Topic 18
Triple Integrals
A triple integral adds up over a solid: with it is the volume, with a density it is the mass. The work is all in the limits. The inner variable runs between two surfaces. The outer two describe the solid's in a coordinate plane.
3 kinds of question. Open the one you are stuck on.
1Set up and evaluate a triple integral over a solid
e.g. “Evaluate , where is the region bounded by …”
Set up and evaluate a triple integral over a solid
e.g. “Evaluate , where is the region bounded by …”- 1Find the bottom and top surfaces: from to
Any variable that sits between exactly two surfaces can go innermost; it need not be .
- 2Find the shadow the solid casts
Its edge comes from where top and bottom meet: set them equal. It also comes from walls that stand straight up, like or .
- 3Write limits for , as in a double integral
Middle limits may depend on the outer variable; outer limits are numbers.
- 4Integrate from the inside out
Remember: Surfaces inside, shadow outside.
See it in a problem3 worked examples
Evaluate , where is the box , , .
- 1Find the bottom and top surfaces: from to
.
- 2Find the shadow the solid casts
The shadow is the rectangle , .
- 3Write limits for , as in a double integral
, : all numbers. And , so the integral splits into three.
- 4Integrate from the inside out
.
Evaluate , where is the bounded by the coordinate planes and the plane .
- 1Find the bottom and top surfaces: from to
.
- 2Find the shadow the solid casts
Set : the shadow is the triangle under in the first quadrant.
- 3Write limits for , as in a double integral
, .
- 4Integrate from the inside out
.
Evaluate , where is the solid in the bounded by the and the plane .
- 1Find the bottom and top surfaces: from to
: the plane is the top, the bottom.
- 2Find the shadow the solid casts
The shadow lies under in the first quadrant of the -plane.
- 3Write limits for , as in a double integral
, .
- 4Integrate from the inside out
.
Common mistakes3
- Putting a variable in the outer limits. Those are numbers; an inner limit may use only the variables outside it.
- Mixing up which surface is on top: test a point inside the shadow.
- Using the wrong curve for the shadow's edge. Look down on the solid: the edge is where top meets bottom, or a wall.
2Change the order of integration in a triple integral
e.g. “Express the iterated integral … in the order: first , then , then ”
Change the order of integration in a triple integral
e.g. “Express the iterated integral … in the order: first , then , then ”- 1Turn the given limits into inequalities
Each limit says one variable lies between two expressions.
- 2Name the bounding surfaces and corner points
Sketch the solid, or at least its shadow in the plane of the two outer variables.
- 3Find the new outer variable's range as numbers
- 4Fix the outer variable; find the middle variable's limits
If the boundary of that slice changes partway, split the integral there.
- 5Read the inner limits off the bounding surfaces
Remember: Inequalities first, then rebuild from the outside in.
See it in a problem3 worked examples
Rewrite in the order .
- 1Turn the given limits into inequalities
, , .
- 2Name the bounding surfaces and corner points
The tetrahedron , , with corners , , , .
- 3Find the new outer variable's range as numbers
.
- 4Fix the outer variable; find the middle variable's limits
At height : the triangle , , so .
- 5Read the inner limits off the bounding surfaces
.
Rewrite in the order .
- 1Turn the given limits into inequalities
, , .
- 2Name the bounding surfaces and corner points
Bounded by , , the plane and the plane . Corners: , , , . So runs from to .
- 3Find the new outer variable's range as numbers
Remove : with gives .
- 4Fix the outer variable; find the middle variable's limits
For fixed : .
- 5Read the inner limits off the bounding surfaces
.
Rewrite in the order .
- 1Turn the given limits into inequalities
, , .
- 2Name the bounding surfaces and corner points
Bounded by , , , , and the plane .
- 3Find the new outer variable's range as numbers
.
- 4Fix the outer variable; find the middle variable's limits
For fixed , runs from to . The top for is while , then the plane. So split at .
- 5Read the inner limits off the bounding surfaces
on the first piece; on the second.
Common mistakes4
- "First , then , then " means : is innermost.
- Moving the old limits along with , , . The new limits come from the solid.
- Missing a split: when the top of a slice switches surfaces, you need two integrals.
- Skipping the check: with , both forms must give the same volume.
3Find the mass and center of mass of a solid
e.g. “Find the mass of if the density is ”
Find the mass and center of mass of a solid
e.g. “Find the mass of if the density is ”- 1Set up the limits of once
The mass and all three share them.
- 2Use symmetry to get coordinates for free
The solid and the density must both be symmetric.
- 3Find the mass
Constant density, as for a : use the volume for and set .
- 4Divide each moment by :
Remember: Mass, moments, divide.
See it in a problem3 worked examples
Find the center of mass of the box , , with density .
- 1Set up the limits of once
, , .
- 2Use symmetry to get coordinates for free
The box and are symmetric about : .
- 3Find the mass
and , so .
- 4Divide each moment by :
and . So , .
Find the centroid of the tetrahedron bounded by the coordinate planes and the plane .
- 1Set up the limits of once
, , .
- 2Use symmetry to get coordinates for free
No symmetry: the three edges on the axes have different lengths.
- 3Find the mass
Constant density, so use the volume: .
- 4Divide each moment by :
, , ; divide each by .
Find the centroid of the solid bounded by , , and .
- 1Set up the limits of once
, , .
- 2Use symmetry to get coordinates for free
Symmetric about the plane : . Symmetric about the plane : .
- 3Find the mass
.
- 4Divide each moment by :
, so .
Common mistakes3
- Stopping at a moment and forgetting to divide by .
- Using symmetry when the density breaks it.
- Using a density for a centroid. A centroid has constant density, so it depends only on the shape.
Need the formulas? Must memorize · Flashcards
