Volume of Revolution: Calculate the Volume

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of a solid formed by rotating a triangle around a vertical axis. Participants explore different methods for solving the problem, including the use of Pappus' theorem and integration techniques. The focus is on understanding the correct approach to arrive at the volume, which is contested among the participants.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the volume to be 10π, while the textbook states it should be (10π)/3, leading to confusion about the correct method.
  • Another participant suggests using Pappus' theorem, explaining that the volume can be derived from the area of the triangle and the distance traveled by its centroid.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the application of Pappus' theorem, questioning its validity for different shapes and seeking references.
  • A participant proposes using horizontal rectangles for the area calculation and formulates an integral, but arrives at the incorrect volume of 10π.
  • There is a discussion about the geometric interpretation of the rotation process, with one participant clarifying that rotating a line results in a different shape than rotating a point.
  • Some participants affirm that the method of calculating the area of circles formed by rotating lines is valid, while others seek to identify errors in the integration approach.
  • One participant expresses a desire to understand the mistakes in their formulation that led to the incorrect answer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct method to calculate the volume, with multiple competing views on the application of Pappus' theorem and the integration approach. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct volume calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions and methods, including the movement of the triangle and the interpretation of the shapes formed during rotation. There are unresolved mathematical steps in the integration process that contribute to the confusion.

Little Dump
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Included is my attempt at the following question. I get an answer of 10pi, whereas the right answer is (10pi)/3 from my textbook. Here is the question:

Rotate the triangle described by (-1,0),(0,1),(1,0) around the axis x=2 and calculate the volume of the solid.

I basically changed the problem to the following and continued as it is the same

Rotate the triangle described by (1,0),(2,1),(3,0) around the y-axis and calculate the volume of the solid

Thanks for the help
 

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It is so small to understand the pic u quoted so I'm giving u my solution
 
I hope u will take it from here

http://in.geocities.com/mathsforjee/index.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I don't quite understand it and I don't understand why mines wrong :(

I'll keep trying to figure it out.
 
You may not have had it yet but this looks like an exercise in using Pappus' theorem: the volume of a solid of revolution is the area of a cross section times the circumference of the circle generated by the centroid of that cross section.

In this case, the cross section is a triangle with base of length 2 and height 1: area= (1/2)(2)(1)= 1.
The centroid (for a triangle only) is the "average" of the vertices:
((-1+0+1)//3,(0+1+0)/3)= (0, 1/3). The distance from (0, 1/3) to the line x= 2 is 2- 1/3= 5/3. The centroid "travels in" (generates) a circle of radius 5/3 and so circumference (10/3)pi.

The volume of the figure is (1)(10/3)pi= (10/3)pi.
 
You may not have had it yet but this looks like an exercise in using Pappus' theorem: the volume of a solid of revolution is the area of a cross section times the circumference of the circle generated by the centroid of that cross section.

Is this true for all kind of figure I never came across that theorem is there any link where i can go for reference
 
Pappus' theorem is true of any "solid of revolution". You should be able to find it in any calculus textbook (that includes multiple integrals.)
 
I haven't learned that theorem so I don't really think I should use it.

I'm trying to use horizontal rectangles for my area so I formulated the following integral which is how I was taught how to do questions like this.

[tex] \int \pi r_o^2 - \pi r_i^2 dr[/tex]

where

[tex]r_o=(-y+3)[/tex]
[tex]r_i=(y+1)[/tex]

and the limits of integration are from y=0 to y=1

so we have this

[tex] \int_0^1 \pi (-y+3)^2 - \pi (y+1)^2 dy[/tex]

it makes perfect sense to me but then once you work it out you get 10 pi. which is wrong

So can someone point out what I did wrong and how to fix it so I don't do it again.


Thanks very much.
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by Little Dump
I haven't learned that theorem so I don't really think I should use it.

I'm trying to use horizontal rectangles for my area so I formulated the following integral which is how I was taught how to do questions like this.

[tex] \int_0^1 \pi r_o^2 - \pi r_i^2[/tex]

fjsjf

Here is the general formula

http://in.geocities.com/mathsforjee/GM.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10
does mine not make sense for some reason

i am calculating the area of the circle when the farthest line is rotated and then subtracting the area of the circle when the closest line is rotated
 
  • #11
Yes it do makes sense don't you have gone to the previous post.

Thats what u have to do and its general too

Your way do make sense
 
  • #12
Originally posted by Little Dump
does mine not make sense for some reason

i am calculating the area of the circle when the farthest line is rotated and then subtracting the area of the circle when the closest line is rotated


When you rotate a point about a line u get a circle

Not

When you rotate a line

It would be somewhat like a truncated cone
 
  • #13
but i get the wrong answer so can you point out what's wrong with my formulation?

keep in mind i moved the triangle to (1,0),(2,1),(3,0) because its the same problem correct?
 
  • #14
When you rotate a point about a line u get a circle

Not

When you rotate a line

It would be somewhat like a truncated cone


I'm rotating horizontal rectangles around the y-axis therefore each rectangle will make a circle
 
  • #15
Originally posted by Little Dump
I'm rotating horizontal rectangles around the y-axis therefore each rectangle will make a circle

Ok It would form rings as of saturn
 
  • #16
U can also do it analytically With no integration
 
  • #17
I still want to know what's wrong with this answer because it does not yield 10pi/3

[tex]\int_0^1 \pi (-y+3)^2 - \pi (y+1)^2 dy[/tex]
 

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