14 Multiple Integration

14.6 Volume Between Surfaces and Triple Integration

We learned in Section 14.2 how to compute the signed volume V under a surface z=f(x,y) over a region R: V=Rf(x,y)𝑑A. It follows naturally that if f(x,y)g(x,y) on R, then the volume between f(x,y) and g(x,y) on R is

V=Rf(x,y)𝑑A-Rg(x,y)𝑑A=R(f(x,y)-g(x,y))𝑑A.
Theorem 14.6.1      Volume Between Surfaces

Let f and g be continuous functions on a closed, bounded region R, where f(x,y)g(x,y) for all (x,y) in R. The volume V between f and g over R is

V=R(f(x,y)-g(x,y))𝑑A.
Example 14.6.1 Finding volume between surfaces

Find the volume of the space region bounded by the planes z=3x+y-4 and z=8-3x-2y where x,y>0. In Figure 14.6.1(a) the planes are drawn; in (b), only the defined region is given. margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.1: Finding the volume between the planes given in Example 14.6.1.

SolutionWe need to determine the region R over which we will integrate. To do so, we need to determine where the planes intersect. They have common z-values when 3x+y-4=8-3x-2y. Applying a little algebra, we have:

3x+y-4 =8-3x-2y
6x+3y =12
2x+y =4

The planes intersect along the line 2x+y=4. Therefore the region R is bounded by x=0, y=0, and y=4-2x; we can convert these bounds to integration bounds of 0x2, 0y4-2x. Thus

V =R(8-3x-2y-(3x+y-4))𝑑A
=0204-2x(12-6x-3y)𝑑y𝑑x
=16units3.

The volume between the surfaces is 16 cubic units.

In the preceding example, we found the volume by evaluating the integral

0204-2x(8-3x-2y-(3x+y-4))𝑑y𝑑x.

Note how we can rewrite the integrand as an integral, much as we did in Section 14.1:

8-3x-2y-(3x+y-4)=3x+y-48-3x-2y𝑑z.

Thus we can rewrite the double integral that finds volume as

0204-2x(8-3x-2y-(3x+y-4))𝑑y𝑑x=0204-2x(3x+y-48-3x-2y𝑑z)𝑑y𝑑x.

This no longer looks like a “double integral,” but more like a “triple integral.” Just as our first introduction to double integrals was in the context of finding the area of a plane region, our introduction into triple integrals will be in the context of finding the volume of a space region.

margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.2: Approximating the volume of a region D in space.

To formally find the volume of a closed, bounded region D in space, such as the one shown in Figure 14.6.2(a), we start with an approximation. Break D into n rectangular solids; the solids near the boundary of D may possibly not include portions of D and/or include extra space. In Figure 14.6.2(b), we zoom in on a portion of the boundary of D to show a rectangular solid that contains space not in D; as this is an approximation of the volume, this is acceptable and this error will be reduced as we shrink the size of our solids.

The volume ΔVi of the i th solid Di is ΔVi=ΔxiΔyiΔzi, where Δxi, Δyi and Δzi give the dimensions of the rectangular solid in the x, y and z directions, respectively. By summing up the volumes of all n solids, we get an approximation of the volume V of D:

Vi=1nΔVi=i=1nΔxiΔyiΔzi.

Let ΔD represent the length of the longest diagonal of rectangular solids in the subdivision of D. As ΔD0, the volume of each solid goes to 0, as do each of Δxi, Δyi and Δzi, for all i. Our calculus experience tells us that taking a limit as ΔD0 turns our approximation of V into an exact calculation of V. Before we state this result in a theorem, we use a definition to define some terms.

Definition 14.6.1      Triple Integrals, Iterated Integration (Part I)

Let D be a closed, bounded region in space. Let a and b be real numbers, let g1(x) and g2(x) be continuous functions of x, and let f1(x,y) and f2(x,y) be continuous functions of x and y.

  1. 1.

    The volume V of D is denoted by a triple integral, V=D𝑑V.

  2. 2.

    The iterated integral abg1(x)g2(x)f1(x,y)f2(x,y)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x is evaluated as

    abg1(x)g2(x)f1(x,y)f2(x,y)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x=abg1(x)g2(x)(f1(x,y)f2(x,y)𝑑z)𝑑y𝑑x.

    Evaluating the above iterated integral is triple integration.

Our informal understanding of the notation D𝑑V is “sum up lots of little volumes over D,” analogous to our understanding of R𝑑A and R𝑑m. We now state the major theorem of this section.

