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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the volume of a solid obtained by rotating a region bounded by the curves y = sec(x), y = 1, x = 1, and x = -1 around the x-axis, utilizing the washer or disk method.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the volume integral, questioning the correctness of the antiderivative used and whether all components of the integrand were properly accounted for.

Discussion Status

The discussion has evolved with participants exploring the integration process and clarifying the application of trigonometric identities. Some guidance has been offered regarding the antiderivative and the evaluation of the integral.

Contextual Notes

There is a concern regarding the handling of the integral and the application of trigonometric identities, as well as the potential oversight of integrating all parts of the expression correctly.

twoski
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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 [itex]V = \pi \int _{-1}^{1} (sec(x)^{2} - 1)dx[/itex]

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

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.
 
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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 [itex]V = \pi \int _{-1}^{1} (sec(x)^{2} - 1)dx[/itex]

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

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).
 

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