# Volume in the first octant bounded by the coordinate planes and x + 2y + z = 4.

## Homework Statement:

Find the volume in the first octant bounded by the coordinate planes and x + 2y + z = 4.

## Relevant Equations:

Multiple integrals.
First, I try to make a sketch and from that I take limit of integration from:
1. ##z_1 = 0## to ##z_2 = 4 - x -2y##
2. ##x_1 = 0## to## x_2 = 4- 2y ##
3. ##y_1 = 0## to ##y_2 = 2##

Then, I define infinitesimal volume element in the first octant as ##dV = 1/8 dz dz dy##.
Therefore,
$$V=1/8 \int_{y_1=0}^{y_2 = 2} \int_{x_1=0}^{x_2=4-2y} \int_{z_1=0}^{z_2 = 4 - x -2y} dz dy dx$$
$$V=1/8 \int_{y_1=0}^{y_2 = 2} \int_{x_1=0}^{x_2=4-2y} \int_{z_1=0}^{z_2 = 4 - x -2y} dz dy dx$$
$$V=1/8 \int_{y_1=0}^{y_2 = 2} \int_{x_1=0}^{x_2=4-2y} (4 - x -2y) dy dx$$
$$V=1/8 \int_{y_1=0}^{y_2 = 2} (8 - 8y +6y^2) dx$$
$$V=1/8 (16) = 2$$.

But, final answer should be 16/3. So, I think I made a mistake when interpreting "the volume in the first octant" as 1/8 dV. Why the denominator is 3? Does the volume in the first octant is 1/3 of total volume? Thanks.

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BvU
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2019 Award
when interpreting .. 1/8 dV
Your intuition is correct: infinitesimal volume element is simply ##dV = dx\,dy\,dz##. The integral bounds take care of what you tried to insert in ##dV##.

Still some work to check : 8 x 2 ##\ne## 16/3 !

"Tip": make a habit of properly nesting the integrals, so $$\int_{z_1}^{z_2} \Biggl ( \int_{y_1}^{y_2} \left ( \int_{x_1}^{x_2} ... \ dx\right ) \,dy \Biggr ) \,dz$$

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LCKurtz
Homework Helper
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Homework Statement:: Find the volume in the first octant bounded by the coordinate planes and x + 2y + z = 4.
Relevant Equations:: Multiple integrals.

First, I try to make a sketch and from that I take limit of integration from:
1. ##z_1 = 0## to ##z_2 = 4 - x -2y##
2. ##x_1 = 0## to## x_2 = 4- 2y ##
3. ##y_1 = 0## to ##y_2 = 2##
So you are going to integrate in the ##z## direction first, the ##x## direction second, and the ##y## direction last. Ok, that means ##dV = dzdxdy## in that order.

Then, I define infinitesimal volume element in the first octant as ##dV = 1/8 dz dz dy##.
Why the ##\frac 1 8##? That shouldn't be there. And it should be ##dV=dzdxdy## (a typo?)

Therefore,
$$V=1/8 \int_{y_1=0}^{y_2 = 2} \int_{x_1=0}^{x_2=4-2y} \int_{z_1=0}^{z_2 = 4 - x -2y} dz dy dx$$
Should be$$V= \int_{y_1=0}^{y_2 = 2} \int_{x_1=0}^{x_2=4-2y} \int_{z_1=0}^{z_2 = 4 - x -2y} dz dx dy$$

Work it carefully from here. You will get ##\frac {16} 3##.

Yes, in my work, I'm integrate from dz, dx, and dy. However, maybe I need more time to get used with Latex Code (for me it's difficult) to write down my work.

Nah, 1/8 is from details " volume in first octant". In previous chapter, volume in first octant means 1/8 from total volume. So, I think that dV in first octant is 1/8 dV which dV is element volume (total).

So, what does volume in first octant mean?

BvU
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2019 Award
So, what does volume in first octant mean?
That the bounds of the tertraeder region are the given plane plus the three coordinate planes ##x=0, y=0, z=0##.

Yes, I made a mistake in last steps. So the result is 16/3. So, in this case, the total volume bounded by the region is in first octant?

Three coordinates plane ##x=0## is yz plane? And how about the second octant? Please explain it to me. Thankss

BvU
Homework Helper
2019 Award
plane x=0 is yz plane
Correct.
And how about the second octant?
Good question. I don't know if there is a particular ordering for these eight octants. But for sure the first octant is the one with all x,y,z ##\ge## 0.

LCKurtz
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Yes, in my work, I'm integrate from dz, dx, and dy. However, maybe I need more time to get used with Latex Code (for me it's difficult) to write down my work.

Nah, 1/8 is from details " volume in first octant". In previous chapter, volume in first octant means 1/8 from total volume. So, I think that dV in first octant is 1/8 dV which dV is element volume (total).

So, what does volume in first octant mean?
The slanted plane leans up against the coordinate planes in the first octant. It is the only octant where the plane bounds a finite volume with the coordinate planes. So the 1/8 makes no sense. There is no larger volume that this is a portion of.

SammyS