Wize AP Calculus (AB) Textbook > Applications of Integration

Volumes of Revolution (Discs & Washers Method)

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Volumes of Revolution by Cross Sections (Washers)

While we commonly use integrals to find area under curves. If we imagine the graph "coming out of the page" and revolving in 3-D, we can extend our concepts of calculating area to calculating Volumes of Revolution.

Volumes of Solids by Cross Sections



The volume VV of a solid between x=ax=a and x=bx=b having cross-sectional area A(x)A(x)is rotated about the x-axis is
V=abA(x)dx\boxed{V=\int_a^bA(x)dx}
The cross-section of the solid generated in the plane perpendicular to the x-axis.

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Volumes of Solids by Washers

If your cross-sectional area is a disk, then the area of that disk will be πr2\pi r^2. For a functionf(x)f(x)the cross-sectional area isA(x)=π[f(x)]2A(x)=\pi[f(x)]^2.


For a function f(x)f(x), the volume of the solid of revolution obtained by revolving the region betweenf(x)f(x)and the x-axis between x=ax=a and x=bx=b about the x-axis is given by
V=abπ[f(x)]2dx\boxed{V=\int^b_a\pi [f(x)]^2dx}
This formula is useful for revolving about lines parallel to the x-axis.
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Volumes Between Curves by Washers





If f(x)g(x)0f(x)\ge g(x)\ge0 then the volume of the solid of revolution obtained by revolving the region between f(x)f\left(x\right) and g(x)g\left(x\right) between x=ax=a and x=bx=b about the x-axis is given by
V=abπ([f(x)]2[g(x)]2)dx\boxed{V=\int_a^b\pi([f(x)]^2-[g(x)]^2)dx}

More generally, think of the formula as
V=abπ([outer radius]2[inner radius]2)dx\boxed{V=\int_a^b\pi([\text{outer\ radius}]^2-[\text{inner\ radius}]^2)dx}


Watch Out!
It may be necessary to compute the points of intersection in order to obtain aa and bb.


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Volumes about the Y-Axis using by Washers

If we'd like to use the Washer method about the y-axis, we need to write our equation as a function of yy.

V=abπ[g(y)]2dy\boxed{V=\int^b_a\pi [g(y)]^2dy}

V=abπ([f(y)]2[g(y)]2)dy\boxed{V=\int_a^b\pi([f(y)]^2-[g(y)]^2)dy}
These formulas is useful for revolving about lines parallel to the y-axis.

Wize Concept
For the method of Washer the variables in the integral should be same of the axis of rotation. (revolving about the x-axis use dx \rightarrow \text{use } dx, revolving about the y-axis use dy \rightarrow \text{use } dy)

Watch Out!
Be careful to consider the inner and outer radii; this depends on the axis of rotation.

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Example: Volumes of Revolution

Find the volume of the solid obtained by revolving the region between x2+1x^2+1 and 3x3-x around the xx-axis.

We begin by finding the intersection points of the curves. Setting x2+1=3xx^2+1=3−x, we get 0=x2+x2=(x1)(x+2)0=x^2+x−2=(x−1)(x+2), and so the intersection points are x=2x=−2 and x=1x=1.
We have that on [2,4][−2,4], 3xx2+13−x\ge x^2+1, so the volume of the solid is given by
V=π21[3x]2[x2+1]2dx\displaystyle V = \pi\int^1_{−2}[3 − x]^2 − [x^2 + 1]^2 dx

=π21(96x+x2x42x21)dx\displaystyle= \pi\int^1_{−2}(9 − 6x + x^2 − x^4 − 2x^2 − 1)dx

=π21(x4x26x+8)dx\displaystyle= \pi\int^1_{−2}(−x^4 − x^2 − 6x + 8) dx

=π(x55x333x2+8x)21\displaystyle=\left.\pi\left(−\frac{x^5}{5} −\frac{x^3}{3} − 3x^2 + 8x\right)\right|^1_{−2}

=π[(15133+8)(325+831216)]\displaystyle= \pi\left[\left(−\frac{1}{5} −\frac{1}{3} − 3 + 8\right)−\left(\frac{32}{5}+\frac{8}{3} − 12 − 16\right)\right]

=π(3353+5+28)\displaystyle= \pi\left(−\frac{33}{5} − 3 + 5 + 28\right)

=π(150335)\displaystyle= \pi\left(\frac{150 − 33}{5}\right)

=1175π\displaystyle=\frac{117}{5}\pi

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Example: Volumes of Revolution

Find the volume of a solid ball with radius aa .

The ball can be generated by rotating a half-disk. Since the radius is aa , we can use the half-disk whose area is generated by 0ya2x20 \leq y \leq \sqrt{a^2 - x^2} where axa-a \leq x \leq a , and revolve it around the x-axis.


Note that visually, you could use a vertical half-disk instead, but that would no longer be a function of xx . A computation in this case can still be done, but it's easier, and more natural to do it in the way suggested initially. The volume then becomes
V=πaa(a2x2)2dx=2π0a(a2x2)dxV=\pi\int^a_{-a}(\sqrt{a^2-x^2})^2dx=2\pi\int^a_0(a^2-x^2)dx

=2π(a2xx33)0a=4πa33= \left . 2\pi\left(a^2x-\frac{x^3}3\right) \right |^a_0=\frac{4\pi a^3}{3}

Practice: Volumes of Revolution

The volume of the solid that is produced by revolving the region bounded between y=x2y=x^2 and y=xy=\sqrt x about the x-axis.

Practice: Volumes of Revolution

Write an integral representing the volume of the solid that is produced by revolving the region bounded between y=xy=x and y=3xx2y=3x-x^2 about the line y=1y=-1. Do not compute the integral.