Triple Integrals
Triple integrals are a type of integrals in calculus that involve integrating a function of
three variables over a three-dimensional region in space. They are used to calculate various
physical quantities, such as volume, mass, and center of mass of three-dimensional objects.
∭R f dV
They are written abstractly as:
Where;
R is some region in three-dimensional space.
F (x,y,z) is some scalar-valued function which takes points in three-dimensional space as its input.
dV is a tiny unit of volume. In Cartesian coordinates, this is expanded as dV=dxdydz
Applications of Triple integrals
Triple integrals are broadly used in physics, engineering, and other sciences to solve
problems involving three-dimensional objects and systems. Some important real world
applications are as under;
1. Volume of three-dimensional objects: The triple integral can be used to calculate the
volume of complex three-dimensional objects such as spheres, cones, or irregularly shaped
objects. For example, in architecture and engineering, triple integrals can be used to calculate the
volume of a building or structure.
2. Mass and Centre of Mass: Triple integrals can more ever be utilized to find the mass and
center of mass of a 3D object. For example, in physics, triple integrals are used to calculate the
masses and centers of mass of planets and stars.
3. Probability and Statistics: In Probability and Statistics, triple integrals are used to calculate
the probability of an event in three-dimensional space. For example, triple integrals can be used
to determine the probability of finding a point in a region of space.
4. Electromagnetism: Triple integral is used to calculate electricity and magnetism in three-
dimensional space. This is useful in industries such as electrical engineering where electric and
magnetic fields are important for the design and analysis of circuits and devices.
Proof
Triple integrals are a concept in calculus, which is a branch of mathematics that deals
with the study of change and motion. Like other concepts in calculus, triple integrals are derived
from basic principles and rules of integration.
While there is no specific proof of triple integrals, their validity is based on the
fundamental principles of calculus and the rules of integration. The accuracy of the results
obtained from triple integrals depends on the accuracy of the integrand and the limits of
integration.
Examples
Example 1:
z=1 y=4 x=5
∫∫ ∫ 2
( x+ y z )dxdydz
z=0 y=2 x=−1
Solution:
The order of integration is specified in the problem, so we will integrate with respect to x first,
then y, and then z;
1 4 5
∫∫ ∫ (x + y z 2 )dxdydz ~ Integrating with respect to x.
0 2 −1
1 4 2 5
x
=∫∫ ⌈ 2
+ xy z ⌉ dydz
0 2 2 −1
[ ] [ ]
1 4 5 −1
x2 x2
= ∫∫ 2
2
+ xy z − + xy z
2
2
dydz
0 2
[ ][ ]
1 4
25 1
=∫∫ 2 2
+5 y z − − y z dydz
0 2 2 2
1 4
= ∫∫ [ 12+6 y z 2 ] dydz ~ Integrating with respect to y.
0 2
[ ]
1 4
6 y2 2
= ∫ 12 y +
2
z dz
0 2
[ ] [ ]
1 4 2
6 y2 2 6 y2 2
= ∫ 12 y +
2
z − 12 y+
2
z dz
0
= ∫[ ][ ]
1 2 2
6(4) 2 6(2) 2
12(4)+ z − 12(2)+ z dz
0 2 2
1
= ∫ [ 48+48 z 2 ]−[ 24 +12 z 2 ] dz
0
= ∫ [ 24 +36 z 2 ] dz
0
1
1
= ∫ [ 24 +36 z 2 ]0 dz
0
[ ]
1
z3
24 z +36 ~ Integrating with respect to z.
3 0
[ ]
3
(1)
= 24+36 −0
3
[36
= 24+ 3 ]
= [ 24+12 ]
= 12 Answer!!
Example 2:
Use a triple integral to determine the volume of the region below z=4−xy and above
the region in the xy-plane defined by 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 ,0 ≤ y ≤1
Solution:
Step 1:
The volume of this solid is given by:
∭ 6 x z 2 dv
E
Step 2:
So, we now need to get the limits set up for the integral. From the sketch above we know that we’ll
have the following limits for z.
0≤z≤4−xy
We’ll also need limits for D. In this case that is really simple as we can see from the problem
statement that D is just a rectangle in the xy-plane and in fact the limits are given in the problem
statement as,
0≤x≤2
0≤y≤1
There really isn’t any advantage to doing one order vs. the other so, in this
case, we’ll integrate y and then x.
Now, plugging all these limits into the integral the volume is,
2 1 4−xy
∫∫ ∫ 2
6 x z dzdydx
0 0 0
Step 3:
Okay, now all we need to do is evaluate the integral. Starting with z integral.
2 1 4−xy
∫∫ ∫ 3
6 x dzdydx
0 0 0
2 1
4−xy
= ∫∫ [ 6 x 3 z ]0
0 0
2 1
= ∫∫ [ 6 x 3 (4−xy)] −0
0 0
2 1
= ∫∫ 24 x 3 −6 x 4 y
0 0
Now let’s do the y integration.
2 1
= ∫∫ 24 x 3 −6 x 4 y
0 0
[ ]
2 1
y2
=∫ 3
24 x ( y)−6 x
2
4
0 0
[ ]
2 2
(1)
=∫ 24 x 3 (1)−6 x 4
2
−0
0
= ∫ 24 x3 −3 x 4
0
Now let’s do the x integration.
2
= ∫ 24 x3 −3 x 4
0
[ ]
2
x4 x5
= 24 −3
4 5
−0
=[ ]
4 5
(2) (2)
24 −3
4 5
=[ 24
16
4
−3
32
5 ]
=[ ]
96
96−
5
384
= 5 or 76.5 unit cube!
The volume of the region = 76.5 !!
