MULTIPLE INTEGRALS

WEEK 10: MULTIPLE INTEGRALS

10.1 DOUBLE INTEGRALS OVER RECTANGLES

10.1.1 Review of Definite Integrals

First let’s recall the basic facts concerning definite integrals of functions of a single variable. If f (x) is
defined for a  x  b, we start by dividing the interval [a, b] into n subintervals [xi – 1, xi] of equal
width x = (b – a)/n and we choose sample points 𝑥𝑖∗ in these subintervals. Then we form the
Riemann sum:
𝑛

∑ 𝑓(𝑥𝑖∗ )∆𝑥 … (1)

𝑖=1

and take the limit of such sums as n →∞ to obtain the definite integral of f from a to b:

𝑏 𝑛

∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = lim ∑ 𝑓(𝑥𝑖∗ )∆𝑥 … (2)

𝑎 𝑛→∞
𝑖=1

In the special case where f (x)  0, the Riemann sum can be interpreted as the sum of the areas of
𝑏
the approximating rectangles in Figure 10.1, and ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 represents the area under the curve y =
f (x) from a to b.

Figure 10.1: Riemann sum approximation

10.1.2 Volumes and Double Integrals

In a similar manner we consider a function f of two variables defined on a closed rectangle

𝑅 = [𝑎, 𝑏] × [𝑐, 𝑑] = {(𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ ℝ2 | 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏, 𝑐 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑑}

and we first suppose that f (x, y)  0. The graph of f is a surface with equation z = f (x, y).

Let S be the solid that lies above R and under the graph of f, that is,

𝑆 = {(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) ∈ ℝ3 | 0 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦), (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ ℝ (See Figure 10.2.)

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 Figure 10.2: f is a surface with equation z = f (x, y).

Our goal is to find the volume of S. The first step is to divide the rectangle R into subrectangles. We
accomplish this by dividing the interval [a, b] into m subintervals [xi – 1, xi] of equal width x = (b –
a)/m and dividing [c, d ] into n subintervals [yj – 1, yj] of equal width y = (d – c)/n.

By drawing lines parallel to the coordinate axes through the endpoints of these subintervals, as in
Figure 10.3, we form the subrectangles

𝑅𝑖𝑖 = [𝑥𝑖−1 , 𝑥𝑖 ] × [𝑦𝑖−1 , 𝑦𝑖 ] = {(𝑥, 𝑦) |𝑥𝑖−1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑥𝑖 , 𝑦𝑖−1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑦𝑖 }

each with area A = xy.

Figure 10.3: Dividing R into subrectangles

If we choose a sample point (𝑥𝑖𝑗∗ , 𝑦𝑖𝑗∗ ) in each Rij, then we can approximate the part of S that lies
above each Rij by a thin rectangular box (or “column”) with base Rij and height (𝑥𝑖𝑗∗ , 𝑦𝑖𝑗∗ ) as shown in
Figure 10.4.

The volume of this box is the height of the box times the area of the base rectangle:

𝑓(𝑥𝑖𝑗∗ , 𝑦𝑖𝑗∗ )∆𝐴

2
 Figure 10.4: Approximation by a thin rectangular box

If we follow this procedure for all the rectangles and add the volumes of the corresponding boxes,
we get an approximation to the total volume of S:

This double sum means that for each subrectangle we evaluate f at the chosen point and multiply by
the area of the subrectangle, and then we add the results. (See Figure 10.5.)

Figure 10.5: Approximation to the total volume of S

Our intuition tells us that the approximation given in Eq. (3) becomes better as m and n become
larger and so we would expect that:

We use the expression in Eq. (4) to define the volume (V) of the solid S that lies under the graph of f
and above the rectangle R. Limits of the type that appear in Eq. (4) occur frequently, not just in
finding volumes but in a variety of other situations even when f is not a positive function. So we
make the following definition.

3
The precise meaning of the limit in Definition 5 is that for every number ε > 0 there is an integer N
such that

𝑚 𝑛

|∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝐴 − ∑ ∑ 𝑓(𝑥𝑖𝑗∗ , 𝑦𝑖𝑗∗ ) ∆𝐴| < 𝜀

𝑅 𝑖=1 𝑗=1

for all integers m and n greater than N and for any choice of sample points (𝑥𝑖𝑗∗ , 𝑦𝑖𝑗∗ ) in Rij. A function
f is called integrable if the limit in Definition 5 exists.

It is shown in courses on advanced calculus that all continuous functions are integrable. In fact, the
double integral of f exists provided that f is “not too discontinuous.” In particular, if f is bounded on
R, [that is, there is a constant M such that | f (x, y) |  M for all (x, y) in R], and f is continuous there,
except on a finite number of smooth curves, then f is integrable over R.

The sample point (𝑥𝑖𝑗∗ , 𝑦𝑖𝑗∗ ) can be chosen to be any point in the subrectangle Rij, but if we choose it
to be the upper right-hand corner of Rij [namely (xi, yj), see Figure 10.3], then the expression for the
double integral looks simpler:

By comparing Eq. (4) and Definition 5, we see that a volume can be written as a double integral:

The sum in Definition 5,

𝑚 𝑛

∑ ∑ 𝑓(𝑥𝑖𝑗∗ , 𝑦𝑖𝑗∗ ) ∆𝐴
𝑖=1 𝑗=1

is called a double Riemann sum and is used as an approximation to the value of the double integral.
[Notice how similar it is to the Riemann sum in (1) for a function of a single variable.]. If f happens to
be a positive function, then the double Riemann sum represents the sum of volumes of columns, as
in Figure 10.5, and is an approximation to the volume under the graph of f.

4
10.1.3 Iterated Integrals

Suppose that f is a function of two variables that is integrable on the rectangle R = [a, b]  [c, d ].
𝑑
We use the notation ∫𝑐 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 to mean that x is held fixed and f (x, y) is integrated with respect
to y from y = c to y = d. This procedure is called partial integration with respect to y. (Notice its
similarity to partial differentiation.)
𝑑
Now ∫𝑐 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 is a number that depends on the value of x, so it defines a function of x:

𝑑
𝐴(𝑥) = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦
𝑐

If we now integrate the function A with respect to x from x = a to x = b, we get

The integral on the right side of Eq. (7) is called an iterated integral. Usually the brackets are
omitted. Thus

means that we first integrate with respect to y from c to d and then with respect to x from a to b.

Similarly, the iterated integral:

means that we first integrate with respect to x (holding y fixed) from x = a to x = b and then we
integrate the resulting function of y with respect to y from y = c to y = d. Notice that in both Eq. (8)
and (9) we work from the inside out.

The following theorem gives a practical method for evaluating a double integral by expressing it as
an iterated integral (in either order).

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In the special case where f (x, y) can be factored as the product of a function of x only and a function
of y only, the double integral of f can be written in a particularly simple form. To be specific, suppose
that f (x, y) = g (x) h (y) and R = [a, b]  [c, d]. Then Fubini’s Theorem gives

In the inner integral, y is a constant, so h(y) is a constant and we can write

𝑏
since ∫𝑎 𝑔(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 is a constant. Therefore, in this case, the double integral of f can be written as the
product of two single integrals:

Example 10.1

Find the volume of the solid that lies above the square R = [0, 2]  [0, 2] and below the elliptic
paraboloid z = 16 – x2 – 2y2, as shown in Figure 10.6.

Figure 10.6: Volume of the approximating rectangular boxes

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Solution

Solving using iterated integrals – Method 1

2 2
Sum of volume = ∫0 ∫0 16 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦

2 2
𝑥3
= ∫ [16𝑥 − − 2𝑥𝑦 2 ] 𝑑𝑦
0 3 0

2 2 2
88 88 4𝑦 3
= ∫ [ − 4𝑦 2 ] 𝑑𝑦 = [ 𝑦 − ] = 48 unit 3
0 3 0 3 3 0

Solving using iterated integrals – Method 2

2 2
Sum of volume = ∫ ∫ 16 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
0 0

2 2
2
= ∫ [16𝑦 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑦 3 ] 𝑑𝑥
0 3 0

2 2
2 80 80 2𝑥 3
= ∫0 [ 3 − 2𝑥 2 ] 𝑑𝑥 = [ 3 𝑥 − 3 0
] = 48 unit 3
0

Both method based on iterated integrals give the same answer.

