Volume of Solid Revolution: Find x=2 Rotation

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To find the volume of the solid formed by rotating the area between y=√x and y=x^4 about the line x=2, two main methods are discussed. The first method involves calculating the area between the curves, finding the centroid, and applying Pappus's Second Theorem. The second method suggests transforming the functions to facilitate rotation about the y-axis, but participants note that adjusting the bounds is crucial when shifting the functions. Confusion arises regarding the integration limits and the correct application of the volume formula, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the correct relationships between the functions. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the complexities involved in solving the problem accurately.
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Could someone please explain how to do this question.

Find the volume of the solid formed when the area between y=√x and y=x^4 is rotated about the line x=2.

I know how to do this when it's rotated about the x and y axes, but I'm not sure how to do it with a different line.

Thank you.
 
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Option 1: compute the area bounded by those curves, then find the x co-ordinate of its centroid and find the circumference of the circle whose radius is the distance from this centroid to the line x=2. Multiply the area by the circumference to get your volume (Pappus's Second Theorem).

Option 2: Notice why this problem is the same as the problem of finding the volume of the solid formed when the area between y = √(x + 2) and y = (x + 2)4 are rotated about the x-axis, and use this to solve the problem as you already know how to.
 
AKG said:
Notice why this problem is the same as [rotating the lines] about the x-axis
Do you mean about the y-axis? If the original problem says to rotate the solid about the line x=2.
 
Yes, you're right, the y-axis (the line x = 0).
 
Thanks for your help :smile:
 
I can't seem to get the answer. I'm using the 2nd method. I'm meant to be rotating about the y-axis, aren't I?

In that case,

x^2=(y^2-2)^2------------- x^2=((y^1/4)-2)^2
=y^4-4y^2+4 --------------= y-(4y1/4)+4

Then you integrate these? The bounds are y=0, y=1. But I end up with completely the wrong answer.
 
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By using y = \sqrt {x+2} and y = (x+2)^4, you 'moved' the functions two places to the left. Your bounds have to move then as well, so you integrate from y = -2 to y = -1.

The volume of a solid of revolution, about the y-axis, is the given by:

\pi \int\limits_a^b {f\left( y \right)^2 dy}
 
Okay, the bounds move, but that results in an undefined answer, if my expansion above is correct.

Shouldn't it be y= 2,1. You can't get a negative answer from those equations.
 
Your expansion isn't really clear to me...
 
  • #10
I'm not sure how I can make it clearer, but when you rearrange y = \sqrt {x+2}, you get x^2 = y^4-4y^2+4.

When you rearrange y = (x+2)^4, you get x^2 = y-4y^(1/4)+4

For the latter, that is the 4th root for the 2nd term.
 
  • #11
If you have 2 functions g(x) and h(x) and you want to find the solid of revolution of their difference (f(x) = h(x) - g(x)), the function f(x)² in the previous mentioned formula isn't h(x)²-g(x)² but (h(x) - g(x))² which isn't the same.
 
  • #12
okay, y = \sqrt {x+2}, is rearranged to x = y^2-2.

y = (x+2)^4 is rearranged to x = y^(1/4)-2

Then, [(y^2-2)-(y^(1/4)-2)]^2

Then you get y^4-y^2+y^(1/16)

But shouldn't you just integrate from the same bounds because your only changing the values of the x-axis.
 
  • #13
I'm sorry, I think I confused you and my last answer wasn't entirely correct.

Using f(x) = h(x) - g(x) doesn't change the area, but it does move it so the volume of the solid of revolution doesn't stay the same. Therefore, it would be indeed better to calculate the entire V of the solid of revolution of h(x) and then substract the one of g(x).
 
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