Theorem 14.6.2      Triple Integration (Part I)

Let D be a closed, bounded region in space and let ΔD be any subdivision of D into n rectangular solids, where the i th subregion Di has dimensions Δxi×Δyi×Δzi and volume ΔVi.

  1. 1.

    The volume V of D is

    V=D𝑑V=limΔD0i=1nΔVi=limΔD0i=1nΔxiΔyiΔzi.
  2. 2.

    If D is defined as the region bounded by the planes x=a and x=b, the cylinders y=g1(x) and y=g2(x), and the surfaces z=f1(x,y) and z=f2(x,y), where a<b, g1(x)g2(x) and f1(x,y)f2(x,y) on D, then

    D𝑑V=abg1(x)g2(x)f1(x,y)f2(x,y)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x.
  3. 3.

    V can be determined using iterated integration with other orders of integration (there are 6 total), as long as D is defined by the region enclosed by a pair of planes, a pair of cylinders, and a pair of surfaces.

We evaluated the area of a plane region R by iterated integration, where the bounds were “from curve to curve, then from point to point.” Theorem 14.6.2 allows us to find the volume of a space region with an iterated integral with bounds “from surface to surface, then from curve to curve, then from point to point.” In the iterated integral

abg1(x)g2(x)f1(x,y)f2(x,y)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x,

the bounds axb and g1(x)yg2(x) define a region R in the x-y plane over which the region D exists in space. However, these bounds are also defining surfaces in space; x=a is a plane and y=g1(x) is a cylinder. The combination of these 6 surfaces enclose, and define, D.

Examples will help us understand triple integration, including integrating with various orders of integration.

margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.3: The region D used in Example 14.6.2 in (a); in (b), the region found by collapsing D onto the x-y plane.
Example 14.6.2 Finding the volume of a space region with triple integration

Find the volume of the space region in the 1st octant bounded by the plane z=2-y/3-2x/3, shown in Figure 14.6.3(a), using the order of integration dzdydx. Set up the triple integrals that give the volume in the other 5 orders of integration.

SolutionStarting with the order of integration dzdydx, we need to first find bounds on z. The region D is bounded below by the plane z=0 (because we are restricted to the first octant) and above by z=2-y/3-2x/3; 0z2-y/3-2x/3.

To find the bounds on y and x, we “collapse” the region onto the x-y plane, giving the triangle shown in Figure 14.6.3(b). (We know the equation of the line y=6-2x in two ways. First, by setting z=0, we have 0=2-y/3-2x/3y=6-2x. Secondly, we know this is going to be a straight line between the points (3,0) and (0,6) in the x-y plane.)

We define that region R, in the integration order of dydx, with bounds 0y6-2x and 0x3. Thus the volume V of the region D is:

V =D𝑑V
=0306-2x02-13y-23x𝑑z𝑑y𝑑z
=0306-2x(02-13y-23x𝑑z)𝑑y𝑑z
=0306-2xz|02-13y-23xdydz
=0306-2x(2-13y-23x)𝑑y𝑑z.
From this step on, we are evaluating a double integral as done many times before. We skip these steps and give the final volume,
=6units3.

The order dzdxdy:

Now consider the volume using the order of integration dzdxdy. The bounds on z are the same as before, 0z2-y/3-2x/3. Collapsing the space region on the x-y plane as shown in Figure 14.6.3(b), we now describe this triangle with the order of integration dxdy. This gives bounds 0x3-y/2 and 0y6. Thus the volume is given by the triple integral

V=0603-12y02-13y-23x𝑑z𝑑x𝑑y.

The order dxdydz:

Following our “surface to surface…” strategy, we need to determine the x-surfaces that bound our space region. To do so, approach the region “from behind,” in the direction of increasing x. The first surface we hit as we enter the region is the y-z plane, defined by x=0. We come out of the region at the plane z=2-y/3-2x/3; solving for x, we have x=3-y/2-3z/2. Thus the bounds on x are: 0x3-y/2-3z/2.

Now collapse the space region onto the y-z plane, as shown in Figure 14.6.4(a). (Again, we find the equation of the line z=2-y/3 by setting x=0 in the equation x=3-y/2-3z/2.) We need to find bounds on this region with the order dydz. The curves that bound y are y=0 and y=6-3z; the points that bound z are 0 and 2. Thus the triple integral giving volume is:

0x3-y/2-3z/20y6-3z0z2    0206-3z03-y/2-3z/2𝑑x𝑑y𝑑z.
margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.4: The region D in Example 14.6.2 is collapsed onto the y-z plane in (a); in (b), the region is collapsed onto the x-z plane.

