Solving a Double Integration Problem with Unknown Variables: How to Proceed?

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The discussion revolves around solving a double integration problem involving unknown variables, specifically the challenge of expressing x and y in terms of u. Participants suggest that the choice of substitution for u may be inappropriate and recommend using polar coordinates to simplify the integration process. The importance of understanding the geometric region of integration is emphasized, as well as the need to visualize the problem through diagrams. Ultimately, the conversation leads to the realization that switching to polar coordinates can significantly ease the integration task. The thread concludes with a participant expressing satisfaction upon finding the solution after considering these suggestions.
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Homework Statement


in this problem , i couldn't express all the x any y in terms of u( refer to the circled part ) ... so , i have problem to proceed my subsequent steps ...

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


i let u = (x^2) + (y^2) ... [/B]
 

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1. Is this the full problem statement ?
Use the template. I can hardly read your -2 lower bound.
Your u is a somewhat unfortunate choice. This whole thing reeks like something with a circle, so don't pick r^2 but pick r.
 
BvU said:
1. Is this the full problem statement ?
Use the template. I can hardly read your -2 lower bound.
Your u is a somewhat unfortunate choice. This whole thing reeks like something with a circle, so don't pick r^2 but pick r.
what do you mean ? do you mean i pick the u wrongly ? Then , what should be the correct one ?
 
What is the problem statement ?
 
BvU said:
What is the problem statement ?
This
 

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That is not a problem statement. But I suppose you have to evaluate the integral ?

chetzread said:
what do you mean ? do you mean i pick the u wrongly ? Then , what should be the correct one ?
I said unfortunate and you can read in post #2 what my suggestion for a better choice would be.
 
Let me give you another hint: draw a picture of the integration limits in the x-y plane
 
chetzread said:

Homework Statement


in this problem , i couldn't express all the x any y in terms of u( refer to the circled part ) ... so , i have problem to proceed my subsequent steps ...

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


i let u = (x^2) + (y^2) ... [/B]

Just so you know: most helpers will not bother to look at posted images like you have supplied. If you genuinely want help you should take the trouble to actually type out your work. I suggest that you read the message "Guidelines for Students and Helpers" by Vela, which is pinned to the start of this Forum.
 
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Ray is right (of course, he always is), but I grant you that typesetting something like $$
\int\limits_{-2}^{\ 2} \ \int\limits_0^{\ \ \sqrt{4-x^2}} {x\over\sqrt{x^2+y^2} } \ dy \;dx $$ isn't for the faint-hearted :rolleyes: (*)

Now, how about my suggestion in post #7 ?That ring a bell ?

(*) Right-click the expression and pick Show math as ##\ \ TeX## commands
 
  • #10
BvU said:
Ray is right (of course, he always is), but I grant you that typesetting something like $$
\int\limits_{-2}^{\ 2} \ \int\limits_0^{\ \ \sqrt{4-x^2}} {x\over\sqrt{x^2+y^2} } \ dy \;dx $$ isn't for the faint-hearted :rolleyes: (*)

Now, how about my suggestion in post #7 ?That ring a bell ?

(*) Right-click the expression and pick Show math as ##\ \ TeX## commands

This can be done fairly easily also in plain text:
int_{x=-2..2} int_{y=0..sqrt(4-x^2)} x /sqrt(x^2+y^2) dy dx.
That is perfectly readable, although, of course, not as nice as LaTeX. One can even use the formula menu ribbon at the top of the input panel to write it as
∫_{-2..2} ∫_{0..√(4-x2)} x/√(x2+y2) dy dx
 
  • #11
or can I integrate in dx dy instead of dydx ?
 
  • #12
chetzread said:
or can I integrate in dx dy instead of dydx ?
You can change the order of integration in an iterated integral. Of course, this means that the limits of integration will have to change. And this means that you have to understand the geometric region over which integration is to be performed.
 