Example 10.2

Evaluate the iterated integral:

3 2
∫ ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
0 1

Solution

Regarding x as a constant, we obtain:

2 𝑦=2
𝑦2
∫ 𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = [𝑥 2 ]
1 2 𝑦=1

22 12 3
= 𝑥 ( ) − 𝑥 ( ) = 𝑥2
2 2
2 2 2
3
Thus the function A in the preceding discussion is given by 𝐴(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 in this example. We now
2
integrate this function of x from 0 to 3:
3 2 3 2 3
3 2
∫ ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ [∫ 𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦] 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0 1 0 1 0 2
3
𝑥3 27
= | =
2 0 2

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10.1.4 Average Value

We know that the average value of a function f of one variable defined on an interval [a, b] is:
𝑏
1
𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑒 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
𝑏−𝑎 𝑎

Similarly, we define the average value of a function f of two variables defined on a rectangle R to be:

1
𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑒 = ∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝐴
𝐴(𝑅)
𝑅

where A(R) is the area of R. If f (x, y)  0, the equation:

𝐴(𝑅) × 𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑒 = ∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝐴

𝑅

says that the box with base R and height fave has the same volume as the solid that lies under the
graph of f. If z = f (x, y) describes a mountainous region and you chop off the tops of the mountains
at height fave, then you can use them to fill in the valleys so that the region becomes completely flat.
See Figure 10.7.

Figure 10.7: Mountainous region

10.2 DOUBLE INTEGRALS OVER GENERAL REGIONS

For single integrals, the region over which we integrate is always an interval. But for double
integrals, we want to be able to integrate a function f not just over rectangles but also over regions
D of more general shape, such as the one illustrated in Figure 10.8.

Figure 10.8: Regions D

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We suppose that D is a bounded region, which means that D can be enclosed in a rectangular region
R as in Figure 10.9.

Figure 10.9: Regions D enclosed in a rectangular region R

Then we define a new function F with domain R by:

… (12)

If F is integrable over R, then we define the double integral of f over D by:

… (13)

Where F is given by Eq. (12). Definition in Eq. (13) makes sense because R is a rectangle and so R F
(x, y) dA has been previously defined. The procedure that we have used is reasonable because the
values of F (x, y) are 0 when (x, y) lies outside D and so they contribute nothing to the integral.

This means that it does not matter what rectangle R we use as long as it contains D. In the case
where f (x, y)  0, we can still interpret D f (x, y) dA as the volume of the solid that lies above D and
under the surface z = f (x, y) (the graph of f ).

You can see that this is reasonable by comparing the graphs of f and F in Figures 10.10 and
remembering that R F (x, y) dA is the volume under the graph of F.

Figure 10.10: Comparison between graphs of f and F

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Figure 10.10 also shows that F is likely to have discontinuities at the boundary points of D.
Nonetheless, if f is continuous on D and the boundary curve of D is “well behaved”, then it can be
shown that R F (x, y) dA exists and therefore D f (x, y) dA exists. In particular, this is the case for
type I and type II regions.

A plane region D is said to be of type I if it lies between the graphs of two continuous functions of x,
that is,

D = {(x, y) | a  x  b, g1 (x)  y  g2 (x)}

where g1 and g2 are continuous on [a, b].

Some examples of type I regions are shown in Figure 10.11.

Figure 10.11: Examples of type I regions

In order to evaluate D f (x, y) dA when D is a region of type I, we choose a rectangle R = [a, b]  [c,
d ] that contains D, as in Figure 10.12, and we let F be the function given by Eq. (12); that is, F agrees
with f on D and F is 0 outside D.

Figure 10.12: Examples of type I regions

Then, by Fubini’s Theorem,

𝑏 𝑑
∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝐴 = ∬ 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ ∫ 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑐
𝐷 𝑅

Observe that F (x, y) = 0 if y < g1 (x) or y > g2 (x) because (x, y) then lies outside D. Therefore,
𝑑 𝑔2 (𝑥) 𝑔2 (𝑥)
∫ 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦
𝑐 𝑔1 (𝑥) 𝑔1 (𝑥)

10
because F (x, y) = f (x, y) when g1 (x)  y  g2 (x). Thus we have the following formula that enables us
to evaluate the double integral as an iterated integral.

… (14)

The integral on the right side of Eq. (14) is an iterated integral, except that in the inner integral we
regard x as being constant not only in f (x, y) but also in the limits of integration, g1(x) and g2(x).

We also consider plane regions of type II, which can be expressed as:

D = {(x, y) | c  y  d, h1(y)  x  h2(y)} … (15)

where h1 and h2 are continuous. Two such regions are illustrated in Figure 10.13.

Figure 10.13: Examples of type II regions

Using the same methods that were used in establishing Eq. (14), we can show that:

𝑑 ℎ2 (𝑦)
∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 … (16)
𝑐 ℎ1 (𝑦)
𝐷

Where D is a type II region given by Eq. (15).

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Example 10.3

Evaluate D (x + 2y) dA, where D is the region bounded by the parabolas y = 2x2 and y = 1 + x2.

Solution

The parabolas intersect when 2x2 = 1 + x2, that is, x2 = 1, so x = ±1.

We note that the region D, sketched in Figure 10.14, is a type I region but not a type II region and we
can write:

D = {(x, y) | –1  x  1, 2x2  y  1 + x2}

Figure 10.14: Region D

Since the lower boundary is y = 2x2 and the upper boundary is y = 1 + x2, Eq. (14) gives:

1 1+𝑥 2
∬(𝑥 + 2𝑦) 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ ∫ (𝑥 + 2𝑦)𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
−1 2𝑥 2
𝐷

1 2
𝑦=1+𝑥
= ∫ [𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 ]𝑦=2𝑥2 𝑑𝑥
−1

1
= ∫ [𝑥(1 + 𝑥 2 ) + (1 + 𝑥 2 )2 − 𝑥(2𝑥 2 ) − (2𝑥 2 )2 ]𝑑𝑥
−1

1
32
= ∫(−3𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1)𝑑𝑥 =
15
−1

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10.2.1 Properties of Double Integrals

We assume that all the following integrals exist. For rectangular regions D, the first three properties
can be proved in the same manner. And then for general regions the properties follow from
definition in Eq. (13).

…(17)

…(18)

where c is a constant. If f (x, y) ≥ g (x, y) for all (x, y) in D, then:

…(19)

The next property of double integrals is similar to the property of single integrals given by the
equation:

If D = D1 U D2, where D1 and D2 do not overlap except perhaps on their boundaries (see Figure
10.15), then

…(20)

Figure 10.15: Region D= D1 U D2

Property in Eq. (20) can be used to evaluate double integrals over regions D that are neither type I
nor type II but can be expressed as a union of regions of type I or type II. Figure 10.16 illustrates this
procedure.

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 (a): D is neither type I nor type II (b): D = D1 U D2, D1 is type I, D2 is type II
Figure 10.16

The next property of integrals says that if we integrate the constant function f (x, y) = 1 over a region
D, we get the area of D:

The last property states that:

10.3 TRIPLE INTEGRALS

We have defined single integrals for functions of one variable and double integrals for functions of
two variables, so we can define triple integrals for functions of three variables. Let’s first deal with
the simplest case where f is defined on a rectangular box:

B = {(x, y, z) | a  x  b, c  y  d, r  z  s} … (21)

The first step is to divide B into sub-boxes. We do this by dividing the interval [a, b] into l
subintervals [xi–1, xi] of equal width x, dividing [c, d ] into m subintervals of width y, and dividing
[r, s] into n subintervals of width z.

The planes through the endpoints of these subintervals parallel to the coordinate planes divide the
box B into lmn sub-boxes

Bijk = [xi – 1, xi]  [yj – 1, yj]  [zk – 1, zk]

which are shown in Figure 10.24. Each sub-box has volume V = x y z.

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 Figure 10.24: Rectangular box

Then we form the triple Riemann sum:

𝑙 𝑚 𝑛
∗ ∗ ∗
∑ ∑ ∑ 𝑓(𝑥𝑖𝑗𝑘 , 𝑦𝑖𝑗𝑘 , 𝑧𝑖𝑗𝑘 ) ∆𝑉
…(22)
𝑖=1 𝑗=1 𝑘=1

∗ ∗ ∗
where the sample point (𝑥𝑖𝑗𝑘 , 𝑦𝑖𝑗𝑘 , 𝑧𝑖𝑗𝑘 ) is in Bijk. By analogy with the definition of a double integral,
we define the triple integral as the limit of the triple Riemann sums in Eq. (22).

