Triple Integral and finding the average

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a triple integral in cylindrical coordinates to find the average distance from points within a ball of radius R to a specific point (0,0,h), where h is greater than R. Participants are exploring the mathematical reasoning behind the integral setup and the implications of the distance calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are discussing the setup of the integral and its interpretation in cylindrical coordinates, questioning the correctness of the limits and the simplification of the integral. There are inquiries about how to derive the average value from the integral and whether the integration limits are appropriate for the entire volume of the ball.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing insights into the integral's structure and questioning the integration limits. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the solution, and participants are actively seeking clarification and simplification methods.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the integration limits may need adjustment to encompass the entire ball, suggesting that the limits on z should range from -R to R instead of just the upper half. There is also a reference to a similar problem for additional context.

gipc
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Solve the Integral in cylindrical coordinates
∫∫∫ dxdydz/(sqrt( x^2 + y^2 + (h-z)^2)
B

Where B is the Ball with a Radius R around (0,0,0), and the parameter h is greater than R.

And then infer the average on that ball B with radius R of the distance opposite to the point (0,0,h).

I have these so far:
Using Cylindrical Coordinates,
∫∫∫B dV/√(x² + y² + (h-z)²)
= ∫(θ = 0 to 2π) ∫(z = 0 to R) ∫(r = -√(R² - z²) to √(R² - z²)) (r dr dz dθ) / √(r² + (h-z)²)
= 2π ∫(z = 0 to R) ∫(r = -√(R² - z²) to √(R² - z²)) r dr dz / √(r² + (h-z)²)
= 2 * 2π ∫(z = 0 to R) ∫(r = 0 to √(R² - z²)) r dr dz / √(r² + (h-z)²), by evenness
= 4π ∫(z = 0 to R) √(r² + (h - z)²) {for r = 0 to √(R² - z²)} dz
= 4π ∫(z = 0 to R) [√((R² - z²) + (h - z)²) - √(h - z)²] dz
= 4π ∫(z = 0 to R) [√((R² - z²) + (h - z)²) - (h - z)] dz, since h > R > r
= 4π ∫(z = 0 to R) [√(R² + h² - 2hz) - h + z] dz
= 4π [(-1/(3h)) (R² + h² - 2hz)^(3/2) - hz + z²/2] {for z = 0 to R}
= 4π {[(-1/(3h)) (R² + h² - 2hR)^(3/2) - hR + R²/2] - (-1/(3h)) (R² + h²)^(3/2)}
= 4π [(-1/(3h)) (h - R)³ - hR + R²/2 + (1/(3h)) (R² + h²)^(3/2)].

Now, is that solution correct? Is there a way so simplify things? And from there, how do I find the average?
 
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Isn't [itex]\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}[/itex] the distance from the origin to the point (x,y,z)?
So [itex]\sqrt{x^2+y^2+(h-z)^2}[/itex] would be the distance from (x,y,z) to (0,0,h)?
So your integral is just summing all these distances ... how do you find an average value by integration?

Same kind of problem, slightly different way:
http://www.mathpages.com/home/kmath324/kmath324.htm
 
gipc said:
Solve the Integral in cylindrical coordinates
∫∫∫ dxdydz/(sqrt( x^2 + y^2 + (h-z)^2)
B

Where B is the Ball with a Radius R around (0,0,0), and the parameter h is greater than R.

And then infer the average on that ball B with radius R of the distance opposite to the point (0,0,h).

I have these so far:
Using Cylindrical Coordinates,
∫∫∫B dV/√(x² + y² + (h-z)²)
= ∫(θ = 0 to 2π) ∫(z = 0 to R) ∫(r = -√(R² - z²) to √(R² - z²)) (r dr dz dθ) / √(r² + (h-z)²)
= 2π ∫(z = 0 to R) ∫(r = -√(R² - z²) to √(R² - z²)) r dr dz / √(r² + (h-z)²) ...

Now, is that solution correct? Is there a way so simplify things? And from there, how do I find the average?

It looks like you have only integrated over the top half of the Ball.

The limits on z should go from -R to R .
 
I think the final answer is still correct, no?
 

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