Chapter 16: Problem 30
Find parametric equations for the surface obtained by rotating the curve \(x=1 / y, y \geqslant 1,\) about the \(y\) -axis and use them to graph the surface.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Use circle coordinates \((\frac{1}{y} \cos \theta, \frac{1}{y} \sin \theta, y)\) with \(\theta \in [0, 2\pi]\) and \(y \ge 1\).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Problem
We need to describe a surface generated by rotating the curve \(x = \frac{1}{y}\) for \(y \geq 1\) about the \(y\)-axis. To do this, we'll find parametric equations that represent this surface.
02
Set Up the Curve in Parametric Form
Consider the curve \(x = \frac{1}{y}\). Let's express \(x\) as a function of \(y\), i.e., \(f(y) = \frac{1}{y}\). This will help us set up our parametric representation.
03
Parameterize the Curve for Rotation
To rotate this curve about the \(y\)-axis, we introduce a parameter \(\theta\) for the angle of rotation. The circle at each height \(y\) will have coordinates \((x \cos \theta, x \sin \theta, y)\).
04
Write the Parametric Equations
Using the parameter \(\theta\), we write the parametric equations for the surface as follows:\[\begin{aligned}x &= \frac{1}{y} \cos \theta, \z &= \frac{1}{y} \sin \theta, \y &= y.\end{aligned}\]Here, \(\theta\) ranges from \(0\) to \(2\pi\) and \(y\) ranges from 1 to infinity.
05
Adjust for Graphing
To graph the surface, recognize that \(y\) must start from 1 (since \(y \ge 1\)). The ranges for \(y\) and \(\theta\) will affect your plot. In practice, \(y\) can be sampled up to a practical value, such as 3 or 5, to visualize the surface.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Surface of Revolution
The concept of a **surface of revolution** is intriguing. It involves creating a 3D shape from a 2D curve. Simplicity emerges through the elegance of rotation. In essence, you take a curve and spin it around a line (called the axis of rotation). When you do this, you create a "surface" that looks like a smooth, continuous shell. The line around which you rotate your curve significantly impacts the resulting shape. In this exercise, the curve defined by the equation \( x = \frac{1}{y} \) gets rotated around the \( y \)-axis. This axis acts as the spine of the generated surface, maintaining its structural alignment and symmetry.This process creates many familiar objects. For example, rotating a straight line around an axis can create a cone. Hence, surfaces of revolution occupy an important spot in our understanding of geometric shapes.
Curve Rotation
**Curve rotation** gives rise to complex surfaces simply and beautifully. This process involves rotating a curve around a given axis which, in our case, is the \( y \)-axis. To obtain a parametric representation of the surface resulting from this rotation, we use polar coordinates. Here, for each point on the original curve defined by \( x = \frac{1}{y} \), we use an angle parameter \( \theta \) that defines a rotation about the axis.
- First, choose a constant \( y \).
- Second, introduce a parameter \( \theta \), which typically ranges from \( 0 \) to \( 2\pi \).
- This rotation gives coordinates \( (x \cos \theta, x \sin \theta, y) \), effectively wrapping the original curve into a surface.
Graphing Surfaces
The step of **graphing surfaces** derived from parametric equations sparks creativity and visualization. It's a transition from theoretical mathematics to visual representation, allowing us to "see" what we've conceptualized.In our example, the surface emerges from parametric equations:\[ x = \frac{1}{y} \cos \theta, \quad z = \frac{1}{y} \sin \theta, \quad y = y. \]Here, visualization involves both the range of \( y \) and the angle \( \theta \) to ensure a full rotational appearance. Typically, \( \theta \) spans from \(0\) to \(2\pi\), the complete circle, creating a surface around the \( y \)-axis. The key to practical graphing lies in your choice for \( y \) values.
- Starting at \( y = 1 \), move upwards to a reasonable point (like \( y = 5 \)) to depict a manageable part of the surface.
- This controlled range allows better detail without computational overload.