… (23)

Again, the triple integral always exists if f is continuous. We can choose the sample point to be any
point in the sub-box, but if we choose it to be the point (xi, yj, zk) we get a simpler-looking
expression:

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Just as for double integrals, the practical method for evaluating triple integrals is to express them as
iterated integrals as follows:

…(24)

The iterated integral on the right side of Fubini’s Theorem means that we integrate first with respect
to x (keeping y and z fixed), then we integrate with respect to y (keeping z fixed), and finally we
integrate with respect to z. There are five other possible orders in which we can integrate, all of
which give the same value. For instance, if we integrate with respect to y, then z, and then x, we
have

𝑏 𝑠 𝑑
∭ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑟 𝑐
𝐵

Example 10.4

Evaluate the triple integral B xyz2 dV, where B is the rectangular box given by

B = {(x, y, z) | 0  x  1, –1  y  2, 0  z  3}

Solution

We could use any of the six possible orders of integration. If we choose to integrate with respect to
x, then y, and then z, we obtain

3 2 1 3 2 𝑥=1
2
𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 2 2
∭ 𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑑𝑉 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑥𝑦𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 = ∫ ∫ [ ] 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
0 −1 0 0 −1 2 𝑥=0
𝐵

3 2 𝑦=2
𝑦𝑧 2 3
𝑦2𝑧2
=∫ ∫ 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 = ∫ [ ] 𝑑𝑧
0 −1 2 0 4 𝑦=−1

3 3
3𝑧 2 𝑧3
=∫ 𝑑𝑧 = ]
0 4 4 0

27
=
4

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10.3.1 Triple Integrals Over a General Bounded Region E

Now we define the triple integral over a general bounded region E in three-dimensional space (a
solid) by much the same procedure that we used for double integrals. We enclose E in a box B of the
type given by Eq. (21). Then we define F so that it agrees with f on E but is 0 for points in B that are
outside E. By definition:

∭ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 = ∭ 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉

𝐸 𝐸

This integral exists if f is continuous and the boundary of E is “reasonably smooth”. The triple
integral has essentially the same properties as the double integral. We restrict our attention to
continuous functions f and to certain simple types of regions.

A solid region E is said to be of type 1 if it lies between the graphs of two continuous functions of x
and y that is:

E = {(x, y, z) | (x, y)  D, u1(x, y)  z  u2(x, y)} …(25)

where D is the projection of E onto the xy-plane as shown in Figure 10.25.

Figure 10.25: A type I solid region

Notice that the upper boundary of the solid E is the surface with equation z = u2(x, y), while the lower
boundary is the surface z = u1(x, y). By the same sort of argument, it can be shown that if E is a type 1
region given by Eq. (25), then

…(26)

The meaning of the inner integral on the right side of Eq. (26) is that x and y are held fixed, and
therefore u1(x, y) and u2(x, y) are regarded as constants, while f (x, y, z) is integrated with respect to
z.

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In particular, if the projection D of E onto the xy-plane is a type I plane region (as in Figure 10.26).

Figure 10.26: A type I solid region where the projection D is a type I plane region

Then

E = {(x, y, z) | a  x  b, g1(x)  y  g2(x), u1(x, y)  z  u2(x, y)}

and Eq. (26) becomes:

…(27)

If, on the other hand, D is a type II plane region (as in Figure 10.27), then

E = {(x, y, z) | c  y  d, h1(y)  x  h2(y), u1(x, y)  z  u2(x, y)}

and Eq. (26) becomes:

…(28)

Figure 10.27: A type I solid region with type II projection

18
A solid region E is of type 2 if it is of the form:

E = {(x, y, z) | (y, z)  D, u1(y, z)  x  u2(y, z)}

where, this time, D is the projection of E onto the yz-plane (see Figure 10.28).

Figure 10.28: A type II region

The back surface is x = u1(y, z), the front surface is x = u2(y, z), and we have:

..(29)

Finally, a type 3 region is of the form:

E = {(x, y, z) | (x, z)  D, u1(x, z)  y  u2(x, z)}

where D is the projection of E onto the xz-plane, y = u1(x, z) is the left surface, and y = u2(x, z) is the
right surface (see Figure 10.29).

Figure 10.29: A type III region

For this type of region we have:

..(30)

In each of Eq. (32) and (33) there may be two possible expressions for the integral depending on
whether D is a type I or type II plane region (and corresponding to Eq. (27) and (28)).

19
Example 10.5

Evaluate
∭ 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 3 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
𝑈

where the region U (Figure 10.30) is bounded by the surfaces z=xy,y=x,x=0,x=1,z=0.

Figure 10.30

Solution

The projection of the solid region U onto the xy-plane looks as shown in Figure 10.31. Taking this
into account, we find the corresponding iterated integral:

Figure 10.31

1 𝑥 𝑥𝑦
𝐼 = ∭ 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 3 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 = ∫ 𝑑𝑥 ∫ 𝑑𝑦 ∫ 𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 3 𝑑𝑧
0 0 0
𝑈

1 𝑥 𝑧=𝑥𝑦
𝑥𝑦 2 𝑧 4 1 𝑥
𝑥4𝑦4
∫ 𝑑𝑥 ∫ 𝑑𝑦 [( )| ] = ∫ 𝑑𝑥 ∫ (𝑥𝑦 2 ) 𝑑𝑦
0 0 4 𝑧=0 0 0 4

𝑦=𝑥
1 1 𝑥
1 1 𝑥 5𝑦 7
= ∫ 𝑑𝑥 ∫ 𝑥 5 𝑦 6 𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 𝑑𝑥 [( )| ]
4 0 0 4 0 7 𝑦=0

1
1 1 𝑥7 1 1 12 1 𝑥 13 1 1
= ∫ 𝑥 5 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ( )| = ∙
4 0 7 28 0 28 13 0 28 13

1
=
364

20
10.3.2 Application of Triple Integral

Triple or volume integral has important real-world application which can be applied in various
scientific and engineering matters. In this section, we will discuss some of the application examples.

The most obvious usage of triple integral is to find the volume of a space confined within 3
dimensional boundary.

Example 10.6

Find the volume of the tetrahedron defined by 𝑥 ≥ 0, 𝑦 ≥ 0, ≥ 0 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 ≤ 1.

Solution

Figure 10.32

For the tetrahedron shown above, its volume is:

𝑥=1 𝑦=1 𝑧=1−𝑥−𝑦

V = ∫ ∫ ∫ 1 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦=0 𝑧=0
𝑥=1 𝑦=1−𝑥

= ∫ ∫ (1 − 𝑥 − 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦=0
𝑥=1
1 1
= ∫ (1 − 𝑥)2 𝑑𝑥 =
2 6
𝑥=0

10.4 FINDING MASS AND CENTER OF MASS

Here, we will explore on how to find the mass, center of mass and moments of inertia using double
integrals for a lamina (flat plate) and triple integrals for a three dimensional object with variable
density. The density is generally considered to be a constant number when the lamina or the object
is homogeneous; that is, the object has uniform density.

Refer to moments and centers of mass for the definitions and the methods of single integration to
find the center of mass of a one dimensional object (for example, a thin rod). We are going to use a
similar idea here except that the object is a two-dimensional lamina and thus, we use a double
integral.
𝑀𝑦 𝑀𝑧
For a constant density function, then 𝑥̅ = 𝑚
and 𝑦̅ = 𝑚
give the centroid of the lamina.

21
10.4.1 Mass

Suppose that the lamina occupies a region R in the xy-plane and let ρ(x, y) be its density (in units of
mass per unit area) at any point (x, y). Hence:

∆𝑚
𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦) = lim
∆𝐴→0 ∆𝐴

where Δm and ΔA are the mass and area of a small rectangle containing the point (x, y) and the limit
is taken as the dimensions of the rectangle go to 0 (see Figure 10.33)

Figure 10.33: The density of a lamina at a point is the limit of its mass per area in a small rectangle
about the point as the area goes to zero (0).
∗ ∗
We divide the region R into tiny rectangles Rij with area ΔA and choose (𝑥𝑖𝑗 , 𝑦𝑖𝑗 ) as sample points.
∗ ∗
Then the mass mij of each Rij is equal to 𝜌(𝑥𝑖𝑗 , 𝑦𝑖𝑗 )∆𝐴 (Figure 10.34). Let a and b be the number of
subintervals in x and y respectively. Note that the shape might not always be rectangular.

∗ ∗
Figure 10.34: Subdividing the lamina into small rectangle Rij each containing a sample point (𝑥𝑖𝑗 , 𝑦𝑖𝑗 )

The mass of the lamina:

𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
∗ ∗
𝑚 = lim ∑ ∑ 𝑚𝑖𝑗 = lim ∑ ∑ 𝜌(𝑥𝑖𝑗 , 𝑦𝑖𝑗 )∆𝐴 = ∬ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴
𝑘,𝑙→∞ 𝑎,𝑏→∞ 𝑅
𝑖=1 𝑗=1 𝑖=1 𝑗=1

22
Example 10.7

For a triangular lamina R with vertices (0, 0), (0, 3), (3, 0) and with density ρ(x, y) = xy kg/m2, find the
total mass.

