General Equations for Certain Volumes of Revolution

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving general equations for the volumes of revolution, specifically for cones and paraboloids. The volume of a cone is defined as V = (1/3)BH, while the volume of a paraboloid is V = (1/2)BH. The forum explores the relationship between the constant K and the exponent n in the equation V = K*BH, concluding that K = n/(n+2) and providing specific examples for K values of 1/3 and 1/4. The discussion emphasizes the utility of LaTeX for clearer mathematical representation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Familiarity with the concept of volumes of revolution
  • Knowledge of mathematical notation and functions, particularly polynomial functions
  • Basic proficiency in LaTeX for mathematical typesetting
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the application of the disk method and washer method in calculating volumes of revolution
  • Explore advanced integration techniques for more complex shapes
  • Learn about the implications of different values of K in volume equations
  • Study the use of LaTeX for presenting mathematical equations and proofs effectively
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, engineering students, educators, and anyone interested in advanced calculus and geometric applications of integration.

Pjennings
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
The volume of a cone =
1
- B H where B is the base of the cone and H is its height.
3

We can think about a cone as the line y = x rotated with respect to the y axis. The volume of a parabaloid =
1
- B H
2

and a parabaloid is the line y = x^2 rotated with respect to the y axis. So what if you wanted to know the what line has the equation 1/4*B*H or in general K*B*H, where K is a constant.
Let y= a*x^n and y=H, which is the height. Then x = (y/a)^1/n.

Then the integral for the volume of revolution becomes
[0]\int[/H](y/a)^1/n dy

Using a substitution and integrating we get that Volume= a*pi*((H/a)^((2+n)/n))/((2+n)/n)
We know that V = K*pi*x^2*H, and therefore we can equate the two equations for volume, and using the relationship that H= ax^n we get

a*pi*((H/a)^((2+n)/n))/((2+n)/n) = K*a*pi*x^2*x^n

Pi and a cancel out on both sides. Using the relationships x^2 =(y/a)^2/n and y=h we get


((H/a)^((2+n)/n))/((2+n)/n))= K*((H/a)^((2+n)/n))

and ((H/a)^((2+n)/n)) cancels out on both sides leaving

K= n/(n+2) where n is the value to which x is raised: x^n. Solving for n we get that n=2k/(1-k). Since we can think of a cone as the line y = x rotated with respect to the y-axis, then we need to let n=1 and see if k=1/3, which it does. You could also use this to determine what shape has the equation 1/4B*H by letting k=1/4, and you get n=2/3. So the line y= x^(2/3) rotated with respect to the y-axis has the equation 1/4*B*H

Having done all of this work, does anyone have any suggestions on where to go from here with this work?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sorry, this is not the answer to your question, but the forum provides a really nice latex display (enclose it in "tex" tags) that would make your equations MUCH easier to read :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K