The volume of the solid generated by the revolution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the volume of the solid generated by the revolution of the curve defined by the equation $y^2 (2 a - x) = x^3$ about its asymptote. Participants explore various methods for calculating this volume, including the shell method and the disk method, while addressing the implications of the curve's properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks if the axis of revolution has been identified and which method is most practical for computing the solid's volume.
  • Some participants propose that the shell method is the best approach for this problem.
  • A later reply elaborates on the advantages of the shell method, noting that it allows for easier manipulation of the function compared to the disk method, which could lead to an improper integral.
  • Another participant provides a detailed solution using the shell method, including the derivation of the volume integral and the evaluation of specific integrals involved in the calculation.
  • One participant confirms that they followed the same method and arrived at the same answer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no explicit consensus on the best method, but multiple participants express support for the shell method. The discussion includes varying perspectives on the practicality of different approaches without resolving which is definitively superior.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the properties of the curve and the axis of revolution, as well as the implications of using different methods for volume calculation. Some mathematical steps remain unresolved, particularly regarding the convergence of integrals.

Who May Find This Useful

Participants interested in mathematical methods for calculating volumes of solids of revolution, particularly in the context of calculus and geometry, may find this discussion beneficial.

ksananthu
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find the volume of the solid generated by the revolution of the curve
$y^2 (2 a - x) = x^3$ about its asymptote.
 
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Re: the volume of the solid generated by the revolution

Have you identified the axis of revolution, i.e., the asymptote, and have you observed which method of computing the solid is the most practical and why?
 
Re: the volume of the solid generated by the revolution

i think shell method is best
 
Re: the volume of the solid generated by the revolution

ksananthu said:
i think shell method is best

So do I...can you explain why?
 
Since more than 24 hours has gone by since the last response by the OP, I am going to post the solution while it is still on my mind.

First, I plotted the implicit curve, letting $a=1$:

View attachment 1023

Now, it is fairly easy to see that the domain of the implicit function is $[0,2a)$, if we write it in the form:

[math]y^2=\frac{x^3}{2a-x}\ge0[/math]

We also see that the axis of rotation, i.e., the asymptote is the line $x=2a$.

We should observe that the shell method is more practical since we can solve for $y$ but not for $x$, at least not easily. Also, the disk method would generate an improper integral, so we would need to determine if it converges. So, let's proceed with the shell method. The volume of an arbitrary shell is:

[math]dV=2\pi rh\,dx[/math]

where:

[math]r=2a-x[/math]

[math]h=2\sqrt{\frac{x^3}{2a-x}}[/math]

Since $x$ is non-negative in the domain, we may write:

[math]h=2x\sqrt{\frac{x}{2a-x}}[/math]

and so we find:

[math]dV=4\pi(2a-x)x\sqrt{\frac{x}{2a-x}}\,dx=4\pi x\sqrt{x(2a-x)}\,dx[/math]

Thus, summation of the shells gives us the volume:

[math]V=4\pi\int_0^{2a} x\sqrt{x(2a-x)}\,dx[/math]

Completing the square under the radical, we obtain:

[math]V=4\pi\int_0^{2a} x\sqrt{a^2-(x-a)^2}\,dx[/math]

Now, if we let:

[math]x-a=a\sin(\theta)\,\therefore\,dx=a\cos(\theta)[/math]

we obtain:

[math]V=4\pi a^3\int_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} (1+\sin(\theta))\cos^2(\theta)\,d\theta= 4\pi a^3\left(\int_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}\cos^2(\theta)\,d \theta+ \int_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \cos^2(\theta)\sin(\theta)\,d\theta \right)[/math]

For the first integral, using a double-angle identity for cosine, we may write:

[math]\int_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \cos^2(\theta)\,d\theta= \frac{1}{2}\int_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}1+ \cos(2\theta)\,d\theta= \frac{1}{2}\left([\theta]_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}+ \frac{1}{2}[\sin(2\theta)]_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \right)= \frac{\pi}{2}[/math]

For the second integral, using the odd function rule, we may write:

[math]\int_{-\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \cos^2(\theta)\sin(\theta)\,d\theta=0[/math]

And so we have:

[math]V=4\pi a^3\left(\frac{\pi}{2} \right)=2\pi^2a^3[/math]
 

Attachments

  • solidrev1.jpg
    solidrev1.jpg
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Thank you.
i tried same way and I got the answer !
 

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