The order dxdzdy:

The x-bounds are the same as the order above. We now consider the triangle in Figure 14.6.4(a) and describe it with the order dzdy: 0z2-y/3 and 0y6. Thus the volume is given by:

0x3-y/2-3z/20z2-y/30y6    0602-y/303-y/2-3z/2𝑑x𝑑z𝑑y.

The order dydzdx:

We now need to determine the y-surfaces that determine our region. Approaching the space region from “behind” and moving in the direction of increasing y, we first enter the region at y=0, and exit along the plane z=2-y/3-2x/3. Solving for y, this plane has equation y=6-2x-3z. Thus y has bounds 0y6-2x-3z.

Now collapse the region onto the x-z plane, as shown in Figure 14.6.4(b). The curves bounding this triangle are z=0 and z=2-2x/3; x is bounded by the points x=0 to x=3. Thus the triple integral giving volume is:

0y6-2x-3z0z2-2x/30x3    0302-2x/306-2x-3z𝑑y𝑑z𝑑x.

The order dydxdz:

The y-bounds are the same as in the order above. We now determine the bounds of the triangle in Figure 14.6.4(b) using the order dydxdz. We see x is bounded by x=0 and x=3-3z/2; z is bounded between z=0 and z=2. This leads to the triple integral:

0y6-2x-3z0x3-3z/20z2    0203-3z/206-2x-3z𝑑y𝑑x𝑑z.

This problem was long, but hopefully useful, demonstrating how to determine bounds with every order of integration to describe the region D. In practice, we only need 1, but being able to do them all gives us flexibility to choose the order that suits us best.

In the previous example, we collapsed the surface into the x-y, x-z, and y-z planes as we determined the “curve to curve, point to point” bounds of integration. Since the surface was a triangular portion of a plane, this collapsing, or projecting, was simple: the projection of a straight line in space onto a coordinate plane is a line.

The following example shows us how to do this when dealing with more complicated surfaces and curves.

margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.5: Finding the projections of the curve of intersection in Example 14.6.3.
Example 14.6.3 Finding the projection of a curve in space onto the coordinate planes

Consider the surfaces z=3-x2-y2 and z=2y, as shown in Figure 14.6.5(a). The curve of their intersection is shown, along with the projection of this curve into the coordinate planes, shown dashed. Find the equations of the projections into the coordinate planes.

SolutionThe two surfaces are z=3-x2-y2 and z=2y. To find where they intersect, it is natural to set them equal to each other: 3-x2-y2=2y. This is an implicit function of x and y that gives all points (x,y) in the x-y plane where the z values of the two surfaces are equal.

We can rewrite this implicit function by completing the square:

3-x2-y2=2yy2+2y+x2=3(y+1)2+x2=4.

Thus in the x-y plane the projection of the intersection is a circle with radius 2, centered at (0,-1).

To project onto the x-z plane, we do a similar procedure: find the x and z values where the y values on the surface are the same. We start by solving the equation of each surface for y. In this particular case, it works well to actually solve for y2:

z=3-x2-y2y2=3-x2-z
z=2yy2=z2/4.

Thus we have (after again completing the square):

3-x2-z=z2/4(z+2)216+x24=1,

and ellipse centered at (0,-2) in the x-z plane with a major axis of length 8 and a minor axis of length 4.

Finally, to project the curve of intersection into the y-z plane, we solve equation for x. Since z=2y is a cylinder that lacks the variable x, it becomes our equation of the projection in the y-z plane.

All three projections are shown in Figure 14.6.5(b).

margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.6: The region D in Example 14.6.4 is shown in (a); in (b), it is collapsed onto the x-y plane.
Example 14.6.4 Finding the volume of a space region with triple integration

Set up the triple integrals that find the volume of the space region D bounded by the surfaces x2+y2=1, z=0 and z=-y, as shown in Figure 14.6.6(a), with the orders of integration dzdydx, dydxdz and dxdzdy.

SolutionThe order dzdydx:

The region D is bounded below by the plane z=0 and above by the plane z=-y. The cylinder x2+y2=1 does not offer any bounds in the z-direction, as that surface is parallel to the z-axis. Thus 0z-y.

