How Do Double Integrals and Polar Coordinates Relate to Symmetry Arguments?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between double integrals, polar coordinates, and symmetry arguments, particularly in the context of evaluating integrals over specific regions such as the unit disk and a closed disk centered at (1,0). The scope includes mathematical reasoning and conceptual exploration of symmetry in integration.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the unit disk in Cartesian coordinates and converts it to polar coordinates, providing the setup for a double integral.
  • Another participant suggests that changing the center of the disk to (1,0) still allows for the same symmetry argument to be applied in evaluating the integral.
  • A hint is provided regarding the properties of periodic functions and odd/even functions, suggesting that certain integrals can be evaluated to zero based on symmetry without detailed calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree that symmetry can simplify the evaluation of integrals, but there is no consensus on the implications of changing the disk's center or the specific evaluations of the integrals.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the implications of changing the disk's center on the integral's evaluation, nor does it clarify the assumptions underlying the symmetry arguments presented.

jenc305
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Please help. Thank you.
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Alright. The unit disk is

S = \{(x, \ y) | x^2 + y^2 \leq 1 \}

Changing to polar coordinates,

S = \{ (\rho \cos{\theta}, \ \rho \sin{\theta}) | \rho \leq 1, \ 0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi \}

ie. x = \rho \cos{\theta}, \ y = \rho \sin{\theta}.

Thus

\int \int_S xy\sqrt{x^2 + y^2} dA = \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \rho \sin{\theta}\rho \cos{\theta} \sqrt{\rho^2 \sin^2{\theta} + \rho^2 \cos^2{\theta}} \ \left|\frac{\partial (x, \ y)}{\partial(\rho, \ \theta)}\right| \ d\rho \ d\theta = \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^1 \rho^4\cos{\theta}\sin{\theta} \ d\rho \ d\theta

I trust you can work out the rest.

I will note that it is quite easy to evaluate this integral without actually doing any calculations, by appealing to symmetry.
 
Last edited:
What if D is a closed disk with radius 1 and center (1,0).
That would make the polar coord. x=(r cos(theta)-1) and y=(r sin (theta)).
 
Last edited:
It's actually still the same answer. You can make the same symmetry argument.

Here's a hint:

Obviously, if f is 2\pi-periodic, then \int_0^{2\pi} f(x)\sin{x} \ dx = \int_{-\pi}^{\pi} f(x)\sin{x} \ dx. Thus if f is an even function, since \sin is odd, then f(x)\sin{x} is odd and

\int_0^{2\pi} f(x)\sin{x} \ dx = 0
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K