MHB Sunshine's questions at Yahoo Answers regarding solids of revolution

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The discussion focuses on calculating the volumes of solids of revolution using the disk/washer method for two regions defined by specific curves. For part (a), the volume of the solid formed by revolving the region bounded by y=x^3 and y=2x around the x-axis is calculated to be 64√2π/21. In part (b), the volume for the region bounded by y=x^2+5, y=3, and x=-2 to x=2 when revolved around the y-axis is determined to be 16π. Both calculations are verified using the shell method, confirming the accuracy of the results. The discussion emphasizes the importance of visualizing the regions and applying integration techniques correctly.
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Here are the questions:

Calculus Question-disk/washer method?

a)Let R be the region bounded by the given curves. Sketch R on a graph. If R is revolved around the x-axis, find the volume of the solid revolution by the disk/washer method.
y=x^3
y=2x

b)Let R be the region bounded by the given curves. Sketch R on a graph. IF R is revolved around the y-axis find the volume of the solid revolution by the disk/washer method.
y=x^2+5
y=3
x=-2
x=2

I have posted a link there to this topic so the OP can see my work.
 
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Re: Subshine's questions at Yahoo! Answers regarding solids of revolution

Hello sunshine,

a) Here is a graph of the region $R$ to be revolved about the $x$-axis:

View attachment 899

We may revolve the area shaded in red and then double the volume to find the requested volume.

The volume of an arbitrary washer is:

$$dV=\pi\left(R^2-r^2 \right)\,dx$$

where:

$$R=2x$$

$$r=x^3$$

and so we have:

$$dV=\pi\left((2x)^2-\left(x^3 \right)^2 \right)\,dx=\pi\left(4x^2-x^6 \right)\,dx$$

To determine the limits of integration, we may equate the two functions:

$$x^3=2x$$

$$x\left(x^2-2 \right)=0$$

$$x=0,\,\pm2$$

Hence, summing the disks by integrating, we find:

$$V=2\pi\int_0^{\sqrt{2}}4x^2-x^6\,dx=2\pi\left[\frac{4}{3}x^3-\frac{1}{7}x^7 \right]_0^{\sqrt{2}}=\frac{16\sqrt{2}\pi}{21}\left(7-3 \right)=\frac{64\sqrt{2}\pi}{21}$$

Now, whenever possible, I like to use the shell method to check my work.

The volume of an arbitrary shell is:

$$dV=2\pi rh\,dy$$

where:

$$r=y$$

$$h=y^{\frac{1}{3}}-\frac{y}{2}$$

and so we have:

$$dV=2\pi y\left(y^{\frac{1}{3}}-\frac{y}{2} \right)\,dy=2\pi\left(y^{\frac{4}{3}}-\frac{y^2}{2} \right)\,dy$$

To determine the limits of integration, we may equation the two functions:

$$y^{\frac{1}{3}}=\frac{y}{2}$$

$$y-2y^{\frac{1}{3}}=0$$

$$y^{\frac{1}{3}}\left(y^{\frac{2}{3}}-2 \right)$$

$$y=0,\,\pm2\sqrt{2}$$

Thus, summing the shells by integration we find:

$$V=4\pi\int_0^{2\sqrt{2}}y^{\frac{4}{3}}-\frac{y^2}{2}\,dy=4\pi\left[\frac{3}{7}y^{\frac{7}{3}}-\frac{1}{6}y^3 \right]_0^{2\sqrt{2}}=\frac{16\sqrt{2}\pi}{21}\left(18-14 \right)=\frac{64\sqrt{2}\pi}{21}$$

This checks with the result we obtained using the washer method.

b) Here is a graph of the region $R$ to be revolved about the $y$-axis:

View attachment 900

We need only revolve the area shaded in red to find the requested volume.

Using the disk/washer method, we should observe that for $3\le y\le5$ we simply have a right circular cylinder of radius 2 and height 2, hence:

$$V_1=\pi(2)^22=8\pi$$

To find the remaining volume, we may use the washer method. The volume of an arbitrary washer is:

$$dV_2=\pi\left(R^2-r^2 \right)\,dy$$

where:

$$R=2$$

$$r=\sqrt{y-5}$$

and so we have:

$$dV_2=\pi\left((2)^2-\left(\sqrt{y-5} \right)^2 \right)\,dy=\pi\left(9-y \right)\,dy$$

Summing the washers by integration, we find:

$$V_2=\pi\int_5^9 9-y\,dy=\pi\left[9y-\frac{1}{2}y^2 \right]_5^9=\frac{\pi}{2}\left(\left(2\cdot9^2-9^2 \right)-(90-25) \right)=8\pi$$

Thus, the total volume is:

$$V=V_1+V_2=8\pi+8\pi=16\pi$$

Now, using the shell method to check our work, we find the volume of an arbitrary shell is:

$$dV=2\pi rh\,dx$$

where:

$$r=x$$

$$h=x^2+5-3=x^2+2$$

and so we have:

$$dV=2\pi x\left(x^2+2 \right)\,dx=2\pi\left(x^3+2x \right)\,dx$$

Summing the shells by integrating, we find:

$$V=2\pi\int_0^2 x^3+2x\,dx=2\pi\left[\frac{1}{4}x^4+x^2 \right]_0^2=2\frac{\pi}{2}\left(2^4+2^4 \right)=16\pi$$

This checks with our previous result.
 

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