Collapsing the region into the x-y plane, we get part of the region bounded by the circle with equation x2+y2=1 as shown in Figure 14.6.6(b). As a function of x, this half circle has equation y=-1-x2. Thus y is bounded below by -1-x2 and above by y=0: -1-x2y0. The x bounds of the half circle are -1x1. All together, the bounds of integration and triple integral are as follows:

0z-y-1-x2y0-1x1    -11-1-x200-y𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x.

We evaluate this triple integral:

-11-1-x200-y𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x =-11-1-x20(-y)𝑑y𝑑x
=-11(-12y2)|-1-x20dx
=-1112(1-x2)𝑑x
=(12(x-13x3))|-11
=23units3.

With the order dydxdz:

The region is bounded “below” in the y-direction by the surface x2+y2=1y=-1-x2 and “above” by the surface y=-z. Thus the y bounds are -1-x2y-z.

margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.7: The region D in Example 14.6.4 is shown collapsed onto the x-z plane in (a); in (b), it is collapsed onto the y-z plane.

Collapsing the region onto the x-z plane gives the region shown in Figure 14.6.7(a); this half disk is bounded by a circle with equation x2+z2=1. (We find this curve by solving each surface for y2, then setting them equal to each other. We have y2=1-x2 and y=-zy2=z2. Thus x2+z2=1.) It is bounded below by x=-1-z2 and above by x=1-z2, where z is bounded by 0z1. All together, we have:

-1-x2y-z-1-z2x1-z20z1    01-1-z21-z2-1-x2-z𝑑y𝑑x𝑑z.

With the order dxdzdy:

D is bounded below by the surface x=-1-y2 and above by 1-y2. We then collapse the region onto the y-z plane and get the triangle shown in Figure 14.6.7(b). (The hypotenuse is the line z=-y, just as the plane.) Thus z is bounded by 0z-y and y is bounded by -1y0. This gives:

-1-y2x1-y20z-y-1y0    -100-y-1-y21-y2𝑑x𝑑z𝑑y.

The following theorem states two things that should make “common sense” to us. First, using the triple integral to find volume of a region D should always return a positive number; we are computing volume here, not signed volume. Secondly, to compute the volume of a “complicated” region, we could break it up into subregions and compute the volumes of each subregion separately, summing them later to find the total volume.

Theorem 14.6.3      Properties of Triple Integrals

Let D be a closed, bounded region in space, and let D1 and D2 be non-overlapping regions such that D=D1D2.

  1. 1.

    D𝑑V0

  2. 2.

    D𝑑V=D1𝑑V+D2𝑑V.

We use this latter property in the next example.

Example 14.6.5 Finding the volume of a space region with triple integration

Find the volume of the space region D bounded by the coordinate planes, z=1-x/2 and z=1-y/4, as shown in Figure 14.6.8(a). Set up the triple integrals that find the volume of D in all 6 orders of integration. margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.8: The region D in Example 14.6.5 is shown in (a); in (b), it is collapsed onto the x-y plane.

SolutionFollowing the bounds-determining strategy of “surface to surface, curve to curve, and point to point,” we can see that the most difficult orders of integration are the two in which we integrate with respect to z first, for there are two “upper” surfaces that bound D in the z-direction. So we start by noting that we have

0z1-12xand0z1-14y.

We now collapse the region D onto the x-y axis, as shown in Figure 14.6.8(b). The boundary of D, the line from (0,0,1) to (2,4,0), is shown in part (b) of the figure as a dashed line; it has equation y=2x. (We can recognize this in two ways: one, in collapsing the line from (0,0,1) to (2,4,0) onto the x-y plane, we simply ignore the z-values, meaning the line now goes from (0,0) to (2,4). Secondly, the two surfaces meet where z=1-x/2 is equal to z=1-y/4: thus 1-x/2=1-y/4y=2x.)

We use the second property of Theorem 14.6.3 to state that

D𝑑V=D1𝑑V+D2𝑑V,

where D1 and D2 are the space regions above the plane regions R1 and R2, respectively. Thus we can say

D𝑑V=R1(01-x/2𝑑z)𝑑A+R2(01-y/4𝑑z)𝑑A.

