What Is the Correct Surface Area of a Curve Rotated Around the X-axis?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the surface area of the curve defined by y=x³, for the interval 0≤x≤2, when rotated about the x-axis. Participants are exploring the application of the surface area formula and addressing potential errors in calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the surface area formula and are questioning the correctness of their integration steps. There is a focus on the substitution method and its implications on the final result.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided alternative approaches and pointed out potential errors in algebraic manipulation. There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to arrive at the correct answer, with no clear consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the use of certain resources or methods. There is also a noted confusion regarding the proper application of derivatives and substitutions in the context of the problem.

Saterial
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Homework Statement



Find the area of the surface obtained by rotating the curve y=x3, 0≤x≤2 about the x-axis.

Homework Equations


\begin{equation*}
SA = \int_{0}^{2} 2 \pi y L
\end{equation*}

The Attempt at a Solution



SORRY, I don't know how to use LaTeX yet.

∫2∏y√(1+(dy/dx)2)dx from 0->2
=∫2∏y√(1+(3x2)2)dx
=2∏∫x3√(1+9x4)dx
=2∏∫x3(1+3x2)dx
=2∏∫x3+3x5dx
=2∏[x4/4 + x6/2] 0->2
=plug in 2
=72∏

I don't see where I went wrong. The answer is ∏/27*(145√(145)-1)
 
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Saterial said:

Homework Statement



Find the area of the surface obtained by rotating the curve y=x3, 0≤x≤2 about the x-axis.

Homework Equations


\begin{equation*}
SA = \int_{0}^{2} 2 \pi y L
\end{equation*}

The Attempt at a Solution



SORRY, I don't know how to use LaTeX yet.

∫2∏y√(1+(dy/dx)2)dx from 0->2
=∫2∏y√(1+(3x2)2)dx
=2∏∫x3√(1+9x4)dx
=2∏∫x3(1+3x2)dx
=2∏∫x3+3x5dx
=2∏[x4/4 + x6/2] 0->2
=plug in 2
=72∏

I don't see where I went wrong. The answer is ∏/27*(145√(145)-1)
Review basic algebra:
[itex]\displaystyle \sqrt{1+9x^4}\ne1+3x^2[/itex]​

Notice that [itex]\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\ (1+9x^4)=36x^3\,,[/itex] so use a substitution like u = 1 + 9x4 .
 
Trying it with that, I now have:

∫2∏y√(1+(dy/dx)2)dx from 0->2
=∫2∏y√(1+(3x2)2)dx
=2∏∫x3√(1+9x4)dx

let u = 1+9x4, (1/36)du=x3dx

=2∏/36∫√udu
=2∏/36[2u^3/2/3] 0->2
=2∏/36[2(1+9x4)3/2/3] 0->2
=plug in 2
=some ridiculously huge number compared to answer
 
No, in fact, it gives the answer. Are you doing some basic arithmetic error?
 

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