Solve Repeated Integral: \int^2_1 \int^4_2 \sqrt{x-y} dx dy

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the repeated integral \(\int^2_1 \int^4_2 \sqrt{x-y} \, dx \, dy\), which falls under the subject area of calculus, specifically focusing on integration techniques and properties of integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various attempts to evaluate the integral, including rewriting the integrand and applying integration techniques. Some participants question the validity of algebraic manipulations, particularly regarding the square root and the treatment of constants in integrals.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on each other's attempts and clarifying misunderstandings. Some guidance has been offered regarding the properties of integrals and the correct application of integration techniques, but no consensus has been reached on the solution.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the manipulation of the integrand and the treatment of constants during integration. Participants are also exploring the implications of their algebraic steps, which may affect the outcome of the integral evaluation.

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Homework Statement


Evaluate the following repeated integral
[tex]\int^2_1 \int^4_2 \sqrt{x-y} dx dy[/tex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]\int^2_1 \int^4_2 x^{1/2} - y^{1/2} dx dy[/tex]
[tex]\int^2_1 [ \frac {2x^{3/2}}{3} - xy^{1/2} ]^4_2 dy[/tex]
[tex]\int^2_1 [ \frac {2(4)^{3/2}}{3} - (4)y^{1/2} ] - [ \frac {2(2)^{3/2}}{3} - (2)y^{1/2} ] dy[/tex]

[tex]\int^2_1 [ \frac {2\sqrt{64}}{3} - (4)y^{1/2} ] - [ \frac {2\sqrt{8}}{3} - (2)\sqrt{y} ] dy[/tex]

[tex]\int^2_1 [ \frac {16}{3} - (4)\sqrt{y}] - [ \frac {2(2)^{3/2}}{3} - (4)\sqrt{2} ] dy[/tex]

[tex]\int^2_1 [ \frac {16 - 4 \sqrt{2}}{3} - 2 y^{1/2}] dy[/tex]


[tex]\frac {16 - 4 \sqrt{2}}{3} \int^2_1 [ - 2 y^{1/2}] dy[/tex]
(can i take it out since it's a constant?)

[tex]\frac {16 - 4 \sqrt{2}}{3} \int^2_1 [ - 2 y^{3/2}]^2_1[/tex]

[tex]\frac {16 - 4 \sqrt{2}}{3} \int^2_1 [ \frac{- 2 y^{3/2}}{\frac{3}{2}}]^2_1[/tex]

[tex]\frac {16 - 4 \sqrt{2}}{3} \int^2_1 [ \frac{- 4 y^{3/2}}{3}]^2_1[/tex]


...and so on. basically it doesn't work out. answer I'm meant to get is

[tex]\frac{4(9\sqrt{3} - 4\sqrt{2} - 1)}{15}[/tex]

can anyone see what I've done wrong? Invairably it's sloppy algebra -.-
 
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edit... Woops, you made a huge mistake on the first step!

It is not always true that [itex]\sqrt{x-y} = \sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}[/itex]

Consider x = 2, y =1. Then [itex]\sqrt{2-1} = \sqrt{1} = 1, \ \text{but} \ \sqrt{2}-\sqrt{1} = \sqrt{2} - 1 \neq 1[/itex]

So you cannot just switch things out like that.
-----

Assuming that was OK, you made a mistake when you pulled out the "constant".

It is not really a constant in the way you used it.

Remember the properties of integrals:

[tex]\int (f-g) = \int f - \int g[/tex]

[tex]\int cf = c\int f[/tex]

So you should have had:

[tex] \begin{align*} <br /> \int_1^2 \left(\frac {16 - 4 \sqrt{2}}{3} - 2 y^{1/2}\right)dy & = \int_1^2 \frac{\left(16- 4\sqrt{2}}{3}\right)dy - \int_1^2 2y^{1/2}dy \\<br /> & = \left(\frac{16- 4\sqrt{2}}{3}\right) \int_1^2 dy - 2\int_1^2 y^{1/2}dy<br /> \end{align*}[/tex]

Note that I posted this last part before I noticed the first mistake, so the idea behind my post is correct, but you should not get the same thing (since the first step was wrong).

edit.. Hmm, my code is not being updated, and what is cmyk0000 lol?
 
