Why Does Integrating y Over a Volume Between Two Cylinders Yield Zero?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral \(\int\int\int y \, dV\) for a solid defined between two cylinders and bounded by specific planes. The original poster attempts to understand why the result of their integral appears to yield zero, despite their visualization of the solid as a toroidal shape with a section removed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the integral and the implications of integrating a function over a volume versus integrating just the volume element. Questions arise regarding the interpretation of the integral and whether the original formulation was correct.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the nature of the integral, noting that integrating a function over a volume does not yield volume itself. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of the integrand and the setup of the integral, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of potential confusion regarding the representation of volume versus the integration of a function within that volume. The original poster's visualization of the solid is noted, but the discussion remains focused on the mathematical interpretation rather than resolving the integral itself.

semc
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Evaluate [tex]\int\int\int y dV[/tex] where the solid generated lies between the cylinders x2+y2=1 and x2+y2=4, above the xy-plane and below the plane z=x+2.

I wrote out the integral [tex]\int\int r*r sin \theta dz dr d\theta[/tex] and z is integrated from x+2 to 0, r integrated from 2 to 1 and [tex]\theta[/tex] from [tex]2\pi[/tex] to 0. But I ended up with [tex]\frac{-7}{3}(x+2)cos(2\pi - 0)[/tex] which gives me 0?? I tried visualizing the volume generated and its like a donut with the top cut away at an angle. So how is the volume 0? Did I do something wrong?
 
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semc said:
Evaluate [tex]\int\int\int y dV[/tex] where the solid generated lies between the cylinders x2+y2=1 and x2+y2=4, above the xy-plane and below the plane z=x+2.

I wrote out the integral [tex]\int\int r*r sin \theta dz dr d\theta[/tex] and z is integrated from x+2 to 0, r integrated from 2 to 1 and \theta from 2[tex]\pi[/tex] to 0. But I ended up with [tex]\frac{-7}{3}(x+2)cos(2\pi - 0)[/tex] which gives me 0?? I tried visualizing the volume generated and its like a donut with the top cut away at an angle. So how is the volume 0? Did I do something wrong?

Your integral doesn't represent volume, so it's possible that its value is 0. If the integrand were 1 instead of 1, then it would represent volume.
 
You mean the one I wrote or the equation given?
 
*bump*
 
Please do not bump threads.

The integral of JUST dV would represent a volume. However, the integration of a function IN a volume no longer represents the volume.

For example,

[tex]\int\limits_0^L {dx}[/tex]

gives you the length of something from 0-> L, which is just a length of L. However,

[tex]\int\limits_0^L {x^2 dx}[/tex]

no longer gives a length.
 

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