Setting up a Triple Integral to Find Volume Enclosed by Two Functions

In summary: Okay so what we have so far :The two curve intersect on the circle of radius 2 and center (0,0).So let's suppose we let : -2 ≤ y ≤ 2So we want to solve x2+y2 = 4 for x.Solving this we get : x = ± √4 - y2 ( Notice the ± )Could you set up the integral for me know? You know your limits for z, x and... ?Yes, the limits for z are -4 to 4, right?So the triple integral would be∫∫∫ f(x,y,z) dzdydxwith limits -4 to 4 for z, -
  • #1
mundane
56
0

Homework Statement


Find the volume of the region of space enclosed between the functions: 1=-z+2x+2y and 100=z2+y2+x2.

The Attempt at a Solution


I am not sure how to set this problem up. I think it is a triple integral, since there is a z-component. I graphed the equation in an program and I see that it it the former function which is a curved sheet, intersecting a sphere (the latter function) with a radius of 10.

I tried finding their intersection points so that I could understand what the bounds would be for each component, but can't figure it out after several hours.

Will somebody show me how to set it up so that I can try the triple integral? This practice assignment is more about evaluating integrals, so that is the main part of the work, but I just need it set up first before I can practice evaluation...

Thanks in advance!
 
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  • #2
The first thing you want to do is express the functions in terms of z (x or y work too but whatever right?).

This will give you your limits for z.

Then fix z=0 so you can find the points of intersection. After you find the points of intersection you can determine the intervals for x and y.

Then you can solve the intersection for either x or y yielding your limits for either x or y respectively. Then you simply determine your limits for x or y depending on which variable you allowed to vary when you solved the intersection.
 
  • #3
Zondrina said:
The first thing you want to do is express the functions in terms of z (x or y work too but whatever right?).

This will give you your limits for z.

Then fix z=0 so you can find the points of intersection. After you find the points of intersection you can determine the intervals for x and y.

Then you can solve the intersection for either x or y yielding your limits for either x or y respectively. Then you simply determine your limits for x or y depending on which variable you allowed to vary when you solved the intersection.

Thanks for the reply... Let me try this:

So for the first function: z = 2x+2y-1

And for the second function: z = √(-x2-y2+100)

So those are the limits in the triple integral for z?

I am not quite sure what you mean by "fix z=0 so you can find points of intersection." Would you mind giving an example?

Thanks
 
  • #4
mundane said:
Thanks for the reply... Let me try this:

So for the first function: z = 2x+2y-1

And for the second function: z = √(-x2-y2+100)

So those are the limits in the triple integral for z?

I am not quite sure what you mean by "fix z=0 so you can find points of intersection." Would you mind giving an example?

Thanks

Of course.

Suppose we have a region bounded by [itex]z=4-x^2-y^2[/itex] and [itex]z=x^2+y^2-4[/itex] calculate the volume of the solid bounded by these regions.

Clearly you have your limits for z right there.

Suppose we hold z = 0 fixed. Could you tell me where the two curves intersect?
 
  • #5
Zondrina said:
Of course.

Suppose we have a region bounded by [itex]z=4-x^2-y^2[/itex] and [itex]z=x^2+y^2-4[/itex] calculate the volume of the solid bounded by these regions.

Clearly you have your limits for z right there.

Suppose we hold z = 0 fixed. Could you tell me where the two curves intersect?

Would you set them equal to each other, then move them to one side of the equals sign to make them zero?

I did [itex]z=4-x^2-y^2[/itex] and [itex]z=x^2+y^2-4[/itex]
so 4-x2-y2 = x2+y2-4
then 2x2+2y2=0...

not sure what I would do next...

Also, did I express the functions in terms of z correctly? And when you say "limits of z" do you mean those are the upper and lower bounds on that integral when I set it up?

Thanks for the help thus far.
 
  • #6
Woah woah, I think you may have made an arithmetic error. You do indeed get a circle... but clearly a circle of radius zero makes no sense right?

Lets deal with this first then the rest will be clear to you.

Also yes I mean that those are the upper and lower bounds on the integral for z.
 
  • #7
Zondrina said:
Woah woah, I think you may have made an arithmetic error. You do indeed get a circle... but clearly a circle of radius zero makes no sense right?

Lets deal with this first then the rest will be clear to you.

Also yes I mean that those are the upper and lower bounds on the integral for z.

Sorry, 2x2+2y2=8.

so x2+y2=4.

Do I set something equal to zero to find an intersection?
Is it y=±2 and x=±2?
 
  • #8
mundane said:
Sorry, 2x2+2y2=8.

so x2+y2=4.

Do I set something equal to zero to find an intersection?
Is it y=±2 and x=±2?