Solution

Figure 10.35: A lamina in the xy-plane with density ρ(x,y) = xy

We can find mass, m using:

𝑚 = ∬ 𝑑𝑚 = ∬ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴
𝑅 𝑅

𝑥=3 𝑦=3 𝑥=3 𝑦=3

𝑦2 𝑥=3
1
=∫ ∫ 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ [𝑥 | ] 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑥(3 − 𝑥)2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦=0 𝑥=0 2 𝑦=0 𝑥=0 2

𝑥=3
9𝑥 2 𝑥4 27
=[ − 𝑥 3 + ]| =
4 8 𝑥=0 8

27
The mass, m = kg
8

23
On the other hand, for a mass of a matter bounded by 𝑉 with density of 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) at point (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)
can be calculated as 𝑚 = ∭ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 (or ∫𝑉 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉 (with appropriate limits)).

Example 10.8

Figure 10.36: Water reservoir

A water reservoir shown above has the width of 𝑥 = 100 m, length of 𝑦 = 400 m, and the depth of
the reservoir is given by 𝑧 = 40 − 𝑦/10m.

The density of the water can be approximated by 𝜌(𝑧) = 𝑎 − 𝑏 × 𝑧 where a = 998 kg m−3 and b
= 0.05 kg m−4 i.e. at the surface (𝑧 = 0) the water has density 998 kg m−3 (corresponding to a
temperature of 20 °C while 40 m down i.e. z = −40, the water has a density of 1000 kg m−3
(corresponding to the lower temperature of 4 °C. Find the total mass of water in the reservoir.

Solution

The mass of water in the reservoir is given by the integral of the function 𝜌(𝑧) = 𝑎 − 𝑏 × 𝑧. For
each value of 𝑥 and 𝑦, the limits on 𝑧 will be from 𝑦/10 − 40 (bottom) to 0 (top). Limits on 𝑦 will be
0 to 400m while the limits of 𝑥 will be 0 to 100m. The mass of water is therefore given by the
integral:
100 400 0

𝑚= ∫ ∫ ∫ (𝑎 − 𝑏𝑧) 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦=0 𝑧= 𝑦 −40
10

This can be solved as follow:

100 400
𝑏 2 0
𝑚= ∫ ∫ [𝑎𝑧 − 𝑧 ] 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑧= −40
𝑥=0 𝑦=0 10

100 400
𝑦 𝑏 𝑦 2
= ∫ ∫ 0 − 𝑎 ( − 40) + ( − 40) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
10 2 10
𝑥=0 𝑦=0

100 400
𝑎 𝑏 2
= ∫ ∫ 40𝑎 − 𝑦+ 𝑦 − 4𝑏𝑦 + 800𝑏 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
10 200
𝑥=0 𝑦=0

24
 100
400
𝑎 2 𝑏 3 2
= ∫ [40𝑎𝑦 − 𝑦 + 𝑦 − 2𝑏𝑦 + 800𝑏𝑦] 𝑑𝑥
10 600 𝑦=0
𝑥=0

100
320000
= ∫ 16000𝑎 − 8000𝑎 + 𝑏 − 320000𝑏 + 320000𝑏 𝑑𝑥
3
𝑥=0

100
100
320000 320000
= ∫ 8000𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑑𝑥 = [8000𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥]
3 3 𝑥=0
𝑥=0

3.2 0.16
= 8 × 105 𝑎 + × 107 𝑏 = 7.984 × 108 + × 107
3 3
= 7.989 × 108 kg

So the mass (m) of water in the reservoir is 7.989 × 108 kg.

10.4.2 Center of Mass

Now that we have the expression for mass, we can find moments and centers of mass in two
dimensions. The moment Mx about the x-axis for R is the limit of the sums of moments of the
regions Rij about the x-axis. Hence:
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
𝑀𝑥 = lim ∑ ∑(𝑦𝑖𝑗 )𝑚𝑖𝑗 = lim ∑ ∑(𝑦𝑖𝑗 )𝜌(𝑥𝑖𝑗 𝑦𝑖𝑗 )∆𝐴 = ∬ 𝑦𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴
𝑘,𝑙→∞ 𝑎,𝑏→∞ 𝑅
𝑖=1 𝑗=1 𝑖=1 𝑗=1

Similarly, the moment My about the y-axis for R is the limit of the sums of moments of the regions Rij
about y-axis. Hence:
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
𝑀𝑦 = lim ∑ ∑(𝑥𝑖𝑗 )𝑚𝑖𝑗 = lim ∑ ∑(𝑥𝑖𝑗 )𝜌(𝑥𝑖𝑗 𝑦𝑖𝑗 )∆𝐴 = ∬ 𝑥𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴
𝑎,𝑏→∞ 𝑎,𝑏→∞ 𝑅
𝑖=1 𝑗=1 𝑖=1 𝑗=1

To find the center of mass (𝑥̅ , 𝑦̅), the following expressions can be used:

𝑀𝑦 ∬𝑅 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑥 𝑑𝐴 and 𝑀𝑥 ∬𝑅 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑦 𝑑𝐴

𝑥̅ = = 𝑦̅ = =
𝑚 ∬𝑅 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴 𝑚 ∬𝑅 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴

25
Example 10.9

Consider the same triangular region R (as in Example 10.8) with vertices (0, 0), (0, 3), (3, 0) and with
density ρ(x, y) = xy kg/m2.

Find center of mass.

Solution

Using the formula,

𝑀𝑦 ∬𝑅 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑥 𝑑𝐴 81⁄20 6

𝑥̅ = = = =
𝑚 ∬𝑅 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴 27⁄8 5

𝑀𝑥 ∬𝑅 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑦 𝑑𝐴 81⁄20 6

𝑦̅ = = = =
𝑚 ∬𝑅 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴 27⁄8 5

6 6
Thus, the center of mass is ( , )
5 5

For three dimension, the expressions for the center of mass (𝑥̅ , 𝑦̅, 𝑧̅) of a solid of density 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)
are given below:

∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑥 𝑑𝑉
𝑥̅ =
∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉

∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑦 𝑑𝑉
𝑦̅ =
∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉

∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑧 𝑑𝑉
𝑧̅ =
∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉

If 𝜌 does not vary with position, these simplify to:

∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑉 ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝑉 ∫ 𝑧 𝑑𝑉
𝑥̅ = 𝑦̅ = 𝑧̅ =
∫ 𝑑𝑉 ∫ 𝑑𝑉 ∫ 𝑑𝑉

26
Example 10.10

A uniform tetrahedron is enclosed by the planes 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0, 𝑧 = 0 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4. Find

the volume and the position of the center of mass.

Solution

The volume integral of tetrahedron

4 4−𝑥 4−𝑥−𝑦

𝑉= ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦=0 𝑧=0

4 4−𝑥 4 4−𝑥

= ∫ ∫ [𝑧]4−𝑥−𝑦
𝑧=0 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ ∫ (4 − 𝑥 − 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦=0 𝑥=0 𝑦=0

4 4
4−𝑥
1 1
= ∫ [4𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 ] 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ [8 − 4𝑥 + 𝑥 2 ] 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑦=0 2
𝑥=0 𝑥=0

1 3 4
2
64 32
= [8𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 𝑥 ] = 32 − 32 + = .
6 𝑥=0 6 3

Then, we calculate ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑉 as follows:

4 4−𝑥 4−𝑥−𝑦

∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑉 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦=0 𝑧=0

4 4−𝑥 4 4−𝑥

= ∫ ∫ [𝑥𝑧]4−𝑥−𝑦
𝑧=0 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ ∫ [(4 − 𝑥 − 𝑦) − 0] 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥=0 𝑦=0 𝑥=0 𝑦=0

4 4
2
1 2 4−𝑥 1
= ∫ [4𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 ] 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ [8𝑥 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 ] 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑦=0 2
𝑥=0 𝑥=0

4
4 1 256 32
= [4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 4 ] = 64 − + 32 =
3 8 0 3 3

∫ 𝑥𝑑𝑉 32/3
Thus, 𝑥̅ = = 32/3 = 1.
∫ 𝑑𝑉

By symmetry (or by evaluating relevant integrals), it can be shown that 𝑦̅ = 𝑧̅ = 1 i.e. the center
of mass is at (1, 1, 1).

27
Example 10.11

Find the center of mass of a solid of constant density that is bounded by the parabolic cylinder x = y2
and the planes x = z, z = 0, and x = 1.

