How Do I Convert This Integral's Domain to Polar Coordinates?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around converting the domain of an integral from Cartesian to polar coordinates. Participants explore the mathematical transformations required for the domain defined by specific inequalities and the geometric interpretation of the region involved.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the domain D as {(x,y)| 1
  • There is a claim that the maximum value of r appears to be 2cos(θ), but this is challenged by another participant who states that this is incorrect.
  • Participants express uncertainty about how to find r graphically and whether it is possible to convert the inequalities algebraically.
  • One participant attempts to convert the inequalities separately but acknowledges that the inequalities did not switch correctly, leading to confusion about the range for θ.
  • Another participant corrects the range for θ, stating it should be 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/4, contrary to an earlier claim.
  • There is a discussion about the behavior of the cosine function and how it affects the ordering of θ values based on the derived inequalities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach consensus on the correct transformation of the inequalities or the range of θ. Multiple competing views remain regarding the conversion process and the interpretation of the inequalities.

Contextual Notes

Participants express limitations in their understanding of the conversion process and the implications of the inequalities, indicating that there may be unresolved mathematical steps and dependencies on definitions.

frggr
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Alright, so I'm having a problem converting to polar co-ordinates
Never been confused by polar before :(I'm trying to convert the domain of an integral to polar co-ordinates

The domain would be something like

D:{(x,y)| 1<x<2 , 0<y<(2x-x2) 1/2}

First I recognize that y=(2x-x2) 1/2 is the equation for a circle of radius shifted 1 unit to the right

so

y2 + (x-1)2 = 1

and it is the domain from x = 1 to x =2 (So the top right quadrant of the circle)

[PLAIN]http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4919/graphua.png

Graphically I can deduce that since x = y = 1 at the peak, then cos\vartheta = sqrt(2) :. \vartheta = \frac{\pi}{4}

and it looks like r goes from 0 to 2cos\vartheta //Which I am told is wrong

This leads me to two questions:
1) How would I find r graphically here?
2) Is it possible to convert to polar algebraically?

I tried to convert the inequalities separately but that led me to
D:{(r,\vartheta)| \frac{\pi}{4} < \vartheta < 0, 0 < r < 2cos\vartheta}

//My method is below
0<y<(2x-x2)1/2
02 < y2 < 2x - x2
0 < y2 + x2 < 2x
0 < r2 < 2rcos\vartheta[\tex]<br /> 0/r &lt; r &lt; 2cos\vartheta<br /> <br /> 1 &lt; x &lt; 2<br /> 1 &lt; rcos\vartheta &lt; 2<br /> r has a maximum value of 2cos\vartheta <br /> 1 &lt; 2 cos<sup>2</sup>\vartheta &lt; 2<br /> 1/2 &lt; cos<sup>2</sup>\vartheta &lt; 1<br /> 1/sqrt(2) &lt; cos\vartheta &lt; 1<br /> \frac{\pi}{4} &lt; \vartheta &lt; 0
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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frggr said:
Alright, so I'm having a problem converting to polar co-ordinates
Never been confused by polar before :(


I'm trying to convert the domain of an integral to polar co-ordinates

The domain would be something like

D:{(x,y)| 1<x<2 , 0<y<(2x-x2) 1/2}

First I recognize that y=(2x-x2) 1/2 is the equation for a circle of radius shifted 1 unit to the right

so

y2 + (x-1)2 = 1

and it is the domain from x = 1 to x =2 (So the top right quadrant of the circle)

[PLAIN]http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4919/graphua.png

Graphically I can deduce that since x = y = 1 at the peak, then cos\vartheta = sqrt(2) :. \vartheta = \frac{\pi}{4}

and it looks like r goes from 0 to 2cos\vartheta //Which I am told is wrong

This leads me to two questions:
1) How would I find r graphically here?
2) Is it possible to convert to polar algebraically?

I tried to convert the inequalities separately but that led me to
D:{(r,\vartheta)| \frac{\pi}{4} < \vartheta < 0, 0 < r < 2cos\vartheta}

//My method is below
0<y<(2x-x2)1/2
02 < y2 < 2x - x2
0 < y2 + x2 < 2x
0 < r2 < 2rcos\vartheta[\tex]<br /> 0/r &lt; r &lt; 2cos\vartheta<br /> <br /> 1 &lt; x &lt; 2<br /> 1 &lt; rcos\vartheta &lt; 2<br /> r has a maximum value of 2cos\vartheta <br /> 1 &lt; 2 cos<sup>2</sup>\vartheta &lt; 2<br /> 1/2 &lt; cos<sup>2</sup>\vartheta &lt; 1<br /> 1/sqrt(2) &lt; cos\vartheta &lt; 1<br /> \frac{\pi}{4} &lt; \vartheta &lt; 0
<br /> Your last inequality is wrong - theta is between 0 and pi/4, but your inequalilty says that pi/4 &lt; 0.<br /> The range for theta should be <br /> 0 \leq \theta \leq \frac{\pi}{4}
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I know, that's one of the problems. The inequalities didn't switch when I tried to do it algebraicaly :. I'm doing something wrong. The first inequality wrong as well. it should be
\frac{1}{cos \theta} \leq r \leq 2cos \theta
 
Yes, you are doing something wrong. Look at the graph of y = cos(theta) on the interval [0, pi/2]. The function is decreasing on this interval, so if the y values are 1/sqrt(2) < cos(theta) < 1, the theta values will be in the opposite order. I.e., 0 < theta < pi/4.
 

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