# Volume of solids of revolutions. (Integral problem)

1. Nov 16, 2013

### Mutaja

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A function is given at y = $\sqrt{x-x^2}$

Find the volume of the solid of the revolution around the x axis. Not sure if this is the correct translation, but find the volume when you revolve the function around the x axis.

The object in question is a sphere. What does the radius of the sphere has to be?

3. The attempt at a solution

I am slightly familiar with the disc method in this case, but I am not familiar with the notes I've written from my lectures. This is what I've done so far.

The function goes from 0-1, and when revolved it forms a sphere.

Radius: $\sqrt{x-x^2}$
Area: ∏*$r^2$ = ∏($\sqrt{x-x^2}$)

Vd = ∏ $\sqrt{x-x^2}$ dx

Vt = ∫∏$\sqrt{x-x^2}$ dx (upper limit 1, lower limit 0).

To find the volume o this sphere, I have to solve this integration problem:

∫∏$\sqrt{x-x^2}$ dx (upper limit 1, lower limit 0)

Here's where I get a problem. I attempt to use the substitution method, and I get this equation:

u = x-$x^2$
∫$\sqrt{u}$ dx
∫$u^(1/2)$ dx

This equals $\frac{u^(3/2)}{\frac{3}{2}}$

And I substitute u for x and end up with the final equation:

$\frac{(x-x^2)^(3/2)}{\frac{3}{2}}$

When I set in limits for this equation and solve the problem, I get 0 - this is obviously wrong.

I'm fairly sure that I've integrated the problem wrong, but have I even attempted to integrate the correct expression?

Any help as always highly appreciated.

Edit: I have trouble with the formatting when I want to raise expressions to a higher power when I use latex.

2. Nov 16, 2013

### LCKurtz

Complete the square and put it in standard form to see.

You forgot to square the radius.

Put the exponent in braces {}.

3. Nov 16, 2013

### Mutaja

Ah, ok, thanks. Will this be correct?

r = ($\sqrt{x-x^2}$)$^2$ = x-$x^2$

Vd = ∏ (x-$x^2$) dx

Vt = ∫∏ (x-$x^2$) dx

Vt = [∏ ($\frac{x^2}{2}$ - $\frac{x^3}{3}$ ] (upper limit 1, lower limit 0)

Vt = ∏ ($\frac{1^2}{2}$ - $\frac{1^3}{3}$)

= $\frac{∏}{6}$

Total volume of the sphere is $\frac{∏}{6}$.

The radius of the sphere is x-$x^2$.

The radius doesn't make sense to me, otherwise what I've done looks ok to me.

Thanks a lot for your help, I really appreciate it.

4. Nov 16, 2013

### LCKurtz

You have an equation $y = \sqrt{x-x^2}$. Square both sides and put it in the standard form for the equation of a sphere. That will give you its center and radius. The standard form for a sphere is$$(x-x_0)^2 + (y-y_0)^2 = r^2$$Once you know the radius, you can check your answer for the volume using $V = \frac 4 3 \pi r^3$ and your radius.

5. Nov 16, 2013

### Mutaja

I'm sorry, but I'm lost.

Any chance we can take a quick recap?

$y^2$ = x - $x^2$

Put that into $$(x-x_0)^2 + (y-y_0)^2 = r^2$$

And I get:

r = $\sqrt{x^2 +(x-x^2)}$

I'm confused as to which equations are important. Should I get y = or r =, should I insert for (x-$x^2$) for y etc...

I've been watching Khan Academy's videos on Disc method (rotating f(x) about x axis) and Volume of a sphere to try and get an understanding of the problem - and I do. The problem occur when I try to implement my own equation into his methods + try to get help from you.

I'm confusing myself, obviously, but please help me clear this up, and I'll do my best to understand it.

6. Nov 16, 2013

### haruspex

How do you get that? What happened to x0 and y0?
You are looking for a combination of constants, r, x0 and y0, which makes $(x-x_0)^2 + (y-y_0)^2 = r^2$ reduce to $y^2 = x - x^2$.

7. Nov 16, 2013

### Mutaja

I just assumed x0 and y0 was 0.

8. Nov 16, 2013

### haruspex

Then don't.

9. Nov 16, 2013

### Mutaja

I realize that, but it doesn't go well with what my notes says, nor what Khan Academy says. I find the formula in my book, but I don't understand how to use it as it's explained bad in my opinion. I also realize that it's very likely that it's well explained, I just can't get my head around it and understand it.

The formula is sound, but what is x0 and y0, and are they related to x and y? Like the general understanding I have of this is that x0 and y0 are starting coordinates and x and y are ending coordinates. But I can't put numbers into the equation from looking at the graph, because that would give x0 and y0 = 0, x = 1, y equals 1/2.

Any chance you can elaborate or explain it somehow? I'll do my absolute best to understand this.

10. Nov 16, 2013

### haruspex

$x^2 + y^2 = r^2$ is the equation of a sphere radius r centred at the origin. $(x-x_0)^2 + (y-y_0)^2 = r^2$ is also the equation of a sphere radius r. Where do you think its centre is?

11. Nov 17, 2013

### Mutaja

I re did the whole problem, and wrote down the equations.

I ended up with just solving the equation for volume in respect to radius so:

V= $\frac{4}{3}$ ∏ $r^3$

equals: r = $\sqrt[3]{\frac{3v}{4∏}}$

Putting in my above answers for volume ($\frac{∏}{6}$) I get r = $\frac{1}{2}$.

That is exactly the same as what I get when I graph the function. It should be correct?

I still have no clue on how to use the x and y equation you're using. Is there any way you can explain it in a simpler way than what you've done so far?

Last edited: Nov 17, 2013
12. Nov 17, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

The curve that's being revolved around the x-axis is $y = \sqrt{x - x^2}$. If you square both sides of this equation, you get y2 = x - x2, or x2 - x + y2 = 0.

The graph of the first equation is the upper half of a circle. The graph of the second equation is the entire circle, not a sphere as others have said in this thread. When you rotate the first graph about the x-axis, you get a sphere.

Earlier in this thread LCKurtz recommended that you complete the square in this equation -- x2 - x + y2 = 0 -- to write it in standard form for a circle. When you do that, you'll see that the center is at (1/2, 0) and the radius is 1/2.

Since you didn't follow up on LCKurtz's suggestion, is it because you don't know how to complete the square? I would guess that this is one of the topics at Khan Academy. If you don't know this technique, it would be good for you to learn it.

13. Nov 17, 2013

### Mutaja

To elaborate a little, I haven't got any formula or equation like that in my notes. The only place I can find it is in my book, which to my understanding explains it badly (as previously stated, that's most likely because of me, not the author of the book).

But the way I have solved the problem works, does it not? I will look into LCKurtz's suggestion later for sure, but right not I'll try to do more problems like this one to get a better understanding of how to think when solving them. Or maybe it would be better to start exploring his suggestion straight away? Because my next problem is sort of the same, only around the y-axis. I will probably post another thread shortly on that topic if I can't solve it myself.

Again, your help is much appreciated. Thanks a lot.

14. Nov 17, 2013

### haruspex

'Completing the square' is a fundamental technique for dealing with quadratics. It's how one obtains the usual formula for solving them. I would recommend filling that gap in your learning ASAP.

15. Nov 17, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

Yes, right away.