Volumes of revolution
Introduction

15.2

In this block we show how the concept of integration as the limit of a sum can be used to nd volumes of solids formed when curves are rotated around the x or y axes.

Prerequisites

x be able to calculate denite integrals y understand integration as the limit of a sum

Before starting this Block you should . . .

Learning Outcomes

Learning Style

After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . . to . . .  calculate volumes of revolution  allocate sucient study time

 briey revise the prerequisite material  attempt every guided exercise and most of the other exercises

1. Volumes generated by rotating curves about the x-axis

Figure 1 shows a graph of the function y = 2x for x between 0 and 3.

y
6 y = 2x

Figure 1. A graph of the function y = 2x, for 0 x 3. Imagine rotating the line y = 2x by one complete revolution (3600 or 2 radians) around the x-axis. The surface so formed is the surface of a cone as shown in Figure 2. Such a threedimensional shape is known as a solid of revolution. We now discuss how to obtain the volumes of such solids of revolution.

y 6
y = 2x

Figure 2. When the line y = 2x is rotated around the axis, a solid is generated.

Try each part of this exercise Find the volume of the cone generated by rotating y = 2x, for 0 x 3, around the x-axis, as shown in Figure 2. In order to nd the volume of this solid we assume that it is composed of lots of thin circular discs all aligned perpendicular to the x-axis, such as that shown in Figure 3. From Figure 3 we
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

note that a typical disc has radius y , which in this example equals 2x, and thickness x.
y 6 y = 2x

(x, y )

Figure 3. The cone is divided into a number of thin circular discs. The volume of a circular disc is the circular area multiplied by the thickness. Part (a) Write down an expression for the volume of this typical disc: Answer To nd the total volume we must sum the contributions from all discs and nd the limit of this sum as the number of discs becomes innite and x becomes zero. That is
x=3 x0

lim

4x2 x
x=0

This is the denition of a denite integral. Part (b) Write down the corresponding integral. Answer Part (c) Find the required volume by performing the integration: Answer Now let us do another example. Try each part of this exercise A graph of the function y = x2 for x between 0 and 4 is shown in Figure 4. The graph is rotated around the x-axis to produce the solid shown. Find its volume. 3
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

y 16

y = x2

(x, y )
x

Figure 4. The solid of revolution is divided into a number of thin circular discs. As in the previous guided exercise, the solid is considered to be composed of lots of circular discs of radius y , (which in this example is equal to x2 ), and thickness x. Part (a) Write down the volume of each disc: Answer Part (b) Write down the expression which results by summing the volumes of all such discs: Answer Part (c) Write down the integral which results from taking the limit of the sum as x 0: Answer Part (d) Perform the integration to nd the volume of the solid: Answer Try each part of this exercise In general, suppose the graph of y (x) between x = a and x = b is rotated about the x-axis, and the solid so formed is considered to be composed of lots of circular discs of thickness x. Part (a) Write down an expression for the radius of a typical disc: Answer Part (b) Write down an expression for the volume of a typical disc: Answer The total volume is found by summing these individual volumes and taking the limit as x tends to zero:
x= b x0

lim

y 2 x
x= a

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

Part (c) Write down the denite integral which this sum denes: Answer Key Point If the graph of y (x), between x = a and x = b, is rotated about the x-axis the volume of the solid formed is
b

y 2 dx
a

More exercises for you to try 1. When the graph of y (x) between x = a and x = b is rotated around the x-axis, b show that the volume of the solid formed is a y 2 dx. 2. Find the volume of the solid formed when that part of the curve between y = x2 between x = 1 and x = 2 is rotated about the x-axis. 3. The parabola y 2 = 4x for 0 x 1, is rotated around the x-axis. Find the volume of the solid formed. Answer

2. Volumes generated by rotating curves about the y-axis

We can obtain a dierent solid of revolution by rotating a curve around the y -axis instead of around the x-axis. See Figure 5.
y

y (x) (x, y ) x

y O

Figure 5. A solid can be generated by rotation around the y -axis. To nd the volume of this solid it is divided into a number of circular discs as before, but this time the discs are horizontal. The radius of a typical disc is x and its thickness is y . The volume of the disc will be x2 y where y is the thickness of the disc. The total volume is found by summing these individual volumes and taking the limit as y 0. If the lower and upper limits on y are c and d, we obtain for the volume:
y =d y 0

lim

x2 y
y =c

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

which is the denite integral

d

x2 dy
c

Key Point If the graph of y (x), between y = c and y = d, is rotated about the y -axis the volume of the solid formed is
d

x2 dy
c

Try each part of this exercise Find the volume generated when the graph of y = x2 between x = 0 and x = 1 is rotated around the y -axis. On the graph of y = x2 , when x = 0, y = 0 and when x = 1 y = 1 and so the limits on y are the same as the limits on x. Part (a) Write down the required integral. Answer Part (b) Because y = x2 this integral can be written entirely in terms of y . Do this now, and then evaluate the integral. Answer More exercises for you to try 1. When the graph of y (x) between x = a and x = b is rotated around the y -axis, d show that the volume of the solid formed is c x2 dy where c = y (a) and d = y (b). 2. The curve y = x2 for 1 < x < 2 is rotated about the y -axis. Find the volume of the solid formed. 3. The line y = 2 2x for 0 x 2 is rotated around the y -axis. Find the volume of revolution. Answer

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

3. Computer Exercise or Activity

For this exercise it will be necessary for you to access the computer package DERIVE.

DERIVE can be used to obtain denite integrals. In particular there are specic commands for determining volumes of revolution obtained when curves are rotated about either the x- or y -axes. These commands can be obtained by opening the Int apps library (simply click on File:Open and then double click the Int apps icon). The commands take the form Volume of revolution(y, x, x1 , x2 ) or, Volumey of revolution(y, x, x1 , x2 ) if y (x) x1 x x2 is rotated round the y -axis 1x2 if y (x) x1 x x2 is rotated round the x-axis

For example to nd the volume of revolution obtained by rotating the curve y = x2 about the x-axis we would rst open Library Int apps and then key VOLUME OF REVOLUTION(x2 , x, 1, 2) Then hit Simplify:Basic and DERIVE responds

Author:Expression, then type: Volume of revolution(x 2, x, 1, 2). DERIVE responds

31 5 However, beware, the volume of revolution about the y -axis as provided by DERIVE is not the same as that given in this Block. In fact, referring to the following diagram, DERIVE gives the outer volume of revolution whereas, in the text, we calculate the inner volume of revolution.
y y

outer volume
x2

inner volume
x2

outer volume
x1

2xy dx

inner volume
x1

x2 dy

2 Of course, the two measures are related: outer volume + inner volume = (x2 2 y2 x1 y1 )

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

End of Block 15.2

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

 (2x)2 x = 4x2 x Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

3 0

4x2 dx

Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

10

4x3 3

3 0

= 36

Back to the theory

11

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

 (x2 )2 x = x4 x Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

12

x=4 x=0

x4 x

Back to the theory

13

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

4 0

x4 dx

Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

14

45 5

= 204.8

Back to the theory

15

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

y Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

16

y 2 x Back to the theory

17

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

b a

y 2 dx

Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

18

2. 31/5,

3. 2 .

Back to the theory

19

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

1 0

x2 dy

Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

20

1 0

y dy =

y 2 2

1 0

Back to the theory

21

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

2.

15 . 2

3.

16 . 3

Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 15.2: Applications of Integration

22