Volume of Revolution: Cylinders vs Washers

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the volume of a solid formed by rotating the area between the curves y = x^{1/3} and y = x around the line y = 1. The volume is computed using two methods: washers and cylinders. The correct volume using the cylinder method is confirmed as 4π/15, while the washer method yields a volume of 7π/30 after correcting the radius to 1 - y. The discrepancy in the washer method was identified as an error in setting up the integral, specifically in defining the radius.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integral calculus
  • Familiarity with the method of washers for volume calculation
  • Knowledge of the method of cylindrical shells for volume calculation
  • Ability to evaluate definite integrals
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the method of washers for volume calculations in calculus
  • Study the method of cylindrical shells and its applications
  • Practice evaluating definite integrals involving polynomial functions
  • Explore the implications of rotating regions about different axes in volume calculations
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on volume calculations through integration methods, as well as educators teaching these concepts in a classroom setting.

Asphyxiated
Messages
263
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Find the volume of the solid bounded by the curves y = x^{1/3} and y = x when rotated around y=1.

Homework Equations



Volume with washers:

V = \pi \int R(x)^{2}-r(x)^{2} dx

where R(x) and r(x) are functions of x defining the inner and outer radii of the washers

Volume with cylinders:

V = 2 \pi \int R(x)*h(x) dx

where R(x) is a function of x (or just x) to define the radius of the cylinder and h(x) is a function of x to define the height of the cylinder (could be two functions minus one another)

The Attempt at a Solution



I did this both with cylinders and washers and get the right answer with cylinder but am 1/30 units off of the correct answer with washers, can anyone tell me why?

First with cylinders:

2 \pi \int_{0}^{1} y * (y-y^{3}) dy = 2 \pi \int_{0}^{1} y^{2}-y^{4}dy

2 \pi \int_{0}^{1} y^{2}-y^{4}dy = 2 \pi ( \frac {y^{3}}{3}-\frac {y^{5}}{5})

evaluate at 1 and 0:

2 \pi ( \frac {1}{3} - \frac {1}{5}) = \frac {4 \pi} {15}

which is correct, now with washers:

\pi \int_{0}^{1} (1-x)^{2} - (1-x^{1/3})^{2} dx

\pi \int_{0}^{1} 1-2x+x^{2}- (1-2x^{1/3}+x^{2/3}) dx

\pi \int_{0}^{1} -2x +x^{2}+2x^{1/3}-x^{2/3} dx

\pi ( -x^{2} + \frac {x^{3}}{3} + \frac {3x^{4/3}}{2} - \frac {3x^{5/3}}{5})

evaluate at 1 and 0:

\pi (-1+\frac{1}{3}+\frac{3}{2}-\frac{3}{5})=\frac{7 \pi}{30}

Also maple confirms that these are the answers to these two integrals so I must be setting up the second one wrong but i have it all drawn out huge on my blackboard and can not see how you would say anything is different. It must be though! Please help me see where I went wrong here!

thanks!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Are you sure the answer you got using cylinders is correct? Since you are rotating the region about y=1, the radii of your cylinders should be 1-y rather than y.
 
Yeah man, i am sure that's what it says although I asked my teacher today and you are right the shells are suppose to be 1-y as the radius and the correct answer is 7pi/30. She said that they must have screwed up when filling in the answer.

Thanks for pointing out that if the radius was 1-y then it comes out equal to the first integral with respect to x.
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K