Integrating to find average value

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the average value of the function f(x,y) = x*(y^2)*e^(-((x^2+y^2)/4)) over the region where x and y range from -3 to 3. The original poster has computed the double integral and found it to be 0, leading to questions about the implications for the average value.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster discusses the formula for average value and questions whether the average can be 0 given that the double integral is 0. Other participants ask for clarification on the entire problem statement and suggest considering the function's properties, such as its oddness.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of the integral result and the nature of the function. Some guidance has been offered regarding the function's characteristics, but no consensus has been reached on the interpretation of the average value.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the function is odd when viewed from the x-axis, which may influence the understanding of the integral and average value. There is also a request for the complete problem statement as given in the original assignment.

mariya259
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I have the function:
f(x,y)= x*(y^2)*e^-((x^2+y^2)/4), with x and y from -3 to 3
I took the integral of this function and got 0 as my answer.
I need to find the average value, which is 1/area multiplied by the double integral. Since the double integral is 0, would the average value also be equal to 0?
How would I solve this?
 
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What is the whole question?
 
mariya259 said:
I have the function:
f(x,y)= x*(y^2)*e^-((x^2+y^2)/4), with x and y from -3 to 3
I took the integral of this function and got 0 as my answer.
I need to find the average value, which is 1/area multiplied by the double integral. Since the double integral is 0, would the average value also be equal to 0?
How would I solve this?
Yes, that integral is zero.

If this is a problem you have been given to work on, Please, give us the entire problem, word for word, as it was given to you.

I see that sharks beat me to the punch !
 
The whole question is to find the average value of
f(x,y)= x*(y^2)*e^-((x^2+y^2)/4), with x and y from -3 to 3

In my textbook the formula given to find it is
(1/Area)*∫∫f(x,y)
I took the double integral and found that the answer is 0.
The area would be 36, since both x and y are from -3 to 3.
1/36 * 0 = 0
Can the average value really be 0 though?
 
mariya259 said:
The whole question is to find the average value of
f(x,y)= x*(y^2)*e^-((x^2+y^2)/4), with x and y from -3 to 3

In my textbook the formula given to find it is
(1/Area)*∫∫f(x,y)
I took the double integral and found that the answer is 0.
The area would be 36, since both x and y are from -3 to 3.
1/36 * 0 = 0
Can the average value really be 0 though?
Yes! Why not ?
 
Notice it is an odd function when viewed from the x-axis. Try graphing it in wolfram alpha.
 

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