ENGR 233: Lecture 20

Triple integrals in Cartesian and

alternative coordinates
Dr. Ali Nazemi
Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Tuesday (30th March) and Thursday (2nd April) 2021
Concordia University
Montreal, Quebec
 From single and double integrals to triple
integrals
• Just as we 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.

I= 
y =by = g2 ( x )
 z= f2 ( x, y )
dy dx
 y = g1 ( x )  z = f1 ( x , y )
y =a 
 u ( x , y , z ) dz
  2
 Applications of triple integrals
• Volume V of a region D: V =  dxdydz
D

• Mass for a body D with density

(x,y,z): m=   ( x, y, z)dxdydz
D

• Center of mass for a body D with density (x,y,z)

• Moment of inertia about ~ x=

 D
x ( x, y, z )dxdydz
,
m
the x-axis (Ix) and the y-axis
(Iy) ~
y=
 D
y ( x, y, z )dxdydz
, ~
z = ... 3
m
 Calculating triple integrals
I =  u( x, y, z )dzdydx u is a given function & D is a given 3D shape.
D
Assuming we integrate with respect to z, then x, then y
1. Sketch or visualize D
2. Set z limits z = f1(x,y)
3. Find projection R on xy plane D
4. Slice and find limits for y and x:
The main task is to determine the
a x = g (y) b
correct limits on x & y. 1

5. Integrate R

I =  
y =bx= g2 ( y )
 z = f2 ( x, y )
  x = g2(y)
y =a    
 x = g1 ( y )  z = f1 ( x , y )
u ( x, y, z )dz dx dy
  4
Why should we care about alternative coordinate
systems when dealing with triple integrals?
• Partially due to dealing with multiple iterative integrations over
complex 3D domains, there are high possibilities of coming up with
very awkward expressions that are extremely difficult to integrate in a
Cartesian coordinate system.

The density at any

point is proportional
to its distance from
the axis of the
cylinder.

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 From polar to cylindrical coordinates
To convert from
cylindrical to
Cartesian
coordinates
x = r cos θ
y = r sin θ
z=z
To convert from
If the point P has Cartesian coordinates Cartesian to cylindrical
(x, y) and polar coordinates (r, θ), then: r and θ are polar
coordinates
coordinates of
x = r cos θ; the projection of P r2 = x2 + y2
y = r sin θ onto the xy–plane. tan θ = y/x
r2 = x2 + y2 z is the directed distance z=z
tan θ = y/x from the xy-plane to P. 6
Using cylindrical coordinates to tackle triple
integrals
Cylindrical coordinates are useful in problems that involve symmetry about an axis, and the z-axis is
chosen to coincide with this axis of symmetry.
It is worthwhile to use this formula:
• Writing x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ.
• Leaving z as it is.
When E is a solid region easily
• Using the appropriate limits of described in cylindrical
integration for z, r, and θ. coordinates.
• Replacing dV by r dz dr dθ.
Especially when the function
f(x, y, z) involves the expression
x2 + y2.

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 Spherical coordinates
• Considering spherical coordinates simplifies the evaluation of triple
integrals over regions bounded by spheres or cones.
• ρ = |OP| is the Relation to Cartesian coordinates
ρ≥0 distance from the (switching):
0≤Φ≤π origin to P. x =  sin  cos  ,
• θ is the same angle as y =  sin  sin  ,
in cylindrical z =  cos  ,
coordinates.
• Φ is the angle  = x 2
+ y 2
+ z 2
,
between the positive  = tan -1 ( y / x),
z-axis and the line  = tan −1 ( x 2 + y 2 / z )
segment OP.
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Using spherical coordinates to tackle triple
integrals
The spherical coordinate system is especially useful in problems where there is symmetry about a point,
and the origin is placed at this point.

Usually, spherical coordinates are used in triple

integrals when surfaces such as cones and spheres
form the boundary of the region of integration.

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Resources
• Read Section 9.15 and go through exercises
• This presentation is available through the moodle
• 6 additional lecture notes are placed in the moodle. All have Q&As with
complete solutions.
• Check out the Oregon State Lecture Notes for triple integrals:
http://math.oregonstate.edu/home/programs/undergrad/CalculusQuestStud
yGuides/vcalc/255trip/255trip.html
http://math.oregonstate.edu/home/programs/undergrad/CalculusQuestStud
yGuides/vcalc/255cs/255cs.html

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