
student93 said:

Homework Statement



Question is attached in this post.


Homework Equations



Question is attached in this post.

The Attempt at a Solution



Disk Method with the radius equal to 1/(x^2+5x+6)

∫A/(x+2) + B/(x+2)^2 + C/(x+3) + D/(x+3)^2 from 0 to 3

I've used algebra to solve for both B and D, both of which are equal to 1, but can't seem to be able to solve for the values of A and C.

The answer to the question is 2π(5ln2 - 2ln5)

Your values for B and D are correct. How can we help you find your mistake if you don't show your work?
 
LCKurtz said:
Your values for B and D are correct. How can we help you find your mistake if you don't show your work?

1=A(x+2)(x+3)^2 + B(x+3)^2 + C(x+2)^2(x+3) +D(x+2)^2

I first let x=-3, and was able to get D=1

Next I let x=-2 and was able to get B=1

However, I can't seem use this method to get the values of either A or C.
 
student93 said:
1=A(x+2)(x+3)^2 + B(x+3)^2 + C(x+2)^2(x+3) +D(x+2)^2

I first let x=-3, and was able to get D=1

Next I let x=-2 and was able to get B=1

However, I can't seem use this method to get the values of either A or C.

That's because [itex](x + 2)(x + 3)[/itex] vanishes when [itex]x = -3[/itex] or [itex]x = -2[/itex], so to make the coefficients of [itex]A[/itex] and [itex]C[/itex] not vanish you need to choose some other values for [itex]x[/itex].

That will leave you with two equations in two unknowns once you substitute the known values of [itex]B[/itex] and [itex]D[/itex].
 
Try plugging in some other values for ##x## to get more equations. Alternatively you can compare coefficients of various powers of ##x## on both sides. For example, maybe try ##x=0## or looking at the coefficient of ##x^3## on both sides.
 
LCKurtz said:
Try plugging in some other values for ##x## to get more equations. Alternatively you can compare coefficients of various powers of ##x## on both sides. For example, maybe try ##x=0## or looking at the coefficient of ##x^3## on both sides.

Could you clarify exactly what you mean by comparing coefficients of various powers of x on both sides?

Also, alternatively, can I use Trig Substitution instead to solve this problem?
 
student93 said:
Could you clarify exactly what you mean by comparing coefficients of various powers of x on both sides?

Also, alternatively, can I use Trig Substitution instead to solve this problem?

You have ##1=A(x+2)(x+3)^2 + B(x+3)^2 + C(x+2)^2(x+3) +D(x+2)^2##. It's pretty easy to see the coefficient of ##x^3## on the right side is ##A+C## and you have ##0x^3## on the left so ##A+C = 0##.

I don't see how trig substitution would be useful nor why you would want to try it.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K