Volume of Revolution: Finding the Volume of a Solid Revolved Around the Y-Axis

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the volume of a solid generated by revolving the area between the curves 2sin(x) and -sin(x) from 0 to π around the y-axis. Participants are exploring the geometric implications of the curves' positions relative to the x-axis and y-axis.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the reasoning behind whether to add or subtract areas when calculating volume, particularly regarding the negative area represented by -sin(x). There is discussion about the appropriate method for setting up the integral for volume calculation, including the washer and shell methods.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the setup of integrals and the implications of subtracting a negative quantity. There is an ongoing exploration of how to accurately represent the area between the curves and the x-axis, with some participants expressing confusion about the geometric interpretation of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of integrating functions that lie above and below the x-axis, and there is a mention of the need to graph the region for better understanding. The original problem statement has been clarified through edits, indicating a focus on the y-axis as the axis of rotation.

icesalmon
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Homework Statement


Find the volume of 2sin(x) and -sin(x) from 0 to pi revolving around the y-axis

The Attempt at a Solution


My problem is with the geometry of this problem, 2sin(x) is above the x-axis and -sin(x) is below the x-axis. My belief was that I should be adding on the extra area of -sin(x) because it lies below the x-axis. I don't understand why I should be subtracting in this case. Thanks
edit: the axis of rotation is the y-axis.

there are two parts, the first asks me to show, through differentiation, that the integral of x(sin(x))dx = sin(x) - x(cos(x)) + C. Done. For the second part they say use the result of part (a) to find the volume of the solid generated by revolving each plane region, the area between 2sin(x) and -sin(x), about the y-axis. I said x-axis, sorry my mistake.
 
Last edited:
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icesalmon said:

Homework Statement


Find the volume of 2sin(x) and -sin(x) from 0 to pi revolving around the x-axis

The Attempt at a Solution


My problem is with the geometry of this problem, 2sin(x) is above the x-axis and -sin(x) is below the x-axis. My belief was that I should be adding on the extra area of -sin(x) because it lies below the x-axis. I don't understand why I should be subtracting in this case. Thanks
This problem doesn't make a lot of sense.

Please state the whole problem word for word as it was given to you.
 
post edited
 
icesalmon said:
post edited
Yes, it makes much more sense for this region to be revolved about the y-axis, rather than about the x-axis .

Also, the extra information is very helpful in regards to performing an integration which will give the volume.

If you set up the integral(s) corresponding each method of finding this volume,
The washer method

The shell method​
you will find the one of these methods is consistent with the given hint (the additional info in your edit).

Start by doing the set-up for each method.
Furthermore, it's helpful to graph the region to be revolved. WolframAlpha gives:
attachment.php?attachmentid=56239&stc=1&d=1362158108.gif

Added in Edit:

As for your question regarding subtracting: You are subtracting a negative quantity.
2sin(x) - ( -sin(x) ) = 2sin(x) + sin(x) = 3sin(x) .​
 

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let me ask you this, if you were just doing a plain integral of -sin(x) what area would you shade as the region of integration? The area between the purple curve and the x-axis or everything below that purple curve?
 
If the question asked you to find the area between the graph of y = -sin(x) and the x-axis, on the interval [0, ##\pi##], it's pretty clear what region you would shade, right? If for some reason you shaded everything below the curve, that would be an infinite area.

The integral to represent the area I described (i.e., between the curve and the x-axis) would be

$$ \int_0^{\pi} 0 - (-sin(x))~dx$$

This would yield a positive number, as areas should be.
 
got it now, thank you.
 

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