All that is left is to determine bounds of R1 and R2, depending on whether we are integrating with order dxdy or dydx. We give the final integrals here, leaving it to the reader to confirm these results.

dzdydx:

0z1-x/20y2x0x2    0z1-y/42xy40x2
D𝑑V=0202x01-x/2𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x+022x401-y/4𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x

dzdxdy:

0z1-x/2y/2x20y4    0z1-y/40xy/20y4
D𝑑V=04y/2201-x/2𝑑z𝑑x𝑑y+040y/201-y/4𝑑z𝑑x𝑑y
margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.9: The region D in Example 14.6.5 is shown collapsed onto the x-z plane in (a); in (b), it is collapsed onto the y-z plane.

The remaining four orders of integration do not require a sum of triple integrals. In Figure 14.6.9 we show D collapsed onto the other two coordinate planes. Using these graphs, we give the final orders of integration here, again leaving it to the reader to confirm these results.

dydxdz:

0y4-4z0x2-2z0z1    0102-2z04-4z𝑑y𝑑x𝑑z

dydzdx:

0y4-4z0z1-x/20x2    0201-x/204-4z𝑑y𝑑x𝑑z

dxdydz:

0x2-2z0y4-4z0z1    0104-4z02-2z𝑑x𝑑y𝑑z

dxdzdy:

0x2-2z0z1-y/40y4    0401-y/402-2z𝑑x𝑑z𝑑y

We give one more example of finding the volume of a space region.

Example 14.6.6 Finding the volume of a space region

Set up a triple integral that gives the volume of the space region D bounded by z=2x2+2 and z=6-2x2-y2. These surfaces are plotted in Figure 14.6.10(a) and (b), respectively; the region D is shown in part (c) of the figure.

(a) (b) (c) Figure 14.6.10: The region D is bounded by the surfaces shown in (a) and (b); D is shown in (c).

SolutionThe main point of this example is this: integrating with respect to z first is rather straightforward; integrating with respect to x first is not.

The order dzdydx:

The bounds on z are clearly 2x2+2z6-2x2-y2. Collapsing D onto the x-y plane gives the ellipse shown in Figure 14.6.10(c). The equation of this ellipse is found by setting the two surfaces equal to each other:

2x2+2=6-2x2-y24x2+y2=4x2+y24=1.

We can describe this ellipse with the bounds

-4-4x2y4-4x2and-1x1.

Thus we find volume as

2x2+2z6-2x2-y2-4-4x2y4-4x2-1x1    -11-4-4x24-4x22x2+26-2x2-y2𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x

The order dydzdx:

Integrating with respect to y is not too difficult. Since the surface z=2x2+2 is a cylinder whose directrix is the y-axis, it does not create a border for y. The paraboloid z=6-2x2-y2 does; solving for y, we get the bounds

-6-2x2-zy6-2x2-z.

Collapsing D onto the x-z axes gives the region shown in Figure 14.6.11(a); the lower curve is from the cylinder, with equation z=2x2+2. The upper curve is from the paraboloid; with y=0, the curve is z=6-2x2. Thus bounds on z are 2x2+2z6-2x2; the bounds on x are -1x1. Thus we have:

-6-2x2-zy6-2x2-z2x2+2z6-2x2-1x1    -112x2+26-2x2-6-2x2-z6-2x2-z𝑑y𝑑z𝑑x.
margin: (a) (b) Figure 14.6.11: The region D in Example 14.6.6 is collapsed onto the x-z plane in (a); in (b), it is collapsed onto the y-z plane.

The order dxdzdy:

This order takes more effort as D must be split into two subregions. The two surfaces create two sets of upper/lower bounds in terms of x; the cylinder creates bounds

-z/2-1xz/2-1

for region D1 and the paraboloid creates bounds

-3-y2/2-z2/2x3-y2/2-z2/2

for region D2.

Collapsing D onto the y-z axes gives the regions shown in Figure 14.6.11(b). We find the equation of the curve z=4-y2/2 by noting that the equation of the ellipse seen in Figure 14.6.10(c) has equation

x2+y2/4=1x=1-y2/4.

Substitute this expression for x in either surface equation, z=6-2x2-y2 or z=2x2+2. In both cases, we find

z=4-12y2.

Region R1, corresponding to D1, has bounds

2z4-y2/2,-2y2

and region R2, corresponding to D2, has bounds

4-y2/2z6-y2,-2y2.

Thus the volume of D is given by:

-2224-y2/2-z/2-1z/2-1𝑑x𝑑z𝑑y+-224-y2/26-y2-3-y2/2-z2/23-y2/2-z2/2𝑑x𝑑z𝑑y.

