Surface Area [Double Integral]

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a double integral problem aimed at finding the surface area of a portion of a sphere defined by the equation x² + y² + z² = 25, constrained within a cylinder described by x² + y² = 9. Participants are examining the setup of the integral and the conversion to polar coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conversion of the sphere's equation to a function of z and the subsequent calculation of partial derivatives. There are questions about the correctness of the integral setup, particularly regarding the expression under the square root and the limits of integration. Some participants suggest using u-substitution for integration and clarify notation for the integral limits.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on each other's setups and pointing out potential errors. There is no explicit consensus, but some guidance has been offered regarding notation and integration techniques.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating issues related to the setup of the integral and the representation of mathematical symbols in the forum. There is mention of confusion regarding the use of variables in the integral limits and the need for clarity in notation.

1d20
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I’m doing a lot of double integrals to find surface area problems, and I don’t think I’m setting them up quite right. For example,

“Find the surface area of the portion of the sphere [itex]x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 25[/itex] inside the cylinder [itex]x^2 + y^2 = 9[/itex].”

I converted the sphere to a function of z: [itex]\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}[/itex]

Then I found the partial derivatives:
fx = [itex]\frac{-x} {\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}}[/itex]
fy = [itex]\frac{-y} {\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}}[/itex]

Then I set up the integral:

SA = [itex]\int \int \sqrt{1 + (fx)^2 + (fy)^2} dx dy[/itex]

SA = [itex]\int \int \sqrt{1 + \frac{x^2} {25 - x^2 - y^2} + \frac{y^2} {25 - x^2 - y^2}} dx dy[/itex]

Adding fractions, I get:

SA = [itex]\int \int \sqrt{ \frac{25} {25 - x^2 - y^2} } dx dy[/itex]

Converting to polar, I get:

SA = [itex]\int_0^3 \int_0^{2\pi} r\sqrt{ \frac{25} {25 - r^2} } d\theta dr[/itex]

(That pi should be a part of the integral range, but I can’t find the fraking index of forum code.)

I can't think of a way to integrate this, so I think I didn't set it up right.
 
Last edited:
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Looks ok to me. You've got an extra r^2 in the numerator of the last expression, but I'll assume that's a typo since the expression before it looks good. So you want to integrate r/sqrt(25-r^2). Just use a u-substitution.
 
1d20 said:
I’m doing a lot of double integrals to find surface area problems, and I don’t think I’m setting them up quite right. For example,

“Find the surface area of the portion of the sphere [itex]x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 25[/itex] inside the cylinder [itex]x^2 + y^2 = 9[/itex].”

I converted the sphere to a function of z: [itex]\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}[/itex]

You mean a function of x and y and you would write [itex]z = f(x,y)=\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}[/itex], which gives only the top half of the sphere.
Then I found the partial derivatives:
fx = [itex]\frac{-x} {\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}}[/itex]
fy = [itex]\frac{-y} {\sqrt{25 - x^2 - y^2}}[/itex]

Then I set up the integral:

SA = [itex]\int \int \sqrt{1 + (fx)^2 + (fy)^2} dx dy[/itex]

SA = [itex]\int \int \sqrt{1 + \frac{x^2} {25 - x^2 - y^2} + \frac{y^2} {25 - x^2 - y^2}} dx dy[/itex]

Adding fractions, I get:

SA = [itex]\int \int \sqrt{ \frac{25} {25 - x^2 - y^2} } dx dy[/itex]

Converting to polar, I get:

SA = [itex]\int_0^3 \int_0^2pi r\sqrt{ \frac{r^2} {25 - r^2} } dO dr[/itex]

(That pi should be a part of the integral range, but I can’t find the fraking index of forum code.)
.

OK until that last step. Why did you replace the 25 by r2? And when you want more than a single letter in the limit use {} to enclose, like this:

[tex]\int_0^3 \int_0^{2\pi} r\sqrt{ \frac{25} {25 - r^2} } d\theta dr[/tex]

You can right click on that formula to see how I changed it in a couple of spots. Then don't forget, this is just the top half.

[Edit] Dang! Dick beat me to it again.
 
LCKurtz said:
[Edit] Dang! Dick beat me to it again.

It's good you came in. I missed that extra factor of 2.
 
Thanks! It was r being in the denominator inside a radical that threw me off.

While I'm here, does this forum have a list of all the symbol codes? I'd post here more often if I didn't have to 'cheat' from other threads every time I want to post.
 
1d20 said:
Thanks! It was r being in the denominator inside a radical that threw me off.

While I'm here, does this forum have a list of all the symbol codes? I'd post here more often if I didn't have to 'cheat' from other threads every time I want to post.

You can read my signature file for one way to get some of them. Or if you are using TeX, you can click on the [itex]\Sigma[/itex] icon above in the advanced edit box for a TeX editor.

And I just now noticed there are symbols to the right of the advanced edit box.
 

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