Solution

The solid E and its projection onto the xy-plane are shown in Figure 10.32.

Figure 10.32

The lower and upper surfaces of E are the planes z = 0 and z = x, so we describe E as a type 1 region:

𝐸 = {(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)| −1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 1, 𝑦 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1, 0 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 𝑥}

Then, if the density is ρ(x, y, z) = ρ , the mass is:

1 1 𝑥
𝑚 = ∭ 𝜌 𝑑𝑉 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝜌 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
−1 𝑦 2 0
𝐸

1 1 1 𝑥=1
𝑥2
= 𝜌 ∫ ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝜌 ∫ [ ] 𝑑𝑦
−1 𝑦 2 −1 2 𝑥=𝑦 2

𝜌 1 1
= ∫ (1 − 𝑦 4 ) 𝑑𝑦 = 𝜌 ∫ (1 − 𝑦 4 ) 𝑑𝑦
2 −1 0

1
𝑦5 4𝜌
= 𝜌 [𝑦 − ] =
5 0 5

Because of the symmetry of E and ρ about the xz-plane, we can immediately say that Mxz =0 and
therefore 𝑦 = 0 . The other moments are:

28
 1 1 𝑥
𝑀𝑦𝑧 = ∭ 𝑥𝜌 𝑑𝑉 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑥𝜌 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
−1 𝑦 2 0
𝐸

1 1 1 𝑥=1
2
𝑥3
= 𝜌 ∫ ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝜌 ∫ [ ] 𝑑𝑦
−1 𝑦 2 −1 3 𝑥=𝑦 2

1
2𝜌 1 2𝜌 𝑦7 4𝜌
= ∫ (1 − 𝑦 6 ) 𝑑𝑦 = [𝑦 − ] =
3 0 3 7 0 7

1 1 𝑥
𝑀𝑥𝑦 = ∭ 𝑧𝜌 𝑑𝑉 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑧𝜌 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
−1 𝑦 2 0
𝐸

1 1 𝑧=𝑥
𝑧2 𝜌 1 1
= 𝜌∫ ∫ [ ] 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 = ∫ ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
−1 𝑦 2 2 𝑧=0 2 −1 𝑦2

𝜌 1 2𝜌
= ∫ (1 − 𝑦 6 ) 𝑑𝑦 =
3 0 7

Therefore, the center of mass is:

𝑀𝑦𝑧 𝑀𝑥𝑧 𝑀𝑥𝑦 5 5

(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = ( , , ) = ( , 0, )
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 7 14

10.4.2 Moment of Inertia

The moment of inertia 𝐼 of a small particle of mass 𝑚 is defined as

𝐼 = Mass × Distance2 or 𝐼 = 𝑚𝑑2

where 𝑑 is the perpendicular distance from the particle to the axis.

This concept is extended to a lamina with density function ρ(x, y) and occupying a region D by
proceeding as we did for ordinary moments. We divide D into small rectangles, approximate the
moment of inertia of each subrectangle about the x-axis, and take the limit of the sum as the
number of subrectangles becomes large. The result is the moment of inertia of the lamina about the
x-axis:

..(31)

Similarly, the moment of inertia about the y-axis is:

..(32)

29
It is also of interest to consider the moment of inertia about the origin, also called the polar
moment of inertia:

..(33)

Note that I0 = Ix + Iy

Example 10.12

Find the moments of inertia for the triangular region R with vertices (0, 0), (2, 2) and (2, 0) and with
density ρ(x, y) = xy.

Solution

Using the expressions for the moments of inertia,

𝑥=2 𝑦=𝑥
8
𝐼𝑥 = ∬ 𝑦 2 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴 = ∫ ∫ 𝑥𝑦 3 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 =
𝑅 𝑥=0 𝑦=0 3
𝑥=2 𝑦=𝑥
16
𝐼𝑦 = ∬ 𝑥 2 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴 = ∫ ∫ 𝑥 3 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 =
𝑅 𝑥=0 𝑦=0 3
2 𝑦=𝑥
𝐼0 = ∬ (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝐴 = ∫ ∫ (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 𝐼𝑥 + 𝐼𝑦 = 8
𝑅 0 𝑦=0

To find the Moment of Inertia of a larger object, it is required to do a volume integration over all
such particles. This will be covered in the following week.

30
WEEK 11: MULTIPLE INTEGRALS IN POLAR COORDINATE & ITS ENGINEERING
APPLICATION
11.1 CARTESIAN COORDINATES TO POLAR COORDINATES

We consider the borders of the region R in terms of x and y and integrate by that. It is how we learned
to deal with integrating multivariate functions over a variety of different types of regions in the XY-
plane. There will be times when it is far more practical to think about the region R in polar rather than
Cartesian coordinates. Consider what would occur, for instance, if we tried to integrate the function f
(x, y) across the region R below in Cartesian coordinates:

Figure 11.1

It would be challenging to set up the integral in Cartesian coordinates because the region's bounds
are neither stated in terms of functions of x nor of y. Instead, we would need to divide the region into
smaller sections and build an integral for each. The issue, however, would be made simpler by writing
up the integral in terms of polar coordinates. Substantially, we will discover how to evaluate specific
integrals using polar coordinates in this part.

Let's review some fundamentals of polar coordinates before delving into the method's specifics.

The Cartesian coordinates (x, y), where x and y are measured along the respective axes, can describe
any point on the plane. Points on the plane can also be thought of in terms of the polar coordinates r
and θ, so this is not the only way to represent them.

Fixing a point O, the origin, and an initial ray will let us construct the polar coordinate system (which
generally corresponds to the positive part of the x-axis). Using the directed angle θ from the original
ray to the segment OP and the directed distance r from the origin, we can characterize a point P in the
plane as follows:

31
 Figure 11.2
If we wish to convert a point’s polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinates, or vice-versa, we can use a
basic trigonometry to help us out. Recall that, if (x, y) is the Cartesian coordinate of a point with angle
𝒚 𝒙
θ from the initial ray, and if 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐 , then sin θ = 𝒓 and cos θ = 𝒓:

So, if P has polar coordinates (r, θ), then we can rewrite the coordinates using the conversions x = r
cos θ and y = r sin θ. Alternatively, if we have Cartesian coordinates (x, y), then we can determine r
𝒚
and θ using the formulas 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐 , and tan θ =𝒙. Summary of cartesian coordinates to polar
coordinates:

Cartesian coordinates Polar coordinates

𝒙 r cos θ
𝒚 r sin θ
f (x, y) f (r cos θ, r sin θ)

11.2 DOUBLE INTEGRAL IN POLAR COORDINATE & ITS APPLICATION

If we convert rectangular coordinates to polar coordinates, it can often be considerably simpler to

evaluate double integrals. But first, we need to define the idea of a double integral in a polar
rectangular region before we explain how to execute this change.
When we defined the double integral for a continuous function in rectangular coordinates—say, g
over a region R in the XY-plane—we divided R into sub-rectangles with sides parallel to the coordinate
axes. These sides have either constant x -values and/or constant y -values.
In polar coordinates, the shape we work with is a polar rectangle, whose sides have constant r -values
and/or constant θ -values. This means we can describe a polar rectangle as in Figure 11.4, with R=
{(r, θ) a ≤ r ≤ b, α ≤ θ ≤ β}.

32
 Figure 11.4 (a) A polar rectangle R (b) divided into sub rectangles Rij (c) Close-up of a sub-rectangle

Consider a function f (r, θ) over a polar rectangle R. We divide the interval [a,b] into m subintervals
[ri−1,ri] of length Δr =(b−a)/m and divide the interval [α,β] into n subintervals [θi−1,θi] of width
Δθ =(β−α)/n . This means that the circles r=ri and rays θ=θi for 1≤i≤m and 1≤j≤n divide the polar
rectangle R into smaller polar sub-rectangles Rij (Figure 11.4b).
As previously, we must determine the "polar" volume of the thin box above Rij and the area, dA, of
the polar sub-rectangle Rij. Remember that in a circle with radius r, the length s of an arc under the
influence of a central angle of θ radians is equal to s=rθ. As you can see, the polar rectangle Rij
resembles a trapezoid with parallel sides ri−1Δθ and riΔθ and a width of Δr. Therefore, the polar sub
rectangle Rij's area is:

∆𝐴 = 12∆𝑟(𝑟𝑖−1 ∆𝜃 + 𝑟𝑖 ∆𝜃)

Simplifying and letting:

𝑟𝑖𝑗∗ = 12(𝑟𝑖−𝑗 + 𝑟𝑖 )

we have ∆𝐴 = 𝑟𝑖𝑗∗ ∆𝑟∆𝜃

Hence, the thin box above Rij's polar volume (Figure 11.5) is

𝑓(𝑟𝑖𝑗∗ 𝜃𝑖𝑗
∗
)𝑟𝑖𝑗∗ ∆𝑟∆𝜃

33
 Figure 11.5 Volume of the thin box above polar rectangle, Rij

We obtain a double Riemann sum by applying the same approach to all the sub rectangles and
summing the volumes of the rectangular boxes.

