Wize University Calculus 2 Textbook > Applications of Integrals
Volumes (Cross Sections Method)
Popular Courses
AP Calculus (AB) Exam Prep Course
AP Exam Prep
Calculus 2
University Study Guides
MATH 121A
Queen's University
MATH 101
University of British Columbia
Calculus 2
General Course
Calculus 2
University Study Guides
MATH 205
Concordia University
MAT 1322
University of Ottawa
MATH 267
University of Calgary
MATH 101
University of Alberta
MATH 101A
University of British Columbia
MAT136H1
University of Toronto
MATH 1014
York University
MATH 105
University of British Columbia
MAT 1332
University of Ottawa
NMM 1414
Western University
MATH 117
University of Waterloo
MATH 101
University of Victoria
MATH 103
University of British Columbia
MTH 240
Toronto Metropolitan University

0:00 / 0:00
Volumes - Cross Sections Method
The volume of a solid with parallel cross sections that are perpendicular to the base is given by
where are functions representing the areas of these cross sections.
Example
Write an integral that represents the volume of a cube of side length
Since the cross sections that are perpendicular to the base of the cube are all squares that have the same size, the cross sectional area is just
Let's suppose that one end of this cube starts at and goes to . Then, using our formula, we know that the volume is
Watch Out!
They will typically ask you to find the volume of a solid that does NOT have equally-sized cross sections, instead, the area of the cross section will usually be based on some function.
Practice: Volume Using Cross Sections
Suppose that a solid has a circular base of radius . The parallel cross sections that are perpendicular to the base are isosceles triangles where the length of the two identical sides are twice the length of the base of the triangle. Find the integral representing the volume of this solid.
Practice: Volumes Using Cross Sections
Find the volume of a cone whose base is a circle with radius and whose height is .
Hint: R and h are constants, the only variable you should use is .