Integrating f(x,y,z)=z Over Elliptical Cylinder

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves integrating the function f(x,y,z) = z over a region defined by the boundaries z = 0, x² + 4y² = 4, and z = x + 2. The region is described as an elliptical cylinder with the xy-plane as the lower boundary and the plane z = x + 2 as the upper boundary.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the integral and question whether there are any mistakes in the initial formulation. There are attempts to simplify the integral and suggestions to switch to polar coordinates or change the order of integration. Some participants express uncertainty about how to proceed with the integration itself.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring different approaches to the integration problem, with some providing suggestions for alternative methods. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach, but several lines of reasoning are being considered.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the potential for symmetry in the problem, which could simplify the integration process. There is also a recognition of the complexity involved in integrating the expressions derived from the setup.

MuIotaTau
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Homework Statement



Integrate ##f(x,y,z) = z## over the region bounded by ##z = 0##, ##x^2 + 4y^2 = 4##, and ##z = x + 2##,

Homework Equations



None.

The Attempt at a Solution



I sketched the region in question, but my drawing is so terrible that I'm afraid it'll be little help to anybody who didn't draw it themselves. To describe the region in question, it is an elliptical cylinder (i.e. cylinder whose xy-cross section is an ellipse) and it is bounded by the xy-plane on the bottom and by the plane ##z = x + 2## on the top. Given this, I set up my integral as follows:

$$I = \int_{-2}^2 \int_{-2\sqrt{1 - y^2}}^{2 \sqrt{1 - y^2}} \int_0^{x + 2} z \ dz \ dx \ dy$$

Can anybody spot a mistake so far? I've attempted the entire problem, but I would like to make sure there isn't an issue so far before I tex it all up if possible. Thanks!
 
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MuIotaTau said:

Homework Statement



Integrate ##f(x,y,z) = z## over the region bounded by ##z = 0##, ##x^2 + 4y^2 = 4##, and ##z = x + 2##,

Homework Equations



None.

The Attempt at a Solution



I sketched the region in question, but my drawing is so terrible that I'm afraid it'll be little help to anybody who didn't draw it themselves. To describe the region in question, it is an elliptical cylinder (i.e. cylinder whose xy-cross section is an ellipse) and it is bounded by the xy-plane on the bottom and by the plane ##z = x + 2## on the top. Given this, I set up my integral as follows:

$$I = \int_{-2}^2 \int_{-2\sqrt{1 - y^2}}^{2 \sqrt{1 - y^2}} \int_0^{x + 2} z \ dz \ dx \ dy$$

Can anybody spot a mistake so far? I've attempted the entire problem, but I would like to make sure there isn't an issue so far before I tex it all up if possible. Thanks!
Looks OK.
 
Mark44 said:
Looks OK.

Okay, thank you for that. So my progress is as follows:

$$I = \frac{1}{2} \int_{-2}^2 \int_{-2\sqrt{1 - y^2}}^{2\sqrt{1 - y^2}} \bigg(x^2 + 4x + 4 \bigg) \ dx \ dy$$

$$I = \frac{1}{2} \int_{-2}^2 \left[\frac{1}{3}x^3 + 2x^2 + 4x \right]_{-2\sqrt{1 - y^2}}^{2\sqrt{1 - y^2}} \ dy$$

$$I = \frac{1}{2} \int_{-2}^2 \bigg(\frac{8}{3}(1 - y^2)^{\frac{3}{2}} + 8(1 - y^2) + 8(1 - y^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} + \frac{8}{3}(1 - y^2)^{\frac{3}{2}} - 8(1 - y^2) + 8(1 - y^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} \bigg)\ dy$$

$$I = 8 \int_{-2}^{2} \bigg(\frac{1}{3}(1 - y^2)^{\frac{3}{2}} + (1 - y^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} \bigg) \ dy$$

I simply don't know how to integrate this, and I feel as if I'm missing something simple. Any suggestions?
 
MuIotaTau said:
Okay, thank you for that. So my progress is as follows:

$$I = \frac{1}{2} \int_{-2}^2 \int_{-2\sqrt{1 - y^2}}^{2\sqrt{1 - y^2}} \bigg(x^2 + 4x + 4 \bigg) \ dx \ dy$$

I simply don't know how to integrate this, and I feel as if I'm missing something simple. Any suggestions?

I would try switching to polar coordinates right at this step.
 
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It might be easier to switch the order of integration: dz dy dx. Using symmetry would make it a little simpler as well.
$$\frac 1 2 \int_{-2}^2 \int_0^{1/2 \sqrt{4 - x^2}} \int_0^{x + 2} z \ dz \ dy \ dx $$

If you have drawn a sketch of the region, you'll see that the volume above the upper half of the ellipse (where y ≥ 0) is the same as the volume over the lower half.

In any case, since you have invested a fair amount of time, you'd probably rather just continue from where you are. Assuming your work so far is correct, you basically have two integration problems. The first is the one to the 3/2 power. That looks like a trig substitution to me. The second looks like a trig substitution as well, but there's a shortcut. The part with the 1/2 power represents a half-circle whose radius is 1. Should be easy to get that one.
 
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My sleep schedule is killing me right now, so I'm going to hit the hay for the time being, but I appreciate all these posts and I'll come back to this thread tomorrow.
 

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