𝑚 𝑛
∗ ∗ ∗
∑ ∑ 𝑓(𝑟𝑖𝑗 , 𝜃𝑖𝑗 )𝑟𝑖𝑗 ∆𝑟∆𝜃
𝑖 =1 𝑗 =1

As we have previously seen, as we allow m and n to grow greater, we get a better approximation to
the polar volume of the solid above the region R. Consequently, we define the polar volume as the
double Riemann sum's limit.

𝑚 𝑛
∗ ∗ ∗
𝑉= lim
𝑚,𝑛→∞
∑ ∑ 𝑓(𝑟𝑖𝑗 , 𝜃𝑖𝑗 )𝑟𝑖𝑗 ∆𝑟∆𝜃
𝑖 =1 𝑗 =1

This becomes the equation for the double integral.

The following is the definition of the double integral of the function f(r, θ) over the polar rectangular
region R in the r- 𝜃 plane:

𝑚 𝑛
∗ ∗ ∗
∬ 𝑅 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃 ) 𝑑𝐴 = lim
𝑚,𝑛→∞
∑ ∑ 𝑓(𝑟𝑖𝑗 , 𝜃𝑖𝑗 )𝑟𝑖𝑗 ∆𝐴
𝑖 =1 𝑗 =1
𝑚 𝑛
∗ ∗ ∗
𝑚,𝑛→∞
lim ∑ ∑ 𝑓(𝑟𝑖𝑗 , 𝜃𝑖𝑗 )𝑟𝑖𝑗 ∆𝑟∆𝜃
𝑖 =1 𝑗 =1

34
The double integral over a polar rectangular region can be stated as an iterated integral in polar
coordinates, like the section on double integrals over rectangular regions. Hence,

𝜃 =𝛽 𝑟 =𝑏
∬ 𝑅 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃 ) 𝑑𝐴 = ∬ 𝑅 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃 ) 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 = ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃 ) 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
𝜃 =∝ 𝑟 =𝑎

Observe that when using polar coordinates, the expression for dA is changed to rdrd𝜃 . The polar
double integral can also be viewed by substituting the double integral in rectangular coordinates.
When the function f is expressed in terms of x and y, x=rcos, y=rsin, and dA=r drd𝜃, it becomes

∬ 𝑅 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃 ) 𝑑𝐴 = ∬ 𝑅 𝑓(𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ) 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃

11.2.1 Double Integral in Polar Coordinate & Its Application

Example 11.1
𝟐 𝟐
∬ 𝑹 𝒙𝒚 𝒅𝑨 over the region Q, bound by 𝒙 + 𝒚 = 𝟒, 𝒙 = 𝒚 and 𝒙 = 𝟎

Steps:

2 2
1. Always draw the region first, 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4 is equation for circle,
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 4
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑟2
Hence, r = 2

2. x= y and x = 0.

x=y

x=0

3. Set up the integral

35
 𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= 𝜃=
2 𝑟=2 2 𝑟=2

∫ ∫ 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ ∫ 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= 4 𝑟=0 𝜃= 4 𝑟=0

4. Solve the double integral

𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= 𝜃=
2 𝑟=2 2 𝑟=2
𝑟 3 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
∫ ∫ 𝑟 3 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 = ∫ ∫ 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
2
𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= 4 𝑟=0 𝜃= 4 𝑟=0

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= 𝜃= 𝜃=
2 2 𝜋
2
4
𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 𝑟 = 2 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 𝜃 = 2
∫ 𝑑𝜃 = ∫ 16 𝑑𝜃 = ∫ 2𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 𝑑𝜃 = (− ) 𝜋=1
4 2 𝑟=0 4 2 2 𝜃=4
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= 4 𝜃= 4 𝜃= 4

Example 11.2

Evaluate ∬ 𝑹 (3x + 4y2) dA, where R is the region in the upper half-plane bounded by the circles
x2 + y2 = 1and x2 + y2 = 4.

1. Draw the region: It is the half-ring and in polar coordinates it is given by 1 r 2, 0

.

2. Set up the integral

𝜃=𝜋 𝑟=2 𝜃=𝜋 𝑟=2

2 )𝑑𝐴
∫ ∫ (3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = ∫ ∫ (3𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 4(𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)2 )𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
𝜃=0 𝑟=1 𝜃=0 𝑟=1

3. Solve the double integral

𝜃=𝜋 𝑟=2
15𝜋
∫ ∫ (3𝑟 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 4𝑟 3 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃) 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 =
2
𝜃=0 𝑟=1

36
11.2.2 Evaluating a Double Integral Over a General Polar Region

In this part, we consider two types of regions, which are comparable to Type I and Type II as stated
for rectangular coordinates in section on Double Integrals over General Regions, to calculate the
double integral of a continuous function by iterated integrals over general polar regions. We define a
general polar region as r=f(θ) than θ=f(r), so we describe a general polar region as R= {(r, θ) α ≤ θ ≤β,
h1(θ) ≤ r ≤h2(θ)}

Figure 11.6 A general polar region between α ≤ θ ≤β, h1(θ) ≤ r ≤h2(θ)}

If f(r, θ) is continuous on a general polar region D as described above, then

𝜃 =𝛽 𝑟 =ℎ2 (𝜃)
∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃 ) 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
𝜃=∝ 𝑟 =ℎ1 (𝜃)

Example 11.3

𝟐 𝟐
∬ 𝑹 𝒚 𝒅𝑨 over the region Q, bound by 𝒙 + 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙 and 𝒙 = 𝒚

𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑟2
x=y 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 2𝑥
𝑟 2 = 2𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑟 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

37
 𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= 𝑟=2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝜃= 𝑟=2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
2 2

∫ ∫ 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ ∫ 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃

𝜋 𝑟=0 𝜋 𝑟=0
𝜃= 4 𝜃= 4

𝜋
𝜃= 𝑟=2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
2

∫ ∫ 𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
𝜋 𝑟=0
𝜃= 4

Use integration by part to solve the double integral, you’ll get

𝜋
𝜃= 𝑟=2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
2
1
∫ ∫ 𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 =
6
𝜋 𝑟=0
𝜃= 4

11.2.3 Application of Double Integral Using Polar Coordinates to Find Volume

Example 11.4

Find the volume between region 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 = 2 and region z=√𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐

Solution:

Both regions have the equation of sphere, find the intersection

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 +𝑧 2 = 2 ------ (1)

z=√𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 --------------- (2)

(1) – (2)
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 1

Hence, r = 1
Find which region is at top and bottom by plug in (0,0) into eq. (1) and eq. (2)

38
z = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 +𝑧 2 = 2 ------ (1) → z = 2 (top)

z=√𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 --------------- (2) → z = 0 (bottom)

To find the volume between two regions, we need to know the zbetween

Hence, zbetween = ztop -zbottom → √2 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 - √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = √2 − 𝑟 2 - √𝑟 2 = √2 − 𝑟 2 − 𝑟

Set up the integral:

𝜃=2𝜋 𝑟=1

∫ ∫ (√2 − 𝑟 2 − 𝑟) 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
𝜃=0 𝑟=0

Solve the integral:

𝜃=2𝜋 𝑟=1
4𝜋
∫ ∫ 𝑟√2 − 𝑟 2 − 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 = √2 − 1
3
𝜃=0 𝑟=0

11.3 TRIPLE INTEGRAL IN CYLINDRICAL COORDINATE AND SPHERICAL

COORDINATE & ITS APPLICATION

11.3.1 Polar Coordinates Versus Spherical Coordinates

To handle issues requiring circular symmetry more easily, we previously showed how to convert a
double integral in rectangular coordinates into a double integral in polar coordinates. Similar
circumstances arise with triple integrals. However, in this case, it is important to distinguish between
spherical and cylindrical symmetry. This section transforms the triple integrals in rectangular
coordinates into a triple integral in cylindrical or spherical coordinates.

As we have previously seen, a point with rectangular coordinates (x, y) in two-dimensional space R-2
can be converted to polar coordinates (r cos θ, r sin θ) and vice versa. The relationships between the
variables are as follows: x=r cos θ, y=r sin θ, r2=x2+y2, and tan=(y/x).

