Calculating Surface Area of a Revolution Rotated About the Y-Axis

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the surface area of a solid of revolution formed by rotating a given equation about the y-axis. The equation provided is x = 3y^{4/3} - (3/32)y^{2/3}, with specified bounds for y from -216 to 216.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the surface area formula and the correct substitution of derivatives. There is an exploration of symmetry in the problem, suggesting integration from 0 to 216 and then doubling the result. Some participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their calculations and the need to break the integral into smaller parts.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants providing feedback on each other's approaches. One participant has identified a mistake in their calculations and has corrected it, indicating progress in understanding the problem. However, there is no explicit consensus on the final solution yet.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of potential errors in the substitution of derivatives and the need for careful evaluation of the integral. The original poster also expresses uncertainty about the integration process and the bounds used.

deerhake.11
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(my first dealings with latex.. so bare with me if this looks a little messed up at first :rolleyes: )

Homework Statement


Find the surface area for the equation:
x = 3y^{4/3} - \frac{3}{32}y^{2/3}

with bounds -216 \leq y \leq 216

rotated about the Y-axis.

Homework Equations



\int^a_b 2\pi f(y) \sqrt{1+(\frac{dx}{dy})^2}

The Attempt at a Solution



well... going with that equation i get to this point:

2\pi \int^{216}_{-216} (3y^{4/3} - \frac{3}{32}y^{2/3})(4y^{1/3} + \frac{1}{16}y^{-1/3})

from there I tried to multiply out the equation and solve the integral with the bounds, but it isn't giving me the correct answer. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I suspect I have to break the integral up smaller pieces but I am not sure where to break it at.
 
Last edited:
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\int^a_b 2\pi f(y) \sqrt{1+\left(\frac{dx}{dy}\right)^2}

you have substituted dx/dy incorrectly into the equation

dx/dy should be inside the root
 
Because of the symmetry, you can integrate from 0 to 216 and then multiply by 2. What do you get?
 
ok... when I multiply out the integrand I get:

2\pi [12y^{5/3} - \frac{3}{16}y^2 - \frac{9}{2048}y^{1/3}]^{216}_{0}

when I evaluate at 216 & 0, i get 7552892.305... I multiply that by 2 (symmetry) and then multiply that by 2pi, which gives me 94925010.28

edit... nevermind, i made a stupid math mistake. Got it right now, thanks a ton HallsofIvy!
 
Last edited:

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