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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up integrals for problems involving conical solids and volume calculations using different coordinate systems. The first problem focuses on finding the mass of a conical solid with a density proportional to the distance from the origin, while the second problem involves calculating the volume of a solid bounded by specific surfaces using double integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of density integrals in spherical coordinates and question the correct formulation of the density function. There is also exploration of converting a volume calculation from triple to double integrals, with some participants expressing confusion about the coordinate systems being used.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with each other's approaches, questioning assumptions about the density function and the appropriateness of coordinate systems. Some guidance has been offered regarding the correct differential volume element in spherical coordinates and the potential inefficiency of using cylindrical coordinates for the second problem.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the implications of density being proportional to distance, and participants are navigating the complexities of converting between coordinate systems for volume calculations. The original poster expresses frustration with the coding format used in the forum.

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
 

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