A point with rectangular coordinates (x, y, z) in three-dimensional space R-3 can be identified with
cylindrical coordinates (r, θ, z), and vice versa. The vertical distance to the point from the xy- plane,
added as z, can be calculated using the same conversion relationships.

39
Figure 11.7 Cylindrical coordinates are identical to polar coordinates with vertical z-coordinate as
addition.

Notes:

Cylindrical coordinates are polar coordinates with a ‘z’ component.

Polar coordinates (r, θ) → cylindrical coordinates (r, θ, z)

The ‘r’ is the distance to projection point on the xy-plane.

The ‘θ’ is the angle from the +ve x-axis to the projection point on the xy-plane.
The ‘z’ is the height from the projection point to the xy-plane.

To convert from cylindrical to rectangular coordinates, we use the equations

whereas to convert from rectangular to cylindrical coordinates, we use

40
11.3.2 Triple Integral in Cylindrical Coordinates

When evaluating triple integrals, cylindrical coordinates are frequently easier to use than
rectangular ones. The following list in Table 11.1 includes several typical surface equations in
rectangular coordinates and their corresponding equations in cylindrical coordinates.

Table 11.1 list of typical surface equation

Cylinder Cone Sphere Paraboloid
2 2 2
Rectangular 𝑥 +𝑦 =𝑐 𝑧 = 𝑐 (𝑥 + 𝑦 ) 𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝑐 2
2 2 2 2 2
𝑧 = 𝑐(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )
Cylinder 𝑟=𝑐 𝑧 = 𝑐𝑟 𝑟2 + 𝑧2 = 𝑐2 𝑧 = 𝑐𝑟 2

Figure 11.8 Type I region

Suppose that E is a type 1 region whose projection D onto the xy-plane is conveniently
described in polar coordinates (see Figure 11.8). It says that we convert a triple integral from
rectangular to cylindrical coordinates by writing x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ, leaving z as it is, using
the appropriate limits of integration for z, r, and θ, and replacing dV by r dz dr dθ. (Figure 11.9
shows how to remember this.

dV= r dz dr dθ

Figure 11.9: Volume element in cylindrical coordinates: (r, θ, z)

41
 Suppose that f is continuous and

E = {(x, y, z) | (x, y) ∈ 𝐷, u1(x, y) ≤ z ≤ u2(x, y)}

where D is given in polar coordinates by

D = {(r, θ) | ∝≤ 𝜃 ≤ 𝛽 , h1(θ) ≤ r ≤ h2(θ)}

We know

Hence, to evaluate the triple integral for cylindrical coordinates, we use the following
formula:

𝜽=𝜷 𝒓=𝒄 𝒛=𝒃

∭ 𝑬 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) 𝒅𝒛𝒓𝒅𝒓𝒅𝜽 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝒇(𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽, 𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽, 𝒛) 𝒅𝒛𝒓𝒅𝒓𝒅𝜽

𝜽=𝜶 𝒓=𝒅 𝒛=𝒂

It is worthwhile to use this formula when E is a solid region easily described in cylindrical
coordinates, and when function f (x, y, z) involves the expression x2 + y2.

11.3.2.1 Finding A Cylindrical Volume Using Triple Integral

Example 11.5
𝟐
Find the volume of T: solid bound by 𝒙 + 𝒚 + 𝒛 = 𝟗 and 𝟖𝒛 = 𝒙 + 𝒚
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

Steps:
If possible, always solve the dz first as we will end up with r dr dθ (which like double integral).

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 9 ---- (1)
8𝑧 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ---- (2)

To determine which Z region is top and bottom of plane is by plug in (0,0) into the eq. (1) and (2).

We’ll get z= 3 --- eq. (1) and z= 0 --- eq. (2). Thus, eq. (1) at top and eq. (2) at bottom.

42
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 9 ---- (1) → top
𝑟2 + 𝑧2 = 9

𝑧 = √9 − 𝑟 2

8𝑧 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ---- (2) →bottom

8𝑧 = 𝑟 2
𝑧 = 𝑟 2 /8
𝑟2
≤ 𝑧 ≤ √9 − 𝑟 2
8

Then, we find r by finding the intersection.

eq. (1)– eq. (2)

𝑧 2 + 8𝑧 − 9 = 0

z= -9 and 1 (we only consider the +ve value)

When z=1
8 (1) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 → r = 2√2

Set up the integral:

2 2
𝜃=2𝜋 𝑟=2√2 𝑧=√9−𝑥 −𝑦

∫ ∫ ∫ 1 𝑑𝑧 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
𝜃=0 𝑟=0 𝑥 2 +𝑦2
𝑧=
8
𝜋
Answer: 40
3

43
Example 11.6
Let E be the region bounded below by the rθ -plane, above by the sphere x2+y2+z2=4, and on the
sides by the cylinder x2+y2=1. Set up a triple integral in cylindrical coordinates to find the volume of
the region

Solution:
Solve the dz first
Use the equation of sphere to find z:

2 2 2
x2+y2+z2=4 → z = √4 − 𝑥 − 𝑦 = √4 − 𝑟

2
Hence, 0 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ √4 − 𝑟

The equation of cylinder: x2+y2=12 → x2+y2=r2, r = 1

Hence, 0 ≤ 𝑟 ≤ 1

Set up the integral:

𝜃=2𝜋 𝑟=1 𝑧=√4−𝑟 2
8
∫ ∫ ∫ 1 𝑑𝑧 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 = 2𝜋( − √3)
3
𝜃=0 𝑟=0 𝑧=0

44
11.3.3 Triple Integral in Spherical Coordinates

In three-dimensional space R-3 in the spherical coordinate system, we specify a point P by its
distance ρ from the origin, the polar angle θ from the positive x-axis (same as in the cylindrical
coordinate system), and the angle φ from the positive z-axis and the line OP.

Because this is spherical coordinate, we

must translate in terms of ρ, φ, 𝜽.
Where,
𝑟
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑 = 𝜌, 𝑟 = 𝜌 sin 𝜑

Thus.
𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 → 𝜌 sin 𝜑 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 → 𝜌 sin 𝜑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
What about z?
𝑧
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 = → z= 𝜌 cos 𝜑
Figure 11.10 The spherical coordinate system locates points with two angles and a distance
from the origin.

* Spherical coordinate systems work well for solids that are symmetric around a point, such
as spheres and cones.

Notes:

The definition for r and 𝜃 is the same as cylindrical coordinates. However, for spherical
coordinates there are two additional symbols (ρ and φ).

cylindrical coordinate: (r, 𝜽, z)

It is very
spherical coordinate: (ρ, 𝜽, 𝝋)
important to
(ρ ≥, 𝟎 ≤ 𝜽 ≤ 𝟐𝝅, 𝟎 ≤ 𝝋 ≤ 𝝅)
remember
Cylindrical equation: 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐

Spherical equation: 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 = 𝝆𝟐

45
We now establish a triple integral in the spherical coordinate system, as we did before in the
cylindrical coordinate system. For the volume element of the subbox ΔV in spherical
coordinates, we have ΔV=(Δρ)(ρΔφ)(ρsinφΔθ), as shown in the following Figure 11.11.

Figure 11.11 The volume element of a box in spherical coordinates

We know

Hence, to evaluate the triple integral for cylindrical coordinates, we use the following
formula:

𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 → 𝜌 sin 𝜑 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 → 𝜌 sin 𝜑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃, and 𝑟 = 𝜌 sin 𝜑,

Where, spherical coordinate: (ρ, 𝜃, 𝜑) and dV= 𝜌2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑 𝑑𝜌𝑑𝜃𝑑𝜑

∭ 𝐸 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉 = ∭ 𝑇 𝑓(𝜌, 𝜃, 𝜑) 𝜌2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑 𝑑𝜌𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃

𝜽=𝜷 𝝋=𝝋𝟏 𝝆=𝒃

∭ 𝑻 𝒇(𝝆, 𝜽, 𝝋) 𝝆𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝝋 𝒅𝝆𝒅𝝋𝒅𝜽 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝒇(𝝆, 𝜽, 𝝋) 𝝆𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝝋 𝒅𝝆𝒅𝝋𝒅𝜽

𝜽=𝜶 𝝋=𝝋𝟏 𝝆=𝒂

46
11.3.3.1 Finding A Spherical Volume Using Triple Integral

Example 11.7

∭ 𝑻 √𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 𝒅𝑽, The region ‘T’ is sphere with equation of 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 = 𝟏

Solution:

For spherical coordinates, always solve 𝑑𝜌 first.

