Solve Solid of Revolution Homework: Area Enclosed by Ellipse & Auxiliary Circle

[Parthalan]

Homework Statement

The area enclosed between the ellipse 4x^2 + 9y^2 = 36 and its auxiliary circle x^2 + y^2 = 9 is rotated about the y-axis through \pi radians. Find, by integration, the volume generated.

This is the whole question. I assume it means bounded by the x-axis, but even if this isn't the case, my answer is wrong. :(

Solution: 12\pi

Homework Equations

V = \int_a^b{A(y)\,dy}

The Attempt at a Solution

x^2 + y^2 = 9 \Rightarrow x^2 = 9 - y^2

4x^2 + 9y^2 = 36 \Rightarrow x^2 = \frac{36-9y^2}{4}

A(y) = \pi \left [ \left ( 9-y^2 \right ) - \left ( \frac{36-9y^2}{4} \right ) \right ] = \frac{5\pi}{4}y^2

\int_0^3{\frac{5\pi}{4}y^2\,dy} = \frac{5\pi}{4} \left [ \frac{y^3}{3} \right ]^3_0 = \frac{45\pi}{4}

I hope someone can help me find where I went wrong! Thanks very much.

 

[HallsofIvy]

I see no reason to assume "bounded" by the y-axis. There are "natural" bounds at x= -3 and x= 3 and if nothing else is said, I think those should be used.

Of course, x²+ y²= 9 is a cirlcle with center at (0,0) and radius 3. Rotated around any axis it makes a sphere with center at (0,0,0) and radius 3. Its volume is (4/3)\pi 3^3= 36\pi.

4x^2+ 9y^2= 36 is an ellipse with center at (0,0), semi-major axis along the x-axisd of length 3 and semi-minor axis along the y-axis of length 2. Rotating around the y-axis makes an ellipsoid with center at (0,0,0) and semi-axes of length 2, 3 and 3. Its volume is given by (4/3)\pi (3)(3)(2)= 24\pi.

The volume between the two figures is 36\pi- 24\pi= 12\pi. However, if it is only rotated by \pi radians, that is only half a circle so we should ony get 1/2 the volume: 6\pi. Are you sure about that? Of course, that's not "by integration" but serves as a check.

The problem is that the ellipse does not extend above y= 2. I think you need to do this in parts: for 0< y< 2, you do, in fact, have \pi [(9- x^2)- (36- 9x^2)/4]= (5/4)\pi x^2. But for 2< y< 3, you have the full \pi(9- x^2).

 

[Parthalan]

I *think* I get it now. Because 4x^2+9y^2=36 doesn't extend above y=2, I needed to "partition" the volume and evaluate
\pi \left ( \frac{5}{4}\int_0^2{x^2\,dx} + \int_2^3{9-x^2\,dx} \right ) = 6\pi
and then either double for the part below the x-axis, or work it out by hand using the same idea.

Thanks very much!