Volume of Revolution: Find V with Shell Method

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SUMMARY

The volume of revolution for the container formed by rotating the curve y = 0.5x² from x = 0 to x = 3 around x = -3 is calculated using the shell method. The correct integral for the volume is 2π∫₀³ (x + 3)(4.5 - 0.5x²) dx, which accounts for the height of 4.5. Participants in the discussion clarified the need to include the volume of the central cylinder and corrected the initial misunderstanding regarding the integration limits and the shape of the container. The final volume is determined to be 114.75π.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the shell method for calculating volumes of revolution
  • Familiarity with integral calculus, specifically definite integrals
  • Knowledge of the geometric interpretation of functions and their rotations
  • Ability to visualize three-dimensional shapes formed by rotation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the shell method in detail, focusing on its application in volume calculations
  • Learn about the disk and washer methods for volume of revolution
  • Explore the concept of definite integrals and their applications in geometry
  • Practice visualizing three-dimensional shapes from two-dimensional curves
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on volumes of revolution, as well as educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods in integral calculus.

Kqwert
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Homework Statement


A container with height 4.5 is created by rotating the curve y = 0.5x^2 0 \leq x \leq 3 around x = -3 and putting a plane bottom in the box. Find the volume V of the box.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I want to solve this by using the shell method. I have put up the following integral, which will be the volume of the revolution. It is however not correct, and I haven't really used the information about the height given in the text.. could anyone help me?

2\pi\int_0^3 (x+3)(0.5x^2) \, dx
 
Last edited:
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You are omitting the central cylinder (between x = 0 and -6).
Personally I think it would be easier to take circular slices in the y direction.
 
How do you go about calculating the volume of the central cylinder?
 
I think you just edited it with the ## 2 \pi ##, and it looks correct to me.
 
Charles Link said:
I think you just edited it with the ## 2 \pi ##, and it looks correct to me.
No, the post haven't been edited. I think it´s true what mjc123 said about omitting the central cylinder. I am however not exactly sure how to visualize it.
 
Kqwert said:
No, the post haven't been edited. I think it´s true what mjc123 said about omitting the central cylinder. I am however not exactly sure how to visualize it.
I am a little puzzled by this one also, because it doesn't look like a box. ## \\ ## Edit: I think I see what they are wanting, but I'll let you work on it for a few minutes.
 
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Charles Link said:
I am a little puzzled by this one also, because it doesn't look like a box.
I´ve translated it from my own language, so box is probably the wrong description. Let's say container instead. (edited first post)
 
Oh, and you're also integrating under the curve, i.e. outside the box. Replace 0.5x2 by (4.5 - 0.5x2).
Try drawing a diagram of this to see what the "box" looks like (it's like a bowl).
 
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This is what I think you're being asked to find the volume of. What is the volume of the bowl?
bowl.png
 

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  • #10
mjc123 said:
Oh, and you're also integrating under the curve, i.e. outside the box. Replace 0.5x2 by (4.5 - 0.5x2).
Try drawing a diagram of this to see what the "box" looks like (it's like a bowl).
Is it like this? We want to find the volume which results when rotating the gray colored area around x = -3, but we also need to include the "inner" volume which I´ve colored orange. The volume of this orange part should be pi*3^2*4.5..?

42982625_431839237221407_8407967947338809344_n.jpg
 

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  • #11
Looks like you've got it.
 
  • #12
mjc123 said:
Looks like you've got it.
I still get wrong. My answer is (135/2)*pi. Is it the same as you?
 
  • #13
No, I get 114.75*pi, by both methods.
 
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  • #14
mjc123 said:
No, I get 114.75*pi, by both methods.
Excellent, had forgotten that the graph was 0.5x^2 and not x^2... got it now!
 

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