Parametrizing a Cylinder: Solving for the Part Between Two Planes

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Homework Statement



Parametrize the part of the cylinder 4y^2 + z^2 = 36 between the planes x= -3 and x=7


The Attempt at a Solution


radius=6
Parametric equations:
x=x
y=4 + 6cos(theta)
z=6sin(theta)

in vector form
\widehat{}r= x\widehat{}i + (4 + 6cos(theta))\widehat{}j + 6sin(theta)\widehat{}k

-3 \leq x \leq 7

I really don't know if I'm completing correctly, any direction would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
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hils0005 said:

Homework Statement



Parametrize the part of the cylinder 4y^2 + z^2 = 36 between the planes x= -3 and x=7


The Attempt at a Solution


radius=6
Parametric equations:
x=x
y=4 + 6cos(theta)
z=6sin(theta)

These y,z do NOT satisfy 4y^2+z^2=36. Moreover, you cannot speak of a radius here, as the crosssection of the cylinder is not a circle.
 
the cross sections of the cylinder perpendicular to the x-axis are circles y^2 + z^2=6^2 correct?
then this would be given parametrically as y=6cos(theta) and z=6sin(theta) right?
 
This is correct, but in your original problem the y^2 is multiplied by a factor 4.
If you let y'=2y, then you have

y'^2+z^2=36 and so

y'=6 cos(theta)
z =6 sin(theta)

Now use y=y'/2 and you're done.
 
Thanks I did not know what to do with factor of 4

so would this be correct?
x=x
y=3cos(theta)
z=6sin(theta)

in vector form
\widehat{}r= x\widehat{}i + 3cos(theta)\widehat{}j + 6sin(theta)\widehat{}k

-3 \leq x \leq 7

do i need to say anything about theta going from 0 to 2pi?
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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