Volume of Revolution: Find V with Shell Method

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of a container formed by rotating the curve y = 0.5x^2 from x = 0 to x = 3 around the line x = -3. The original poster attempts to use the shell method for this volume calculation but expresses uncertainty regarding the setup and the height of the container.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the shell method and suggest alternative approaches, such as taking circular slices in the y direction. There are questions about how to account for the central cylinder and the visualization of the container's shape.

Discussion Status

Several participants provide guidance on the setup of the problem, including suggestions to visualize the container and reconsider the integration limits. There appears to be a productive exploration of different interpretations of the problem, though no consensus on the final volume has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original description of the shape as a "box" may be misleading, and there is discussion about integrating under the curve versus the actual volume of the container. The height of the container is also a point of confusion, with some participants questioning how it affects the volume calculation.

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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  • 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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