Calculate the volume with a rational funtion

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    Rational Volume
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume generated by the function \(y^{2}=\frac{x^3}{2a-x}\) about the line \(x=2a\). Participants are exploring methods related to volume calculation using integration techniques, specifically cylindrical shells.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to set up the volume integral but expresses difficulty in simplifying the integrand. They consider using substitutions but find them unhelpful. Other participants suggest rewriting the integrand and propose a specific substitution.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing insights and suggestions for substitutions. There is an ongoing exploration of different approaches, but no consensus has been reached on a definitive method or solution.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention challenges with the integrand and the effectiveness of various substitutions. There is a noted complexity in simplifying the expressions involved in the volume calculation.

yaakob7
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Homework Statement



Calculate the volume (V) generated by the given function:
[itex]y^{2}=\frac{x^3}{2a-x}[/itex] about the line [itex]x=2a[/itex]

I suppose you have to use cylindrical shells [because it's difficult to fin [itex]y[/itex]], so:

[itex]V=2\pi(2a-x)\sqrt{\frac{x^3}{2a-x}}Δx[/itex]

now:

[itex]V=\int^{2a}_{0}2\pi(2a-x)\sqrt{\frac{x^3}{2a-x}}dx[/itex]

but I tried a million things but nothing works:

First, simplifying the integrand to this:

[itex]V=2\pi\int^{2a}_{0}\sqrt{2a-x}\sqrt{x^3}dx[/itex]

Next, I've been searching for any substitution function, but nothing works. If you have some idea that could help me I'd be grateful.

Thanks
 
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yaakob7 said:

Homework Statement



Calculate the volume (V) generated by the given function:
[itex]\displaystyle y^{2}=\frac{x^3}{2a-x}[/itex] about the line [itex]x=2a[/itex]

I suppose you have to use cylindrical shells [because it's difficult to fin [itex]y[/itex]], so:

[itex]\displaystyle V=2\pi(2a-x)\sqrt{\frac{x^3}{2a-x}}Δx[/itex]

now:

[itex]\displaystyle V=\int^{2a}_{0}2\pi(2a-x)\sqrt{\frac{x^3}{2a-x}}dx[/itex]

but I tried a million things but nothing works:

First, simplifying the integrand to this:

[itex]\displaystyle V=2\pi\int^{2a}_{0}\sqrt{2a-x}\sqrt{x^3}dx[/itex]

Next, I've been searching for any substitution function, but nothing works. If you have some idea that could help me I'd be grateful.

Thanks
Hello yaakob7. Welcome to PF !

Mostly it's just a matter of rewriting the integrand.

The substitution, u = 2a/x will also help. Do that first.
 
SammyS said:
Hello yaakob7. Welcome to PF !

Mostly it's just a matter of rewriting the integrand.

The substitution, u = 2a/x will also help. Do that first.

Did you mean u=2a-x??

I tried but the expression remains almost the same:

[itex]V=2\pi\int^{2a}_{0}\sqrt{u}\sqrt{(2a-u)^3}dx=2\pi\int^{2a}_{0}(2a-u)\sqrt{u}\sqrt{(2a-u)}dx[/itex]

Im stuck there. I can`t find a simplify function that really works...
 
Good topic I read and i understanding
 
nazfagge said:
Good topic I read and i understanding

Hello nazfagge. Welcome to PF !

I'm glad that you understand this.
 
yaakob7 said:
Did you mean u=2a-x??

I tried but the expression remains almost the same:

[itex]V=2\pi\int^{2a}_{0}\sqrt{u}\sqrt{(2a-u)^3}dx=2\pi\int^{2a}_{0}(2a-u)\sqrt{u}\sqrt{(2a-u)}dx[/itex]

I'm stuck there. I can`t find a simplify function that really works...
Well, u = 2a/x was a typo.

I meant: Let u = x/(2a). Then x = (2a)u , and dx =(2a)du.

You can then factor 2a out of a whole lot of stuff.
 

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