Volume from rotating function about y axis

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of a solid formed by rotating the function y=1/x around the y-axis, with specified boundaries including y=0 and x=1. Participants are exploring the appropriate method for setting up the volume calculation, particularly focusing on the use of washers or disks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the setup of the problem, particularly the boundaries and whether the limits are correctly defined. There is a discussion about the suitability of using washers versus shells for this volume calculation. Some participants suggest reconsidering the limits and the method of integration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing different perspectives on the method to use for volume calculation. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of shells instead of washers, and there is an ongoing exploration of the implications of the limits set in the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is some confusion regarding the limits of integration, particularly with the repeated mention of x=1. Participants are also considering the implications of rotating around the y-axis and the resulting shapes formed by the rotation.

nameVoid
Messages
238
Reaction score
0
y=1/x, y=0, x=1,x=1, rotate around y axis;

curious how to set this up using washers
 
Physics news on Phys.org


It's been a long time since I have done this, but I think this should be done with disks & I believe you meant x=1 and y=1 ?
 


You have "x= 1, x= 1". Surely, that's not what you meant! I am going to assume the limits are x= a, x= b, with a< b.

Because you have constant x limits (I assume), and are rotating around the y-axis, "washers" is not the best way to do this. The simplest method would be shells.

But since you ask:

There is no graph below y= 1/b. But you have y= 0 as the lower limit for the figure. So, for y= 0 to 1/a, this is a cylinder. its volume is [itex]\pi(b^2- a^2)(1/a)[/itex], the area between the two circles, of radii a and b, times it height, 1/a.

For y= 1/a to 1/b, draw a horizontal line from line from x= (a, y) to (1/y, y) (Since y= 1/x, x= 1/y). Rotated about the y-axis that gives a "washer". Its area is the difference between the areas of the two circles: [itex]\pi((1/y)^2- a^2)[/itex]. The volume of that "washer" is that area times its thickness, "dy": [itex]\pi\int_{y= 1/a}^{1/b} ((1/y)^2- a^2)dy[/itex]. Don't forget to add that first volume to get the volume of the entire thing.
 
nameVoid said:
y=1/x, y=0, x=1,x=1, rotate around y axis;

curious how to set this up using washers

Hi nameVoid! :smile:

I'm not sure what you mean :redface:, but the general technique is to cut it into slices with thickness dx … then the volume of each slice is (area)dx, and so the total volume is ∫(area)dx. :wink:
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K