Where Did I Go Wrong in Finding the Volume in the First Octant?

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster attempts to find the volume in the first octant bounded by the planes x+z=1 and y+2z=2. They express confusion over discrepancies between geometric and calculus-based approaches to the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of double integrals for calculating volume, with some suggesting that the inner limits of integration may be incorrect. There is also mention of the need to visualize the solid and the relationships between the variables involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on visualizing the solid and checking the limits of integration. There is an ongoing exploration of how the integrands relate to the geometry of the problem, but no consensus has been reached regarding the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster has drawn a picture of the solid, indicating a geometric understanding, but there are still questions about the setup of the integrals and the relationships between the variables.

Punkyc7
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Find the volume in the first octant bounded by the planes x+z=1 and y+2z=2. My question is where am I going wrong because when I use geometry I get the right answer but when I use calculus I do not.

So I solve for z and get
z=1-x
z=1-y/2

solve for y I get
y=2x

I set my first Double integral as
[tex]\int[/tex] from 0to2 [tex]\int[/tex] from 0toy/2 of 1-x dxdy

For my second integral I set up
[tex]\int[/tex] from 0to1 [tex]\int[/tex] 0to2x of1-y/2 dydx

solve those and I get 4/3 but the answer should be 2/3 because the volume is a Pyramid V=1/3 base area *height
 
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I suggest you draw a picture of the solid. Your inner limits are wrong on both integrals as you will see from a picture.
 
I did draw a picture, that's how I knew it was a pyramid, so its the inner limits
 
Perhaps it is just that you have your two integrands switched. Your regions don't coincide with the correct portions of the "roofs".
 
You basically have
a function
[tex]z=g(x)[/tex]
and another
[tex]y=f(z)[/tex]

the integral you search is:

[tex]\int_{0}^{x_0}\int_{0}^{g(x)}f(z)\ dz \ dx[/tex]

where [tex]x_0[/tex] is the endpoint on the x axis.

If you solve it, you actually get 2/3.

I read you draw the solid, but you really carefully need to visualize, what you are integrating, in which variable, in which direction.
The inner integral sums towards z lines parallel to y.
The outer integral sums toward x areas parallel to the yz plane.
Writing all in neat Latex code really helps finding mistakes.
Hope it helps.
 

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