Find the Volume of a Rotating Region: Washer & Disk Method

Click For Summary
To find the volume of the solid formed by rotating the region bounded by y = sec(x), y = 1, x = 1, and x = -1, the initial calculation used the formula V = π ∫_{-1}^{1} (sec(x)² - 1) dx. The mistake was in not correctly integrating the entire expression, particularly neglecting the antiderivative of the -1 term. After applying the identity sec²(x) - 1 = tan²(x) and correctly integrating, the result was found to be π(tan(1) - 1 - (tan(-1) + 1)), leading to the correct volume of approximately 3.5022. The discussion highlights the importance of careful integration and attention to all components of the integrand.
twoski
Messages
177
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement



Using disks or washers, find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region bounded by the curves y = sec(x), y = 1, x = 1, x = -1 on the x-axis.

The Attempt at a Solution



This should be ridiculously easy but apparently my answer is wrong?!

To calculate the volume i use the equation V = \pi \int _{-1}^{1} (sec(x)^{2} - 1)dx

From here it should be trivial since this evaluates to \pi [ tan^{2} x | _{-1}^{1} ] = 0

But my answer is apparently wrong... Should i be doing something differently? I've followed the formula exactly how it should be followed to my knowledge.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
twoski said:

Homework Statement



Using disks or washers, find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region bounded by the curves y = sec(x), y = 1, x = 1, x = -1 on the x-axis.

The Attempt at a Solution



This should be ridiculously easy but apparently my answer is wrong?!

To calculate the volume i use the equation V = \pi \int _{-1}^{1} (sec(x)^{2} - 1)dx

From here it should be trivial since this evaluates to \pi [ tan^{2} x | _{-1}^{1} ]

But my answer is apparently wrong... Should i be doing something differently? I've followed the formula exactly how it should be followed to my knowledge.

Is the antiderivative of ##\sec^2x## correct? And did you forget the antiderivative of the ##-1##? Or did you use a trig identity and forget to integrate it?
 
Whoops. So i apply a trig identity... sec^2(x)-1 = tan^2(x)

Then i antiderive tan^2(x) which gives me... tan(x) - x

So, computing (tan(1) - 1) - (tan(-1) + 1) results in... pi(2tan(1)-2) or 3.5022... And that's right! Thanks for the help.
 
twoski said:
Whoops. So i apply a trig identity... sec^2(x)-1 = tan^2(x)

Then i antiderive tan^2(x) which gives me... tan(x) - x

So, computing (tan(1) - 1) - (tan(-1) + 1) results in... pi(2tan(1)-2) or 3.5022... And that's right! Thanks for the help.

Notice you could have written the answer tan(x)-x directly by taking the antiderivative of your integrand as it stands since the derivative of tan(x) is sec^2(x).
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K