Last edited:
ok so i looked at this again and it may in fact be a standard integral?

for the sake of my hands, i won't type the whole thing out in latex...but can someone confirm if I've started this properly?

[tex]\int^2_1 \int^4_2 \sqrt{x-y} dx dy[/tex]


using standard integral


[tex]\int (ax+b)^n = \frac {(ax+b)^{n+1}}{a (n+1)}[/tex]

[tex]\frac {(x-y)^{3/2}}{\frac{3}{2}}[/tex]


[tex]\frac {2(x-y)^{3/2}}{3}[/tex]
 
Looks good.
 
ok so I've mucked it up...

[tex]\int^2_1 [\frac {2(x-y)^{3/2}}{3} ]^4_2 dy[/tex]

[tex][\frac {2((4)-y)^{3/2}}{3} ] - [\frac {2((2)-y)^{3/2}}{3} ][/tex]

i get to this point. my first thought was "oh it's a letter and a number in a bracket to a power ( (4-y)^3/2 )...can't i just solve it out?", but that seems very akward and messy...


[tex]2\frac {\sqrt{-2y^3 - 8y^2 - 96y + 128}}{3} - 2\frac {\sqrt{y^3 + 6y^2 + 12y + 8}}{3}[/tex]
 
What you wrote first is good, but you left out the integral in the second line, so I am not sure if you are just not writing it out, or if you are misunderstanding something.

You should have:

[tex] \begin{align*}<br /> \int^2_1 \frac {2(x-y)^{3/2}}{3} \Big |_2^4 dy & = \int_2^1 \left(\frac {2((4)-y)^{3/2}}{3} - \frac {2((2)-y)^{3/2}}{3} \right)dy \\<br /> &= \int^2_1 \frac {2((4)-y)^{3/2}}{3} dy - \int_1^2 \frac {2((2)-y)^{3/2}}{3} dy<br /> \end{align*}[/tex]

From here [itex]y[/itex] is now a variable, so you have a new integral to evaluate. Try to evaluate this integral now.
 
Last edited:
ok this is all mathcrafting, may be lies and methods that'd make no sense...

[tex] \int^2_1 \frac {2((4)-y)^{3/2}}{3} dy - \int_1^2 \frac {2((2)-y)^{3/2}}{3} dy[/tex]

if i take 2/3 out as a fraction in both equations, i am left with a bracket to integrate.

[tex] \int^2_1 \frac {2}{3} * ((4)-y)^{3/2} dy - \int_1^2 \frac {2}{3} * ((2)-y)^{3/2} dy[/tex]

from earlier, the rule for integrating the bracket is..

[tex]\int (ax+b)^n = \frac {(ax+b)^{n+1}}{a (n+1)}[/tex]

giving

[tex] <br /> \frac{2}{3} x \frac{(4-y)^{5/2}}{-1(\frac{5}{2})} - <br /> \frac{2}{3} x \frac{(2-y)^{5/2}}{-1(\frac{5}{2})} [/tex]


[tex] [\frac{4(4-y)^{5/2}}{25}]^2_1 - <br /> [\frac{4(2-y)^{5/2}}{25}^2_1][/tex]


somethings wrong I'm sure, but that may just be complete lack of confidence in my ability to do maths.
 
Everything looks good up to the very last step, I think you just made a silly mistake with the fractions.

[tex] \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{(4-y)^{5/2}}{-1(\frac{5}{2})} - <br /> \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{(2-y)^{5/2}}{-1(\frac{5}{2})} \Big |_1^2[/tex]

Note: If you want to use x to means times then you should use \times in your LaTeX code.From there you get (factor out the 2/3 from both parts, and "flip" the fraction in the denominator):

[tex] \frac{2}{3}\left( -\frac{2}{5}(4-y)^{5/2} - <br /> -\frac{2}{5}(2-y)^{5/2} \Big |_1^2 \right)[/tex]

From there we can factor the 2/5 out and we get:

[tex] \frac{2}{3}\times \frac{2}{5}\left( -(4-y)^{5/2} + (2-y)^{5/2} \Big |_1^2 \right)[/tex]Now you just "plug and chug," and you should get the correct answer.
 
Last edited:
ok got it, thanks a lot for the help!
 

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