Finding a volume bounded by a region

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SUMMARY

The volume of the region bounded by the curve y=e^-x^2, y=0, x=0, and x=1, when revolved around the y-axis, is calculated using the cylindrical shell method. The relevant formula for this calculation is V = ∫_a^b 2π(radius * height) dx, where the radius is x and the height is y=e^-x^2. The initial attempt to use the formula V = ∫_a^b R^2 dy was incorrect, as it led to an undefined result when integrating the natural logarithm. The correct approach simplifies the problem and avoids complications associated with using disks.

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  • Understanding of integral calculus, specifically volume of revolution
  • Familiarity with the cylindrical shell method for calculating volumes
  • Knowledge of natural logarithms and their properties
  • Basic proficiency in LaTeX for mathematical expressions
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  • Study the cylindrical shell method in detail for volume calculations
  • Learn about the properties of natural logarithms and their integration
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Homework Statement


The region bounded by y=e^-x^2, y=0, x=0 and x=1 is revolved around the y-axis. Find the volume.

Homework Equations



V = \int_{a}^{b} R^2 dy

The Attempt at a Solution



We must first express x in terms of y. So we get

\ln y = -x^2

x^2 = -\ln y

We substitute this to the above volume equation and we get

V = \int_{0}^{1} -\ln y

And without even doing the integration, I know for a fact that this cannot work out since if you integrate a natural log, you get a natural log back and substituting 0 into a natural log gets you an undefined answer.

I think I did something wrong or set up the problem wrong. Any advice would be appreciated!

Oh and if you know latex, could you tell me how to express y=e^(-x^2)?
 
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l46kok said:

Homework Statement


The region bounded by y=e^-x^2, y=0, x=0 and x=1 is revolved around the y-axis. Find the volume.


Homework Equations



V = \int_{a}^{b} R^2 dy
This "relevant" equation isn't relevant.
l46kok said:

The Attempt at a Solution



We must first express x in terms of y. So we get

\ln y = -x^2

x^2 = -\ln y

We substitute this to the above volume equation and we get

V = \int_{0}^{1} -\ln y

And without even doing the integration, I know for a fact that this cannot work out since if you integrate a natural log, you get a natural log back and substituting 0 into a natural log gets you an undefined answer.

I think I did something wrong or set up the problem wrong.
Yes. The easiest way to do this problem is to use cylindrical shells.

The relevant equation is
V = \int_a^b 2\pi~radius * height~dx

Here, radius = x, and height = y = e-x2
l46kok said:
Any advice would be appreciated!

Oh and if you know latex, could you tell me how to express y=e^(-x^2)?
Put the exponent in braces:{-x^2}.
y = e^{-x^2}
 
Just so that I understand, why is it that the cylindrical shell method must be applied here? I was taught that when finding a volume revolved around X or Y axis, the above equation works well except you just have to be careful when you plug in for X or Y.
 
You could use disks in this problem, but it's more complicated. You will need two integrals to do the problem this way. For y in [0, 1/3], the disks all have a radius of 1. For y in [1/e, 1] the radius of a given disk is the x value on the curve, or +sqrt(-ln(y)).

I should add that in your relevant formula in post 1, pi is missing.
 

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