Surface Integral Homework: Solving with Variable Substitution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a surface integral using a substitution of variables, specifically u = x and v = x + 2y. Participants are examining the implications of this substitution on the integral's limits and integrand.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the Jacobian and the resulting form of the integral after substitution. There are questions about the correctness of the integrand and limits of integration, particularly regarding the presence of both variables in one of the integrals.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into potential errors in the substitution process and the interpretation of the integration limits. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct setup for the integral and the implications of the variable substitution.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes a typo in the original integral setup, which may affect the discussion and calculations. The region of integration is described as a quadrilateral in the xy-plane, with specific boundaries that are being analyzed.

NT123
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Homework Statement

I am to use a substitution of variables u = x, v = x + 2y to evaluate the surface integral

int(0,1/2)int(0,1-y) exp(x/(x+y))dxdy

where int(a,b) means integral sign with lower limit a and upper limit b.



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

I used the substitution and calculated the Jacobian to be 1/2. However, in the new variables, the integral is now

int(0,1/2)int(0,1+u-v)exp(u/v)dudv

Both variables appearing in one of the integrals doesn't seem right to me - what has gone wrong with the calculation?
 
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NT123 said:
int(0,1/2)int(0,1+u-v)exp(u/v)dudv

Both variables appearing in one of the integrals doesn't seem right to me - what has gone wrong with the calculation?

Are you sure you have all factors of 2 correct? E.g. in the denominator of the exponential function, and the integration limit for the inner integral?

It is not a problem that the outer integration variable is part of the inner integral. The opposite however, doesn't make sense.

Torquil
 
I get different things for both integrand and limits of integration. Putting x= u into v= x+ 2y gives v= u+ 2y so that y= (v- u)/2. Then x+ y= (v- u)/2+ 2u/2= (u+ v)/2. x/(x+y)= 2u/(u+v), not u/v.

In the x,y plane, the region to be integrated is the quadrilateral with sides x= 0, y= 0, y= 1/2 and x+ y= 1.

With x= 0, u= 0, v= 2y or just u= 0. With y= 0, u= x, v= x or v= u. With y= 1/2, u= x, v= x+1 or v= u+1. Adding u= x and v= x+ 2y gives u+v= 2x+ 2y= 2(x+ y) so with x+y= 1, u+v= 2.

In the xy, plane, the region is a quadrilateral bounded by u= 0, v= u, v=u+1, and u+ v= 2. Now, whether you integrate with respect to u or v first, you are going to have to break that into two pairs of integrals. If you integrate with respect to v first, you will have to have one pair of integrals with u going from 0 to 1/2 and then another with u going from 1/2 to 1. If you integrate with respect to u first, you will have to have a pair of integrals with v going from 0 to 1 and then from 1 to 3/2.
 
Sorry, I made a typo, the integral was supposed to be int(0,1/2)int(0,1-2y)exp(x/(x+2y)), hence the substitution.
Thanks for the help though!
 

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