Volume of a function around an axis

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the volume of a solid formed by rotating the function f(x) = ½ x² + 2 around the line x = 3, bounded by the region between x = 0 and x = 4. Participants are exploring the implications of the axis of rotation and the boundaries of the region.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the volume formula but questions whether to adjust the boundaries based on the axis of rotation. Another participant raises concerns about the setup, suggesting a potential misunderstanding of the problem. The original poster later revises their understanding of the boundaries and attempts to express the function in terms of y for the calculation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants clarifying their interpretations of the problem and exploring different approaches to finding the volume. Some guidance has been offered regarding the setup, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct method or results yet.

Contextual Notes

There is confusion regarding the axis of rotation and the boundaries of the function, with participants questioning the initial problem statement and the implications of rotating around x = 3. The original poster also notes discrepancies in volume calculations when using different bounds.

BFPerkins
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Given this problem:

Find the volume and describe the shape of the object formed by the function f(x) = ½ x²+2 when the function is rotated around the x =3 axis and bounded by th region between the x = 0 and x = 4.

I am not sure if I am thihnking about this correctly. I know in order to find the volume, I must use the formula 2π ∫Pxhx dx between x = 0 and x = 4. However, since it is rotatated around the x= 3 axis, do I use that as my starting point. Meaning, do I make 3 equal to zero and make the x boundaries as the difference from 3 to their points?
 
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The axis of rotation is inside the region to be rotated so that the solid would intersect itself, did you copy the problem down right?
 
Last edited:
Sorry! Never mind the question. I was looking at the problem wrong. The function is bounded by y = 0 and y = 4, not x. Now it is a piece of cake!
 
I'm back and I've carefully checked to make sure I am reading it correctly.

First I set function in terms of y because of its rotation around the vertical axis, which gives me
y = sqrt(2x-2) Then I subtracted 3 because it revolves around x = 3. This is my radius, so I square it to get my area ( and multiply by Pi)

which gives [sqrt(2x-2 - 3]^ 2 = 2x - 6sqrt(2x-2) - 13

So my volume is π ∫ sqrt(2x-2) - 6sqrt(2x-2) - 13 dy from y = 0 to y = 4.

I get [ x² -13x - 4sqrt(2x-2)^(3/2)

Since the lowest point of this function is 2 on ther y axis, the volume should be the same whether I use the bounds of 2 to 4, or 0 to 4, but I keep gwetting differeent results for those two limits.
 

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