Surface area of a polar equation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on setting up integrals to find the surface area of a polar curve, specifically for the equation r = 1 + sin(4Θ), when rotated about the x-axis and y-axis. The correct formula for the surface area of revolution is provided as S = ∫ 2πy ds, with ds defined in parametric form. Participants clarify the need to express y in terms of the polar coordinates and discuss how to derive ds from the polar equation. Additionally, they confirm that the formula remains similar for rotation about the y-axis, substituting y with x. The conversation emphasizes understanding the setup of these integrals rather than their evaluation.
Ironmaningell
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Hello, the problem I'm working on is to find and set up the integral whose value is the area of the surface obtained by rotating the curve about the x-axis, then another integral to find the surface area by rotating about the y-axis. I do not need to evaluate these integrals, just set them up. (I'm sorry I'm not using prper variable and notation signs in some parts, I'm worried about them not showing up correctly.)

r = 1 + sin(4*Θ)
where 0<= Θ <= 2pi

I understand that I can find surface area of parametric equations using
S = ʃ 2(pi)y sqrt([dx/dt]² + [dy/dt]²) dt
(a->b)

I'm also familiar with:
x = r cos(Θ)
y = r sin(Θ)
r = sqrt(x² + y²)
Θ = tan(y/x)

And lastly, with all my efforts, basically all I did was write a bunch of stuff down and hope something jumped out at me.

I drew a triangle and labeled it...(you can laugh at my attempt to draw it, you can also tell where theta is supposed to go)

.
|\
y | \ r = 1 + sin(4Θ) = sqrt(x² + y²)
| \
----`
x

and so sin(Θ) = y / (1 + sin(4Θ))
and sin(Θ) = y / (sqrt(x² + y²))

1 + sin(4Θ) = sqrt(x² + y²)

but it turns out I don't really know what I'm doing, I have no direction. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks a lot!
 
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The surface area obtained by rotating the curve about the x-axis is given by

\int 2\pi y ds

Your formula is correct, but your parameter is \theta and not t.

So if you substitute in it..you could easily get a formula for it.
 
Wait...I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean. Could you elaborate a little further? I think my question is substitute what for what?
 
Last edited:
Ironmaningell said:
Wait...I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean. Could you elaborate a little further?

my bad if I wasn't too clear.

Let x=rcos\theta;y=rsin\theta

The surface area of revolution is given by

\int 2\pi y ds

So we need to find ds (arc length)

in parametric form:

ds = \sqrt{\left (\frac{dx}{d\theta}\right ) ^2 + \left (\frac{dy}{d\theta}\right ) ^2} d\theta

\frac{dx}{d\theta}=\frac{dr}{d\theta}cos\theta}-rsin\theta

<br /> \frac{dy}{d\theta}=\frac{dr}{d\theta}sin\theta}+rcos\theta

\left (\frac{dx}{d\theta}\right ) ^2 + \left (\frac{dy}{d\theta}\right ) ^2<br /> <br /> = (\frac{dr}{d\theta}cos\theta}-rsin\theta)^2 + (\frac{dr}{d\theta}sin\theta}+rcos\theta)^2

(\frac{dr}{d\theta})^2cos^2\theta -2r\frac{dr}{d\theta}cos\theta sin\theta +r^2sin^2\theta + (\frac{dr}{d\theta})^2 sin^2\theta+ 2r\frac{dr}{d\theta}cos\theta sin\theta + r^2cos^2\theta

(long and tedious) simplifies to

r^2+ \left( \frac{dr}{d\theta}\right )^2

But end story is

ds= \sqrt{r^2 +\left( \frac{dr}{d\theta} \right )^2} d\theta
 
Yuck. Haha, thanks so much for the help, saved the day for me. I think I understand now.

But let me ask one more question, in the original formula
\int 2\pi y ds
what would I do with that y variable? Leave it as a variable? Wouldn't that leave the result still with y, r, and theta?

And what if I wanted to rotate about the y-axis instead of the x axis? Is the formula the same, except with x instead of y?

It appears that I'm getting tired from doing these problems all day...
 
Last edited:
y=rsin\theta

if around the y-axis then yes.
 
Oh, right, that makes sense. Thanks again for all your help friend, you've been a great help.
 
No problem.
 

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