Volume of solid x^2 + (y-1)^2 =1 about y-axis

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the volume of a solid defined by the equation x² + (y-1)² = 1 when rotated about the y-axis. The original poster is exploring methods such as the shell method and the disk method to approach this volume calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the shell method but expresses uncertainty about their setup and integration. They question whether their integral is correct and seek clarification on the method. Another participant suggests that the original poster may be using the disk method instead and provides insight into the correct setup for the volume calculation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on the setup of the integral and the methods to use. There is acknowledgment of the correct answer from a textbook, but no consensus on the original poster's approach has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is new to the concepts involved and is seeking simple explanations. There is a mention of symmetry in the solid, which could simplify the calculations, but this has not been fully explored in the discussion.

BethW86
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Homework Statement


Hello, I am to find the volume of the solid given by x2 + (y-1)2=1 rotated about the y-axis. I may use either shells or cylindrical method. I attempted shell method, but am just learning this, still foggy and this is the one question that isn't coming out right.

Homework Equations


My understanding is that with shells, my rectangles are placed parallel to the rotation axis?

The Attempt at a Solution


I took the equation and solved for y, so that y=+- sqrt(1-x2)+1
I set up my integral as pi INT[-1,1] x(sqrt(1-x2)+1) dx
I'm not sure my integration is correct: pi [1/2sqrt91-x^2)x +x+1/2sin^-1(x)] |-1 to 1
When I did this, I got (pi^2)/4. The books says I should get (4pi)/3
Thanks so much for any direction. Feel free to use simple terms, I'm new at this :)
 
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BethW86 said:

Homework Statement


Hello, I am to find the volume of the solid given by x2 + (y-1)2=1 rotated about the y-axis. I may use either shells or cylindrical method. I attempted shell method, but am just learning this, still foggy and this is the one question that isn't coming out right.

Homework Equations


My understanding is that with shells, my rectangles are placed parallel to the rotation axis?
The way you have things set up, it looks like you are using disks, not shells.
For each disk, the volume is ##\Delta V = \pi (radius)^2 \Delta x##.
Here, the radius of a typical disk is the y-value that you show below, minus 1. The radius squared would then be 1 - x2. This leads to an integral that is simpler than what you show below, plus, it gives the correct answer, always a good thing!
BethW86 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


I took the equation and solved for y, so that y=+- sqrt(1-x2)+1
I set up my integral as pi INT[-1,1] x(sqrt(1-x2)+1) dx
You can exploit the symmetry of the rotated object (a sphere) and take twice the volume as x ranges between 0 and 1.
BethW86 said:
I'm not sure my integration is correct: pi [1/2sqrt91-x^2)x +x+1/2sin^-1(x)] |-1 to 1
When I did this, I got (pi^2)/4. The books says I should get (4pi)/3
Thanks so much for any direction. Feel free to use simple terms, I'm new at this :)
The book's answer is correct. The volume of a sphere of radius 1 is ##4\pi/3##.
 
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Thanks so much, that helped!
 
When I do problems where something is being rotated around an axis or other line, I draw two sketches: one of the region that is being rotated, and another of the solid that results. In the latter drawing, I add a sketch of the typical volume element. I then calculate the volume or area or whatever of this element, which pretty much gives me my integrand.
 

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