Triple Integral Problem in Cylindrical Coordinates

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the volume of a solid defined by the intersection of the cylinder \( r = 3\cos(\theta) \) and a sphere of radius 3 using cylindrical coordinates. The integration limits for \( \theta \) are clarified to be from 0 to \( \pi \) instead of 0 to \( 2\pi \) to accurately reflect the geometry of the problem. The final integral calculation yields a volume of 113, which is identified as incorrect due to the improper limits of integration. The correct approach involves recognizing the symmetry and the appropriate bounds for \( \theta \).

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  • Cylindrical coordinates and their applications
  • Understanding of triple integrals in multivariable calculus
  • Knowledge of spherical geometry and volume calculations
  • Familiarity with integration techniques and symmetry in calculus
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  • Learn about the use of symmetry in triple integrals
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James Brady
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Homework Statement



Use cylindrical coordinates to find the volume of the solid that the cylinder
r = 3cos/theta cuts out of the sphere of radius 3 centered at the origin.


Homework Equations



Why do we evaluate theta from 0 to pi instead of from 0 to 2pi? Don't we want to go all the way around the circle?

The Attempt at a Solution



x[itex]^{2}[/itex] + y[itex]^{2}[/itex] + z[itex]^{2}[/itex] = 9

so z = [itex]\sqrt{9 - x^2 + y^2}[/itex]

z = [itex]\sqrt{9 - r^2}[/itex]

2[itex]\int^{2pi}_{0}\int^{3cos(Θ)}_{0}\int^{sqrt(9 - r^2)}_{0}rdzdrdΘ[/itex]

Instead of integrating from the bottom on the sphere to the top, I did from the x-y plane to the top and multiplied by two to take advantage of symmetry.

[itex]\int^{2pi}_{0}\int^{3cos(Θ)}_{0}2rsqrt(9 - r^2)drdΘ[/itex]

[itex]\int^{2pi}_{0}-(\frac{2}{3})(9 - r^2)^{3/2}|^{3cos(Θ)}_{0}dΘ[/itex]

[itex]\int^{2pi}_{0}-(\frac{2}{3})(9 - 9cos^{2})^{3/2} - \frac{-2}{3}9^{3/2}dΘ[/itex]

The integral goes on and eventually reduces to...

18Θ + 18cosΘ + [itex]\frac{1}{3}[/itex]cos[itex]^{3}[/itex]Θ|[itex]^{2pi}_{0}[/itex]

This gives a value of 113, which is double the correct answer. I'm assuming this is because I was suppose to integrate from 0 to pi instead of from 0 to 2pi, but I don't know why. Aren't we suppose to go around the whole circle with this thing?
 
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Draw a polar coordinate graph of ##r = 3\cos\theta##. Do ##\theta## from ##-\pi/2## to ##\pi/2## and see what you think.
 
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Ahh... I see it. Thanks.
 

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