If all one wanted to do in Example 14.6.6 was find the volume of the region D, one would have likely stopped at the first integration setup (with order dzdydx) and computed the volume from there. However, we included the other two methods (1) to show that it could be done, “messy” or not, and (2) because sometimes we “have” to use a less desirable order of integration in order to actually integrate.

Triple Integration and Functions of Three Variables

There are uses for triple integration beyond merely finding volume, just as there are uses for integration beyond “area under the curve.” These uses start with understanding how to integrate functions of three variables, which is effectively no different than integrating functions of two variables. This leads us to a definition, followed by an example.

Definition 14.6.2      Iterated Integration, (Part II)

Let D be a closed, bounded region in space, over which g1(x), g2(x), f1(x,y), f2(x,y) and h(x,y,z) are all continuous, and let a and b be real numbers.

The iterated integral abg1(x)g2(x)f1(x,y)f2(x,y)h(x,y,z)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x is evaluated as

abg1(x)g2(x)f1(x,y)f2(x,y)h(x,y,z)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x=abg1(x)g2(x)(f1(x,y)f2(x,y)h(x,y,z)𝑑z)𝑑y𝑑x.

Example 14.6.7 Evaluating a triple integral of a function of three variables

Evaluate 01x2xx2-y2x+3y(xy+2xz)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x.

SolutionWe evaluate this integral according to Definition 14.6.2.

01x2xx2-y2x+3y(xy+2xz)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x

=01x2x(x2-y2x+3y(xy+2xz)𝑑z)𝑑y𝑑x
=01x2x((xyz+xz2)|x2-y2x+3y)𝑑y𝑑x
=01x2x(xy(2x+3y)+x(2x+3y)2-(xy(x2-y)+x(x2-y)2))𝑑y𝑑x
=01x2x(-x5+x3y+4x3+14x2y+12xy2)𝑑y𝑑x.
We continue as we have in the past, showing fewer steps.
=01(-72x7-8x6-72x5+15x4)𝑑x
=281336.

We now know how to evaluate a triple integral of a function of three variables; we do not yet understand what it means. We build up this understanding in a way very similar to how we have understood integration and double integration.

Let h(x,y,z) be a continuous function of three variables, defined over some space region D. We can partition D into n rectangular-solid subregions, each with dimensions Δxi×Δyi×Δzi. Let (xi,yi,zi) be some point in the ith subregion, and consider the product h(xi,yi,zi)ΔxiΔyiΔzi. It is the product of a function value (that’s the h(xi,yi,zi) part) and a small volume ΔVi (that’s the ΔxiΔyiΔzi part). One of the simplest understanding of this type of product is when h describes the density of an object, for then h×volume=mass.

We can sum up all n products over D. Again letting ΔD represent the length of the longest diagonal of the n rectangular solids in the partition, we can take the limit of the sums of products as ΔD0. That is, we can find

S=limΔD0i=1nh(xi,yi,zi)ΔVi=limΔD0i=1nh(xi,yi,zi)ΔxiΔyiΔzi.

While this limit has lots of interpretations depending on the function h, in the case where h describes density, S is the total mass of the object described by the region D.

We now use the above limit to define the triple integral, give a theorem that relates triple integrals to iterated iteration, followed by the application of triple integrals to find the centers of mass of solid objects.

margin: Note: In the marginal note at Theorem 14.2.1, we showed how the summation of rectangles over a region R in the plane could be viewed as a double sum, leading to the double integral. Likewise, we can view the sum i=1nh(xi,yi,zi)ΔxiΔyiΔzi as a triple sum, k=1pj=1ni=1mh(xi,yj,zk)ΔxiΔyjΔzk, which we evaluate as k=1p(j=1n(i=1mh(xi,yj,zk)Δxi)Δyj)Δzk. Here we fix a k value, which establishes the z-height of the rectangular solids on one “level” of all the rectangular solids in the space region D. The inner double summation adds up all the volumes of the rectangular solids on this level, while the outer summation adds up the volumes of each level. This triple summation understanding leads to the D notation of the triple integral, as well as the method of evaluation shown in Theorem 14.6.4.
Definition 14.6.3      Triple Integral

Let w=h(x,y,z) be a continuous function over a closed, bounded space region D, and let ΔD be any partition of D into n rectangular solids with volume ΔVi. The triple integral of h over D is

Dh(x,y,z)𝑑V=limΔD0i=1nh(xi,yi,zi)ΔVi.

The following theorem assures us that the above limit exists for continuous functions h and gives us a method of evaluating the limit.

