Surface Integral: Find Area of Cone (0 ≤ z ≤ 4)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the area of a cone defined by the equation z² = 4x² + 4y² for the range 0 ≤ z ≤ 4. Participants are tasked with using an explicit description of the surface to set up a surface integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the surface integral and the limits of integration. There is mention of using polar coordinates for integration over the region defined by the circle x² + y² = 4. Some express confusion about how the integration relates to the surface area of the cone versus the area of the circle at the top.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the integration process and questioning the relationship between the surface integral and the geometric properties of the cone. There is no explicit consensus, but some guidance has been offered regarding the use of polar coordinates and the interpretation of the integration limits.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of surface integrals and the geometric interpretation of the problem. There is an acknowledgment of the need to integrate over the entire surface of the cone rather than just the top circle.

MacLaddy
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Homework Statement



Find the area of the following surface using an explicit description of a surface.

The cone z^2=4x^2+4y^2\mbox{ for } 0 \leq z \leq 4

Homework Equations



\iint_s f(x,y,z)dS=\iint_R f(x,y,g(x,y))\sqrt{z^2_x+z^2_y +1}

The Attempt at a Solution



I have solved the dS portion of this, and it is \sqrt{5}, however, I can not seem to figure out my limits of integration.

\iint \sqrt{5}dA should be my set-up?

From geometry I know the answer is 4\pi\sqrt{5}, but I can't seem to get it via integration.

The radius at the top is 2, the height is 4, but the radius is also variable as you go down the cone, so it needs a third parameter. However, this should only be done with a double integral, so I am lost.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mac

P.S. Any advice on how to keep my Latex in line with my sentences would also be appreciated.
 
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MacLaddy said:

Homework Statement



Find the area of the following surface using an explicit description of a surface.

The cone z^2=4x^2+4y^2\mbox{ for } 0 \leq z \leq 4

Homework Equations



\iint_s f(x,y,z)dS=\iint_R f(x,y,g(x,y))\sqrt{z^2_x+z^2_y +1}

The Attempt at a Solution



I have solved the dS portion of this, and it is \sqrt{5}, however, I can not seem to figure out my limits of integration.

\iint \sqrt{5}dA should be my set-up?

From geometry I know the answer is 4\pi\sqrt{5}, but I can't seem to get it via integration.

The radius at the top is 2, the height is 4, but the radius is also variable as you go down the cone, so it needs a third parameter. However, this should only be done with a double integral, so I am lost.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mac

P.S. Any advice on how to keep my Latex in line with my sentences would also be appreciated.

You just want to integrate dxdy over the region in the xy plane that your surface lies over, in this case the interior of the circle ## x^2+y^2=4 ##, right? You can do it in xy coordinates, but it's easier in polar. To keep your tex on the same line use the 'itex' delimiter instead of 'tex'.
 
Dick said:
You just want to integrate dxdy over the region in the xy plane that your surface lies over, in this case the interior of the circle ## x^2+y^2=4 ##, right? You can do it in xy coordinates, but it's easier in polar. To keep your tex on the same line use the 'itex' delimiter instead of 'tex'.

Well then, that's unbelievably simple... \int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^2\sqrt{5}rdrd\theta=4\pi\sqrt{5}. It's almost like I forgot how to do polar for a minute. (thanks for the itex tip)

However, this confuses me. If all I'm integrating is the circle at the top, then how does \sqrt{5} give me the surface area? That integration gives the area of that top circle, not even the volume of the cone.

Sorry, it's not intuitive for me.

Thanks for the help,
Mac
 
MacLaddy said:
Well then, that's unbelievably simple... \int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^2\sqrt{5}rdrd\theta=4\pi\sqrt{5}. It's almost like I forgot how to do polar for a minute. (thanks for the itex tip)

However, this confuses me. If all I'm integrating is the circle at the top, then how does \sqrt{5} give me the surface area? That integration gives the area of that top circle, not even the volume of the cone.

Sorry, it's not intuitive for me.

Thanks for the help,
Mac

You aren't really integrating over the 'circle at the top'. Everything in your surface integral is a function of x and y. So you want to integrate over all x and y such that (x,y,z(x,y)) with z(x,y)=sqrt(4*x^2+4*y^2) is on the part of the cone you are considering. It's just that circle of radius 2 in the xy plane.
 
Interesting. I think I'll have to run through the proof once or twice to understand fully.

Thanks again.
Mac
 

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