Integration (Enclosed Area & Rotation Volume)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the area enclosed by the parametric curve defined by x=3+cos(t) and y=4sin(t), as well as calculating the volume of a solid generated by revolving a cycloid around the y-axis. The subject area includes integration and geometric interpretation of curves.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the reasoning behind the negative multiplier in the area integral and expresses confusion about the hint provided by their tutor. They also seek assistance with the volume calculation using the shell method.
  • Some participants analyze the parametric equations, identifying the shape as an ellipse and discussing the relationship between the parameters and the area calculation.
  • Others question the relevance of Green's Theorem to the area calculation and clarify the implications of the negative sign in the context of the integral.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the geometric interpretation of the problem and exploring the implications of the provided hints. There is no explicit consensus yet, but various interpretations and approaches are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential confusion arising from the tutor's hint and the need for clarity regarding the setup of the integrals. The original poster's understanding of the cycloid and the shell method is also under discussion, indicating a need for further exploration of these concepts.

Latios1314
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1) Find the area enclosed by the curve x=3+cos(t) and y=4sin(t).

My tutor gave me a hint which confuses me.

A=-4 integral y dx where the upper limit is pi/2 and the lower limit is 0.

I do not understand the -4 part. why must we multiply the integral by -4?



2) Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the y-axis the area between the first arc of the cycloid x=t-sin(t), y=1-cos(t) and the x-axis. Use the shell method.

v=2pi integral xy dx
=2pi integral (t-sin(t)) (1-cos(t))^2 dt

I'm stuck at this point.
 
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could anyone help me with these two questions?
 
anyone?=/
 
If x= 3+cos(t) and y= 4 sin(t), then cos(t)= x- 3 and sin(t)= y/4 so that [itex](x- 3)^2+ y^2/16= sin^2(t)+ cos^2(t)= 1[/itex]. The figure is an ellipse with center at (3, 0), minor semi-axis on the x-axis, of length 1, and major semi-axis parallel to the y-axis, of length 4. The area of such an ellipse is [itex]\pi[/itex] times the product of the two semi-axes, here, [itex]4\pi[/itex].

A "standard" parameterization for a circle would be "x= R cos(t), y= R sin(t)" where R is the radius and t goes around the full circle, from 0 to [itex]2\pi[/itex]. Using different "R" for x and y (1 and 4) gives an ellipse rather than a circle. Going from 0 to [itex]\pi/2[/itex] gives you 1/4 of the ellipse. Because of the symmetry, multiplying that by 4 will give the area of the entire ellipse. The negative is because with x= R cos(t) (or x= cos(t)+ 3), [itex]dx= -R sin(t)dt[/itex].

You can also see this as a special case of Greens Theorem:
[tex]\int\int_D \left(\frac{\partial M}{\partial x}- \frac{\partial N}{\partial y}\right) dxdy= \oint Ndx+ Mdy[/tex]

In particular, if we take M= 0 N= y the left side becomes [itex]\int\int_D -1 dxdy[/itex] which is just the negative of the area of region D. The right side becomes [itex]\oint y dx[/itex] where the integral is around the circumference of the region.

However, this problem has nothing to do with "volume of rotation" or even "volume".
 

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