  • #13
Mark44 said:
You can change the order of integration in an iterated integral. Of course, this means that the limits of integration will have to change. And this means that you have to understand the geometric region over which integration is to be performed.
yes , i know the shape the graph , but it looks like i can't interchange the order of integration... I can't express x in terms of y ..
Well , i keep the dy/dx... Back to the working in post # 1, I'm stucked at couldn't express all the x any y in terms of u( refer to the circled part ) ...
how to continue ? Or is there anything wrong in my working ?
 
  • #14
chetzread said:
yes , i know the shape the graph
What graph? You need to understand the shape of the region of integration. I'm not talking about the integrand ##\frac x {\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}##, if that's what you meant.
chetzread said:
, but it looks like i can't interchange the order of integration... I can't express x in terms of y ..
You might need to split the integral into two integrals.
chetzread said:
Well , i keep the dy/dx... Back to the working in post # 1, I'm stucked at couldn't express all the x any y in terms of u( refer to the circled part ) ...
how to continue ? Or is there anything wrong in my working ?
Your work is a mess. On the next to last line your integrand involves x, y, and u.

I haven't worked the problem, but switching the order of integration definitely seems like the way to go.
 
  • #15
Mark44 said:
What graph? You need to understand the shape of the region of integration. I'm not talking about the integrand ##\frac x {\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}##, if that's what you meant.
You might need to split the integral into two integrals.

Your work is a mess. On the next to last line your integrand involves x, y, and u.

I haven't worked the problem, but switching the order of integration definitely seems like the way to go.
i know and understand the shape of the region of integration...
But i still can't proceed although trying many times...Can you show your working so that i can compare mine and yours ...thus , i can know which part i wrong
 
  • #16
chetzread said:
i know and understand the shape of the region of integration
Reassure us and post a picture (this time a photo is acceptable; we must compromise now and then :smile: ).

chetzread said:
...thus , i can know which part i wrong
Showing the right way doesn't help in this. But I can tell you where you go wrong ( as was already mentioned:
Mark44 said:
On the next to last line your integrand involves x, y, and u
)

If you want to substitute an integration variable, in this case replace ##dy## by ##du##, you need to
  1. replace the bound of the variable to be substituted by the bound of the new variable: if ##y## runs from ##0## to ##\ \sqrt {4-x^2}\ ##, then ##u## runs from ##0## to ...
  2. eliminate ##y## completely from the expression, meaning you would end up with something like $$
    \int\limits_{-2}^{\ 2} \ \int\limits_0^{\ \ ...} {x\over\sqrt{u}} \ {1\over 2 \sqrt{u-x^2}} \ du \;dx
    $$
Which is equivalent to working from something that looks difficult to something that's nearly impossible.

Does your textbook in the preceding chapter have examples that bear some resemblance to the integral you are trying to evaluate in this thread ? In particular: an example or a discussion involving polar coordinates ?
 
  • #17
BvU said:
Reassure us and post a picture (this time a photo is acceptable; we must compromise now and then :smile: ).

Showing the right way doesn't help in this. But I can tell you where you go wrong ( as was already mentioned:

)

If you want to substitute an integration variable, in this case replace ##dy## by ##du##, you need to
  1. replace the bound of the variable to be substituted by the bound of the new variable: if ##y## runs from ##0## to ##\ \sqrt {4-x^2}\ ##, then ##u## runs from ##0## to ...
  2. eliminate ##y## completely from the expression, meaning you would end up with something like $$
    \int\limits_{-2}^{\ 2} \ \int\limits_0^{\ \ ...} {x\over\sqrt{u}} \ {1\over 2 \sqrt{u-x^2}} \ du \;dx
    $$
Which is equivalent to working from something that looks difficult to something that's nearly impossible.

Does your textbook in the preceding chapter have examples that bear some resemblance to the integral you are trying to evaluate in this thread ? In particular: an example or a discussion involving polar coordinates ?

