How Do You Solve This Elliptical Integral with a Coordinate Transformation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving an elliptical integral using coordinate transformations. The integral involves variables x and y, constrained by an elliptical region defined by parameters a and b.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the potential for a change of variables to simplify the integral, with suggestions to use spherical coordinates or a specific transformation involving parameters a and b. Questions arise about proving volume formulas and the implications of symmetry in the problem.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of different transformation methods, with some participants suggesting specific coordinate changes and questioning their complexity. Guidance has been offered regarding the need to find the Jacobian and limits of integration, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the symmetry of the region of integration and express concerns about the complexity introduced by certain transformations. There is also mention of external resources that may provide additional context or methods.

-=nobody=-
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2c\int_{x=-a}^a\int_{y=-b\sqrt{1-\frac{x^2}{a^2}}}^{b\sqrt{1-\frac{x^2}{a^2}}}\sqrt{1-\frac{x^2}{a^2}-\frac{y^2}{b^2}}dydx
Can you help me with this integral?
 
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You have already been advised to do a change of variables, rather than do this in Cartesian variables.
 
Well, how would you go about proving that the unit ball has volume \frac{4}{3}\pi ?
 
Well, the idea is probably good, but it doesn't help me with the integral
 
Well, the idea is just to use spherical coordinates. Have you sketched the region over which that integral is taken? Looks to me like there is a heckuvalot of symmetry there!
 
Won't it be much more complicated, or is it the only way?
r=(x^2+y^2+z^2)^1/2.
 
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It's clear that there is symmtry, but if r=(x^2+y^2+z^2)^1/2 everything will be much more complicated. How should it be solved then?
 
Sorry for this post, I had some problems with my internet browser.
 
  • #10
-=nobody=-, as everyone has already said on this thread, transform your coordinates. ie, set

x= a r \cos\theta

y = b r\sin \theta

Now, find the Jacobian and limits of integration of \theta and r. Can you take it from here?
 
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