Theorem 14.6.4      Triple Integration (Part II)

Let w=h(x,y,z) be a continuous function over a closed, bounded space region D, and let ΔD be any partition of D into n rectangular solids with volume Vi.

  1. 1.

    The limit limΔD0i=1nh(xi,yi,zi)ΔVi exists.

  2. 2.

    If D is defined as the region bounded by the planes x=a and x=b, the cylinders y=g1(x) and y=g2(x), and the surfaces z=f1(x,y) and z=f2(x,y), where a<b, g1(x)g2(x) and f1(x,y)f2(x,y) on D, then

    Dh(x,y,z)𝑑V=abg1(x)g2(x)f1(x,y)f2(x,y)h(x,y,z)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x.

We now apply triple integration to find the centers of mass of solid objects.

Mass and Center of Mass

One may wish to review Section 14.4 for a reminder of the relevant terms and concepts.

Definition 14.6.4      Mass, Center of Mass of Solids

Let a solid be represented by a region D in space with variable density function δ(x,y,z).

  1. 1.

    The mass of the object is M=D𝑑m=Dδ(x,y,z)𝑑V.

  2. 2.

    The moment about the x-y plane is Mxy=Dzδ(x,y,z)𝑑V.

  3. 3.

    The moment about the x-z plane is Mxz=Dyδ(x,y,z)𝑑V.

  4. 4.

    The moment about the y-z plane is Myz=Dxδ(x,y,z)𝑑V.

  5. 5.

    The center of mass of the object is

    (x¯,y¯,z¯)=(MyzM,MxzM,MxyM).
Example 14.6.8 Finding the center of mass of a solid

Find the mass and center of mass of the solid represented by the space region bounded by the coordinate planes and z=2-y/3-2x/3, shown in Figure 14.6.12, with constant density δ(x,y,z)=3g/cm3. (Note: this space region was used in Example 14.6.2.)

margin: Figure 14.6.12: Finding the center of mass of this solid in Example 14.6.8.

SolutionWe apply Definition 14.6.4. In Example 14.6.2, we found bounds for the order of integration dzdydx to be 0z2-y/3-2x/3, 0y6-2x and 0x3. We find the mass of the object:

M =Dδ(x,y,z)𝑑V
=0306-2x02-y/3-2x/3(3)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x
=30306-2x02-y/3-2x/3𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x
=3(6)=18g.

The evaluation of the triple integral is done in Example 14.6.2, so we skipped those steps above. Note how the mass of an object with constant density is simply “density×volume.”

We now find the moments about the planes.

Mxy =D3z𝑑V
=0306-2x02-y/3-2x/3(3z)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x
=0306-2x32(2-y/3-2x/3)2𝑑y𝑑x
=03-49(x-3)3dx
=9.

We omit the steps of integrating to find the other moments.

Myz =D3x𝑑V=272.
Mxz =D3y𝑑V=27.

The center of mass is

(x¯,y¯,z¯)=(27/218,2718,918)=(0.75,1.5,0.5).
Example 14.6.9 Finding the center of mass of a solid

Find the center of mass of the solid represented by the region bounded by the planes z=0 and z=-y and the cylinder x2+y2=1, shown in Figure 14.6.13, with density function δ(x,y,z)=10+x2+5y-5z. (Note: this space region was used in Example 14.6.4.)

margin: Figure 14.6.13: Finding the center of mass of this solid in Example 14.6.9.

SolutionAs we start, consider the density function. It is symmetric about the y-z plane, and the farther one moves from this plane, the denser the object is. The symmetry indicates that x¯ should be 0.

As one moves away from the origin in the y or z directions, the object becomes less dense, though there is more volume in these regions.

Though none of the integrals needed to compute the center of mass are particularly hard, they do require a number of steps. We emphasize here the importance of knowing how to set up the proper integrals; in complex situations we can appeal to technology for a good approximation, if not the exact answer. We use the order of integration dzdydx, using the bounds found in Example 14.6.4. (As these are the same for all four triple integrals, we explicitly show the bounds only for M.)

M =D(10+x2+5y-5z)𝑑V
=-11-1-x200-y(10+x2+5y-5z)𝑑V
=645-15π163.855.
Myz =Dx(10+x2+5y-5z)𝑑V=0.
Mxz =Dy(10+x2+5y-5z)𝑑V=2-61π48-1.99.
Mxy =Dz(10+x2+5y-5z)𝑑V=61π96-1090.885.

