Volume of a Pond (Triple Integral)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the volume of a circular pond modeled as a paraboloid defined by the equation z = x² + y² - 1, with a radius of 1 metre and a maximum depth of 1 metre. The discussion also compares this volume to that of a hemisphere with the same radius.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulation of a triple integral to represent the volume of the pond, questioning the accuracy of the limits and the choice of coordinate system. There are suggestions to consider cylindrical coordinates instead of Cartesian coordinates for integration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to set up the integral correctly. Some have provided guidance on using cylindrical coordinates and have raised questions about the limits of integration. There is no explicit consensus yet on the correct formulation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of integrating in different coordinate systems and are addressing potential misconceptions about the limits of integration. There is an acknowledgment of the need for clarity in defining the volume's shape and the integration process.

Woolyabyss
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Homework Statement


A circular pond with radius 1 metre and a maximum depth of 1 metre has the shape of a paraboloid, so that its depth z is z = x 2 + y 2 − 1. What is the total volume of the pond? How does this compare with the case where the pond has the same radius but has the shape of a hemisphere?

Homework Equations


n/a

The Attempt at a Solution


\int _{-1}^0\left(\int _{-\sqrt{1-x^2}}^{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\left(\int _{x^2+y^2-1}^0\left(\right)dz\right)dy\right)dx

I was just wondering if this triple integral accurately describes what the question is asking? I searched online but can't find any anything similar.
 
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Woolyabyss said:

Homework Statement


A circular pond with radius 1 metre and a maximum depth of 1 metre has the shape of a paraboloid, so that its depth z is z = x 2 + y 2 − 1. What is the total volume of the pond? How does this compare with the case where the pond has the same radius but has the shape of a hemisphere?

Homework Equations


n/a

The Attempt at a Solution


$$\int _{-1}^0\left(\int _{-\sqrt{1-x^2}}^{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\left(\int _{x^2+y^2-1}^0\left(\right)dz\right)dy\right)dx$$

I was just wondering if this triple integral accurately describes what the question is asking? I searched online but can't find any anything similar.
Now (with the ##\$\$## around the ##\TeX##) it looks OK. You can see the bounds sitting there properly.
 
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Woolyabyss said:
I was just wondering if this triple integral accurately describes what the question is asking? I searched online but can't find any anything similar.
Doesn't seem to work. If you want to integrate in Cartesian variables, you should identify the correct limits for each variable. I suggest that you work in cylindrical coordinate instead, because in this case there is only one variable whose integration limits are a function of the other two variables.
 
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blue_leaf77 said:
Doesn't seem to work. If you want to integrate in Cartesian variables, you should identify the correct limits for each variable. I suggest that you work in cylindrical coordinate instead, because in this case there is only one variable whose integration limits are a function of the other two variables.
So in cylindrical coordinates if we integrate in the order z,r,θ
would the limits be r-1 to 0,-r to r and 0 to 2*pi?

EDIT
or should it be r-1 to 0,0 to r and 0 to 2*pi?
 
Neither. z is not r-1 to 0 (that would be a cone)

(PS post #2 only said something about the look of things..., not the solubility)
 
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BvU said:
Neither. z is not r-1 to 0 (that would be a cone)

(PS post #2 only said something about the look of things..., not the solubility)
is it r^2 -1 to 0 ,0 to r and 0 to 2*pi?
 
For your purpose, it will be helpful to think of the pond as being made of a stack of infinitesimally thick disks put on top of another in z direction such that they form a paraboloidal volume. Now consider a disk located at a fixed plane ##z##. The thickness of this disk is ##dz##. For the area of this disk, how will you calculate it using the integral in polar coordinate ##r##, ##\theta##? To do this, first you need to express the radius of this disk as a function of ##z##.
 
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Thanks guys,
I realized in my original integral x should have been from -1 to 1 and not 0 to 1. also in polar coordinates if I use is it r^2 -1 to 0 ,0 to 1 and 0 to 2*pi, I get the same answer of (1/2)*pi
 

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