Okay so the two curves intersect on circle of radius 2 with center (0,0). That means either x or y run from -2 to 2. You can pick EITHER one.

Now you can solve x2+y2=4 for your limits on either x or y depending on which one you picked to run from -2 to 2.

Could you tell me what your integral looks like now? ( Don't even solve for f(x,y) just show me your limits ).
 
  • #9
The limits for x would be:√(4-y2)
And the limits for y would be : √(4-x2)

Is that right?
 
  • #10
Or do I have to plug -2 and 2 in for one of them?

If I made the limits for y -2 and 2, how would that problem be solved? Just by plugging in..?
 
  • #11
mundane said:
Or do I have to plug -2 and 2 in for one of them?

If I made the limits for y -2 and 2, how would that problem be solved? Just by plugging in..?

Okay so what we have so far :

The two curve intersect on the circle of radius 2 and center (0,0).

So let's suppose we let : -2 ≤ y ≤ 2

So we want to solve x2+y2 = 4 for x.

Solving this we get : x = ± √4 - y2 ( Notice the ± )

Could you set up the integral for me know? You know your limits for z, x and y.
 
  • #12
Zondrina said:
Okay so what we have so far :

The two curve intersect on the circle of radius 2 and center (0,0).

So let's suppose we let : -2 ≤ y ≤ 2

So we want to solve x2+y2 = 4 for x.

Solving this we get : x = ± √4 - y2 ( Notice the ± )

Could you set up the integral for me know? You know your limits for z, x and y.

Okay, would it be ∫(4−x2−y2 to x2+y2−4)∫(-2 to 2)∫(-√4 - y to +√4 - y) ... dxdydz

?

that "..." is another place where I'm not sure what belongs...
 
  • #13
mundane said:
Okay, would it be ∫(4−x2−y2 to x2+y2−4)∫(-2 to 2)∫(-√4 - y to +√4 - y) ... dxdydz

?

that "..." is another place where I'm not sure what belongs...

Not quite. We want to hold y fixed as long as possible and allow x and z to vary. So your integral would look like :

[itex]\int_{-2}^{2} \int_{-\sqrt{4-y^2}}^{\sqrt{4-y^2}} \int_{4 - x^2 - y^2}^{x^2 + y^2 - 4} f(x,y,z) dzdxdy[/itex]

Notice we hold y fixed as long as possible?

Okay, as for f(x,y,z), think about which of our two surfaces is bigger than the other and subtract them to get your function to integrate. ( Bigger one - Smaller one ).
 
  • #14
Zondrina said:
Not quite. We want to hold y fixed as long as possible and allow x and z to vary. So your integral would look like :

[itex]\int_{-2}^{2} \int_{-\sqrt{4-y^2}}^{\sqrt{4-y^2}} \int_{4 - x^2 - y^2}^{x^2 + y^2 - 4} f(x,y,z) dzdxdy[/itex]

Notice we hold y fixed as long as possible?

Okay, as for f(x,y,z), think about which of our two surfaces is bigger than the other and subtract them to get your function to integrate. ( Bigger one - Smaller one ).

I just graphed both surfaces and it looks like two equally sized paraboloids, one upside down and the other right side up... How do I know which is larger?

Also, why do we want that specific order for the integral? Is y supposed to be fixed for as long as possible because we made it have numbers and not functions of another variable for its limits? But then, why is dz on the inside and not dx? Is that because it is the one that has limits in terms of two variables?

Sorry for all the questions, but I can feel it getting clearer!
 
  • #15
mundane said:
I just graphed both surfaces and it looks like two equally sized paraboloids, one upside down and the other right side up... How do I know which is larger?

Also, why do we want that specific order for the integral? Is y supposed to be fixed for as long as possible because we made it have numbers and not functions of another variable for its limits? But then, why is dz on the inside and not dx? Is that because it is the one that has limits in terms of two variables?

Sorry for all the questions, but I can feel it getting clearer!

First note :

[itex]\int_{-2}^{2} \int_{-\sqrt{4-y^2}}^{\sqrt{4-y^2}} \int_{4 - x^2 - y^2}^{x^2 + y^2 - 4} f(x,y,z) dzdxdy[/itex] = [itex]\int_{-2}^{2} \int_{-\sqrt{4-x^2}}^{\sqrt{4-x^2}} \int_{4 - x^2 - y^2}^{x^2 + y^2 - 4} f(x,y,z) dzdydx[/itex]

So there is more than one way to represent your integral and get the same answer. Like I said before, we could have fixed x OR y for as long as possible and allowed the other to vary respectively.

dz is on the inside because we have expressed both surfaces in terms of z. We could have also expressed the surfaces in terms of x and y, but i'll let you try that for yourself and observe why we took the convenient way out by integrating with respect to z first :).

