Calculating volumes by shell and slicing

In summary, the area under the graph of the function y = cos inverse x on the interval [0; 1] is rotated about the x-axis to form a solid of revolution. The volume of the solid is calculated using the disc/slicing method and the shell method, respectively.
  • #1
joe007
23
0

Homework Statement



The area under the graph of the function y = cos inverse x on the interval [0; 1] is rotated
about the x-axis to form a solid of revolution.
(a) Write down the volume V of the solid as a de nite integral with respect
to x according to the disc/slicing method. Do NOT attempt to evaluate this
integral.
(b) Write down the volume V of the solid as a de nite integral with
respect to y according to the shell method.
(c) Using the antiderivative,
Integral y cos y dy = y sin y + cos y + C;
or otherwise, find the volume V of the solid as an exact real number.

Homework Equations



V=2*PI integral x*f(x) dx

The Attempt at a Solution


well

(a)V=integral 1 to 0 Pi*cos^-2x^2 dx

(b)V=2PI integral 1 to 0 ycosy dy

(c) i solved it and i got 2PI(PI/2 -1)
 
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  • #2
Your function is [tex]y = \cos^{-1} x .[/tex] Be aware that this is inverse functional notation, so [tex] \cos^{-1} x \neq \frac{1}{\cos x} .[/tex] So when you write the integral for the "disc/washer method", it should be

[tex]V = \pi \int_{0}^{1}(\cos^{-1}x)^{2} dx , [/tex]

since you are squaring an inverse cosine function.

On part (b), watch out when working with y as the variable of integration. What does the graph of inverse cosine x from 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 look like? When you "turn it sideways" to make the slices parallel to the x-axis for the shells, is there only one set of boundaries for the "lower" and "upper ends" of the shells?
 
  • #3
the y values should be from 0 to PI/2 therefore how would i take a slice of the shell, would i just integrate ycosy dy :P
 
  • #4
You really should make a graph of the region that is being revolved about the x-axis: the curve x = cos y is only a boundary for part of it if you integrate in the y-direction (as you will have to for shells).

What ARE the boundaries of the region and what will act as the "upper" and "lower curves" if you are integrating with respect to y? (Using y cos y is only a part of this.)
 
  • #5
(Forget that last note: now that I look at this again this morning, I see that the grapher I used took y = cos-1 x and plotted y = sec x anyway. )

The curve does close properly from (0, pi/2) to (1, 0). You will need to change your limits of integration.

So using shells, you should have [tex] 2\pi \int_{0}^{\pi/2} y cos y dy .[/tex]

Sorry for my earlier comment.

Your answer for part (c) appears to be correct. So you integrated correctly, but wrote the limits wrong in part (b).
 
Last edited:
  • #6
Hi, I was just passing by and I don't follow this integrations..
Sorry but dynamicsolo can you please explain in details how to get to the answers for (b) and (c)?
 
  • #7
hmmm its a method of integration to calculate volumes by the shell method
 
  • #8
joe007 said:
hmmm its a method of integration to calculate volumes by the shell method

He's asking exactly how you set up the shells; we're discussing this by PM.
 

Related to Calculating volumes by shell and slicing

1. What is the difference between calculating volumes by shell and slicing?

Calculating volumes by shell involves using cylindrical shells to determine the volume of a three-dimensional shape, while slicing involves dividing the shape into infinitely thin slices and summing their volumes to find the total volume.

2. How do you determine the volume of a shape using the shell method?

The volume of a shape can be determined using the shell method by integrating the circumference of the cylindrical shells multiplied by the height of the shape.

3. What is the formula for calculating volume by slicing?

The formula for calculating volume by slicing is ∫A(x)dx, where A(x) represents the area of the cross-section of the shape at a given x-value.

4. Can the shell and slicing methods be used for any shape?

Yes, the shell and slicing methods can be used for any shape that can be defined by a function and has a consistent cross-sectional area along its entire length.

5. How do you determine which method to use for calculating volume?

The method used for calculating volume depends on the shape being measured. If the shape is cylindrical, the shell method is typically used. If the shape is irregular or has varying cross-sectional areas, the slicing method is more appropriate.

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