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

  • Thread starter Thread starter ashnicholls
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integrate
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function \(\sqrt{16-r^2}\) multiplied by \(r\) over the interval from \(a\) to \(4\). Participants explore various integration techniques and substitutions relevant to this integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the potential use of substitution and integration by parts. There is debate over the appropriate substitution to use, with suggestions including \(u = 16 - r^2\). Some participants express confusion about handling the \(r\) term and the limits of integration.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes attempts to clarify the integration process and the implications of different substitutions. Some participants confirm the correctness of certain steps, while others express uncertainty about the conversion of limits and the treatment of the \(r\) term in the integral.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of variable substitution and integration limits, with some expressing a lack of familiarity with the notation and methods involved.

ashnicholls
Messages
50
Reaction score
0
\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:
Physics news on Phys.org
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
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
8K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K