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝜌2
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 = 1

Hence, 𝜌= ±1, we only consider positive value

Remember: ρ ≥, 𝟎 ≤ 𝜽 ≤ 𝟐𝝅, 𝟎 ≤ 𝝋 ≤ 𝝅)

Then, solve 𝑑𝜑, set x= o, Remember, 𝜑 always on yz-plane. Then, we will get
0 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 = 1

0≤φ≤π

Although it can form 2π,

the φ is never more than π

Next, solve 𝑑𝜃 by setting z=0. Remember 𝜃 always on xy-plane → we will get 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 = 1

0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2π

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 𝜃=2𝜋 𝜑=𝜋 𝜌=1
Set up the integral: ∫𝜃=0 ∫𝜑=0 ∫𝜌=0 √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 𝜌2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑑𝜌𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃

𝜃=2𝜋 𝜑=𝜋 𝜌=1 𝜃=2𝜋 𝜑=𝜋 𝜌=1

∫ ∫ ∫ √𝜌2 𝜌2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑑𝜌𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝜌3 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑑𝜌𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃 = 𝜋

𝜃=0 𝜑=0 𝜌=0 𝜃=0 𝜑=0 𝜌=0

Example 11.8

∭ 𝑻 𝒙𝒛 𝒅𝑽, The region ‘T’ is solid bound by 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 = 𝟒 and 𝒛 = √𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐

Solution:

Observe the given equation if the question did not stated type of geometrical shape.

In this question:

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 4 → spherical shape

𝑧 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 → cone shape

For spherical coordinates, always solve 𝑑𝜌 first.

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝜌2
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 = 4
𝜌=2

0≤𝜌≤2

Then, to solve 𝑑𝜑, set x= o, we will get 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 4 (from the spherical, it gives us circle equation)
and 𝑧 = √𝑦 2 (from the cone, it gives us line equation)

48
 Although it can form π, the geometry for
π the region ‘T’ is ice cream cone shape which
2 involved only the upper half cylinder and a
π cone. Hence, the φ is:
4 π π
≤φ≤
4 2

Next, solve 𝑑𝜃 by setting z=0. Remember 𝜃 always on xy-plane → we will get 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒

0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2π

Set up the integral:

𝜋 𝜋
𝜃=2𝜋 𝜑= 𝜌=2 𝑥𝑧 𝜌2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑑𝜌𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃 = 𝜃=2𝜋 𝜑= 𝜌=2
∫𝜃=0 ∫𝜑=𝜋2 ∫𝜌=0 ∫𝜃=0 ∫𝜑=𝜋2 ∫𝜌=0 𝜌𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝜌𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 𝜌2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑑𝜌𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃
4 4

Fo this equation, you will end up with

𝜋
𝜃=2𝜋 𝜑= 2 𝜌=2

∫ ∫ ∫ 𝜌𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝜌𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 𝜌2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑑𝜌𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃 = 0
𝜃=0 𝜋
𝜑= 2 𝜌=0

Tips: if you end up with zero for polar coordinate question, try to change the
𝜋
𝜃=2𝜋 𝜃=𝜋 𝜃=
∫𝜃=0 𝑡𝑜 2 ∫𝜃=0 𝑂𝑅 4 ∫𝜃=02 𝑂𝑅 𝑒𝑡𝑐.

49
11.3.4 Application of Triple Integral Using Polar Coordinates to Find

11.3.4.1 Centre of Mass

The expressions for the centre of mass (𝑥̅ , 𝑦̅, 𝑧̅) of a solid of density 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) are given below

∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑥 𝑑𝑉 𝑀𝑦𝑧

𝑥̅ = =
∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉 𝑀

∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑦 𝑑𝑉 𝑀𝑥𝑧

𝑦̅ = =
∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉 𝑀

∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑧 𝑑𝑉 𝑀𝑥𝑦

𝑧̅ = =
∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑉 𝑀

Where
𝑀 = ∭ 𝑇 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 = ∭ 𝑇 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃

If 𝜌 does not vary with position, these simplify to

∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑉 ∫ 𝑦 𝑑𝑉 ∫ 𝑧 𝑑𝑉
𝑥̅ = 𝑦̅ = 𝑧̅ =
∫ 𝑑𝑉 ∫ 𝑑𝑉 ∫ 𝑑𝑉

Example 11.9

Find centre of mass of solid bound by 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒, 𝒛 = 𝟎, 𝒛 = 𝟑, where the mass density at a point
is directly proportional to the point distance from xy-plane.

Solution:

Mass density,
𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑘. 𝑧

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4 is a circle equation and the geometrical shape is cylindrical

50
Hence, we need to find r, 𝜃, z

The dz has been solved where question gave us z= 0 and z =3

Then, find r,

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4, 𝑟 = 2

0≤𝑟≤2

0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋

Set up the integral

𝑀 = ∭ 𝑇 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 = ∭ 𝑇 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃

𝜃=2𝜋 𝑟=2 𝑧=3

𝑀= ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑘. 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 𝑟 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 = 18 𝑘𝜋
𝜃=0 𝑟=0 𝑧=0

In this question, the centre of mass for the mass density at a point is directly proportional to the
distance from xy-plane. Hence, the centre of mass for 𝑥̅ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦̅ is 0. Thus, we only need to find the 𝑧̅.

𝜃=2𝜋 𝑟=2 𝑧=3

𝑀𝑥𝑦 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑧. 𝑘. 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 𝑟 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 = 36 𝑘𝜋
𝜃=0 𝑟=0 𝑧=0

36𝑘𝜋
𝑧̅ = =2
18𝑘𝜋

The centre of mass (C.O.M) = (0,0,2)

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11.3.4.2 Moment of Inertia

Recall back section 10.4.2 (moment of inertia)

The moment of inertia 𝐼 of a small particle of mass 𝑚 is defined as

𝐼 = Mass × Distance2 or 𝐼 = 𝑚𝑑2

where 𝑑 is the perpendicular distance from the particle to the axis.

To find the Moment of Inertia of a larger object, it is necessary to carry out a volume integration over
all such particles. The distance of a particle at (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) from the z-axis is given by √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 so the
moment of inertia of an object about the 𝑧-axis is given by

𝐼𝑧 = ∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑉
𝑉

Similarly, the Moments of Inertia about the 𝑥- and 𝑦-axes are given by

𝐼𝑥 = ∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) (𝑧 2 + 𝑦 2 ) 𝑑𝑉
𝑉

𝐼𝑦 = ∫ 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) (𝑥 2 + 𝑧 2 ) 𝑑𝑉
𝑉

Example 11.10

Find the moment of inertia of a uniform sphere of mass M and radius a about a diameter.

Solution:

A sphere of radius 𝑎 has volume 4𝜋𝑎3 /3, so that its density is 3𝑀/4𝜋𝑎3 . Then the moment of
inertia of the sphere about the 𝑧 axis is

3𝑀
𝐼= ∭(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
4𝜋𝑎3
𝑉

In this example it is natural to use spherical polar coordinates (recall that 𝑥 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜙, 𝑦 =
𝑟 sin 𝜃 sin 𝜙, 𝑧 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 and 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 = 𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜙 ), so that

3𝑀
𝐼= ∭(𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜙 + 𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃 cos2 𝜙)𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜙 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟
4𝜋𝑎3
𝑉

3𝑀
𝐼= ∭(𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃 cos2 𝜙 + 𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃 sin2 𝜙)𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜙 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟
4𝜋𝑎3
𝑉

52
 3𝑀
= ∭(𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃) 𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜙 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟
4𝜋𝑎3
𝑉

𝑎 𝜋 2𝜋
3𝑀
= ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑟 4 sin3 𝜃 𝑑𝜙 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟
4𝜋𝑎3
𝑟=0 𝜃=0 𝜙=0

𝑎 𝜋 2𝜋
3𝑀
= ∫ 𝑟 4 𝑑𝑟 ∫ sin3 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 ∫ 𝑑𝜙
4𝜋𝑎3
𝑟=0 𝜃=0 𝜙=0

3𝑀 1 5 𝑎 1 3 𝜋
= [ 𝑟 ] [ cos 3𝜃 + cos 𝜃] [𝜙]2𝜋
𝜙=0
4𝜋𝑎3 5 𝑟=0 12 4 𝜃=0

3𝑀 1 5 𝑎 1 3 𝜋
= [ 𝑟 ] [ cos 3𝜃 − cos 𝜃] [𝜙]2𝜋
𝜙=0
4𝜋𝑎3 5 𝑟=0 12 4 𝜃=0

3𝑀 8
= ( 𝜋𝑎5 )
4𝜋𝑎3 15
2
= 𝑀𝑎2 . ∎
5

53