As for your surfaces, if you're inside the circle x2 + y2 < 4, then x2 + y2 - 4 < 0 which implies that 4 - x2 - y2 > 0.

This should clear up why the limits of integration on z are the way they are and allow you to find your f(x,y,z) since you know which surface is bigger than the other now right?

Sorry now though, I have to go pass out for my exam tomorrow. Just apply this same logic to your other problem once you figure this one out and it's smooth sailing.
 
  • #16
Zondrina said:
First note :

[itex]\int_{-2}^{2} \int_{-\sqrt{4-y^2}}^{\sqrt{4-y^2}} \int_{4 - x^2 - y^2}^{x^2 + y^2 - 4} f(x,y,z) dzdxdy[/itex] = [itex]\int_{-2}^{2} \int_{-\sqrt{4-x^2}}^{\sqrt{4-x^2}} \int_{4 - x^2 - y^2}^{x^2 + y^2 - 4} f(x,y,z) dzdydx[/itex]

So there is more than one way to represent your integral and get the same answer. Like I said before, we could have fixed x OR y for as long as possible and allowed the other to vary respectively.

dz is on the inside because we have expressed both surfaces in terms of z. We could have also expressed the surfaces in terms of x and y, but i'll let you try that for yourself and observe why we took the convenient way out by integrating with respect to z first :).

As for your surfaces, if you're inside the circle x2 + y2 < 4, then x2 + y2 - 4 < 0 which implies that 4 - x2 - y2 > 0.

This should clear up why the limits of integration on z are the way they are and allow you to find your f(x,y,z) since you know which surface is bigger than the other now right?

Sorry now though, I have to go pass out for my exam tomorrow. Just apply this same logic to your other problem once you figure this one out and it's smooth sailing.

Awesome... Before you go, could you just show how I should subtract the two surfaces for the inner function? I have gotten this far on my own problem now, just need that last step which I am unsure of...
 
  • #17
Would it be (4-x^2-y^2) - (x^2+y^2-4) which is -2x^2-2y^2 +8?
 
  • #18
If anybody can still help me here... Does this method work for my problem? It is a sphere being cut by a sheet... If so, how can I set up the intersection? I am stuck at 2^x+2^y-1=sqrt(-x^2-y^2+100)
 
  • #19
Should this be cone in spherical coordinates? If so, how would it be set up?

I am absolutely lost trying to find where these functions intersect. Please help!
 
  • #20
Zondrina said:
First note :

[itex]\int_{-2}^{2} \int_{-\sqrt{4-y^2}}^{\sqrt{4-y^2}} \int_{4 - x^2 - y^2}^{x^2 + y^2 - 4} f(x,y,z) dzdxdy[/itex] = [itex]\int_{-2}^{2} \int_{-\sqrt{4-x^2}}^{\sqrt{4-x^2}} \int_{4 - x^2 - y^2}^{x^2 + y^2 - 4} f(x,y,z) dzdydx[/itex]
This may be all fine and dandy, but it appears to be a much simpler problem than the OP. The OP has 2x and 2y in it, and I fail to see how this approach (or any other!) will handle that.
 

Related to Setting up a Triple Integral to Find Volume Enclosed by Two Functions

1. How do I determine the limits of integration for a triple integral?

The limits of integration for a triple integral are determined by the boundaries of the region enclosed by the two functions. This can be done by graphing the two functions and identifying the points of intersection. The limits for the innermost integral (z-direction) will be the lower and upper bounds of the two functions at each point of intersection. The limits for the middle integral (y-direction) will be the lower and upper bounds of the region in the y-direction. The limits for the outermost integral (x-direction) will be the lower and upper bounds of the region in the x-direction.

2. How do I set up the integrand for a triple integral?

The integrand for a triple integral is the function that is being integrated. In this case, it will be the volume element, which is the product of the three differentials, dx, dy, and dz. It will also include the function that defines the shape of the region. For example, if the region is defined by two functions, the integrand will be the product of these two functions.

3. What is the purpose of setting up a triple integral to find the volume enclosed by two functions?

The purpose of setting up a triple integral is to calculate the volume enclosed by two functions in a three-dimensional space. This method allows for more complex shapes to be calculated, as it takes into account the variation of the shape in all three dimensions.

4. Can a triple integral be used to find the volume of a solid with curved boundaries?

Yes, a triple integral can be used to find the volume of a solid with curved boundaries. This method is especially useful for calculating the volume of irregular or complex shapes in three dimensions.

5. What are some common applications of using a triple integral to find volume?

Triple integrals can be used in various fields, such as physics, engineering, and economics, to calculate the volume of three-dimensional objects. Some common applications include calculating the volume of a fluid or gas in a container, determining the amount of material needed for a construction project, or finding the volume of a region in an economic model.

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