Here
 

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  • #18
Thank you for the quick reply. That is step zero.
Next step there: draw a point ##x,y## and guess what the integrand represents in that picture ?

Re next paragraphs in post #16 :
Do you now understand the problems were with your next step ?
Do you feel convinced that your substitution ##u## does not make things easier ?

Did you bother to follow up on my suggestion in post #2 and the reminder in post #9 ?

There were more questions in the last paragraph in post #16.
 
  • #19
BvU said:
Reassure us and post a picture (this time a photo is acceptable; we must compromise now and then :smile: ).

Showing the right way doesn't help in this. But I can tell you where you go wrong ( as was already mentioned:

)

If you want to substitute an integration variable, in this case replace ##dy## by ##du##, you need to
  1. replace the bound of the variable to be substituted by the bound of the new variable: if ##y## runs from ##0## to ##\ \sqrt {4-x^2}\ ##, then ##u## runs from ##0## to ...
  2. eliminate ##y## completely from the expression, meaning you would end up with something like $$
    \int\limits_{-2}^{\ 2} \ \int\limits_0^{\ \ ...} {x\over\sqrt{u}} \ {1\over 2 \sqrt{u-x^2}} \ du \;dx
    $$
Which is equivalent to working from something that looks difficult to something that's nearly impossible.

Does your textbook in the preceding chapter have examples that bear some resemblance to the integral you are trying to evaluate in this thread ? In particular: an example or a discussion involving polar coordinates ?
No, so there's no solution for this problem?
 
  • #20
There is an easy solution, don't worry.
 
  • #21
BvU said:
Do you feel convinced that your substitution uuu does not make things easier ?
yes
BvU said:
Does your textbook in the preceding chapter have examples that bear some resemblance to the integral you are trying to evaluate in this thread ? In particular: an example or a discussion involving polar coordinates ?
BvU said:
Next step there: draw a point x,yx,yx,y and guess what the integrand represents in that picture ?
what do you mean ? do you ask me to draw out
\int\limits_{-2}^{\ 2} \ \int\limits_0^{\ \ \sqrt{4-x^2}} {x\over\sqrt{x^2+y^2} } \ dy \;dx ?
 
  • #22
chetzread said:
what do you mean ? do you ask me to draw out
$$\int\limits_{-2}^{\ 2} \ \int\limits_0^{\ \ \sqrt{4-x^2}} {x\over\sqrt{x^2+y^2} } \ dy \;dx $$ ?

No/Yes. The integrand is not the integral. The integrand is $$x\over \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} $$ Take a point ##x,y##; what is ##x\over \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} ## ?
 
  • #23
BvU said:
No/Yes. The integrand is not the integral. The integrand is $$x\over \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} $$ Take a point ##x,y##; what is ##x\over \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} ## ?
the intergrand has nothing to do with the limit , right ?
 
  • #24
Right. Did you draw a point ##\ x,y \ ## and consider what ##\
x\over \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} ## represents ?
 
  • #25
BvU said:
Right. Did you draw a point ##\ x,y \ ## and consider what ##\
x\over \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} ## represents ?
I really hv no idea what it represent...
 
  • #26
Pity you don't post your drawing ...
 
  • #27
do u ask me to draw out ##x\over \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} ## ?
If so , i really dun know how to draw it out ...
 
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  • #28
BvU said:
Pity you don't post your drawing ...
this one ?
 

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  • #29
No, this one:

BvU said:
draw a point ##\ x,y \ ## and consider what ##\
x\over \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} ## represents

Since words fail me, I will try it with a picture:
upload_2016-9-12_12-24-12.png


[edit] your picture looks cute, but why do you set the ranges to -50,50 instead of x -2,2 and y 0,2 ?
 
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  • #30
BvU said:
No, this one:
Since words fail me, I will try it with a picture:
View attachment 105789

[edit] your picture looks cute, but wht do you set the ranges to -50,50 instead of x -2,2 and y 0,2 ?
So, how to proceed from ur diagram?
 

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