How to integrate sqrt(16-r^2) from a to 4

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SUMMARY

The integral \(\int_a^4 \sqrt{16 - r^2} r \, dr\) can be solved using the substitution \(u = 16 - r^2\), leading to \(du = -2r \, dr\). The integration process simplifies to \(-\frac{1}{2} \int \sqrt{u} \, du\), which results in \(\frac{(16 - a^2)^{3/2}}{3}\) after adjusting the limits accordingly. The discussion confirms that the initial approach is correct, and emphasizes the importance of changing limits when substituting variables.

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ashnicholls
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\int_a^4\sqrt{16-r^2}rdr

How do you integrate this?

Is it by parts, and then by substitution for the root bit?

Cheers Ash
 
Last edited:
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If \int_{a}^{4}{r\sqrt{16-r^2}}dr is your integral, a substitution would suffice.
 
which one though? u=16-r^2

and then work r out in terms u, and then integrate by parts?

Cheers
 
Is the answer:
\frac{1}{3}(16-r^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}

with limits a to 4
 
ashnicholls said:
u=16-r^2
Yes

and then work r out in terms u,
In a way, yes. What you actually do is differentiate the expression u = 16 - r2

and then integrate by parts?

There is no need for that...follow the steps mentioned above and you'll know why.
 
What so you just ignore the first r?
 
ashnicholls said:
Is the answer:
\frac{1}{3}(16-r^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}
with limits a to 4

That is correct.
 
yes just worked that out on a website, but what happens to the first r then?

cheers
 
u = 16 - r^2

du = - 2rdr

Can you spot an rdr somewhere in the original integral? Also, remember, when you're making a change of variable, the limits change accordingly.
 
  • #10
sorry isn't it minus \frac{1}{3}(16-r^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}
 
  • #11
yes done it now thanks, but how do you convert the limits?
 
  • #12
ashnicholls said:
sorry isn't it minus \frac{1}{3}(16-r^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}
Yes, that's right. Sorry I missed that.

It can also be +, but then, the limits have to interchanged.

ashnicholls said:
yes done it now thanks, but how do you convert the limits?
Well, you know how u and r are related. What values would u take when r has those values?
 
  • #13
oh so the upper limit is very u = 16 - 4^2 = 0

and the lower limit is root(16 - u)
 
  • #14
ashnicholls said:
oh so the upper limit is very u = 16 - 4^2 = 0
Yes

and the lower limit is root(16 - u)

Why would it be that. Put r=a.
 
  • #15
or yes course

so lower limit is 16 - a^2
 
  • #16
So is this right if someone doesn't mind checking.

\int_a^4\sqrt{16-r^2}rdr

using u = 16 - r^2 which converts to

du = - 2rdr

so -du/2r = dr

so integral becomes

the integral of - (root u)/2 with lower limit 16-a^2 and upper limit 0

which converts to

the integral of (root u)/2 with lower limit 0 and upper limit 16-a^2

which becomes [((u^(3/2))/3] with lower limit 0 and upper limit 16-a^2

which becomes ((16-a^2)^3/2)/3

Is that right, I hope you all understand it,

I don't understand that tex thing very well.

cheers Ash
 
Last edited:
  • #17
That seems right.
 
  • #18
are you sure?
 
  • #19
put r=4 sinx,then dr= 4 cosx dx,16-r2=16(1-sin{square}x).
proceed.Work it out & tell me
 
  • #20
ashnicholls said:
are you sure?

Yes, he's sure! Aren't you? :approve:

Padmashri said:
put r=4 sinx,then dr= 4 cosx dx,16-r2=16(1-sin{square}x).
proceed.Work it out & tell me

That leads to a more difficult integral Did you notice the "r" outside the square root? The way he did it to begin with was completely correct.
 
  • #21
sorry.he is right
 

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