Decide volume given two functions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of a solid formed by rotating the area bounded by two functions, f(x) = x² - 2 and g(x) = 2 + x²/4, around the y-axis. Participants explore various methods for volume calculation, including the disk method and the washer method, as well as the cylinder method, while addressing the challenges posed by the functions' intersections and behavior in the first quadrant.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using the disk method with h(x) = g(x) - f(x) and identifies the intersection points of the functions to set the limits for integration.
  • Another participant points out issues with the disk method, noting that from y = -2 to y = 2, the disks are bounded by f(x), and from y = 2 to 2√2, a "hole" appears due to the second function g(x). They recommend using the washer method for this section.
  • A different approach is proposed using the cylinder method, where the height of the cylinder is derived from the difference between the two functions, and the volume is expressed in terms of x.
  • One participant later confirms that they resolved the issue by breaking the solid into two parts based on where the lower function crosses the x-axis and where the two functions intersect, leading to a volume calculation involving integrals of both functions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the appropriate method for calculating the volume, with some advocating for the disk method while others suggest the washer or cylinder methods. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach, as multiple competing views are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need to consider the behavior of the functions in different regions, particularly the transition points where the functions intersect and where one function becomes the lower bound. There are unresolved mathematical steps related to the integration limits and the application of different volume calculation methods.

Nivelo
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Sorry if i made any language errors, english is not my first language.
Question: An area in the first quadrant (x=>0,y=>0) is limited by the axis and the graphs to the functions f(x)=x^2-2 and g(x)=2+x^2/4. When the area rotates around the y-axis a solid is created. Calculate the volume of this solid.

I want to calculate with the disc method. I set h(x)=g(x)-f(x) since g(x)>f(x) in this area. Since x>=0 i check where the lower function crosses the x-axis and get
x^2-2=0 which gives x=sqrt(2) (since x can't be negative). The upper limit is where f(x)=g(x), so
x^2-2=x^2/4+2 which gives x=4/sqrt(3).
One of the discs that i want to sum up should have the volume pi*radius^2*dy.I get the radius from solving x^2 from h(x)=y.And so i get that the volume should be
I=pi/3* integral from 0 to 10/3 of (16-4*y)dy. But its not the right answer and i don't know where i went wrong. Could anyone tell me where i messed up and try to help me solve this one?

Thanks in advance, appreciate all the help!
 
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You are going to have a problem with the "disk method"! From y= -2 to y= 2, your "disks" are entirely bounded by the first function y= x^2- 2 so, for a given y, the radius is x= \sqrt{y+ 2}. However, from y= 2 to \frac{4}{\sqrt{2}}= 2\sqrt{2} your disk has a "hole" in it because the second parabola, y= 2+ \frac{x^2}{4} comes into play. You could use the disk method from y= -2 to y= 2 and then use the "washer method" from y= 2 to y= 2\sqrt{2}.

But I would recommend, instead, the "cylinder method", using x as the variable, rather than y. For a given x, we have a cylinder with inner radius x, height from y= x^2- 2 up to y= 2+ \frac{x^2}{4} so height is 2- \frac{x^2}{4}- (x^2- 2)= 4- \frac{5x^2}{4}. That is, the circumference is 2\pi x, the surface area is 2\pi x\left(4- \frac{5x^2}{4}\right)= 2\pi\left(4x- \frac{5x^3}{4}\right) and, with thicknes dx, volume 2\pi\left(4x- \frac{5x^3}{4}\right)dx. Integrate that from x= 0 to x= \frac{4\sqrt{3}}{3}.
 
disks & washers about the y-axis ...

$$V = \pi \int_0^2 (y+2) \, dy + \pi \int_2^{4/\sqrt{3}} (y+2) - 4(y-2) \, dy$$

note ... images should be r(y) for the disks and R(y) & r(y) for the washers
 

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HallsofIvy said:
You are going to have a problem with the "disk method"! From y= -2 to y= 2, your "disks" are entirely bounded by the first function y= x^2- 2 so, for a given y, the radius is x= \sqrt{y+ 2}. However, from y= 2 to \frac{4}{\sqrt{2}}= 2\sqrt{2} your disk has a "hole" in it because the second parabola, y= 2+ \frac{x^2}{4} comes into play. You could use the disk method from y= -2 to y= 2 and then use the "washer method" from y= 2 to y= 2\sqrt{2}.

But I would recommend, instead, the "cylinder method", using x as the variable, rather than y. For a given x, we have a cylinder with inner radius x, height from y= x^2- 2 up to y= 2+ \frac{x^2}{4} so height is 2- \frac{x^2}{4}- (x^2- 2)= 4- \frac{5x^2}{4}. That is, the circumference is 2\pi x, the surface area is 2\pi x\left(4- \frac{5x^2}{4}\right)= 2\pi\left(4x- \frac{5x^3}{4}\right) and, with thicknes dx, volume 2\pi\left(4x- \frac{5x^3}{4}\right)dx. Integrate that from x= 0 to x= \frac{4\sqrt{3}}{3}.


Thanks for the response, i solved it. Since one of the demands was that y>=0 i broke the solid down into two parts, one from x=0 to x=sqrt(2) which is before the lower function crossed the x-axis f(x)=0. The other part was from where the lower function crosses the x-axis f(x)=0 to where the upper and lower function crosses f(x=g(x) ,which gives x=4/sqrt(3). From x=0 to x=sqrt(2) the height of one "rectangle" is the distance from the upper function to the y-axis and from x=sqrt(2) to x=4/sqrt(3) the height is the difference g(x)-f(x).
Volume = (2*pi*integral from 0 to sqrt(2) of g(x)) + (2*pi*integral from sqrt(2) to 4/sqrt(3) of g(x)-f(x)) = 52*pi/6
 

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