Find Volume of Rotated Region Bounded by y=x, y=sqrt(x)

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    Integral Volume
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the volume of a solid obtained by rotating the region bounded by the curves y = x and y = √x about the line y = 1. Participants are exploring the setup of the problem and the appropriate functions to use for integration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss identifying the functions f(x) and g(x) for the volume calculation, with some confusion about the necessity of using the expressions 1 - x and 1 - √x instead of x and √x. There are questions about the implications of the axis of rotation on the volume calculation and the reasoning behind subtracting functions in this context.

Discussion Status

Some participants are beginning to understand the reasoning behind the use of 1 - x and 1 - √x as the outer and inner radii for the volume of revolution. There is ongoing exploration of how changing the axis of rotation affects the setup of the problem, with various interpretations being discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of rotating around different axes and how that influences the functions used in the volume calculation. There is mention of homework constraints and the need to adhere to specific methods as outlined in their textbook.

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Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region bounded by the given curves about the specified line. Sketch the region, the solid, and a typical disk or washer.

y = x
y = [tex]\sqrt{x}[/tex]
rotate about y = 1

http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/5879/math10sp.jpg

=http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/5729/math23gk.th.jpg

So, I am integrating with respect to x.
Area = [tex]\int^1_{0}[(f(x))^2-(g(x))^2]dx[/tex]

I can't figure out how to get f(x) and g(x). I would think that they are simply f(x) = x and g(x) = [tex]\sqrt{x}[/tex].

The book gives f(x) = 1 - x and g(x) = 1 - [tex]\sqrt{x}[/tex]

I don't understand how that works.
 
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I found the easiest way to do it is to demarcate the element of the volume of revolution.

In this case, one element is like a small piece of a cylindrical annulus (which consists of a cylinder with a centered cylindrical hole burrowed within it).

The cylindrical annulus has outer radius given by [tex](1 - y_1) = 1 - x[/tex] and inner radius given by [tex](1 - y_2) = 1 - \sqrt{x}[/tex]. The radii have the "one minus" because you are rotating about y = 1 and not the x-axis. From geometry you know that the volume of a cylindrical annulus is [tex]Volume = \pi(r_o^2 - r_i^2)h[/tex] where [tex]r_o[/tex] is external radius, [tex]r_i[/tex] is internal radius and [tex]h[/tex] is height. Apply the same logic to the element of volume here and you'll get the integrand below.

The complete volume can be evaluated as the integral

[tex]V = \int_0^1 \pi ((1 - y_1)^2 - (1 - y_2)^2) dx = \int_0^1 \pi ((1 - x)^2 - (1 - \sqrt{x})^2) dx[/tex]. The bounds are of course derived from seeing where [tex]x = \sqrt{x}[/tex]

That is in essence the same thing your book has given, in this case, [tex]f(x) = (1-x)[/tex] and [tex]g(x) = (1 - \sqrt{x})[/tex]
 
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Thanks,

I think I'm starting to understand why you get the 1 - x and 1 - [tex]\sqrt{x}[/tex]. Is it that you have to treat the radius as a function? Why can't you pretend that you are rotating over the origin and take the radius from there?

I also don't understand why you have to subtract the function...in another example where you rotate over y = -1, you add 1 to the function.

I don't understand the difference.
 
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merced said:
Thanks,

I think I'm starting to understand why you get the 1 - x and 1 - [tex
]\sqrt{x}[/tex]. Is it that you have to treat the radius as a function? Why can't you pretend that you are rotating over the origin and take the radius from there?

I also don't understand why you have to subtract the function...in another example where you rotate over y = -1, you add 1 to the function.

I don't understand the difference.

You can't "pretend" you're rotating over the x-axis (you meant this when you said "origin" didn't you?), because the axis of rotation makes a big deal to the calculation. It's not a simple question of rotating about the x-axis then translating the volume. Just cut the required area at x = 1 and see how much the "curvey part" you're rotating differs from the "curvey part" you're rotating when you use the x-axis to rotate the object. There's no easy way to get from the solid of revolution formed from rotating about the x-axis to the one formed by rotating about y = 1.

Here we're taking (1 - y) as the radius. Now when rotating about y = -1, you replace the "1" with "-1" giving you (-1-y).

That seems different from (1+y) doesn't it? But when you square it to do the volume, you get the same thing : (-1-y)^2 = (1+y)^2. Simple, no?:smile:
 
Ok, but what if you moved the function down 1 so that it is over the x-axis and then rotated it?

letting f(x) = x - 1 and g(x) = [tex]\sqrt{x}[/tex] - 1.
 
merced said:
Ok, but what if you moved the function down 1 so that it is over the x-axis and then rotated it?

letting f(x) = x - 1 and g(x) = [tex]\sqrt{x}[/tex] - 1.

Yes, that would be fine. Verify that it works out the same way when you square it, e.g. (x-1)^2 = (1-x)^2.
 
Thanks, I understand now!
 

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