What is the most efficient way to set up a density integral for a conical solid?

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The discussion centers on setting up density and volume integrals for conical and bounded solids. For the conical solid, the correct density integral in spherical coordinates is confirmed to be ∫₀²π ∫₀^(π/4) ∫₀² ρ³ dρ dφ dθ, with clarification that density is proportional to the radius, not equal to it. In addressing the volume of the solid bounded by z = 4 - y², the suggestion is made to avoid cylindrical coordinates due to lack of circular symmetry, recommending Cartesian coordinates instead. The final proposed double integral for volume is ∫₀² ∫₀^y (4 - y²) dx dy. Proper setup of these integrals is crucial for accurate calculations in multivariable calculus.
1d20
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I’ve got two questions about two problems. First I just want to confirm that I’m setting up this density integral properly:

“Find the mass of the conical solid bounded by z = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} and x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4 if the density at any point is proportional to the distance to the origin.

I’m taking that last part to mean that Density = ρ, so when I convert to spherical coordinates and set up the integral I get:

\int{0_2\pi} \int{0_\pi/4} \int{0_2} ρ^3 dρ d∅ dθ

Is that ρ^3 right? Or should it be (ρ^2 + ρ)?
 
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Okay, next question.

“For the solid bounded by z = 4 - y^2, y = x, x = 0, z = 0 find the volume using a double integral.”

I did this using a triple, but I’m stuck trying to use a double. Converting to cylindrical coordinates, z goes from 0 to 4 - r^2sin^2θ while θ goes from ∏/4 to ∏/2. All well and good.

But when I set up the integral:

\int{\pi/2_\pi/4} \int{4 - r^2sin^2θ_0} r dr dθ

It’s clear that I’m going to end up with several unintegrated r terms. Gah, what am I missing?
 
1d20 said:
I’ve got two questions about two problems. First I just want to confirm that I’m setting up this density integral properly:

“Find the mass of the conical solid bounded by z = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} and x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 4 if the density at any point is proportional to the distance to the origin.

I’m taking that last part to mean that Density = ρ, so when I convert to spherical coordinates and set up the integral I get:

[ itex ] \int{0_2\pi} \int{0_\pi/4} \int{0_2} ρ^3 dρ d∅ dθ[ /itex ]
Use instead
[ itex ] \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/4} \int_0^2 \rho^3 d\rho d\phi d\theta [/ itex ]
to get
\int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/4} \int_0^2 \rho^3 d\rho d\phi d\theta
as far as the LaTeX goes.

Is that ρ^3 right? Or should it be (ρ^2 + ρ)?
Have you thought about what you are doing? The mass of any object with density function \delta(x,y,z) is \int\int\int \delta(x,y,z)dV. I cannot imagine why you would think of adding.

However, you have the differential of volume wrong. For spherical coordinates it is
\rho^2 sin(\phi) d\rho d\phi d\theta

Also, saying that the density is proportional to the radius does not mean it is equal to the radius. It means it is equal to some constant times the radius.
 
1d20 said:
Okay, next question.

“For the solid bounded by z = 4 - y^2, y = x, x = 0, z = 0 find the volume using a double integral.”

I did this using a triple, but I’m stuck trying to use a double. Converting to cylindrical coordinates, z goes from 0 to 4 - r^2sin^2θ while θ goes from ∏/4 to ∏/2. All well and good.

But when I set up the integral:

\int{\pi/2_\pi/4} \int{4 - r^2sin^2θ_0} r dr dθ

It’s clear that I’m going to end up with several unintegrated r terms. Gah, what am I missing?
I cannot see any good reason to convert to cylindrical coordinates. There is no circular symmetry that woud make cylindrical coordinates simpler. In Cartesian coordinates, the integral for volume would be
\int_{y= -2}^2\int_{z= 0}^{4- y^2}\int_{x= 0}^y dxdzdy

Can you convert that to a double integral?
 
HallsofIvy said:
Use instead
[ itex ] \int_0^{2\pi} \int_0^{\pi/4} \int_0^2 \rho^3 d\rho d\phi d\theta [/ itex ]
Thanks; this forum's code is very frustrating.

HallsofIvy said:
Have you thought about what you are doing?
Of course I've thought about it; that's why I'm here. If I hadn't thought about it, I'd have integrated according to my first instinct. Which in this case happened to be mostly right, but obviously I didn't know that.

HallsofIvy said:
I cannot see any good reason to convert to cylindrical coordinates. There is no circular symmetry that woud make cylindrical coordinates simpler. In Cartesian coordinates, the integral for volume would be
\int_{y= -2}^2\int_{z= 0}^{4- y^2}\int_{x= 0}^y dxdzdy

Can you convert that to a double integral?
I've had no practice with this so let's find out...

\int_0^{2} \int_0^{y} (4 - y^2) dx dy
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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