Note how Myz=0, as expected. The center of mass is

(x¯,y¯,z¯)=(0,-1.993.855,0.8853.855)(0,-0.516,0.230).

As stated before, there are many uses for triple integration beyond finding volume. When h(x,y,z) describes a rate of change function over some space region D, then Dh(x,y,z)𝑑V gives the total change over D. Our one specific example of this was computing mass; a density function is simply a “rate of mass change per volume” function. Integrating density gives total mass.

While knowing how to integrate is important, it is arguably much more important to know how to set up integrals. It takes skill to create a formula that describes a desired quantity; modern technology is very useful in evaluating these formulas quickly and accurately.

Exercises 14.6

 

Terms and Concepts

  1. 1.

    The strategy for establishing bounds for triple integrals is “             to             ,              to              and              to             .”

  2. 2.

    Give an informal interpretation of what “D𝑑V” means.

  3. 3.

    Give two uses of triple integration.

  4. 4.

    If an object has a constant density δ and a volume V, what is its mass?

Problems

In Exercises 5–8, two surfaces f1(x,y) and f2(x,y) and a region R in the x, y plane are given. Set up and evaluate the double integral that finds the volume between these surfaces over R.

  1. 5.
    f1(x,y)=8-x2-y2, f2(x,y)=2x+y; R is the square with corners (-1,-1) and (1,1).
  2. 6.
    f1(x,y)=x2+y2, f2(x,y)=-x2-y2; R is the square with corners (0,0) and (2,3).
  3. 7.
    f1(x,y)=sinxcosy, f2(x,y)=cosxsiny+2; R is the triangle with corners (0,0), (π,0) and (π,π).
  4. 8.
    f1(x,y)=2x2+2y2+3, f2(x,y)=6-x2-y2; R is the disk x2+y21.

In Exercises 9–16, a domain D is described by its bounding surfaces, along with a graph. Set up the triple integrals that give the volume of D in all 6 orders of integration, and find the volume of D by evaluating the indicated triple integral.

  1. 9.
    D is bounded by the coordinate planes and z=2-2x/3-2y. Evaluate the triple integral with order dzdydx.
  2. 10.
    D is bounded by the planes y=0, y=2, x=1, z=0 and z=(3-x)/2. Evaluate the triple integral with order dxdydz.
  3. 11.
    D is bounded by the planes x=0, x=2, z=-y and by z=y2/2. Evaluate the triple integral with the order dydzdx.
  4. 12.
    D is bounded by the planes z=0, y=9, x=0 and by z=y2-9x2. Do not evaluate any triple integral.
  5. 13.
    D is bounded by the planes x=2, y=1, z=0 and z=2x+4y-4. Evaluate the triple integral with the order dxdydz.
  6. 14.
    D is bounded by the plane z=2y and by y=4-x2. Evaluate the triple integral with the order dzdydx.
  7. 15.
    D is bounded by the coordinate planes and by y=1-x2 and y=1-z2. Do not evaluate any triple integral. Which order is easier to evaluate: dzdydx or dydzdx? Explain why.
  8. 16.
    D is bounded by the coordinate planes and by z=1-y/3 and z=1-x. Evaluate the triple integral with order dxdydz.

In Exercises 17–20, evaluate the triple integral.

  1. 17.

    -π/2π/20π0π(cosxsinysinz)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x

  2. 18.

    010x0x+y(x+y+z)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x

  3. 19.

    0π010z(sin(yz))𝑑x𝑑y𝑑z

  4. 20.

    ππ2xx3-y2y2(zx2y+y2xex2+y2)𝑑z𝑑y𝑑x

In Exercises 21–24, find the center of mass of the solid represented by the indicated space region D with density function δ(x,y,z).

  1. 21.
    D is bounded by the coordinate planes and z=2-2x/3-2y;  δ(x,y,z)=10g/cm3. (Note: this is the same region as used in item 9.)
  2. 22.
    D is bounded by the planes y=0, y=2, x=1, z=0 and z=(3-x)/2;  δ(x,y,z)=2g/cm3. (Note: this is the same region as used in item 10.)
  3. 23.
    D is bounded by the planes x=2, y=1, z=0 and z=2x+4y-4; δ(x,y,z)=x2lb/in3. (Note: this is the same region as used in item 13.)
  4. 24.
    D is bounded by the plane z=2y and by y=4-x2. δ(x,y,z)=y2lb/in3. (Note: this is the same region as used in item 14.)
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