Volume of Solid Revolution: Find x=2 Rotation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the volume of the solid formed by rotating the area between the curves y=√x and y=x^4 about the line x=2. Participants are exploring how to approach this rotation, particularly since they are familiar with rotations about the x and y axes but uncertain about this specific line.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants suggest using Pappus's Second Theorem to find the volume by computing the area and the centroid. Others propose a transformation of the functions to facilitate the calculation as if rotating about the y-axis.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing various methods and interpretations of the problem. There is a recognition of the need to adjust bounds when transforming the functions, and some express confusion over the implications of these transformations on the volume calculation. No consensus has been reached on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of potential confusion regarding the rotation axis and the corresponding bounds, with some participants questioning the validity of their expansions and the resulting calculations. The discussion reflects a mix of understanding and uncertainty regarding the setup of the problem.

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Could someone please explain how to do this question.

Find the volume of the solid formed when the area between y=√x and y=x^4 is rotated about the line x=2.

I know how to do this when it's rotated about the x and y axes, but I'm not sure how to do it with a different line.

Thank you.
 
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Option 1: compute the area bounded by those curves, then find the x co-ordinate of its centroid and find the circumference of the circle whose radius is the distance from this centroid to the line x=2. Multiply the area by the circumference to get your volume (Pappus's Second Theorem).

Option 2: Notice why this problem is the same as the problem of finding the volume of the solid formed when the area between y = √(x + 2) and y = (x + 2)4 are rotated about the x-axis, and use this to solve the problem as you already know how to.
 
AKG said:
Notice why this problem is the same as [rotating the lines] about the x-axis
Do you mean about the y-axis? If the original problem says to rotate the solid about the line x=2.
 
Yes, you're right, the y-axis (the line x = 0).
 
Thanks for your help :smile:
 
I can't seem to get the answer. I'm using the 2nd method. I'm meant to be rotating about the y-axis, aren't I?

In that case,

x^2=(y^2-2)^2------------- x^2=((y^1/4)-2)^2
=y^4-4y^2+4 --------------= y-(4y1/4)+4

Then you integrate these? The bounds are y=0, y=1. But I end up with completely the wrong answer.
 
Last edited:
By using [itex]y = \sqrt {x+2}[/itex] and [itex]y = (x+2)^4[/itex], you 'moved' the functions two places to the left. Your bounds have to move then as well, so you integrate from y = -2 to y = -1.

The volume of a solid of revolution, about the y-axis, is the given by:

[tex]\pi \int\limits_a^b {f\left( y \right)^2 dy}[/tex]
 
Okay, the bounds move, but that results in an undefined answer, if my expansion above is correct.

Shouldn't it be y= 2,1. You can't get a negative answer from those equations.
 
Your expansion isn't really clear to me...
 
  • #10
I'm not sure how I can make it clearer, but when you rearrange [itex]y = \sqrt {x+2}[/itex], you get [itex]x^2 = y^4-4y^2+4[/itex].

When you rearrange [itex]y = (x+2)^4[/itex], you get [itex]x^2 = y-4y^(1/4)+4[/itex]

For the latter, that is the 4th root for the 2nd term.
 
  • #11
If you have 2 functions g(x) and h(x) and you want to find the solid of revolution of their difference (f(x) = h(x) - g(x)), the function f(x)² in the previous mentioned formula isn't h(x)²-g(x)² but (h(x) - g(x))² which isn't the same.
 
  • #12
okay, [itex]y = \sqrt {x+2}[/itex], is rearranged to [itex]x = y^2-2[/itex].

[itex]y = (x+2)^4[/itex] is rearranged to [itex]x = y^(1/4)-2[/itex]

Then, [itex][(y^2-2)-(y^(1/4)-2)]^2[/itex]

Then you get [itex]y^4-y^2+y^(1/16)[/itex]

But shouldn't you just integrate from the same bounds because your only changing the values of the x-axis.
 
  • #13
I'm sorry, I think I confused you and my last answer wasn't entirely correct.

Using f(x) = h(x) - g(x) doesn't change the area, but it does move it so the volume of the solid of revolution doesn't stay the same. Therefore, it would be indeed better to calculate the entire V of the solid of revolution of h(x) and then substract the one of g(x).
 

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